Contracting Authority: European Commission
COPOLAD II - Cooperation Programme between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union on Drugs Policies
Guidelines for grant applicants
Budget line: 21.020100

Reference:
EuropeAid/150033/DH/ACT 
Deadline for submission of Full Application:
31/07/2015 at 16:00 (Brussels date and time)

NOTICE
This is an open Call for Proposals, where all documents are submitted together (Concept Note and Full Application Form). In the first instance, only the Concept Notes will be evaluated. Thereafter, for the applicants who have been pre-selected, the full proposal will be evaluated. After the evaluation of the full proposals, an eligibility check will be performed for those which have been provisionally selected. Eligibility will be checked on the basis of the supporting documents requested by the Contracting Authority and the signed ‘Declaration by the Applicant’ sent together with the application.
Online submission via PROSPECT

To apply to this call organisations must use the new electronic system (PROSPECT) developed by EuropeAid to facilitate the submission of applications (see Section 2.2.2 of the Guidelines). The aim of PROSPECT is to increase the efficiency of the management of the Call for Proposals and to offer a better service to civil society organisations through a new panel of functionalities such as the on-line submission and the possibility to follow up online the status of their application.
All organisations can find the PROSPECT users' manual on the publication website. You may also contact our technical support team: EuropeAid-IT-support@ec.europa.eu

Table of contents
1.	COPOLAD II - Cooperation Programme between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union on Drugs Policie
1.1.	Background
1.2.	Objectives of the programme and priority issues
1.3.	Financial allocation provided by the contracting authority
2.	Rules FOR thIS call for proposalS
2.1.	Eligibility criteria
2.1.1.	Eligibility of applicants (i.e. applicant and co-applicant(s))
2.1.2.	Affiliated entities
2.1.3.	Associates and Contractors
2.1.4.	Eligible actions: actions for which an application may be made
2.1.5.	Eligibility of costs: costs that can be included
2.2.	How to apply and the procedures to follow
2.2.1.	Application forms
2.2.2.	Where and how to send Applications
2.2.3.	Deadline for submission of Applications
2.2.4.	Further information about Applications
2.3.	Evaluation and selection of applications
2.4.	Submission of supporting documents for provisionally selected applications
2.5.	Notification of the Contracting Authority’s decision
2.5.1.	Content of the decision
2.5.2.	Indicative timetable
2.6.	Conditions for implementation after the Contracting Authority’s decision to award a grant
2.7.	Early warning system and central exclusion database
3.	LIST OF annexes

1.	COPOLAD II - Cooperation Programme between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union on Drugs Policies
1.1.	Background
The illicit drugs problem in Latin America is characterised by a diversity of situations, which are ever-changing, and therefore produce a diversity of national responses and global and sectoral strategies. The problem is varied: in the MERCOSUR countries the main problem is drug consumption; the Andean countries are predominantly producers and the Central American countries are first and foremost transit countries for drugs on their way to consumer markets in the US and Europe. The common denominator in Latin America is the aggravation of national situations through the infiltration of drug-trafficking into affairs of State, and corruption, armed violence, money-laundering, the production and consumption of drugs. Serious steps have been taken to find solutions that are coordinated or shared between the most affected countries, whether in the global framework of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in the hemispheric framework of the Organisation of American States (OEA)/Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), or sub-regionally, as for example in the context of the Andean Community of Nations (CAN); but so far the advances in regional cooperation have been modest.
The action "COPOLAD II – Cooperation programme between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union on Drugs Policies" is part of the Multi-Annual Regional Indicative Programme for Latin America for the financial period 2014-2020, specifically the priority area on the security-development nexus, which seeks to promote security conditions conducive to inclusive development. Building on the first phase of COPOLAD, this particular action aims at supporting the capacity of beneficiary states and communities to develop integrated, balanced and human rights-based national drug policies covering both drug demand and supply reduction efforts, in line with the principle of co-responsibility. 
