Entrepreneurship Education

Transcription

1 EUROPEAN COMMISSION Executive Agency for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (EASME) CALL FOR PROPOSALS COS-WP Entrepreneurship Education (Pan-European Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative) 1

2 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND General Introduction Entrepreneurship Education (Pan-European Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative) OBJECTIVE(S) THEME(S) PRIORITIES - ACTIVITIES Objective of the call General remarks and final indications Eligible activities The establishment of a network The creation of an interactive on-line tool Good Practise presentation Peer-learning Instruments to collect and assess information INDICATIVE TIMETABLE BUDGET AVAILABLE ADMISSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Eligible applicants EXCLUSION CRITERIA Exclusion from participation: Exclusion from award: Supporting documents SELECTION CRITERIA Financial capacity Operational capacity AWARD CRITERIA LEGAL COMMITMENTS FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

3 11.1. General Principles Funding forms Payment arrangements Pre-financing guarantee PUBLICITY By the beneficiaries By the EASME DATA PROTECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS Electronic submissions Contacts

4 1. INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND 1.1. General Introduction Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) play a crucial role in reaching the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy 1. Whereas they are considered as crucial engines for growth and job creation, their competitiveness is affected by a limited exploitation of international opportunities and innovation prospects in the Single Market and beyond. In this context, the Programme for the competitiveness of enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises ( ), hereinafter referred to as COSME 2, aims to promote growth and to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises in the European Union. COSME supports, among others, exchanges among European educators and trainers, as well as best practice in entrepreneurship education in the EU. The contracting authority is the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (hereinafter referred to as "EASME"). 3 EASME is, inter alia, entrusted by the European Commission with the implementation of parts of the COSME programme and the Horizon 2020 programme Entrepreneurship Education (Pan-European Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative) According to the EU Key Competence Framework 4, the entrepreneurship key competence refers to an individual s ability to turn ideas into action. It includes creativity, innovation and risk-taking, as well as the ability to plan and manage projects in order to achieve objectives. Developing the mindsets, generic attributes and skills that are the foundations of entrepreneurship can be complemented by imparting more specific knowledge about business according to the level and type of education. Entrepreneurship education seeks to prepare people to be responsible, enterprising individuals who have the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to achieve the goals they set for themselves and to live a fulfilled life. In addition to equipping people with the skills to start a business, entrepreneurship education is also about encouraging creative thinking and promoting a strong sense of self-worth, initiative and a tolerance of failure. Entrepreneurial learning should be available to every pupil/student in every 1 COM (2010) 2020 final, 3 March Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013 of 11 December 2013, Official Journal of the European Union 2013/L 347/33. 3 EASME was set up by Commission implementing decision 2013/771/EU of "establishing the Executive Agency for Small and Medium Size Enterprises and repealing decisions 2004/20/EC and 2007/372/EC", Official Journal of the European Union L 341 of Recommendation 2006/962/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 on key competences for lifelong learning, Official Journal L 394 of

5 school, as entrepreneurship is a key competence for life. The Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan invites EU member States to offer all young people the opportunity to have at least one practical entrepreneurial experience before they leave compulsory education. Education for Entrepreneurship will typically include some of the following elements: building those personal attributes and cross-cutting skills that form the basis of an entrepreneurial mindset and behaviour (creativity, sense of initiative, risk acceptance, self-confidence, independence, etc.); raising the awareness of students about self-employment and entrepreneurship as possible career options; using practice-based methods, where students are involved in project work and/or in activities outside the classroom (linking them with the business world or with the local community); providing basic business skills for self-employment or self-management, and knowledge of how to start and develop a commercial or social venture successfully. The goal of entrepreneurship education is to help people build and acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes to act in an entrepreneurial way. To achieve this, entrepreneurship education has evolved into a concept for both the content and methods of teaching and learning. Entrepreneurship can be approached not only as a course or subject, but also as a theme and a method that can be embedded in all subjects at every level of education. Entrepreneurship education should not be confused with general studies of economics or business administration, as its goal is to promote creativity, innovation and selfemployment, as well as the acquisition of hands-on, operative capabilities. Figure 1: The elements in entrepreneurship education (Elaborated from Heinonen & Poikkijoki, 2006). Entrepreneurial individual KNOWLEDGE learn to understand entrepreneurship On how to identify opportunities About the bigger picture issues that provide context in which people live and work Understanding of the workings of the economy Ethical position of enterprises On the processes of innovation & creativity On the process of entrepreneurship On accounting, business planning, marketing SKILLS learn to become an entrepreneur Plan; Organise; Manage; Lead & delegate; Analyse; Communicate; Evaluate; Effective representation & negotiation; Work as an individual; Work in teams; Judge & identify one s strengths and weaknesses; Assess and take risks; Connect ideas; Mobilise commitment; Lateral thinking Entrepreneurship in personal, social and work life PROCESS INTENTION OPPORTUNITY SEARCH AND DISCOVERY DECISION TO EXPLOIT OPPORTUNITY BEHAVIOUR PROACTIVITY Actively seeking goals INNOVATION Opportunity search Coping with and enjoying uncertainty CHANGE Taking risky actions in uncertain environments Flexibly responding to challenges ATTITUDES learn to become entrepreneurial Initiative; Independence & innovation in all aspects of life; Motivation; Determination to meet objectives; Risk propensity; Ambition/drive; Persistence & commitment; Self-belief; Self-efficacy; Self-awareness; Feeling of empowerment; Social confidence; Creativity & imagination; Curiosity; Tolerance of failure EXPLOITATION OF OPPORTUNITY PERSEVERANCE Capacity to take decisive action and to pursue one s goals despite obstacles and difficulties. 5

