2nd Targeted Call for Strategic Focus on Prespas Area

Context of the Call

Background of the opening of the Crossing Point at Prespa area
The inception of a border crossing dates back several years ago. The bilateral IPA CBC 2014-2020 Programme contributed
significantly to the planning of the current Strategic Project.
In 2022 a preparatory project under the name “BorPres” was approved with budget of € 690.000. The objective of the “BorPres” project was to Increase the maturity of the present project in order to proceed with the consturction phase under the IPA III during the 2021-2027 Programming Period.

Partners: Region of Western Macedonia (LP), Development Organisation of Western Macedonia, Ministries of Interior of partner countries.

Core activities were the maturation of border-crossing works, namely:
Greece:
Technical works assessment, studies of a building for the Customs and Police Authorities at the border crossing, environmental studies and the issuing of necessary legal licencing,
North Macedonia:
Engineering services and tender documentation for the reconstruction and renovation of the SB Police Station. Design of connection to the BCP facilities.

The 2021-2027 Programming Period
In continuation to the above, the Interreg (IV-A) CBC Programme “Greece – North Macedonia 2021-2027” will proceed with the construction of a building hosting the police and customs authorities on the Greek side of the border and to the renovation of the existing police station on the North Macedonia’s side of the borders. The participation of local municipalities in this Strategic Programme will increase the connection of the local communicities and population to this flagship project.

The available funds of this Strategic Project will create synergies and will leverage fundings from other financial sources e.g. the funds of the “EU for Prespa” Programme for the constuctions of a customs building at the side of North Macedonia, the funds of the RoP of Western Macedonia and the funds of Hellenic Ministry of Interior for the construction of the road connection of the CB Crossing to Point to the national road network and others.

A very close cooperation of relevant public authorities and organizations from both sides of the borders will be needed in order this CB Crossing Point to become functional, proving the ability of the Interreg activites and funds to generate major synergies which leads to large scale changes and development for the cross border area.

Application Pack

• The “Targeted Call for Strategic Focus on Prespas Area”
• The Programme and Project Implementation Manual (PPIM)

• The annexes of the PPIM to be filled in and submitted attached to the Application Form via MIS
  -Annex 1: The ‘Partnership Declaration’ (standard form provided), duly signed and stamped by the legal representative of the Lead Beneficiary and Project Beneficiaries;
  – Annex 3: The ‘Justification of Budget Form’ (standard excel form provided) completed, expressed in euro, officially signed and stamped by the legal representative of the Lead Beneficiary (in pdf format) and an editable copy in excel format;
  – Annex 5: The ‘State Aid Declaration’ (standard form provided) duly signed and stamped by the legal representative of each partner separately;
  – Annex 6: The ‘Project Maturity Sheet’ (for equipment, investment, external expertise & services) (standard form provided) completed, duly signed and stamped by the legal representative of each partner separately;
  – Annex 7: The ‘Project Feasibility Study’ (guidelines provided) duly signed and stamped by the legal representative of the Lead Beneficiary;
  – Annex 8: The ‘Climate Endurance Validation Report’ (standard form provided) for LB/PB that implement investments on infrastructure with expected lifecycle at least 5 years, duly signed and stamped by the legal representatives of the partners with relevant activities, if applicable;
  – Annex 9: The ‘SEA Compliance Form’ (standard form provided) duly signed and stamped by the legal representative of the Lead Beneficiary;
  – Annex 20: The ‘Legal entity Form’ for IPA Beneficiaries (standard form provided) duly signed and stamped by the legal representative of the IPA beneficiaries).

• The Annexes of the PPIM to support the potential Beneficiaries in drafting and submitting of the Project Proposal:
  – Annex 2: Project Detailed Description
  – Annex 4: Justification of Budget Cost Manual
  – Annex 10: Programme Output & Result Indicators Guide
  – Annex 11: Charter of fundamental rights
  – Annex 12: Table of COFOG Classification
  – Annex13a: Project Selection Methodology for Strategic/Targeted Project
  – Annex 15a: Selection criteria for Strategic/Targeted Project
  – Annex 16: Guidelines for applying in MIS 2021-2027
  – Annex 17: Technical guidance for Beneficiary User Registration and Account Management
  – Annex 18: Ministerial Decision 45820/17-05-2023 (Government Gazette B’ 3218/17-05-2023) concerning “Expenditure eligibility rules, public procurement, complaints of the beneficiaries of the INTERREG Programmes 2021-2027”
  – Annex19: Technical guidance of MIS 2021 – 2027
  – Annex 22: Subsidy Contract
  – Annex 23: Partnership Agreement
  – Annex 27: Communication Guide for project beneficiaries

The project proposal is submitted to MIS at the following website https://logon.ops.gr/ from 17/9/2024 start date for submission of proposal), time 09.00 greek local time (CET +1) until, exclusively, 11/10/2024, 16:00 greek local time (CET +1) at the latest, by the Beneficiary’s legal representative (personal user account of the legal representative).