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Uredba o ratifikaciji Okvirnega sporazuma med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Švicarskim zveznim svetom o izvajanju slovensko-švicarskega programa sodelovanja za zmanjševanje gospodarskih in socialnih razlik v razširjeni Evropski uniji
OBJAVLJENO V: Uradni list RS (mednarodne) 9-39/2008, stran 1386 DATUM OBJAVE: 9.4.2008
VELJAVNOST: od 5.5.2008 / UPORABA: od 5.5.2008
RS (mednarodne) 9-39/2008
39. Uredba o ratifikaciji Okvirnega sporazuma med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Švicarskim zveznim svetom o izvajanju slovensko-švicarskega programa sodelovanja za zmanjševanje gospodarskih in socialnih razlik v razširjeni Evropski uniji
Na podlagi tretje alinee petega odstavka 75. člena Zakona o zunanjih zadevah (Uradni list RS, št. 113/03 – uradno prečiščeno besedilo in 20/06 – ZNOMCMO) izdaja Vlada Republike Slovenije
U R E D B O
O RATIFIKACIJI OKVIRNEGA SPORAZUMA MED VLADO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE IN ŠVICARSKIM ZVEZNIM SVETOM O IZVAJANJU SLOVENSKO-ŠVICARSKEGA PROGRAMA SODELOVANJA ZA ZMANJŠEVANJE GOSPODARSKIH IN SOCIALNIH RAZLIK V RAZŠIRJENI EVROPSKI UNIJI
O RATIFIKACIJI OKVIRNEGA SPORAZUMA MED VLADO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE IN ŠVICARSKIM ZVEZNIM SVETOM O IZVAJANJU SLOVENSKO-ŠVICARSKEGA PROGRAMA SODELOVANJA ZA ZMANJŠEVANJE GOSPODARSKIH IN SOCIALNIH RAZLIK V RAZŠIRJENI EVROPSKI UNIJI
1. člen
Ratificira se Okvirni sporazum med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Švicarskim zveznim svetom o izvajanju slovensko-švicarskega programa sodelovanja za zmanjševanje gospodarskih in socialnih razlik v razširjeni Evropski uniji, podpisan 20. decembra 2007 v Bernu.
2. člen
Besedilo sporazuma se v izvirniku v angleškem jeziku in prevodu v slovenskem jeziku glasi:
F R A M E W O R K A G R E E M E N T
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA AND THE SWISS FEDERAL COUNCIL CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SLOVENIAN-SWISS COOPERATION PROGRAMME TO REDUCE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DISPARITIES WITHIN THE ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA AND THE SWISS FEDERAL COUNCIL CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SLOVENIAN-SWISS COOPERATION PROGRAMME TO REDUCE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DISPARITIES WITHIN THE ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA (hereinafter referred to as “Slovenia“)
AND
THE SWISS FEDERAL COUNCIL (hereinafter referred to as “Switzerland“)
hereinafter collectively referred to as “the Parties“,
– AWARE of the importance of the enlargement of the European Union (EU) for the stability and prosperity in Europe;
– NOTING the solidarity of Switzerland with the endeavours of the EU to reduce economic and social disparities within the EU;
– BUILDING upon the successful cooperation between the two countries during Slovenia’s transition process leading to its accession to the EU;
– HAVING regard to the friendly relations between the two countries;
– DESIROUS of strengthening these relations and the fruitful cooperation between the two countries;
– INTENDING to promote further the social and economic development in Slovenia;
– IN VIEW of the fact that the Swiss Federal Council has expressed, in a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Community of 27 February 2006, the intention that Switzerland shall contribute up to 1'000'000'000 CHF (one billion CHF) to reduce economic and social disparities within the enlarged EU (hereinafter referred to as “Memorandum of Understanding”);
have agreed as follows:
Article 1 – Definitions
For the purpose of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
– “Contribution” means the non-reimbursable financial contribution granted by Switzerland under this Agreement;
– “Project” means a specific project or programme or other joint activities in the framework of this Agreement. A programme consists of component projects linked by a common theme or shared objectives;
– “Commitment” means the allocation of a certain amount of the Contribution to a Project agreed upon by the Parties;
– “Project Agreement” means an agreement between the Parties and, if need be, additional contracting parties, on the implementation of a Project agreed upon by the Parties;
– “National Coordination Unit” (NCU) means the Slovenian unit in charge of the coordination of the Slovenian-Swiss Cooperation Programme;
– “Intermediate Body” means any legal public or private entity which acts under the responsibility of the NCU or which carries out duties on behalf of the NCU with regard to Executing Agencies implementing Projects;
– “Executing Agency” means any public authority, any public or private corporation as well as any organization recognized by the Parties and mandated to implement a specific Project financed under this Agreement;
– “Implementation Agreement” means an agreement between the NCU and/or the Intermediate Body and the Executing Agency for the implementation of the Project;
– “Block Grant” means a fund set up for a clearly defined purpose, providing assistance to organizations or institutions, facilitating a cost-effective administration mainly in programmes with many small projects;
– “Seed Money” means the provision of financial means to prepare innovative or complex Projects and/or to establish new partnerships created for the purpose of designing and implementing new Projects;
– “Project Preparation Facility” means the Facility providing financial support for the preparation of the Final Project Proposals;
– “Technical Assistance Fund” means the Fund for the financing of tasks performed by the Slovenian authorities additionally and exclusively for the implementation of the Contribution;
– “Scholarship Fund” means the Fund for the financing of scholarships for Slovenian students and researchers admitted at higher education and research institutions in Switzerland.
Article 2 – Objectives
1. The Parties shall promote the reduction of economic and social disparities within the enlarged EU through Projects mutually agreed upon between the Parties and in line with the Memorandum of Understanding and the Conceptual Framework for the Slovenian-Swiss Cooperation Programme as outlined in Annex 1 of this Agreement.
2. The objective of this Agreement is to establish a framework of rules and procedures for the planning and implementation of the cooperation between the Parties.
Article 3 – Amount of the Contribution
1. Switzerland agrees to grant a non-reimbursable Contribution towards the reduction of economic and social disparities within the enlarged EU of up to CHF 21,956 million (twenty one million and nine hundred fifty six thousand Swiss Francs) to Slovenia for a Commitment period of five years and a disbursement period of ten years, starting from the approval date of the Contribution by the Swiss Parliament, which is 14 June 2007.
2. Switzerland shall accept submissions of Final Project Proposals according to Annex 2, Chapter 2 for Commitment of funds until two months before the end of the Commitment period.
3. Funds not committed during the Commitment period shall not be available anymore for the Slovenian-Swiss Cooperation Programme.
Article 4 – Scope
The dispositions of this Agreement shall apply to national and trans-national Projects financed by Switzerland or co-financed by Switzerland with multilateral institutions and other donors, executed by an Executing Agency, mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
Article 5 – Utilization of the Contribution
1. The Contribution shall be used for the financing of Projects and can take any of the following forms:
a) Financial assistance including grants, credit lines, guarantee schemes, equity participations, loans and technical assistance
b) Block Grants
c) Seed Money
d) Project Preparation Facility
e) Technical Assistance Fund
f) Scholarships.
2. The Contribution shall be used in line with the objectives, principles, strategies and thematic focus as outlined in the Conceptual Framework in Annex 1.
3. 5% of the Contribution shall be used by Switzerland for its administration of this Agreement. This includes, inter alia, expenses for staff and consultants, administrative infrastructure, missions, monitoring and evaluation.
4. The Contribution, in the form of grants, may not exceed 60% of the total eligible costs of the Project, except in the case of Projects receiving additional financing in the form of budget allocations from national, regional or local authorities, in which case the Contribution may not exceed 85% of the total eligible costs. Institution-building and technical assistance Projects, Projects implemented by non-governmental organisations as well as financial assistance benefiting the private sector (credit lines, guarantees, equity and debt participations) may be fully financed by the Contribution.
5. The following costs shall not be eligible for grant support: expenditures incurred before the signing of the respective Project Agreement by all parties, interests on debt, the purchase of real estate, staff costs of the Slovenian Government and recoverable value added tax as specified in Article 7 of this Agreement.
Article 6 – Coordination and Procedures
1. To make sure that Projects have the greatest possible impact and in order to avoid duplication and overlapping with projects financed through means of structural and/or cohesion funding as well as by any other funding source, the Parties shall assure an effective coordination and share any information needed to that end.
2. All the correspondence exchanged between the Parties, including reports and Project documents, shall be drafted in English.
3. As a general rule, each Project shall be subject to a Project Agreement, which shall set out the terms and conditions of grant assistance as well as the roles and responsibilities of the contracting parties.
4. Slovenia is responsible for the identification of Projects to be financed by the Contribution. Switzerland can offer Slovenia proposals to finance Projects, including Projects of multilateral, national or trans-national institutions. The rules and procedures for the selection and implementation of Projects are defined in Annex 2 and for Block Grants, the Seed Money Facility, the Project Preparation Facility, the Technical Assistance Fund and the Scholarship Fund in Annex 3.
5. All Projects shall be supported by Slovenia and approved by Switzerland. The Parties attach high importance to the monitoring, the evaluation and the audit of Projects and of the Slovenian-Swiss Cooperation Programme as stipulated in Annex 2. Switzerland, or any mandated third party acting on its behalf, is entitled to visit, monitor, review, audit and evaluate all activities and procedures related to the implementation of the Projects financed by the Contribution, as deemed appropriate by Switzerland. Slovenia shall provide all requested or useful information and shall take or cause to be taken all actions allowing the successful realisation of such mandates.