6 2. OBJECTIVE(S) THEME(S) PRIORITIES - ACTIVITIES 2.1. Objective of the call The objective of this call for proposals is to develop a pan-european entrepreneurial learning initiative bringing together existing European and national expertise, in line with proposals included in the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan. This action encourages and supports networking of policy makers and experts across Europe with a strong interest in the development of entrepreneurship education and in deepening of cooperation at EU level in this area. This call follows actions financed under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) in 2012 and In 2012 a call for proposals was published, and currently 7 European projects are being supported. Targets of the projects financed include the creation of on-line platforms for educators and the definition of tools for the assessment of entrepreneurial skills. Moreover, a new study on the impact of entrepreneurship education strategies and measures was initiated. The awarded proposal under this call will also build on the results of those activities. The awarded proposal will have a clear European added value. In implementing the recommendations of the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan, it should support European integration and cross-border cooperation. Also, it should demonstrate the potential of the hub to bring forward the EU area for skills and qualifications. The sustainability of the activity after the termination of EU funding must be ensured. There are already a number of coherent strategies and measures in Europe that promote entrepreneurial learning in schools and universities. However, this action aims to contribute to making this type of learning a basic feature in the education systems, in line with the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan and the Commission s Communication on Rethinking Education. A more systematic structure for the exchange of information and experience needs to be created, as well as a framework for monitoring progress according to widely agreed indicators. The ambition is that of supporting a network and a virtual hub on entrepreneurial learning, whose members will act as promoters of entrepreneurship education at European level, helping to increase the exchange of information and good practice and to improve the coherence of, and synergies between the many initiatives taken at national and also regional level. In view of maximising the outreach effect, this new hub for entrepreneurial learning should be made compatible with existing IT tools on related topics at European level General remarks and final indications The activity will have a strong focus on policy making and on stimulating further developments and progress in broadening the spread and impact of entrepreneurship education across Europe, based on learning from existing best practices and on sharing information. Specific teaching programmes, methods and contents will be considered as means to implement policy concretely, however the on-line tool is not meant to be a 6

7 repository of teaching materials and pedagogies. The emphasis is on a network of committed policy makers and experts working together, identifying and disseminating useful examples of policy that could inspire action in different countries, proposing effective ways to share information, measure progress, define indicators of impact. The outreach of the network should go beyond countries that are represented by participants. Strategies should be developed to make this a pan-european instrument for the benefit of policy makers and stakeholders across Europe. In case the Commission decides to organise specific workshops or peer-learning activities in the field of entrepreneurship education in the period , the entrepreneurial learning network is required to liaise with those initiatives. Duration of three years is proposed in order to provide sufficient time to establish a network for entrepreneurship education that is recognised at European level and in the Member States. This network should be sustainable after the termination of EU funding as a result of the direct interest that organisations involved have in the promotion of entrepreneurship education as part of their mission, and also thanks to its light structure. This network is a pilot initiative that will test - and hopefully grow into a future European Hub for Entrepreneurial Learning. The Commission has no intention to continue funding the project at the end of the three-year period, or to buy the final product that was developed. Candidates can propose that activities cover the whole range of formal education, from primary school to university, or they can decide instead to focus their resources on school education (primary and secondary level, including secondary level vocational education). Both approaches will be considered as equally valid by the Commission, depending on the rationale and coherency of the proposal Deliverables This call for proposals should result in: creation of a network; creation of an on-line tool; organisation of workshops and peer-learning activities; creation and testing of a model of a pan-european centre for entrepreneurial learning; 2.4. Indicators All in all, the success of this new initiative launched by the Commission in order to implement the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan will be measured by the following indicators: 7