An important aspect of this action will be to focus on capacity building based on the implementation of demand-driven Thematic Task Forces on drug policy (or TTFs). Each TTF will involve a certain number of countries willing to develop or to share their response to practical issues related to consolidation of national observatories, drug demand reduction or drug supply reduction. Most of these initiatives will involve south-south exchange of experience and good practices which meet the request of beneficiaries. The results of these initiatives should be presented during regional conferences or alternatively at the Programme's annual Conference. 
Expected results are an increased capacity to monitor drug issues and to formulate integrated, balanced and evidence-based drug policies at national level; reduced drug production, reduced demand and harm of drugs and reduced levels of drug trafficking; strengthened action against illicit financial flows and money laundering deriving from drug trafficking; increased control of precursors; and a strengthened EU-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs.
1.2.	Objectives of the programme and priority issues 
The objectives and priorities of COPOLAD II will focus on the comprehensive, balanced and evidence-based approach to drugs issues, based on international cooperation and dialogue, as well as on demand and supply reduction, in line with the EU Drugs Strategy 2013-2020 and related Action Plan.
The global objective of this Call for Proposals is: to contribute to improved coherence, balance and impact of drugs policies in LAC countries, as well as to strengthen bi-regional dialogue and effectiveness of joint efforts to tackle the world drug problem.
The specific objectives of this Call for Proposals are: 
1) To facilitate the rapprochement and cooperation of the national agencies in charge of global drugs policy-making in LAC and EU countries, so as to strengthen capacities and encourage the different stages of the process of elaborating drugs policies in LAC countries.
2) To facilitate the exchange and cooperation between agencies and national actors in charge of sectoral drugs policies in LAC and EU countries, so as to contribute to building the capacities of the competent authorities in LAC countries.
Like its predecessor, COPOLAD II continues to pursue a global and integrated focus combining a reduction in demand and supply of illicit drugs. Thus, project proposals presented by applicants within this Call must include the following 4 priority components.
Component 1: Consolidation of the national observatories
To define coherent policies and be able to evaluate them, national drugs agencies and policy makers need access to information about the overall drugs problem that is accurate, up-to-date, trustworthy, and compatible and comparable in the sub-regional, regional and international spheres. CELAC countries have been assisted in the last twenty years by CICAD in the pursuit of this goal but with uneven results. Although almost every CELAC country has developed at some stage an integrated drugs information system (production, consumption, trafficking etc.), the actual state of affairs varies significantly. Countries like Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Peru and Mexico have very well developed observatories and information systems on drugs with qualified and permanent staff, while others barely have any structure or trained staff. The institutional framework is also of great diversity in size, stage of development and organization. Some of the main problems are the lack of staff, equipment and infrastructure and problems in collecting data. Thanks to COPOLAD I, a minimum common set of standards has been identified to permit the availability of more comparable data. Also, the main training needs of the staff of national observatories were satisfactorily identified and Early Warning Systems intervention started. However, significant differences remain between countries due to the variety of circumstances such as the structure, needs and development of indicators, which demands continued support to be provided through the proposed second phase of the project. EU support for data collection and qualitative analysis, in line with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) standards, have been considered a valuable contribution from the European national observatories to the LAC counterparts already during COPOLAD I.
Under this component, flexible technical assistance will be provided to authorities willing to participate. This will include the provision of short-term expertise and training among countries sharing similar threats. This component will be implemented in close cooperation with the EMCDDA.
The expected result of the component is the strengthened capacity of the national observatories, resulting in a deepened knowledge of the drugs situation in each LAC country and in the region as a whole; and well-functioning methods of disseminating and comparing this knowledge.
Component 2: Capacity-building in reduction of demand
The EU understands the drug problem first and foremost as a health issue. Member States are of the opinion that drug users should be considered as patients and as such be entitled to medical treatment; that all stages from prevention, early intervention, treatment, risk and harm reduction, social reintegration and rehabilitation should be covered; and that targeting health and social risks should be a core element of drugs policies at national and international level. In the field of reduction of demand, the EU has thus acquired rich and varied experience for several decades through a diversity of actions and national responses. Thanks to harm reduction measures initiated in many EU countries back in the 1980s, it has been possible to stabilise the consumption of injected heroine and control the spread of HIV in the 1990s.