6. Upon entry into force of this Agreement, Slovenia shall open a separate bank account at the National Bank of Slovenia in which the funds received from the Swiss Contribution shall be deposited. The Swiss administration costs referred to in Article 5, Paragraph 3 of this Agreement shall not be managed through this account. The accumulated net interest shall be yearly reported to Switzerland.
7. Payment procedures are outlined in Annex 2, Chapter 4 of this Agreement.
Article 7 – Value Added Tax and other Taxes and Charges
1. Value added tax (VAT) shall be considered eligible expenditure only if it is genuinely and definitively borne by the Executing Agency. VAT which is recoverable, by whatever means, shall not be considered eligible even if it is not actually recovered by the Executing Agency.
2. Other levies, taxes or charges, in particular direct taxes and social security contributions on salaries and wages, shall constitute eligible expenditure only if they are genuinely and definitively borne by the Executing Agency.
Article 8 – Annual Meetings and Reporting
1. In order to ensure effective implementation of the Slovenian-Swiss Cooperation Programme, the Parties agree to hold annual meetings. The first meeting shall be held no later than one year after the beginning of the application of this Agreement.
2. Slovenia shall organize the meetings in cooperation with Switzerland. The NCU shall present one month before the meetings an annual report. Its content shall include but not be limited to the issues listed in Annex 2.
3. Upon the final disbursement under this Agreement, Slovenia shall submit to Switzerland a final report assessing the accomplishment of the objective of this Agreement and a final financial statement on the use of the Contribution, based on the financial audits of the Projects.
Article 9 – Competent Authorities
1. Slovenia has authorized the Government Office for European Affairs to act on its behalf as the NCU for the Slovenian-Swiss Cooperation Programme. The NCU shall have the overall responsibility for the management of the Contribution in Slovenia, including the responsibility for financial control and audit.
2. Switzerland has authorized:
the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, acting through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
and
the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, acting through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) to act on its behalf for the implementation of the Slovenian-Swiss Cooperation Programme.
Projects are assigned to one or the other institution according to their respective fields of competence.
3. The Swiss Embassy shall act as the contact point for the NCU with regard to official information referring to the Contribution. Day-to-day communication between the competent authorities may be maintained directly.
Article 10 – Common Concern
The Parties share a common concern in the fight against corruption, which jeopardises good governance and the proper use of resources needed for development, and, in addition, endangers fair and open competition based upon price and quality. They declare, therefore, their intention of combining their efforts to fight corruption and, in particular, declare that any offer, gift, payment, remuneration or benefit of any kind whatsoever, made to whomsoever, directly or indirectly, with a view to being awarded a mandate or contract within the framework of this Agreement, or during its execution, will be construed as an illegal act or corrupt practice. Any act of this kind constitutes sufficient grounds to justify termination or annulment of this Agreement, the respective Project Agreement, the procurement or resulting award, or for taking any other corrective measure laid down by applicable law.
Article 11 – Final Provisions
1. Annexes 1, 2 and 3 shall form an integral part of this Agreement.
2. Any dispute which may result from the application of this Agreement shall be resolved by diplomatic means.
3. Any amendment to this Agreement shall be made in writing with the mutual agreement of the Parties and according to their respective procedures. Any amendment to the Annexes 1, 2 and 3 of this Agreement shall be made in writing with the mutual agreement of the competent authorities mentioned in Article 9.
4. This Agreement can be terminated at any time by one of the Parties upon a six-month prior written notice. In this case, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply to the Project Agreements concluded before the termination of this Agreement. The Parties shall decide by mutual agreement any other consequences of the termination.
5. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the notification confirming the completion by both Parties of their respective approval procedures. The Agreement covers a Commitment period of five years and a disbursement period of ten years. It applies until the final report by Slovenia assessing the accomplishment of the objective of this Agreement is submitted according to Article 8 Paragraph 3. The Commitment period shall start according to Article 3 Paragraph 1. In the case that the Commitment period starts before the entry into force of this Agreement, the Parties shall apply this Agreement provisionally starting on the day of its signing.
Signed at Berne on 20 December 2007, in two authentic copies in the English language.
For the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
Janez Lenarčič (s)
State Secretary for European Affairs
For the Swiss Federal Council
Micheline Calmy-Rey (s) President
of the Swiss Confederation
Doris Leuthard (s)
Federal Councillor of the Swiss Confederation
Annex 1: Conceptual Framework of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme
The Conceptual Framework is an integral part of the Framework Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Swiss Federal Council concerning the implementation of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme. The Conceptual Framework defines objectives, principles, strategies, thematic focus as well as indicative financial allocations.
1. Objectives
The Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme pursues two objectives:
– To contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities between Slovenia and the more advanced countries of the enlarged European Union (EU); and
– To contribute within Slovenia to the reduction of economic and social disparities between the dynamic urban centres and the structurally weak peripheral regions.
The Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme includes national and trans-national Projects that support a sustainable, economically and socially balanced development.
Towards the end of the implementation period of the Swiss Contribution, both Parties may jointly decide on a global evaluation of the results achieved by the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme.
2. Principles
The Slovenian - Swiss cooperation is guided by the following principles:
Transparency. Transparency and openness are key to all cooperation activities and are binding at all levels. Special emphasis shall be given to transparency in project selection, contract awarding and financial management.
Social inclusion. Cooperation activities aim at including socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and groups in the opportunities and benefits of development.
Equal opportunities and rights. Cooperation activities aim at increasing women’s and men’s opportunities to exercise their rights equally through a gender-based approach.
Environmental sustainability. Cooperation activities aim at incorporating requirements of environmental sustainability.
Commitment by all stakeholders. All institutions and decision-makers involved in the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme are committed to an efficient and effective implementation of the agreed Projects.
Subsidiarity and decentralisation. Cooperation activities aim at including considerations of subsidiarity and decentralisation primarily in Projects at the municipal and regional levels.
3. Strategies
3.1 Main Strategic Considerations
The Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme is part of a comprehensive national development planning that includes the structural and cohesion programmes of the EU as well as the programmes of the EEA and the Norwegian Financial Mechanisms. The Swiss Contribution shall be complementary to these programmes and mainly focus on Projects that are not or only partially covered by other financial sources.
Main strategic considerations include:
a. Focusing. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Swiss Federal Council and the Council of the European Union defines four funding guidelines for the Contribution:
– Security, stability and support for reforms;
– Environment and infrastructure;
– Promotion of the private sector; and
– Human and social development.
These funding guidelines and the related focus areas provide a broad base for cooperation. Efficiency and effectiveness considerations as well as concern for the optimal allocation and use of available resources, are important. Therefore, the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme shall have a clear strategic focus, guided by the following considerations:
– Concentration on a maximum of five focus areas in which at least 70% of the Contribution shall be spent (thematic concentration). The selection of the focus areas may be need-based and may take specific Swiss know-how into account.
Concentration on a relatively small number of programmes and individual projects.
b. Programme approach. A programme consists of component projects linked by a common theme or shared objectives. A programme approach shall be applied in focus areas which display several of the following characteristics: large financial Commitments; linking of different levels (national, regional, local); variety of actors; contribution to policy development; significant contributions to capacity building; and application of a common set of rules and procedures. A programme approach implies a delegated authority for decision-making on individual projects. A programme approach includes: an initial assessment of the focus area; the definition of objectives, guidelines and budgets; a programme implementation plan; and a sector monitoring and evaluation concept. To assure efficiency and effectiveness, the contribution to a specific programme shall represent in general a minimum amount of CHF 4 million.
c. Individual project approach. An individual project approach shall be applied in a focus area in which stand-alone projects shall be implemented. To assure efficiency and effectiveness, the contribution for each project under the individual project approach shall represent in general a minimum amount of CHF 1 million. Higher minimal financial volumes may be agreed upon (see Chapter 4 of this Annex). Block Grant financing may provide a means to accommodate smaller projects (see Annex 3).
d. Trans-national Projects. The Contribution may be used to finance trans-national Projects.
e. Partners and beneficiaries. The Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme shall include partners and beneficiaries from the public and private sectors, non-governmental organisations and other civil society organisations.
f. Partnerships. Partnerships between Slovenian and Swiss partners are an enriching element of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme. Cooperation and partnerships are strongly encouraged, especially in focus areas in which Switzerland may contribute particular experience, know-how and technologies.
g. Flexibility. Within two years after the beginning of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme, a review shall assess thematic priorities, redirect the initial financial allocations as agreed, and determine the priorities for the not yet allocated part of the Contribution.
h. Visibility. Visibility of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme for Slovenian and Swiss citizens is an important aspect that may be taken into account when selecting and implementing Projects. Both Parties undertake to inform proactively on their cooperation.
3.2 Implementation Strategies
a. Identifying Projects. Project identification significantly impacts the quality of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme. Slovenia is responsible for the identification of Projects to be financed by the Contribution. Switzerland can offer Slovenia Project proposals.
b. Setting Project selection criteria. Project selection shall be based on a clear set of criteria. General selection criteria shall include:
– Responsiveness to the objectives of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme;
– Adherence to the principles of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme described in Chapter 2 of this Annex;
– Responsiveness to the strategic considerations outlined in Chapter 3.1 of this Annex;
– Anchoring in the national development planning and, if possible, the National Strategic Reference Framework and the respective Operational Programme(s);
– Innovation and/or the potential to offer new solutions that can be applied subsequently on a larger scale (pilot Projects);
– Capacity of Executing Agency;
– Leverage potential (mobilisation of additional resources);
– Feasibility in the given time-span; and
– Sustainability of results.