8 the number of involved members of the Network, and the extent and quality of broader participation (number of users, openness and accessibility of the instrument, type of connections and their intensity, etc.); the number of countries that will benefit from the activities of the network; the number, quality and relevance of inspiring policy practices that will be proposed and disseminated; the number of outreach activities (events organised or promoted also on-line and number of participants); the active contribution to cross-country measurement and assessment of entrepreneurship education; the continuation of activities after the 3-year project and the end of EU funding (sustainability). Applicants should explain clearly in their proposal, in particular under chapters on Impact and Sustainability, how they intend to make the activity a success according to the above criteria Eligible activities The main goal of this call is that of supporting a network and virtual hub on entrepreneurial learning at European level, driven by policy makers and experts with a strong knowledge of the topic and who commit themselves to facilitate progress and increase coordination of the efforts made by Member States and regions, thus supporting the European Commission in the implementation of the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan. It is therefore expected that proposed activities include: The establishment of a network A network of committed individuals of policy makers and experts in the field, who have the ambition to drive, stimulate and coordinate the development of entrepreneurial learning across Europe, is to be created. Members of the network will have a strong interest in entrepreneurial learning, and a good knowledge of the policy development dimension. They will be policy makers and experts who have a strong knowledge of the topic and who commit themselves to facilitate progress and increase coordination of the efforts made by Member States and regions. The proposal should ensure that individuals with a high level of specific knowledge and expertise in entrepreneurship education are part of the network, and that these individuals are backed and supported by relevant organisations in the field and/or by national or regional governments. Proposed members of the network should demonstrate their previous work in the development of policy and practice in the field of entrepreneurship education. The assessment of competences and expertise of proposed members of the network will be part of the criteria for the award of the winning proposal (under Quality, see award criteria). 8

9 The members of the network will already have committed themselves to being part of the project when the application to this call is submitted, either as they are working in one of the applying organisations or (if they do not belong to those organisations) via a previous letter of intent that will be attached to the proposal. Therefore, the application will include the names of the proposed members of the network and their profiles (including a CV). Applications suggesting that all or most of the members of the network will be identified or confirmed at a later stage will not be considered for award (as they will have an insufficient score under criteria 1 Relevance and 2 Quality, see award criteria). The outreach of the network should be wider than the number of its members, and go beyond the countries that are represented in the application. Engaging policy makers, experts and practitioners outside the group of members of the network and project partners will be crucial. Proposals should explain concretely how the managers and members of the network and the organisations/authorities behind them - will effectively engage policy makers in other countries who were not part of the originally established network. Members of the network will act as a steering group for entrepreneurial learning in Europe, interfacing with the European Commission, with national administrations and with any other relevant bodies in this field. They will conceptualize and suggest action to be taken at EU level and in the Member States, and promote the dissemination of information and experiences The creation of an interactive on-line tool This tool shall be developed for policy makers and experts in the field, where participants will be able to exchange information, methodologies and practices, and to promote entrepreneurial learning at European level. The network will use an on-line tool as a support instrument. This tool is not meant to be just a data base of contents and methods for entrepreneurship education. It will be rather a meeting point for members of the network and more widely for all those who have an interest in promoting and deepening policy initiatives in the field, and in improving cooperation and coordination between European countries. In terms of content of the on-line tool, an important part will be a pool of best or inspiring practices (see next Activity). The on-line tool will also include a question & answer area and a virtual networking facility where external users can interface with the community. A blog can be also an option, provided that specific resources are available to facilitate and keep the discussion alive. The on-line tool should be a place where both members of the network and the wider public of policy makers and experts can discuss and exchange information, and potentially receive advice, mentoring and coaching from their peers. Finally, the on-line tool will provide general information on existing activities at EU level and on forthcoming events. This on-line tool for entrepreneurial learning should be designed in such a way that it is technically complementary, linked or compatible with existing IT platforms or tools that are used in other actions of the COSME programme. 9