At the same time, of all drugs-related issues, drug demand reduction is the area with least institutional development in the majority of LAC countries, despite some work of NGOs and civil society organizations. It remains a component with few resources and with little previous regional exchange. At a time when consumption of natural and synthetic drugs and of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is increasing in LAC countries, exchange of experience and good practices between both regions is nonetheless strategic. In line with COPOLAD I, the interventions of COPOLAD II will be oriented to establish a common basis in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation models and in building up common agreements to identify best practices and quality standards.
The expected result for this component is to strengthen the capacities of competent authorities and other relevant actors in LAC countries, aimed at consolidating evidence-based drugs policies in the field of demand reduction, especially in the fields of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, harm reduction and social integration. 
Capacity building in drug demand will therefore be demand-driven based on several the above mentioned Thematic Task Forces (TTFs). This component can be divided into three sub-components: prevention of drug abuse, treatment and social reinsertion of ex-addicts along the following priorities:
•	Good practices on drug prevention; 
•	Effective treatment measures; 
•	Support to relapse prevention;
•	Support to reintegration and rehabilitation of drug users;
•	Effective prevention and treatment for inmates (prisons). 
Based on these priorities, beneficiary authorities will select several partners and jointly develop good practices or specific responses.
Component 3: Capacity-building in reduction of supply 
As opposed to demand reduction, LAC countries often have long-standing experience with supply reduction, notably in terms of law enforcement and alternative development. There are more previous experiences in coordination, and more funding from other donors. COPOLAD I has integrated these aspects smoothly, establishing coordination with other programmes. COPOLAD II will further increase this coordination and synergies and carefully avoid possible duplication of activities, especially as regards the different components of the Cocaine Route Programme: the Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP), the Seaport Cooperation Project (SEACOP), the Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation in Latin America Project (AMERIPOL-EU) and the Support to the Fight Against Money Laundering in Latin America Project (GAFILAT-EU). Taking into account LAC’s own experience, and other relevant EU cooperation projects or programmes (on-going ones and the upcoming regional programme on Rule of Law and Security), this component will be principally directed towards complementing, consolidating and expanding, on a regional level, already existing initiatives. 
Capacity-building in this component will also be demand-driven and based on Thematic Task Forces (TTFs). Beneficiaries should be invited to launch TTFs on one or several of the following priority areas:
•	Effective measures on alternative development;
•	Regional forensic science cooperation and innovative forensic approaches.
The envisaged activities will further contribute to strengthening the competent authorities in the area of supply reduction. Training and evaluation of accumulated experience in alternative development will also be continued and developed. 
Particular emphasis will be given to strengthening cooperation to prevent the diversion of chemical precursors for the illicit manufacture of narcotics drugs in order to ensure continuity of major lines of action carried out in the framework of the PRELAC project, ending in February 2016. COPOLAD II precursor-related activities must be consistents with activities under the scope of the existing bilateral agreements on precursors (EU Agreements with 11 countries are into force, including Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela). It is essential that relevant EU authorities are regularly informed of programme's activities and are able to provide inputs and suggestions. Expertise from EU Member States to provide technical assistance should be considered.
Some of the key areas that COPOLAD II could focus on in the drug precursor's area should be:
•	Cooperation with industry;
•	Enhancing exchange of information – both at national and regional level;
•	Inter-agency cooperation;
•	Special focus on precursors for ATS – synthetic drugs is becoming a problem in the region and the EU has great experience in this area;
•	Safety issues and disposal of precursors;
•         E-learning for authorities and industry (including via the EC DG TAXUD learning tools, taking                    into account the regional aspects when using them).