Specific selection criteria for each focus area may be formulated prior to starting the implementation of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme.
c. Supporting Project planning. Project preparation and detailed Project planning are of paramount importance for efficiency and effectiveness in Project implementation. Preparation support may be requested by Slovenia or recommended by Switzerland and shall be financed either with Seed Money or through the Project Preparation Facility (see Annex 3). Should there be insufficient funds available in the Project Preparation Facility to prepare a specific Project, Slovenia may request to transfer the required funds from the respective Focus area or from the not yet allocated part of the Contribution to the Project Preparation Facility.
d. Enhancing implementation capacities. Successful Project implementation depends on the capacities of the implementing and monitoring organisations. If need be, capacity enhancement may be requested by Slovenia or recommended by Switzerland and may be financed by the Contribution as an integral part of Project financing.
4. Thematic Focus and Indicative Financial Allocations
The following thematic focus and indicative financial allocations shall apply to the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme:
+--------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1. Environment and Infrastructure | +--+--------------+--------------------------+-----------------+ |N°| Focus areas | Approach, objectives and | Indicative | | | | eligible Projects | financial | | | | | allocation | +--+--------------+--------------------------+-----------------+ |1 |Rehabilitation|Individual project | Up to 9 million | | |and |approach with 2 | CHF | | |modernisation |objectives: | | | |of basic |Objective 1: | | | |infrastructure|To enhance municipal | | | |and |infrastructure services in| | | |Improvement |order to increase living | | | |of the |standards and promote | | | |environment |economic development. | | | | |Types of eligible | | | | |projects: Projects of a | | | | |minimum value of CHF 3 | | | | |million each in the fields| | | | |of: | | | | |– Solid waste management: | | | | |Collection, separation and| | | | |treatment | | | | |– Hazardous waste | | | | |management and disposal, | | | | |e.g. hospital waste, e- | | | | |waste, etc. | | | | |Objective 2: | | | | |To improve energy | | | | |efficiency and to | | | | |introduce renewable energy| | | | |systems: | | | | |Types of eligible | | | | |projects: Projects of a | | | | |minimum value of CHF 3 | | | | |million each in the fields| | | | |of: | | | | |– Introduction of | | | | |renewable energy systems | | | | |(e.g. biomass, solar, | | | | |geothermal) | | | | |Improvement of energy | | | | |efficiency in public | | | | |infrastructure | | +--+--------------+--------------------------+-----------------+ +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2. Promotion of Private Sector | +----+--------------+------------------------+-----------------+ | N° | Focus areas |Approach, objectives and| Indicative | | | | eligible Projects | financial | | | | | allocation | +----+--------------+------------------------+-----------------+ |2 |Improving the |Individual project | 2 million CHF | | |business |approach with the | | | |environment |following objectives: | | | |and the |a) To promote employment| | | |access to |creation. | | | |financing for |Eligible project: | | | |SMEs |– Equity participation | | | | |in local financial | | | | |intermediaries | | | | |b) To support the | 1.5 million CHF | | | |effective implementation| | | | |and enforcement of the | | | | |Acquis Communautaire | | | | |targeted to corporate | | | | |financial reporting. | | | | | | | | | |Eligible projects: | | | | |– Institutional and | | | | |regulatory capacity- | | | | |building for corporate | | | | |sector financial | | | | |reporting and auditing | | | | |at the national level | | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | 3. Human and Social Development | +----+---------------+------------------------+----------------+ | N° | Focus areas |Approach, objectives and| Indicative | | | | eligible Projects | financial | | | | | allocation | +----+---------------+------------------------+----------------+ |3 |Research and |Programme approach with | Up to | | |development |the following objective:| 1 million CHF | | | |To strengthen the | | | | |scientific potential | | | | |through enhanced access | | | | |to education and through| | | | |selective promotion | | | | |programmes. | | | | |Types of eligible | | | | |projects: | | | | |– Scholarships for | | | | |advanced degree and | | | | |post-graduation | | | | |programmes in | | | | |Switzerland | | +----+---------------+------------------------+----------------+ |4 |Health |Individual project | Up to 3.5 | | | |approach with the | million CHF | | | |following objective: | | | | |To assure significant | | | | |improvements in | | | | |diagnosis and therapy in| | | | |the field of oncology. | | | | |Types of eligible | | | | |projects: | | | | |– Acquisition and/or | | | | |modernization of medical| | | | |equipment for diagnosis | | | | |and treatment of | | | | |oncological diseases | | +----+---------------+------------------------+----------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------+ | 4. Special Allocations | +-----------------+-------------------------+----------------+ | Item | Content | Indicative | | | | financial | | | | allocation | +-----------------+-------------------------+----------------+ |Block Grant |Programme approach with | Up to | | |two objectives: |2.5 million CHF | | |Objective 1: | | | |To promote civil | | | |society's contribution | | | |to economic and social | | | |cohesion as important | | | |actors of development | | | |and participation | | | |Types of eligible | | | |projects: | | | |Small Project Block | | | |grant(s) for the civil | | | |society/NGOs | | | |contributing primarily | | | |to social service | | | |provision as well as | | | |environmental concerns, | | | |allowing to strengthen | | | |organisational | | | |capacities | | | | | | | |Objective 2: | | | |To promote and/or | | | |enhance partnerships | | | |between municipalities | | | |and regions of Slovenia | | | |and Switzerland | | | |Types of eligible | | | |projects: | | | |– Block Grant for the | | | |financing of small joint | | | |projects in the frame of | | | |partnerships | | +-----------------+-------------------------+----------------+ |Project |To support the | Up to | |Preparation |preparation of final |0.6 million CHF | |Facility |project proposals | | +-----------------+-------------------------+----------------+ |Swiss Programme |Swiss administration of | | |Management |the Slovenian - Swiss |1.1 million CHF | | |Cooperation Programme | | | |(Article 5.3 of this | | | |Agreement). | | +-----------------+-------------------------+----------------+ |Slovenian |Slovenian administration | Up to | |Technical |of the Slovenian - Swiss | 0.33 million | |Assistance |Cooperation Programme | CHF | | |including preparation, | | | |implementation, | | | |monitoring, evaluation. | | +-----------------+-------------------------+----------------+ +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Overview on the Indicative Allocations | +---------------------------------------+----------------------+ |Funding guidelines | Indicative financial | | | allocation | | | (million CHF) | +---------------------------------------+----------------------+ |1. Environment and Infrastructure | 9 | +---------------------------------------+----------------------+ |2. Private Sector | 3.5 | +---------------------------------------+----------------------+ |3. Human and Social Development | 4.5 | +---------------------------------------+----------------------+ |4. Special Allocations | 4.53 | +---------------------------------------+----------------------+ |5. Not yet allocated | 0.426 | +---------------------------------------+----------------------+ |Total indicative allocations | 21.956 | +---------------------------------------+----------------------+
Annex 2: Rules and Procedures for the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme
Annex 2 is an integral part of the Framework Agreement between the Swiss Federal Council and the Government of Slovenia concerning the implementation of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme. Annex 2 defines the controlling at the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme level, procedures at Project level, requirements for Project proposals, roles and responsibilities and special provisions for financial assistance.
Rules and procedures for Block Grants, the Seed Money Facility, the Project Preparation Facility, the Technical Assistance Fund and the Scholarship Fund are defined in Annex 3.
1. Controlling at the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme level
1.1 Supervision
The Slovenian authorities have the final responsibility for the monitoring and supervision of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme. A monitoring system shall be developed jointly by the Parties at the beginning of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme and be enhanced during its implementation as necessary.
1.2 Annual meetings
In order to ensure an effective implementation of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme, the Parties shall hold annual meetings. At the annual meetings, the National Coordination Unit (NCU) shall present an annual report to be distributed one month before the meeting which shall amongst other things address:
– General experience and results achieved;
– Progress made in the implementation of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme against the Conceptual Framework;
– Reporting on the status of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme, including:
– Statements on approved Projects, progress of Project identification / preparation and foreseeable Commitments;
– Overall financial statement on past and tentative future disbursements and Commitments for the entire Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme;
– Summary and main conclusions of the financial audits of the Projects in accordance with Chapter 3.6;
– Statistics on tenders, contract awards and successful bidders;
– Information about important issues with regard to particular Projects.
– Reporting on Block Grants, the Seed Money Facility, the Project Preparation Facility, the Technical Assistance Fund and the Scholarship Fund;
– Proposals for the allocation of non-committed funds;
– Reporting on administrative implementation issues;
– Strategy and activities to inform the general public about the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation programme and the Projects implemented;
– Further issues to be discussed; recommendations, next steps;
– Review and, if needed, amend the Annexes of the Agreement.
The NCU is responsible for the organisation of the annual meetings. It will consult the Swiss Embassy on the organisation, the contents, the agenda, the participants and other organisational and logistical matters.
The Intermediate Bodies, the Executing Agencies and other institutions and persons may be invited to the annual meetings whenever this is felt desirable by the NCU or by Switzerland.
The Parties may invite the Commission of the European Communities to participate as an observer.
Minutes of the meetings shall be drafted by the NCU and be submitted to Switzerland for approval within 15 days after the meeting.