10 Good Practise presentation Presentation of inspiring examples of policy initiatives and strategies adopted at national and regional level, which will be made available to policy makers and to all those who are interested in developing entrepreneurial learning. A key element of the on-line tool will be a selection and presentation of outstanding practice (successful or inspiring examples) of how entrepreneurship education has been fostered so far at national and also at regional level, with a particular regard to coherent strategies and initiatives, and with a specific focus on useful and impactful actions to be taken according to the different levels of policy development that may be found in different countries. For this last element, a good reference is the Progression Model published by the Commission as an outcome of the High Level Reflection Panels taking place in 2009/2010. The Progression Model can be found in the Report published by the Commission: Towards Greater Cooperation and Coherence in Entrepreneurship Education (pages 25-27), available at: What will be considered as a decisive factor is not the quantity of information, i.e. the number of examples presented, but their quality and relevance, the lessons that can be learnt and their possible association to different levels of development, as suggested by the Progression Model. Also, what will be considered as decisive will be the way these examples will be used and disseminated in order to enhance the exchange of information and inspire new initiatives especially in those countries that are lagging behind and that could use available examples and models to inspire reforms and the launch of new strategies Peer-learning A further activity will be the organisation of activities on a small scale, targeting in particular managers and officials in public administrations who have the task or the ambition to develop entrepreneurial learning in their country or region. The exchange of information will take place on different levels. On one level, members participating in the network will have regular meetings and exchanges, by using different instruments such as conference calls, teleconferences and when possible physical meetings. On a second level, the network should encourage and promote a wider exchange of information and peer-learning among those in Europe who are interested in the development of entrepreneurship education, regardless of their country. The applicant will propose efficient and effective ways including by means of on-line solutions such as webinars or tools for on-line collaboration - to ensure that interesting experiences can be exchanged, and that policy makers and practitioners across Europe have the possibility to learn from those experiences and to get some guidance from their peers. This initiative should have a strong focus on learning from each other and on transferring innovative solutions. The applicant will propose appropriate tools and methods to make it possible. 10

11 Instruments to collect and assess information The promotion and dissemination of agreed instruments to collect information on the state of entrepreneurship education and on the assessment of its impact, based on existing tools and on the work already carried out at European level (i.e. expert groups, studies and projects supported by the Commission). The network will give impulse to the assessment of progress at national level, and to the measurement of ongoing activities and of their impact, by stimulating a wide discussion of these topics and by proposing possible indicators based on work that has already started at EU level. In particular, activities in this area will take into account indicators developed by the Expert Group on data and indicators on entrepreneurial learning (coordinated by the Directorate General for Education and Culture of the Commission). Also, the beneficiary of the grant will liaise with some ongoing projects funded by the Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry, in particular TES (regarding a quality framework for entrepreneurship education and self-assessment tools for educators), ASTEE (regarding the assessment of the entrepreneurship competence), NETT and ENTREDU (developing on-line platforms for educators). The above description of Tasks should be considered as an indication of the type of activities that the Commission wishes to support and of desired results. It will be a responsibility of the applicant to propose the best ways to implement an entrepreneurial learning network and hub, and to achieve those results. Activities proposed in these technical specifications can be adapted and innovative solutions can be proposed, provided that the working method is well explained and justified, and that it will allow achieving the goals set out in this call for proposals and in the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan. 3. INDICATIVE TIMETABLE Stages Date and time or indicative period a) Publication of the call 11/06/2014 b) Deadline for submitting applications 20/08/ :00:00 Brussels Local Time c) Evaluation period 15/09/ /10/2014 d) Information to applicants October/November 2014 e) Signature of grant agreement or notification of grant decision December 2014 f) Starting date of the action/ work programme January

12 4. BUDGET AVAILABLE a) Maximum budget allocated for EU financing under this call b) Indicative number of projects 1 (one) c) Maximum EU financing rate of eligible costs 90 % d) Maximum EU financing amount per project The EASME reserves the right not to distribute all the funds available. 5. ADMISSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS The following requirements must be complied with: Applications must be submitted no later than the deadline for submitting applications referred to in section 3. Applications must be submitted as explained in section 14. Applications must be drafted in one the EU official languages. Failure to comply with those requirements will lead to the rejection of the application from the onset and without any evaluation process. 6. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 6.1. Geographical eligibility Applicant organisations must be established: in EU Member States; or in countries participating in the COSME programme under Article 6 of the COSME Regulation 5. 5 The following groups of countries are eligible for participation in COSME: a. European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA), in accordance with the conditions laid down in the EEA Agreement, and other European countries when agreements and procedures so allow; b. acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in the Union's programmes established in the respective Framework Agreements and Association Council Decisions, or similar arrangements; c. countries falling within the scope of the European neighbourhood policies, when agreements and procedures so allow and in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in the Union's programmes established in the respective Framework Agreements, Protocols to Association Agreements and Association Council Decisions. 12

