In the context of completing the Partnership Agreement for the INTERREG Greece-Bulgaria 2021–2027 Programme, we seek clarification concerning Article 4, specifically the requirement for each Beneficiary to confirm its financial capacity and commit the 20% of its project budget as national cofinancing.
As per the Partnership Agreement template provided:
“Each Beneficiary, in order to fully implement the project deliverables specifically allocated to them, ensures that it has complete financial capacity and, in the case of approval of the project, will commit the 20% of its project budget as national co-financing amount of ……. Euros in total (LB ….. Euros, PBn Euros,) for the above-mentioned purpose.”
Considering that, according to the Programme documents, the national cofinancing (20%) is expected to be provided by the respective National Authority following project approval, we kindly ask for clarification on the following points:
1. How should a Beneficiary explicitly indicate in the Partnership Agreement that the required national co-financing (20%) will be provided by the respective National Authority rather than from the Beneficiary’s own financial resources?
2. In case the respective National Authority does not allocate the expected national co-financing amount, will the Beneficiary be obligated to provide this 20% from its own financial resources to remain compliant with the Programme’s financial obligations?
3. Would it be acceptable and advisable for Beneficiaries to include in the Partnership Agreement a conditional statement clearly indicating that the availability of national co-financing is subject to approval procedures and relevant national mechanisms? If yes, could you suggest an appropriate wording?