2. Procedures of Project Financing Requests
The financing request undergoes a two-loop approach that allows guidance early in the decision making. In the first loop, a Project outline is submitted and a decision in principle is made. In case of a successful first loop, the second loop is initiated. In the second loop, the Final Project Proposal is submitted and a final decision is made by Switzerland.
2.1 First loop: Application and approval procedure of the Project outline
+---+---------------+-----------------------+----------------+ |No.| Steps |Activities and specific| Organisations | | | | rules | | +---+---------------+-----------------------+----------------+ | 1.|Initiation of |Initiation on the basis|Responsible: | | |Project |of: |NCU | | |identification |– Lists of priority | | | | |Projects provided by |Involved: | | | |the Government |Intermediate | | | |– A proposal by the NCU|Body, | | | |– A proposal by an |Executing | | | |Intermediate Body / |Agency, | | | |Executing Agency |Slovenian | | | |– Call for proposals |partners, | | | |– A proposal by |Swiss | | | |Switzerland |authorities | | | |– A proposal by an | | | | |international | | | | |organisation | | +---+---------------+-----------------------+----------------+ | 2.|Elaboration of |Preparation of the |Responsible: | | |the Project |Project outline based |Intermediate | | |outline |on the requirements for|Body, | | | |Project outlines (cf. |Executing | | | |2.2). This may include |Agency | | | |a request for financial| | | | |support for the | | | | |preparation of a Final | | | | |Project Proposal | | | | |through the Project | | | | |Preparation Facility. | | +---+---------------+-----------------------+----------------+ | 3.|Pre-screening |Possibility of informal|Responsible: | | |of the Project |consultations with the |NCU | | |outline |Swiss Embassy. | | +---+---------------+-----------------------+----------------+ | 4.|Screening |Examination of the |Responsible: | | | |Project outline based |NCU | | | |on the Conceptual |Involved: | | | |Framework, the Project |Evaluation | | | |selection criteria in |committee, | | | |Annex 1 and the |Intermediate | | | |requirements for |Body | | | |Project outlines (cf. |(when existent) | | | |2.2). | | +---+---------------+-----------------------+----------------+ | 5.|Submission of |If accepted, submission|Responsible: | | |the Project |of the Project outline |NCU | | |outline |of the recommended | | | | |project with a cover |Responsible: | | | |letter comprising a |Swiss Embassy | | | |description of the | | | | |selection process to | | | | |the Swiss Embassy. | | | | | | | | | |Formal check by the | | | | |Swiss Embassy and | | | | |submission of the | | | | |Project outline with | | | | |the cover letter of the| | | | |NCU to Switzerland. | | +---+---------------+-----------------------+----------------+ | 6.|Final decision |Final decision on the |Responsible: | | |on Project |Project outline |Swiss Agency | | |outline |(including, if |for Development | | | |relevant, decision on |and Cooperation | | | |the request for |(SDC) or State | | | |financing of project |Secretariat for | | | |preparation). |Economic | | | | |Affairs (SECO) | | | |If accepted by | | | | |Switzerland, request | | | | |for the elaboration of | | | | |the Final Project | | | | |Proposal (requirements | | | | |specified in 2.4). | | | | |Switzerland may submit | | | | |comments which have to | | | | |be considered during | | | | |the elaboration of the | | | | |Final Project Proposal.| | +---+---------------+-----------------------+----------------+
2.2 Requirements for Project Outlines
The Project outline (approximately 5 pages) shall include all necessary information to allow a general appraisal of the proposed Project.
-------------------+------------------------------------------
Item |Content
-------------------+------------------------------------------
General |Project title, planned project duration,
information |priority sector, location/region
-------------------+------------------------------------------
Applicant |Name and contact details; previous,
|relevant experience, if any; project
|partners; Swiss link, if any (know-how,
|technology, partners or any other
|cooperation with Switzerland)
-------------------+------------------------------------------
Relevance |Contribution to the reduction of economic
|and social disparities within the country
|and
|between the country and the more advanced
|member states of the EU (impact); fit
|within the development strategies of the
|country/region and chosen sector; strategy
|of the
|intervention
-------------------+------------------------------------------
Project content |Description including objectives
|(outcome), expected results (outputs) and
|activities
|(components); beneficiaries, target group;
|risks and potentials; sustainability of
|project
-------------------+------------------------------------------
Project |Organisational chart, responsibilities,
organisation |etc.
-------------------+------------------------------------------
Budget |Eligible costs / non-eligible costs; own
|contribution, amount of grant, co-
|financing,
|EU-funding and any other financial source
|etc.; cost efficiency aspects versus
|alternatives
-------------------+------------------------------------------
Horizontal issues |Environmental, social and economical
|aspects of the project, gender equality
-------------------+------------------------------------------
Maturity of |Status of project: in elaboration or fully
project |prepared and possible request for
|financial support for preparation of Final
|Project Proposal through the Project
|Preparation Facility
|(e.g. feasibility studies, environmental
|impact assessment, etc.) if deemed
|necessary
-------------------+------------------------------------------
Annexes |Additional documentation as deemed
|appropriate
-------------------+------------------------------------------
2.3 Second loop:
Application and approval procedure of the Final Project Proposal
+---+------------------+-----------------------+---------------+ |No.|Steps |Activities and specific| Organisations | | | | rules | | +---+------------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | 1.|Elaboration of |Preparation of the |Responsible: | | |the Final Project |Final Project Proposal |Intermediate | | |Proposal |based on the |Body, | | | |requirements for Final |Executing | | | |Project Proposals (cf. |Agency | | | |2.4) and the comments | | | | |of Switzerland. | | +---+------------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | 2.|Screening |Examination of the |Responsible: | | | |Final Project Proposal.|NCU | | | | | | | | | |Involved: | | | | |Intermediate | | | | |Body (when | | | | |existent) | +---+------------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | 3.|Decision to |If accepted, submission|Responsible: | | |submit the Final |of the Final Project |NCU | | |Project Proposal |Proposal with a cover | | | | |letter taking into | | | | |account the | | | | |requirements for Final | | | | |Project Proposals and |Responsible: | | | |the comments of |Swiss Embassy | | | |Switzerland to the | | | | |Swiss Embassy. | | | | | | | | | |Formal check by the | | | | |Swiss Embassy and | | | | |submission of the Final| | | | |Project Proposal with | | | | |the cover letter of the| | | | |NCU to Switzerland. | | +---+------------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | 4.|Final decision |Final decision on the |Responsible: | | | |financing request by |SDC or SECO | | | |taking into account the| | | | |Final Project Proposal,| | | | |the cover letter of the| | | | |NCU, and the Project | | | | |document. Switzerland | | | | |reserves the right to | | | | |carry out its own | | | | |appraisal if needed. | | +---+------------------+-----------------------+---------------+
2.4 Requirements for Final Project Proposals
The Final Project Proposal shall be accompanied by all necessary documents (e.g. feasibility study, Project document, environmental impact study) to allow a thorough appraisal. The Final Project Proposal (5 – 10 pages; for large infrastructure Projects 10 – 20 pages, plus annexes) shall provide adequately detailed information on inter alia:
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Item |Content
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Project summary (1 |Fact sheet: Project title, short
page) |description including objectives,
|budget, partners, duration
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Relevance |Contribution to the reduction of
|economic and social disparities between
|the country and the more advanced
|countries of the EU; fit within the
|development strategies
|of the country/region and chosen
|sector; strategy of the intervention
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Project content |Description including objectives,
|expected outcomes/outputs, activities
|and the respective indicators;
|beneficiaries, target group; risks and
|potentials; sustainability of the
|Project
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Project justification |Main conclusions of the feasibility
(Due diligence) |study (if requested)
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Project organisation |Organisational chart, responsibilities,
|etc.