13 6.2. Eligible applicants Applicant organisations must be legal entities. They can be fully or partly public or private bodies; private bodies must be properly constituted and registered under national law. Legal entities having a legal or capital link with applicants, which is neither limited to the action nor established for the sole purpose of its implementation, may take part in the action as affiliated entities, and may declare eligible costs as specified in section For that purpose, applicants shall identify such affiliated entities in the application form. Eligible applicants are: 1) National or regional authorities (i.e. governments or agencies acting on behalf of the government) acting in a consortium. 2) Trans-national organisations whose mission is the promotion and development of entrepreneurial learning. Other types of organisations not included in the definition given under numbers 1) and 2) above can also participate in this call as partners in a consortium, but they cannot be the leading applicant (coordinator of the consortium). Such organisations must meet the following definition: any public or private entity whose core activity is in the field of entrepreneurship education. Such entities may include: public administrations at all levels; local authorities; educational institutions (primary and secondary schools, vocational schools, universities, etc.); NGOs, associations and foundations active in related fields; education and training providers (public and private); chambers of commerce and industry and similar bodies; business associations and business support networks. If the application comes from national or regional authorities and other organisations acting in a consortium, they need to represent at least seven countries among those eligible to participate. If the application comes from a trans-national organisation devoted to the promotion and development of entrepreneurial learning, this organisation must prove to be active in at least seven countries (see the geographical eligibility in Section 6.1). It is also possible that applicants belonging to the second category (trans-national organisations) apply in a consortium with national or regional authorities or with other organisations (first category). Also in that case, it must be demonstrated that at least seven countries are covered, by either the transnational organisation or/and the partners in the consortium. If applicants belong to the second category, the transnational nature of the project must be demonstrated by providing evidence of the European dimension and scope of the organisation, including a description of its activities in the countries that it claims to cover. Also, evidence of agreements and/or cooperation with national and regional governments on the subject of entrepreneurship education must be provided. 13

14 Several applicants, submitting a joint proposal should choose within their midst a lead organisation, referred to as the coordinator Implementation Period The duration of the project is 36 months. 7. EXCLUSION CRITERIA 7.1. Exclusion from participation: Applicants will be excluded from participating in the call for proposals procedure if they are in any of the following situations: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) they are bankrupt or being wound up, are having their affairs administered by the courts, have entered into an arrangement with creditors, have suspended business activities, are the subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or are in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure provided for in national legislation or regulations; they or persons having powers of representation, decision making or control over them have been convicted of an offence concerning their professional conduct by a judgment of a competent authority of a Member State which has the force of res judicata; they have been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which the contracting authority can justify including by decisions of the EIB and international organisations; they are not in compliance with their obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established or with those of the country of the RAO or those of the country where the grant agreement is to be performed; they or persons having powers of representation, decision making or control over them have been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation, money laundering or any other illegal activity, where such an illegal activity is detrimental to the Union's financial interests; (f) they are currently subject to an administrative penalty referred to in Article 109(1) of the Financial Regulation Exclusion from award: Applicants will not be granted financial assistance if, in the course of the grant award procedure, they: (a) (b) are subject to a conflict of interest; are guilty of misrepresentation in supplying the information required by the Commission as a condition of participation in the grant award procedure or fail to supply this information; (c) find themselves in one of the situations of exclusion, referred to in section Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and Council of

15 The same exclusion criteria apply to affiliated entities. Administrative and financial penalties may be imposed on applicants, or affiliated entities where applicable, who are guilty of misrepresentation Supporting documents Applicants must sign a declaration on their honour certifying that they are not in one of the situations referred to in articles 106(1) and 107 to 109 of the Financial Regulation 7, filling in the relevant form. 8. SELECTION CRITERIA 8.1. Financial capacity Applicants must have stable and sufficient sources of funding to maintain their activity throughout the period during which the action is being carried out. The applicants' financial capacity will be assessed on the basis of the following supporting documents to be submitted with the application: a) Low value grants ( EUR ): - a declaration on their honour. b) Grants EUR : - a declaration on their honour and, EITHER OR the profit and loss account, the balance sheet for the last financial year for which the accounts were closed; for newly created entities, the business plan might replace the above documents. the table provided for in the application form, filled in with the relevant statutory accounting figures, in order to calculate the ratios as detailed in the form. In the event of an application grouping several applicants (consortium), the above thresholds apply by applicants. On the basis of the documents submitted, if the Authorising Officer considers that financial capacity is not satisfactory, he may: request further information; propose a grant agreement without pre-financing; propose a grant agreement with a pre-financing paid in instalments; propose a grant agreement with a pre-financing covered by a bank guarantee (see section 11.4 below); where applicable, require the joint and several financial liability of all the cobeneficiaries; 7 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and Council of

