Workshops

On 19 September 2024, the INTERREG VI-A AT-HU programme held a seminar for beneficiaries of already approved projects at the Hotel Sopron, in Sopron. The Joint Secretariat presented the rules and framework conditions for project implementation to about 70 participants.

The following topics were presented in detail:

• Reporting at partner and project level
• Audit and monitoring processes related to reporting
• Project modifications
• Project communication rules

Following the presentations, presenters answered the questions from the audience. Questions focused on reporting unit costs for personnel costs, submission and monitoring deadlines, and communication activities.

A standard project? A small-scale project? Shall I submit my application now or later? How long should the project duration be? Are three project partners sufficient? What’s new in the ATHU Programme? How much ERDF support can I expect as a Hungarian partner? Will national co-financing be ensured? And how about advance payment?

Potential project holders interested in the Interreg Austria–Hungary Programme received the answers to these and similar questions at the Hungarian regional workshop organised by the West-Transdanubian Regional Coordination and the Joint Secretariat in Zalaegerszeg, in the winter garden of Hotel Arany Bárány on 22 August 2023.

More than 100 participants were able to gain comprehensive knowledge of the most important topics related to the application:

• specific elements of the Interreg VI-A Austria–Hungary Programme,
• the process of the open call for proposals, the framework conditions and expectations,
• simplifications and novelties introduced in the Programme, in topics such as eligibility, budget and funding issues, or the setup of the work plan, recording the project applications in the joint electronic monitoring system (Jems).

The event provided an opportunity to ask questions on the site anonymously, which were answered by the Programme experts on the spot. Potential applicants took this opportunity: more than 40 questions were received, amongst others, in the areas of partnership, eligibility, intervention logic and financing. A quick survey revealed that the vast majority of respondents plan to submit one project application for the first submission deadline, but there are also several who plan to apply with three or more ideas. Among the novelties and simplifications presented, the flat-rate calculation of travel and accommodation costs and the Jems system are most welcome, while the reimbursement of staff costs on the basis of unit costs and the ex-post payment of national co-financing raised most concerns.

If you were unable to attend the regional workshop or just want to find out what questions were asked, what the exact answers were or you would like to have more information about the application, read the “Questions & Answers” document.

On 6 September 2023, the Hungarian workshop was followed by a workshop for potential Austrian applicants from Burgenland, Lower Austria, Styria and Vienna at Vinatrium Deutschkreutz. The responsible regional coordinators from the four regions, as well as the Managing Authority and the Joint Secretariat of the INTERREG VI-A AT-HU Programme, have brought the programme’s specificities and the framework conditions for project submission in the current call closer to the 70 participants.

The following topics were presented in detail:

• Key features of the 2021-2027 programme and the expectations towards the projects
• New instrument: Support for small-scale projects
• Eligibility rules and simplified cost options
• Structure of project applications, submission procedures and deadlines
• JEMS - electronic monitoring system

Many questions from the audience were answered directly during the presentations. In particular, questions about the composition of the partnerships, eligibility and simplifications, e.g. in the planning and reporting of staff costs, the intervention logic were popular.

In the afternoon, participants were able to discuss their projects and open issues with the regional coordinators from the regions in greater depth at several thematic tables, while they also had the possibility to speak to other applicants from their thematic area. Four thematic tables were selected: Climate-Nature-Water; Transport -Network projects – Small-scale-projects; Education, Culture and Tourism.

Not only the thematic tables but also the breaks throughout the event were used for lively discussions on the project ideas and programme opportunities. The participants appreciated the face-to-face exchanges with the programme experts in a pleasant ambience at Vinatrium Deutschkreutz.

Standard or small-scale, it makes no difference, tailor-made support is for everyone! The unwavering interest in our Programme led us to the decision to organize another live workshop for our potential applicants.

This time we will give an overview of the new Programme and its expectations, we will reflect on the key learnings of our first standard project submission round, and we will dedicate time to the small-scale projects as well.

Have we sparked your interest? Please accept our invitation and register for the event!