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Detailed |Including milestones and monitoring of
implementation |progress based on defined indicators
schedule |
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Budget |Eligible costs / non-eligible costs;
|own contribution, amount of grant, co-
|financing,
|EU-funding and any other financial
|sources etc.; cost efficiency aspects
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Procurement |Procurement procedures for goods and
|services
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Development Impact |Monitoring and evaluation of
|output/outcome/impact indicators
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Horizontal issues |Environmental, social and economical
|aspects of the Project, gender equality
----------------------+---------------------------------------
Annexes |E.g. feasibility study, Project
|document, environmental impact study
----------------------+---------------------------------------
3. Project Implementation Procedures
The Project implementation procedures are as follows:
+-----+----------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | No. | Steps |Activities and specific| Organisations | | | | rules | | +-----+----------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | 1. |Project |Preparation of the |Responsible: | | |Agreement |Project Agreement |NCU on the | | | |between Slovenia and |Slovenian | | | |Switzerland. |side; SDC or | | | | |SECO on the | | | | |Swiss side | +-----+----------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | 2. |Signing |Signing of the Project |Responsible: | | | |Agreement. The Project |Normally the | | | |Agreement can be signed|Swiss Embassy | | | |by more than two |on behalf of | | | |contracting parties |SDC or SECO. | | | |(e.g. tripartite or |The Slovenian | | | |multipartite agreement:|signatory or | | | |SDC or SECO, NCU and |signatories | | | |Intermediate Body, |shall be | | | |Executing Agency). |decided by | | | | |Slovenia. | +-----+----------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | 3. |Procurement and |Procurement is to be |Responsible: | | |award of |made in accordance with|NCU, | | |contracts |the respective national|Intermediate | | | |law and regulations and|Body, | | | |in compliance with the |Executing | | | |respective EU |Agency | | | |directives. A | | | | |confirmation of | | | | |compliance with the | | | | |relevant procurement | | | | |rules shall be provided| | | | |to Switzerland. To | | | | |increase transparency | | | | |and to prevent | | | | |corruption, tender | | | | |documents shall contain| | | | |an integrity clause. | | | | | | | | | |In general, for public | | | | |tenders within the | | | | |scope of the EU | | | | |directives on public | | | | |procurement (2004/17/EC| | | | |and 2004/18/EC), an | | | | |English translation of | | | | |the official tender | | | | |evaluation report shall| | | | |be provided to | | | | |Switzerland for | | | | |information at the | | | | |latest 30 calendar days| | | | |after the award of | | | | |contract. | | | | | | | | | |In addition to the | | | | |above, for tenders | | | | |above the threshold of | | | | |CHF 500`000, | | | | |Switzerland may also | | | | |request a copy of the | | | | |tender documents for | | | | |non-objection and of | | | | |the contracts for | | | | |information. These | | | | |documents shall be | | | | |submitted at the latest| | | | |20 calendar days before| | | | |the commencement of | | | | |tendering and 20 | | | | |calendar days after the| | | | |signing of the | | | | |contract, respectively.| | | | | | | | | |Furthermore, for | | | | |tenders above the | | | | |threshold of CHF | | | | |500`000, Switzerland | | | | |may also request that | | | | |an English translation | | | | |of the tender documents| | | | |and the draft contracts| | | | |are made available to | | | | |tenderers and | | | | |contractors, | | | | |respectively. Possible | | | | |translation costs shall| | | | |be borne by the Project| | | | |and financed under the | | | | |Contribution. | | | | | | | | | |In line with Art. 6.5. | | | | |of the Framework | | | | |Agreement, both Parties| | | | |agree to provide all | | | | |such information | | | | |pertaining to the | | | | |tender process and | | | | |beyond the documents | | | | |listed above that the | | | | |other Party may | | | | |reasonably request. | | | | |Switzerland may have | | | | |the right to | | | | |participate in the | | | | |tender committee as an | | | | |observer. Switzerland | | | | |shall also have the | | | | |right to conduct an | | | | |audit of the | | | | |procurement practices | | | | |and procedures in | | | | |general. | | | | | | | | | |In case of | | | | |irregularities, | | | | |wilfully or negligently| | | | |caused in the framework| | | | |of the tender process, | | | | |Switzerland is entitled| | | | |to stop reimbursements | | | | |immediately, to | | | | |instruct the NCU to | | | | |stop payments from the | | | | |Swiss Contribution and | | | | |to ask repayment of | | | | |illegitimately paid | | | | |reimbursements at any | | | | |stage of the Project. | | +-----+----------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | 4. |Controlling |Controlling procedures |Responsible: | | |(Monitoring) |are defined in the |Executing | | | |Project Agreement. |Agency | | | |Procedure description |Involved: NCU, | | | |includes: periodicity |Intermediate | | | |of reporting, |Body | | | |monitoring system and | | | | |consultant, steering | | | | |committees, time table | | | | |for operations and | | | | |results, auditing, etc.| | +-----+----------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | 5. |Reporting |Interim Reports for |Responsible: | | | |supporting payment |Executing | | | |claims and |Agency | | | |reimbursement requests | | | | |as specified in Chapter|Involved: NCU, | | | |4of this Annex. |Intermediate | | | | |Body | | | |Annual Project Reports | | | | |describe the progress | | | | |of the Project. They | | | | |include summary data on| | | | |financial progress for | | | | |the reporting year as | | | | |well as cumulative data| | | | |to date. They compare | | | | |actual with planned | | | | |expenses and progress, | | | | |based on quantified | | | | |targets for output and | | | | |where possible outcome | | | | |indicators. Any | | | | |deviation has to be | | | | |justified and | | | | |corrective measures | | | | |suggested. Annual | | | | |project reports are not| | | | |linked to reimbursement| | | | |requests. | | | | |The Project Completion | | | | |Report, together with | | | | |the last Project | | | | |interim report and the | | | | |final financial report | | | | |(cf. 6), is the base | | | | |for the final | | | | |reimbursement. It | | | | |documents and comments | | | | |the overall achievement| | | | |of outputs and outcomes| | | | |against the original | | | | |plan, the compliance | | | | |with principles such as| | | | |cross cutting themes | | | | |and sustainability, and| | | | |it contains lessons | | | | |learned and | | | | |conclusions. | | +-----+----------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | 6. |Audit |All main authorities |Responsible: | | | |responsible for the |Budget | | | |implementation of a |Supervision | | | |Project under the |Office | | | |Contribution (NCU, | | | | |Intermediate Body, |Responsible: | | | |Paying Authority) shall|NCU, | | | |have performed within |Intermediate | | | |the last three years a |Body | | | |Compliance Audit by the| | | | |Budget Supervision | | | | |Office. | | | | | | | | | |Based on a risk | | | | |assessment, an annual | | | | |system audit planning | | | | |will be established. In| | | | |addition to this risk | | | | |assessment, Switzerland| | | | |may announce | | | | |requirements that are | | | | |taken into account in | | | | |the annual system audit| | | | |planning. In accordance| | | | |with the planning, the | | | | |Budget Supervision | | | | |Office | | | | |and the entitled audit | | | | |organisations (e.g. | | | | |control unit of the | | | | |Intermediate Body) | | | | |shall perform control | | | | |and audits in | | | | |accordance with the | | | | |national law. | | | | | | | | | |For each Project | | | | |lasting longer than two| | | | |years and exceeding the| | | | |amount of CHF 500’000, | | | | |an internal or an | | | | |external certified | | | | |audit organisation will| | | | |carry out intermediary | | | | |Financial Audit(s), | | | | |unless otherwise | | | | |specified in the | | | | |Project Agreement. The | | | | |conclusions and | | | | |recommendations shall | | | | |be transmitted to | | | | |Switzerland. | | | | | | | | | |At the completion of | | | | |each Project an | | | | |internal or external | | | | |certified audit | | | | |organisation will carry| | | | |out a Final Financial | | | | |Audit. The conclusions | | | | |and recommendations | | | | |shall be transmitted to| | | | |Switzerland together | | | | |with the Project | | | | |Completion Report and a| | | | |Final Financial Report.| | +-----+----------------+-----------------------+---------------+ | 7. |Evaluation |After Project |Responsible: | | | |completion, the Parties|NCU, SDC or | | | |may request an |SECO | | | |independent evaluation.| | | | |The cost will be borne | | | | |by the requesting | | | | |Party. | | +-----+----------------+-----------------------+---------------+
4. Payment and Reimbursement Procedure
The Ministry of Finance of Slovenia is the Paying Authority for the Contribution. In principle, all disbursements under the Contribution will be pre-financed out of the national budget of Slovenia. The Executing Agency shall submit payment claims covering eligible expenses executed over the current period to the NCU, together with certified copies of all supporting documentation and the interim report. The NCU shall verify the completeness and certify the correctness of the submitted documents. The Paying Authority shall submit the reimbursement requests to Switzerland for approval and payment.
The detailed reimbursement procedures are laid down in the Project Agreements and must, if not otherwise specified, comply with the following procedures:
+---+-----------------+--------------------+-------------------+ |No.| Steps | Activities | Organisations | +---+-----------------+--------------------+-------------------+ | 1.|Issue of the |Issue the original |Responsible: | | |original invoice |invoice. |Supplier of a | | | | |product or | | | | |service; | | | | |contractor, | | | | |consultant, | | | | |organisation | | | | |(claimant) | +---+-----------------+--------------------+-------------------+ | 2.|Examination of |– Control the |Responsible: | | |the original |original invoice |Executing Agency | | |invoice and the |with regard to the | | | |elaboration of |specifications of | | | |the payment |the Project | | | |claim |Agreement, the | | | | |Implementation | | | | |Agreement the | | | | |supply / services | | | | |contract and the | | | | |agreed tariffs. | | | | |– Verify the | | | | |correctness of the | | | | |execution (quantity | | | | |and quality) of the | | | | |work, the supply of | | | | |goods / services, | | | | |etc., and the | | | | |special conditions | | | | |etc. | | | | |– Payment to the | | | | |supplier(s) of the | | | | |original invoice. | | | | |– Submit the payment| | | | |claim including the | | | | |latest relevant | | | | |interim report and | | | | |original invoices to| | | | |the NCU or the | | | | |Intermediate Body. | | | | |The payment claim | | | | |comprises eligible | | | | |costs incurred | | | | |during a given | | | | |period of at least | | | | |three months. The | | | | |interim report | | | | |includes information| | | | |on financial and | | | | |physical progress, a| | | | |comparison of actual| | | | |with planned | | | | |expenses, an update | | | | |on progress status, | | | | |while confirming the| | | | |co-financing. Any | | | | |deviation has to be | | | | |justified and | | | | |corrective measures | | | | |suggested. Interim | | | | |reports are due at | | | | |least every six | | | | |months. | | +---+-----------------+--------------------+-------------------+ | 3.|Certification of |– Check the |Responsible: NCU | | |the payment |conformity of the | | | |claims to the |payment claim with |Involved: | | |Paying Authority |the Framework |Intermediate Body | | |and pre- |Agreement, the | | | |financing |Project Agreement | | | |payments |and the | | | | |Implementation | | | | |Agreement, including| | | | |possible double | | | | |financing. | | | | |– Verify the | | | | |completeness of the | | | | |documentation (i.e. | | | | |the original | | | | |invoices and other | | | | |accounting | | | | |documents) and the | | | | |relevance of the | | | | |interim report. If | | | | |necessary, verify | | | | |the correctness of | | | | |the use of funds by | | | | |means of fact- | | | | |finding missions. | | | | |– Certify the | | | | |correctness and | | | | |legality of the | | | | |payment claims to | | | | |the Paying | | | | |Authority. | | | | |– Transmit to | | | | |Switzerland a copy | | | | |of the related | | | | |documentation, such | | | | |as interim, annual | | | | |and completion | | | | |reports (cp. 3.5, | | | | |3.6), audit reports,| | | | |or their | | | | |consolidated summary| | | | |as requested in the | | | | |Project Agreement. | | | | |– Payment to the | | | | |Executing Agency. | | +---+-----------------+--------------------+-------------------+ | 4.|Submission of |– Check the formal |Responsible: | | |the |conformity of the |Paying Authority | | |reimbursement |payment claims. | | | |request to |– Submit the | | | |Switzerland |reimbursement | | | | |requests to | | | | |Switzerland and | | | | |confirm the | | | | |compliance with | | | | |supporting | | | | |documentation and | | | | |contractual | | | | |agreements. | | +---+-----------------+--------------------+-------------------+ | 5.|Payment from |– Check the |Responsible: | | |Switzerland to |conformity of |Switzerland | | |Slovenia |reimbursement | | | | |requests and | | | | |supporting | | | | |documentation. | | | | |– Transfer the | | | | |requested amount to | | | | |the Paying Authority| | | | |within 30 days after| | | | |receipt. | | +---+-----------------+--------------------+-------------------+
In particular cases, other payment procedures may be defined by the Parties in the respective Project Agreements.