16 reject the application. The verification of the financial capacity shall not apply to natural persons in receipt of scholarships, to natural persons in most need in receipt of direct support, to public bodies or international organisations Operational capacity Applicants and partners must show they have the operational (technical and management) capacity to complete the operation to be supported and must demonstrate their capacity to manage scale activity corresponding to the size of the project for which the grant is requested. In particular, the team responsible for the project/operation must have adequate professional qualifications and experience. More specifically: For national or regional authorities and other organisations (see under Eligibility, section 6.2): Applicants and their affiliated parties must prove a consolidated experience (at least 3 years) in promoting and developing entrepreneurship education in their country or region. For trans-national organisations (see under Eligibility, section 6.2): Applicants must prove a consolidated experience (at least 3 years) in promoting and developing entrepreneurship education on a trans-national level, as well as their experience and capacity to work in coordination with national governments or with their support. In this respect, applicants have to submit a declaration on their honour, and the following supporting documents: curriculum vitae or description of the profile of the people primarily responsible for managing and implementing the operation; a clear statement that the development of entrepreneurship education is a priority for the organisation, supported by any available evidence (reference to previous activities, existing policy documents or action plans, mission statement of the organisation, etc.) a short description of previous projects and activities performed in the field of entrepreneurship education; (For trans-national organisations only) evidence of collaborations and partnerships with national authorities for the development of entrepreneurship education, and of activities performed with their support. In the case of affiliated entities forming together a sole applicant, the above requirements apply to each affiliate entity. 16

17 9. AWARD CRITERIA Eligible applications/projects will be assessed on the basis of a set of criteria: EVALUATION CRITERIA AND KEY ELEMENTS LIKELY TO BE ASSESSED BY THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE MAX. SCORE 1. Relevance (in view of the objectives established in the call) 20 Does the proposal clearly fit in with the overall goals of the call? Is the proposal aiming to build a wide European network or hub for entrepreneurial learning? Does the proposal cover all the five activities listed in the call? How clearly defined are the objectives of the proposal? 2. Quality 30 What is the level of political support across countries that the initiative is likely to get, based on the quality of participating individuals and organisations and on their current work? What is the quality and feasibility of activities planned to steer and animate the network? How well-designed, appropriate and practical are the activities proposed to exchange and disseminate information and experiences on entrepreneurship education at European level and across countries? In general to what extent has the project been well thought out, and how clear and feasible is the plan of action? To what extent does the proposal contain specific elements of added value, such as innovative approaches or a high level of ambition? 3. Impact 35 Geographical coverage: how many countries are involved in the project, directly (partner in the consortium) or indirectly (participating in the activities on a trans-national organisation) and how wide will be the impact of activities? How many activities will be organised to share experience and good practice between countries (peerlearning)? In general, to what extent is the project likely to have a real added value in implementing the activities suggested by the call? To what extent does the proposal contain objectively verifiable indicators for project outcomes? To what extent will the project connect to, draw from, exploit or cooperate with other EU-funded projects such as those mentioned in the call for proposal? To what extent the proposed network and on-line hub are likely to become well recognised by policy makers and experts in different countries, and a reference at European level? Sustainability: are concrete measures planned in order to ensure that the project can be continued after the termination of EU funding? 4. Budget and cost-effectiveness 15 To what extent is the budget clear and detailed? Does the breakdown of the budget, category by category, offer a way of ensuring that the amount of the grant awarded is the minimum necessary for the operation to be completed? Do the probable results stand in a reasonable relationship to the amount of the grant? To what extent are there no better ways of achieving the expected results? To what extent is the proposed expenditure necessary for the implementation of the project? Maximum total score

