Small-scale projects

A small-scale project could be defined as a preparatory project or a pre-study but can also be a normal implementation project but with a limited size of the budget compared to a regular project. A project with a budget no higher than 60 000 euros when partners from all 3 partner countries participate and no higher than 40 000 euros when only 2 countries participate in the project will be considered as a small-scale project.  This means a total budget of 20 000 euro per participating country.

Clarification of the budget limitation: 

• This implies a maximum of ERDF-funding of no more than 13 000 euro per participating country from Sweden/Finland. That means it is possible to apply for ERDF-funding up to an amount of 26 000 euros if both countries participate and the budget is 40 000 for the EU-partners, but still, note that the budget limit is 20 000 euro per country and the ERDF-funding hence is 13 000 euro per participating country.
• For Norwegian partners participating in a small-scale project this limitation implies a maximum of IR-funding of no more than 10 000 euro to be shared among Norwegian partners.

This is possible:

This is NOT possible as the budget is above 20 000 for one of the partners (even if the total is only 40 000 for EU-partners):

A small-scale project can be intended to lead to an application for a regular project, but it can also have other expected results. The purpose of a small-scale project could be for example:

• building suitable and well-balanced cross-border partnerships
• facilitate the joint development of cross-border implementation models that correspond with the objectives of the Programme
• reduce the risks associated with developing a regular project application
• further develop the indicative products and services and their features into viable solutions that can be implemented by a regular
• people to people projects

Small-scale projects will be approved as so-called lump sum projects (a simplified cost option). The application will contain a draft budget which will be the base for approving the lump sum of support.  This leads to a simplified payment procedure, as the project payment will be made based on a pre-established lump sum, provided that the final report, describing project activities and the final outcomes, is approved by the Joint Secretariat. The lump sum will be calculated based on the budget in the project application and stated in the grant decision document from the Managing Authority.

The lump sum principle means that there is no need for a separate claiming procedure with management verifications by the controllers, and there is no checking of the actual spending related to the project or activity. If the result/outcome is reached and approved, payment will be made. If the result/outcome should not be reached, there will be no payment at all. It is not possible to make a partial payment.