The final date for eligibility of costs shall be specified in the Project Agreement. It shall be 12 months after the scheduled date for Project completion, but shall not be later than ten years after the approval of the Contribution by the Swiss Parliament according to Article 3 of the Framework Agreement. Final reimbursement requests must have been received by Switzerland not later than six months after the final date of eligibility.
In the case of irregularities, Switzerland is entitled to stop reimbursements immediately, to instruct the NCU to stop payments from the Swiss Contribution and to ask repayment of illegitimately paid reimbursements at any stage of the Project. The reasons for the respective instructions shall be communicated in writing to the NCU and other partners involved.
5. Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of the main actors are outlined below. Project Agreements will contain more detailed responsibilities and activities tailored to the individual case.
5.1 The National Coordination Unit
The NCU is responsible for the overall Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme orientation and for the identification, planning, implementation, financial management, controlling and evaluation of Projects, as well as for the use of funds under the Contribution in accordance with the Framework Agreement. This includes to:
– Ensure the adoption of the necessary national legal documents on the implementation and monitoring of Projects;
– Coordinate the Swiss Contribution with other contributions, with the National Strategic Reference Framework and with the operational programmes;
– Ensure that the appropriate provisions are included in the National Budget in order to safeguard that claimants have the necessary funds;
– Confirm that the co-financing part has been provided according to the Project Agreement;
– Ensure that there is no double financing of any part of the Project by any other source of funds;
– Ensure the organisation of calls for, the collection of and the appraisal of Project proposals;
– Establish an evaluation committee, chaired by the NCU in which selected line ministries, the regions and NGOs with voting power are represented,
– Transmit to Switzerland the project proposals recommended by the evaluation committee;
– Submit well documented Project financing requests to Switzerland resulting from approved Project outlines;
– Supervise and steer the implementation of Projects in accordance with the Project Agreements and by the establishment of an adequate check and monitoring system;
– Check the invoices received from the Executing Agencies and verify the sufficiency of documentation;
– Submit payment claims to the Paying Authority and certify their correctness and legality;
– Ensure the efficient and correct use of available funds;
– Verify in each Project if the value added tax (VAT) can be recovered by the Executing Agency and to inform the Swiss authorities accordingly in the form of a declaration by the applicant as part of the Project documentation;
– Ensure the financial control, including complete and sufficient audit trails in all involved institutions;
– Provide a yearly overall financial statement on all transfers of funds between Switzerland and the Paying Authority on one side and between the Paying Authority and all national involved bodies (e.g. NCU, Intermediate Body, Executing Agency) on the other side;
– Submit yearly a summary with conclusions and recommendations of all audit reports of the financed Projects. The NCU presents in an annex all original conclusions and recommendations of the audit reports;
– Ensure the discussion of audit results with the partners involved, including Switzerland, and the implementation of the decisions made based on the audit report;
– Ensure regular reporting to Switzerland on the implementation of Projects financed by the Contribution, as well as to immediately report any irregularities;
– Organise annual meetings at overall Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme level in consultation with the Swiss Embassy and to present an annual report;
– Be responsible for the reimbursement to Switzerland of unduly paid sums financed by the Contribution;
– Ensure information and publicity about the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme;
– Ensure storing of all relevant documents relating to Projects implemented within the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme for 10 years after the completion of Projects.
The NCU can delegate part of the tasks and responsibilities mentioned above to one or more Intermediate Bodies and Executing Agencies.
5.2 Intermediate Body
Intermediate Body means any legal public or private entity which acts under the responsibility of the NCU or which carries out duties on behalf of the NCU with regard to Executing Agencies implementing Projects.
The main tasks of the Intermediate Bodies are to:
– Call for and collect Project proposals, review compliance with the requirements for Project proposals (Chapter 2) and assess the quality of applications submitted;
– Submit Project proposals with appraisal reports to the NCU;
– Implement tender processes or delegate this task to an Executing Agency;
– Supervise and steer the implementation of Projects in accordance with the Project Agreements and the Implementation Agreements, and carry out the necessary controls;
– Check the invoices received from the Executing Agencies, verify the authenticity and correctness of submitted documents as well as the eligibility of costs on payment claims;
– Certify invoices and submit certified invoices to the NCU or to the Paying Authority;
– Report to the NCU on the progress of Project implementation;
– Check for irregularities and report them to the NCU;
– Ensure storing of all relevant documents related to Projects implemented within the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme for 10 years after the completion of Projects.
5.3 Executing Agency
An Executing Agency is any public authority, any public or private corporation as well as any organization, recognized by the Parties and mandated to implement a specific Project financed under this Framework Agreement. Consequently, the Executing Agency is the contracting party for service and supply contracts in the framework of approved Projects.
The Project Agreement shall contain the name of the Executing Agency. Its tasks and responsibilities shall be defined in the Implementation Agreement.
5.4 Paying Authority
The Paying Authority is responsible for ensuring appropriate financial control over the use of the Swiss Contribution. It shall in particular:
– Check the conformity of the payment claims;
– Submit the respective reimbursement requests to Switzerland;
– Keep accounts of all reimbursement requests made to Switzerland;
– Report periodically to the NCU on financial flows.
The Paying Authority ensures that payments are made to the claimants within the specified deadlines.
5.5 Audit Authority
For the implementation of the Cooperation Programme between Switzerland and Slovenia, the Budget Supervision Office (BSO) of the Republic of Slovenia is responsible for ensuring effective audit function.
The main task of the BSO are to:
– Ensure an adequate auditing function;
– Establish an annual system audit plan, which takes Swiss requirements into account;
– Perform audits within the implementation structure of the Cooperation Programme between Switzerland and Slovenia and report to Switzerland;
– Provide competent Swiss authorities or mandatees acting on their behalf with its assistance;
– Ensure storing of all reports from audits preformed related to the Swiss-Slovenia Cooperation for ten yeas after the completion of Projects.
5.6 Project Audit Organisation
If not otherwise specified in the Project Agreement, for each Project, an audit organisation – responsible for the audit of the project, its expenditures and the issuance of an audit certificate – is appointed by the NCU or by the Intermediate Body. For Technical Assistance, Block Grants, the Project Preparation Facility and Scholarships different audit procedures may apply. The audit organisation has to be a public institution or a private company of recognised professional reputation which operates in line with international auditing standards.
The audit organisation has to be mentioned in the Project Agreement. The scope of the audit will be defined in an annex to the Project Agreement. In case of external audit, the costs are eligible for reimbursement and must be included in the Project budget. Costs of internal audits are borne by the respective audit organisation.
If not otherwise specified in the Project Agreement, the audit organisation shall carry out intermediary financial audit(s) for Projects lasting longer than two years and exceeding the amount of CHF 500’000 and a Final Financial Audit of the Projects according to international auditing standards. In doing so, it shall verify the correct use of funds, make recommendations to strengthen the control system and report any actual or alleged fraud or irregularity. These financial audit reports are transmitted to the NCU. The NCU submits yearly a summary with conclusions and recommendations of all audit reports of the financed Projects to Switzerland. The summary includes in an annex all original conclusions and recommendations of the audit reports.
The competent authorities with the full support of the Government of Slovenia shall investigate alleged cases of fraud or irregularity. Proven cases of fraud shall be prosecuted according to existing regulations.
5.7 Swiss Embassy
The Swiss Embassy is the official representation of Switzerland. Referring to the implementation of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme, its function is to:
– Facilitate contacts; assure the liaison and the networking between partners;
– Inform and give advice to partners on procedures and conditions of the Contribution;
– Transmit official information and proposals to and from the Swiss authorities;
– Organise, together with the NCU, missions of Swiss delegations;
– Participate in meetings on the overall Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme;
– Provide information to the general public on the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme and the Contribution;
– Participate in the evaluation committee as an observer.