18 In order to be considered for funding, proposals will need to have passed an overall threshold of 60 points in terms of total score. In addition, thresholds of 50% will be applied to each of the four individual award criterion described above in order to ensure a consistent minimum quality for all award criteria. Proposals will be ranked according to their total score. 10. LEGAL COMMITMENTS In the event of a grant awarded by the EASME, a grant agreement, drawn up in euro and detailing the conditions and level of funding, will be sent to the beneficiary. It will also be informed on the procedure to formalise the obligations of the parties. Please note that the award of a grant does not establish an entitlement for subsequent years. 11. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS General Principles a) Non-cumulative award An action may only receive one grant from the EU budget. In no circumstances shall the same costs be financed twice by the Union budget. To ensure this, applicants shall indicate the sources and amounts of Union funding received or applied for the same action or part of the action as well as any other funding received or applied for the same action. b) Non-retroactivity No grant may be awarded retrospectively for actions already completed. A grant may be awarded for an action which has already begun only where the applicant can demonstrate the need to start the action before the grant agreement is signed. In such cases, costs eligible for financing may not have been incurred prior to the date of submission of the grant application c) Co-financing Co-financing means that the resources which are necessary to carry out the action may not be entirely provided by the EU grant. Co-financing of the action may take the form of: the beneficiary's own resources, income generated by the action, financial contributions from third parties. Co-financing may also take the form of in-kind contributions from third parties, i.e. non-financial resources made available free of charge by third parties to the beneficiary or to the consortium. The corresponding costs are not eligible. d) Balanced budget The estimated budget of the action is to be attached to the application form. It must have revenue and expenditure in balance. The budget must be drawn up in euros. 18

19 Applicants, who foresee that costs will not be incurred in euros, are invited to use the exchange rate published in the Official Journal of the European Union on the Infor-euro website available at e) Implementation contracts/subcontracting Where the implementation of the action requires the award of procurement contracts (implementation contracts), the beneficiary must award the contract to the bid offering best value for money or the lowest price (as appropriate), avoiding conflicts of interests and retain the documentation for the event of an audit. Entities acting in their capacity of contracting authorities in the meaning of Directive 2004/18/EC 8 or contracting entities in the meaning of Directive 2004/17/EC 9 shall abide by the applicable national public procurement rules. Sub-contracting, i.e. the externalisation of specific tasks or activities which form part of the action as described in the proposal must satisfy the conditions applicable to any implementation contract (as specified above) and in addition to them the following conditions: - it may only cover the implementation of a limited part of the action; - it must be justified having regard to the nature of the action and what is necessary for its implementation; - it must be clearly stated in the proposal. f) Financial support to third parties. The applications for this action may not envisage provision of financial support to third parties Funding forms Grants are calculated on the basis of a detailed estimated budget indicating clearly the costs that are eligible for EU funding. The grant amount may neither exceed the eligible costs nor the amount requested. Amounts are indicated in euros. Maximum amount requested The EU grant is limited to a maximum co-funding rate indicated in section 4. Consequently, part of the total eligible expenses entered in the estimative budget must be financed from sources other than the EU grant (see section 11.1c). Eligible costs Eligible costs are costs actually incurred by the beneficiary of a grant which meet all the following criteria: 8 Directive 2004/18/EC on the coordination of procedures for the award of public work contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts. 9 Directive 2004/17/EC coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors. 19

20 they are incurred during the duration of the action, with the exception of costs relating to final reports and audit certificates; The period of eligibility of costs will start as specified in the grant agreement. If a beneficiary can demonstrate the need to start the action before the agreement is signed, expenditure may be authorised before the grant is awarded. Under no circumstances can the eligibility period start before the date of submission of the grant application (see section 11.1b). they are indicated in the estimated budget of the action; they are necessary for the implementation of the action which is the subject of the grant; they are identifiable and verifiable, in particular being recorded in the accounting records of the beneficiary and determined according to the applicable accounting standards of the country where the beneficiary is established and according to the usual cost accounting practices of the beneficiary; they comply with the requirements of applicable tax and social legislation; they are reasonable, justified, and comply with the requirements of sound financial management, in particular regarding economy and efficiency. The beneficiary's internal accounting and auditing procedures must permit direct reconciliation of the costs and revenue declared in respect of the action/project with the corresponding accounting statements and supporting documents. Eligible direct costs The eligible direct costs for the action are those costs which, with due regard for the conditions of eligibility set out above, are identifiable as specific costs directly linked to the performance of the action and which can therefore be booked to it directly, such as : - the costs of personnel working under an employment contract with the applicant or equivalent appointing act and assigned to the action, comprising actual salaries plus social security contributions and other statutory costs included in the remuneration, provided that these costs are in line with the applicant's usual policy on remuneration. Those costs may include additional remuneration, including payments on the basis of supplementary contracts regardless of their nature, provided that it is paid in a consistent manner whenever the same kind of work or expertise is required and independently from the source of funding used; - costs of the personnel of national administrations to the extent that they relate to the cost of activities which the relevant public authority would not carry out if the project concerned were not undertaken; - subsistence allowances (for meetings, including kick-off meetings where applicable, conferences etc.) provided that these costs are in line with the beneficiary's usual practices; - costs of travel (for meetings, including kick-off meetings where applicable, conferences etc.), provided that these costs are in line with the beneficiary's usual practices on travel; - depreciation cost of equipment (new or second-hand): only the portion of the equipment's depreciation corresponding to the duration of the action/project and the rate of actual use for the purposes of the action may be taken into account by the EASME; - costs of consumables and supplies, provided that they are identifiable and assigned to the action/project; 20

21 - costs entailed by implementation contracts awarded by the beneficiaries for the purposes of carrying out the action/project, provided that the conditions laid down in the grant agreement are met; - costs arising directly from requirements linked to the implementation of the action/project (dissemination of information, specific evaluation of the action, translations, reproduction); - costs relating to a pre-financing guarantee lodged by the beneficiary of the grant, where required; - costs relating to external audits where required in support of the requests for payments; - non-deductible value added tax ("VAT"). Eligible indirect costs (overheads) - a flat-rate amount of 7% of the total eligible direct costs of the action, is eligible under indirect costs, representing the beneficiary's general administrative costs which can be regarded as chargeable to the action/project. Indirect costs may not include costs entered under another budget heading. Applicants s attention is drawn to the fact that in the case of organisations receiving an operating grant, indirect costs are not eligible under specific actions. Ineligible costs return on capital; debt and debt service charges; provisions for losses or debts; interest owed; doubtful debts; exchange losses; any bank costs charged by the bank of a beneficiary on the transfers from the EASME; costs declared by a beneficiary and covered by another action receiving a European Union grant. In particular, indirect costs shall not be eligible under a grant for an action awarded to a beneficiary who already receives an operating grant financed from the Union budget during the period in question; contributions in kind; excessive or reckless expenditure; any costs incurred during a suspension of the action others (in accordance with the relevant legal base). Calculation of the final grant amount The final amount of the grant to be awarded to the beneficiary is established after completion of the action or work programme, upon approval of the request for payment containing the following documents: 21

22 - a final report providing details of the implementation and results of the action; - the final financial statement of costs actually incurred; EU grants may not have the purpose or effect of producing a profit within the framework of the action. Profit shall be defined as a surplus of the receipts over the eligible costs incurred by the beneficiary, when the request is made for payment of the balance. In this respect, where a profit is made, the EASME shall be entitled to recover the percentage of the profit corresponding to the Union contribution to the eligible costs actually incurred by the beneficiary to carry out the action Payment arrangements Pre-financing payment A pre-financing payment corresponding to 30% of the grant amount will be transferred to the beneficiary within 30 days of receipt of the request for the pre-financing, provided all requested guarantees have been received. Interim payment An interim payment shall be paid to the beneficiary. The interim payment is intended to cover the beneficiary's expenditure on the basis of a request for payment when the action has been partly carried out. For the purpose of determining the amount due as interim payment, the reimbursement rate to be applied to the eligible costs approved by the Commission shall be 90%. The interim payment shall clear the amount of the pre-financing previously paid. The interim payment shall not exceed 30% of the maximum grant amount. Final payment The EASME will establish the amount of the final payment to be made to the beneficiary on the basis of the calculation of the final grant amount (see section 11.2 above). If the total of earlier payments is higher than the final grant amount, the beneficiary will be required to reimburse the amount paid in excess by the EASME through a recovery order Pre-financing guarantee In the event that the applicant's financial capacity is not satisfactory, a pre-financing guarantee for up to the same amount as the pre-financing may be requested in order to limit the financial risks linked to the pre-financing payment. The financial guarantee, in euro, shall be provided by an approved bank or financial institution established in one of the Member State of the European Union. When the beneficiary is established in a third country, the authorising officer responsible may agree that a bank or financial institution established in that third country may provide the guarantee if he considers that the bank or financial institution offers equivalent security and characteristics as those offered by a bank or financial institution established in a Member State. Amounts blocked in bank accounts shall not be accepted as financial guarantees. The guarantee may be replaced by a joint and several guarantees by a third party or by a joint guarantee of the beneficiaries of an action who are parties to the same grant agreement. 22