5.8 Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
On the Swiss side, there are two competent authorities for the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme: SDC and SECO. Their main tasks are to:
– Ensure the strategic and operational steering at the overall Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme level;
– Participate in the annual meetings organised by the NCU;
– Engage in a regular dialogue with the NCU and the other partners involved on the identification and the implementation of Projects as well as on the progress of the overall Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme;
– Provide support for Project identification and preparation;
– Decide on the financing of Projects submitted for funding;
– Decide on overall Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme issues;
– Supervise the overall Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme development through field visits and reviews;
– Network with the national and international actors relevant to the implementation of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme;
– Administrate the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme on the Swiss side.
Switzerland may delegate some of these tasks to the Swiss Embassy.
6. Special Provisions for Financial Assistance
Repayments and redemptions from financial instruments benefiting the private sector (including credit lines, guarantee schemes, equity participation and loans) are to be dealt with as follows:
– Provided that the contribution for financial assistance is redeemed (credit lines, equity participation and loans), the value of the principal shall be transferred upon maturity to any institution aiming at the same overall objective agreed upon by the two Parties.
– The same shall apply to amounts committed as guarantees, provided that the funds have not been called upon during the life of the instrument.
The modalities, including the transfer of the ownership, shall be laid down in the respective Project Agreement or by exchange of letters.
Annex 3: Rules and Procedures for Block Grants, the Seed Money Facility, the Project Preparation Facility, the Technical Assistance Fund and the Scholarship Fund in the Framework of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme
Annex 3 is an integral part of the Agreement between the Government of Slovenia and the Swiss Federal Council concerning the implementation of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme. Annex 3 describes definition and purpose, selection of Intermediate Bodies, content of agreements, eligibility of costs and co-financing as well as roles and responsibilities for:
A. Block Grant
B. Seed Money Facility
C. Project Preparation Facility
D. Technical Assistance Fund
E. Scholarship Fund
A. Block Grant
1. Definition and purpose
Block Grants are funds, set up for a clearly defined purpose, providing assistance to organizations or institutions, facilitating a cost-effective administration in programmes with many small projects.
Block Grants may be established on national, regional or local level. They enable organisations or institutions to: address pertinent issues through small projects and enhance their capacities.
In general, small projects shall: have a non-profit character and be in the range of 10’000.- to 100’000.- Swiss francs.
2. Selection of the Block Grant Intermediate Body
A Block Grant Intermediate Body may be a public or private sector body or a non-governmental organisation constituted as a legal entity in Slovenia and operating in the public interest.
In principal, the Block Grant Intermediate Body should have strong ties to the sector in which a Block Grant is to be implemented.
The selection of the Block Grant Intermediate Body may follow a two step procedure agreed between the National Coordination Unit (NCU) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Applicants may submit an outline of the envisaged Block Grant before submitting a complete application. Outlines and full applications shall be commented by the NCU and submitted to SDC for approval.
SDC shall assess whether a proposed Block Grant Intermediate Body is suitable for granting assistance and whether the suggested implementation set-up is adequate. Based on the assessment, SDC shall provide feedback to the NCU and the Block Grant Intermediate Body and shall decide on the financing of the Block Grant.
3. Block Grant Agreement
For each Block Grant, an agreement shall be prepared by the NCU based on a standard Block Grant Agreement provided by SDC. The Block Grant Agreement shall be signed by the NCU, SDC and the selected Block Grant Intermediate Body. The content of the Block Grant Agreement shall include i.a.:
– Objectives of the Block Grant;
– Organisational structure, roles and responsibilities (incl. constitution of a steering and small project approval committee);
– Procedures for the assessment and selection of small projects (incl. selection criteria);
– Co-financing rules and procedures;
– Implementation schedule;
– Budget and financial planning (incl. management costs);
– Disbursement and audit procedures;
– Monitoring and steering;
– Reporting;
– Publicity measures.
4. Eligibility of costs and co-financing
Eligible costs for the management and administration of the Block Grant shall be defined in the Block Grant Agreement.
Small projects implemented by the Block Grant Intermediate Body on its own are not eligible for funding by the Block Grant.
The Block Grant’s contribution to small projects shall be determined on a case-by-case basis and may reach up to 100%.
Support by the Block Grant shall not replace subsidised facilities and bank loans.
5. Roles and Responsibilities
Roles and responsibilities of the NCU include:
– Propose the establishment of Block Grants;
– Ensure the establishment of Block Grants including invitation or call for proposals, Block Grant Intermediate Body pre-selection, preparation of agreement;
– Ensure the supervision of Block Grants by establishing adequate monitoring, steering and auditing systems;
– Establish financial control mechanisms
– Nominate a representative in the steering and small project approval committee;
– Control the efficient and effective use of the Block Grants;
– Ensure regular reporting to SDC on the implementation progress of Block Grants, as well as ensure immediate reporting in case of any irregularities;
– Ensure auditing and follow-up to audit recommendations;
– Ensure inclusion of the Block Grants in the general publicity on the Contribution.
Roles and responsibilities of the Block Grant Intermediate Body include:
– Overall management of the Block Grant;
– Establish a steering and small project approval committee and act as its secretary
– Establish an adequate financial and operational controlling system for small project implementation;
– Call for and collect proposals for small projects, review compliance with the proposal requirements and establish selection recommendations;
– Establish contracting arrangements with the organisations and institutions implementing the small projects;
– Apply controlling systems and intervene if required. Inform the NCU on irregularities immediately;
– Report to the NCU. Reporting includes at least an annual progress report and financial reports;
– Publicity on the Block Grant implementation.
Roles and responsibilities of the steering and small project approval committee include:
– Select small projects for implementation;
– Discuss progress reports;
– Review and adapt small project selection criteria.
Roles and responsibilities of SDC include:
– Approve in principle the establishment of Block Grants;
– Provide feedback on outlines for Block Grants;
– Decide on the financing of Block Grants;
– Nominate a representative or an observer in the steering and small project approval committee;
– Monitor implementation progress on a general level;
– Assess and discuss implementation progress with the NCU based on annual reporting by the NCU.
Roles and responsibilities may periodically be reviewed. A first review shall take place during the first annual meeting of the Parties.
B. Seed Money Facility
1. Definition and purpose
“Seed Money” means the provision of financial means to prepare innovative or complex Projects and/or to establish new partnerships created for the purpose of designing and implementing new Projects.
Seed Money grants shall generally be in the range of 5’000.- to 30’000.- Swiss francs.
2. Selection of the Intermediate Body for the Seed Money Facility
As a rule, the Intermediate Body for the Seed Money Facility shall be the NCU. As an exception, public or private sector bodies (e.g. national, regional and local authorities) or non-governmental organisations constituted as legal entities in Slovenia and operating in the public interest may also be delegated the task of an Intermediate Body for a Seed Money Facility. In the latter case, the Intermediate Body for the Seed Money Facility should have strong to the thematic focus area concerned in which the Seed Money Facility is to be implemented.
The selection of the Intermediate Body for the Seed Money Facility may follow a two-step procedure. Applicants may submit an outline of the envisaged Seed Money Facilities before submitting a complete application. Outlines and full applications shall be commented by the NCU and submitted to Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) / State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
SDC / SECO shall assess whether a proposed Seed Money Facility is suitable for grant assistance and whether the suggested implementation set-up is adequate. Based on the assessment, SDC / SECO shall provide feedback to the NCU and the Seed Money Intermediate Body and shall decide on the financing of the Seed Money Facility.
3. Agreements for the Seed Money Facilities
For each Seed Money Facility, an agreement shall be prepared by the NCU based on a standard agreement provided by SDC / SECO. The agreement shall be signed by the NCU, SDC / SECO and the selected Seed Money Intermediate Body. The content of the agreement shall include inter alia:
– Objectives of the Seed Money Facility;
– Organisational structure, roles and responsibilities (incl. constitution of a steering and small grant approval committee);
– Procedures for the assessment and selection of small grant applications (incl. selection criteria);
– Co-financing rules and procedures;
– Budget and financial planning (incl. management costs);
– Disbursement and audit procedures;
– Monitoring and steering;
– Reporting;
– Publicity measures.
4. Co-financing
Small grants financed by a Seed Money Facility require a minimum co-financing of 15% by the small grant recipient or any third party. The co-financing rate shall be determined on a case-by-case basis.
5. Roles and Responsibilities
Roles and responsibilities of the NCU include:
– Propose the establishment of Seed Money Facilities;
– Ensure establishment of Seed Money Facilities including invitation or call for proposals, Seed Money Intermediate Body pre-selection, preparation of agreement;
– Ensure the supervision of Seed Money Facilities by establishing adequate monitoring, steering and auditing systems;
– Nominate a representative in the steering and small grant approval committee;
– Establish financial control mechanisms
– Control the efficient and effective use of Seed Money Facilities;
– Ensure regular reporting to SDC / SECO on the implementation progress of the Seed Money Facilities, as well as ensure immediate reporting in case of any irregularities;
– Ensure auditing and follow-up to audit recommendations;
– Ensure inclusion of Seed Money Facilities in the general publicity on the Contribution.
Roles and responsibilities of the Seed Money Intermediate Body include:
– Overall management of the Seed Money Facility;
– Establish steering and small grant approval committee and act as its secretary
– Establish an adequate financial and operational controlling system for the activities co-financed through small grants of the Seed Money Facility;
– Call and collect proposals for small grant assistance, review compliance with the proposal requirements and establish selection recommendations;
– Participate in the steering and small grant approval committee;
– Establish contracting arrangements with the small grant recipients;
– Apply controlling systems and intervene if required. Inform NCU on irregularities immediately;
– Report to the NCU. Reporting includes at least an annual progress report and financial reports;
– Publicity on Seed Money Facility implementation.
Roles and responsibilities of SDC / SECO include:
– Approve in principle the establishment of Seed Money Facilities in selected thematic areas;
– Provide feedback on outlines for Seed Money Facilities;
– Decide on the financing of Seed Money Facilities;
– Nominate a representative or observer in the steering and small grant approval committee;
– Monitor implementation progress on a general level;
– Assess and discuss implementation progress with the NCU based on annual reporting by the NCU.
Roles and responsibilities may periodically be reviewed. A first review shall take place during the first annual meeting of the Parties.
C. Project Preparation Facility
1. Definition and purpose
A “Project Preparation Facility” provides financial support for the preparation of the Final Project Proposals (e.g. feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, etc.).
2. Request and approval procedures
A request for financial support within the Project Preparation Facility must be part of the Project outline (cf. Annex 2, Chapter 2.1).
SDC or SECO shall assess whether the requested assistance for project preparation is suitable for financial support.
The decision on the provision for financial support for the project preparation is part of the final decision by Switzerland on the Project outline.
3. Management of the Project Preparation Facility
The Intermediate Body of the Project Preparation Facility is the NCU.
4. Project Preparation Facility Agreement
The Project Preparation Facility Agreement shall be prepared and signed by the NCU on the Slovenian side and by SDC / SECO on the Swiss side. The content of the Project Preparation Facility Agreement shall include i.a.:
– Objectives of the Project Preparation Facility;
– Roles and responsibilities;
– Detailed listing of costs eligible for financing;
– Co-financing;
– Audit procedures, monitoring and reporting.
5. Co-financing
Financial means provided by the Project Preparation Facility require a minimum co-financing of 15% by the recipient or any third party. The co-financing rate shall be determined on a case-by-case basis.
D. Technical Assistance Fund
1. Definition and purpose
A Technical Assistance Fund may be established to contribute to some additional costs incurred by Slovenia for the efficient and effective implementation of the Contribution.
2. Eligible costs
Costs incurred by the Slovenian authorities for the management, implementation, monitoring and control of the Contribution are in general not eligible for financing. However, some costs incurred by the Slovenian authorities for tasks performed additionally and exclusively for the implementation of the Contribution are eligible for financing, if they belong to one of the following categories:
a) Costs of Committees established in the framework of the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme as defined in the Technical Assistance Fund Agreement;
b) Training for potential Executing Agencies with the objective to prepare them for the Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme;
c) Hiring of consultants for the review of Project proposals addressed to the NCU and the preparation of financing requests to Switzerland;
d) Hiring of consultants for the monitoring and for the review of Projects financed by the Contribution and of the overall Slovenian - Swiss Cooperation Programme;
e) Audits and on the spot checks of operations related to the Contribution, where this relates to activities above and beyond the normal obligations of Slovenia;
f) Publicity measures related to the Contribution;
g) Costs for the participation in meetings with Swiss authorities held outside of Slovenia;
h) Translation costs of the NCU and Intermediate Bodies at the level of the management of the Swiss Contribution;
i) Additional equipment, including software, specifically procured for the implementation of the Contribution.
3. Intermediate Body for the Technical Assistance Fund
The Intermediate Body of the Technical Assistance Fund is the NCU.
4. Technical Assistance Fund Agreement
The Technical Assistance Fund Agreement shall be prepared and signed by the NCU on the Slovenian side and by SDC / SECO on the Swiss side. The content of the Technical Assistance Fund Agreement shall include inter alia:
– Objectives of the Technical Assistance Fund;
– Detailed listing of costs eligible for financing;
– Organisational structure, roles and responsibilities;
– Procedures;
– Budget and financial planning;
– Audit procedures;
– Monitoring and steering;
– Reporting.
E. Scholarship Fund
1. Definition and purpose
A Scholarship Fund shall be established. It shall provide financing for educational and research scholarships for Slovenian students and researchers admitted at higher education and research institutions in Switzerland.
Educational scholarships shall enhance the development of high quality human resources, encourage networking and initiate cooperation among young academics.
Research scholarships shall promote excellence in research, allow outstanding personal achievements of junior and senior researchers, stimulate networking and enhance Slovenian - Swiss research cooperation. Research scholarships may be linked to the creation of trans-national teams and joint research projects.
2. Intermediate Body for the Scholarship Fund
The Intermediate Body for the management of a Scholarship Fund is a Swiss institution.
3. Scholarship Fund Agreement
The Scholarship Fund Agreement shall be prepared by the Intermediate Body. It shall be signed by the NCU on the Slovenian side and by the SDC on the Swiss side. The content of the Scholarship Fund Agreement shall include inter alia:
– Objectives of the Scholarship Fund;
– Detailed listing of costs eligible for financing;
– Organisational structure, roles and responsibilities;
– Procedures;
– Budget and financial planning;
– Audit procedures;
– Monitoring and steering;
– Reporting.
4. Eligible costs
Eligible costs include scholarships costs such as displacement, living expenses, insurance, matriculation fees, specific research and publication costs.
O K V I R N I S P O R A Z U M
MED VLADO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE IN ŠVICARSKIM ZVEZNIM SVETOM O IZVAJANJU SLOVENSKO-ŠVICARSKEGA PROGRAMA SODELOVANJA ZA ZMANJŠEVANJE GOSPODARSKIH IN SOCIALNIH RAZLIK V RAZŠIRJENI EVROPSKI UNIJI
MED VLADO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE IN ŠVICARSKIM ZVEZNIM SVETOM O IZVAJANJU SLOVENSKO-ŠVICARSKEGA PROGRAMA SODELOVANJA ZA ZMANJŠEVANJE GOSPODARSKIH IN SOCIALNIH RAZLIK V RAZŠIRJENI EVROPSKI UNIJI
VLADA REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE (v nadaljnjem besedilu: "Slovenija")
IN
ŠVICARSKI ZVEZNI SVET (v nadaljnjem besedilu: "Švica"),
v nadaljnjem besedilu "pogodbenika", sta se
– OB ZAVEDANJU pomena širitve Evropske unije (EU) za stabilnost in blaginjo v Evropi,
– OB UGOTOVITVI, da je Švica solidarna s prizadevanji EU za zmanjševanje gospodarskih in socialnih razlik v EU,
– NA TEMELJIH uspešnega sodelovanja med državama med prehodom Slovenije, ki jo je pripeljal do pristopa k EU,
– OB UPOŠTEVANJU prijateljskih odnosov med državama,
– V ŽELJI po krepitvi teh odnosov in plodnem sodelovanju med državama,
– ZARADI nadaljnjega spodbujanja družbenega in gospodarskega razvoja v Sloveniji,
– GLEDE NA TO, da je Švicarski zvezni svet v Memorandumu o soglasju z Evropsko skupnostjo z dne 27. februarja 2006 izrazil namen, da bo Švica prispevala do 1.000.000.000 CHF (eno milijardo CHF) za zmanjševanje gospodarskih in socialnih razlik v razširjeni Evropski uniji (v nadaljnjem besedilu: "memorandum o soglasju"),
dogovorila:
1. člen – Opredelitev pojmov
Če besedilo ne zahteva drugače, v tem sporazumu:
– "prispevek" pomeni nepovratna finančna sredstva, ki jih dodeli Švica po tem sporazumu;
– "projekt" pomeni poseben projekt ali program ali druge skupne dejavnosti iz tega sporazuma. Program sestavljajo projekti, ki jih povezuje skupna tema ali skupni cilji;
– "obveznost" pomeni dodelitev določenega zneska prispevka projektu, o katerem sta se dogovorila pogodbenika;
– "projektni sporazum" pomeni sporazum med pogodbenikoma in po potrebi z dodatnimi pogodbenimi strankami o izvajanju projekta, o katerem sta se dogovorila pogodbenika;
– "nacionalni koordinacijski organ" pomeni slovenski organ, odgovoren za usklajevanje slovensko-švicarskega programa sodelovanja;
– "vmesni organ" pomeni organ oziroma javno ali zasebno službo, ki deluje v pristojnosti nacionalnega koordinacijskega organa ali v njegovem imenu opravlja naloge v zvezi z izvedbenimi agencijami, ki izvajajo projekte;
– "izvedbena agencija" pomeni javni organ, javno ali zasebno družbo in organizacijo, ki sta jo pogodbenika priznala in pooblastila za izvajanje posameznega projekta, financiranega po tem sporazumu;
– "sporazum o izvajanju" pomeni sporazum o izvajanju projekta, sklenjen med nacionalnim koordinacijskim organom in/ali vmesnim organom in izvedbeno agencijo;
– "sklad" pomeni sklad, ustanovljen z jasno opredeljenim namenom, ki zagotavlja pomoč organizacijam ali ustanovam s spodbujanjem stroškovno učinkovitega upravljanja predvsem programov z več malimi projekti;
– "začetni kapital" pomeni zagotovitev finančnih sredstev za pripravo inovativnih ali celovitih projektov in/ali za vzpostavitev novih partnerstev, da se tako oblikujejo in izvajajo novi projekti;