The exact content of each of these measures should be defined in cooperation with authorities. In some cases, authorities will be willing to create TTFs on precursor's control. In other case, needs will be better responded by organising national or sub-regional seminars or field visits in the region or in the EU. Depending on the need assessment, support could be provided to further extend the regional computer system (SISALEM). Synthetic drugs and their precursors, as well as NPS, are relatively new realities in the LAC region. Sharing information with the EU countries, which have a lot of experience in this sensitive area, is thus considered essential.
The expected result for this component is the strengthening of capacities of the competent authorities in LAC countries responsible in the field of supply reduction, in particular in the areas of alternative development, forensic approaches and prevention of precursor diversion.
Component 4: Policy support, dialogue and consolidation of the Mechanism
The national drugs agencies are a key element of any policy in the fight against drugs, in spite of the institutional weakness they often display. A forum between these EU and LAC bodies, the principal actors in drugs policy-making, for an exchange of experience, good practices and information is indispensable in the face of the global drugs problem. Such a platform is essential for the political-technical dialogue on the worldwide nature of the drugs phenomenon. It is also a very useful forum to further strengthen the national coordinating services in LAC countries and to stimulate intersectoral cooperation. The results of the national drugs agencies’ (in the countries that these do not exist, the entities responsible for policy-making) cooperation will be the chief element of consolidation of the Mechanism in its basic principles: On the one hand, that implies operationalizing key concepts of the drugs problem i.e. global policy, balanced policies, and shared responsibility; on the other, enhancing the role of the national drugs agencies and the observatories in terms of design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and strategies.
It is foreseen that 2 regional conferences are organised each year. The first one should be an operational meeting aiming at monitoring and supporting TTF’s implementations; the second one should be a high level conference aiming at disseminating good practices on drug policy. This second conference should be organised back to back with the Joint Follow-up Group meeting on precursors and the High-Level Meeting of the Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs between the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean region.
The expected result of the component is an improved framework of dialogue, exchange and capacity building between the agencies in charge of drugs policy-making in LAC and the EU. The capacities of the LAC countries will be strengthened, and a system of sustainable management for their dialogue and cooperation will be maintained and expanded. Rather than replacing the meetings of the Mechanism, the suggested activities will complement them.
1.3.	Financial allocation provided by the contracting authority
The overall indicative amount made available under this Call for Proposals is EUR 10,000,000. The Contracting Authority reserves the right not to award all available funds.
Size of grants
The present Call for Proposals aims at selecting and financing only one contract.
 Any grant requested under this Call for Proposals may not exceed the following maximum amount:
•	maximum amount: EUR 10,000,000
Any grant requested under this Call for Proposals can be up to a maximum percentage of 100 % of the total eligible costs of the action (see also Section 2.1.5). 
The balance (i.e. the difference between the total cost of the action and the amount requested from the Contracting Authority) must be financed from sources other than the European Union Budget or the European Development Fund.
The grant may cover the entire eligible costs of the action if this is deemed essential to carry it out. If that is the case, the applicant must justify full financing in Section 2.1 of Part B of the grant application form.
2.	Rules FOR thIS call for proposalS
These guidelines set out the rules for the submission, selection and implementation of the actions financed under this Call, in conformity with the Practical Guide, which is applicable to the present call (available on the Internet at this address: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/prag/document.do?locale=en) .
2.1 Eligibility criteria
There are three sets of eligibility criteria, relating to:
(1)	the actors:
•	The applicant, i.e. the entity submitting the application form (2.1.1),
•	if any, its co-applicant(s) (where it is not specified otherwise the applicant and its co-applicant(s) are hereinafter jointly referred as the "applicants") (2.1.1), 
•	and, if any, affiliated entity(ies) to the applicant and/or to a co-applicant(s). (2.1.2);
(2)	the actions:
Actions for which a grant may be awarded (2.1.4);
(3)	the costs:
•	types of cost that may be taken into account in setting the amount of the grant (2.1.5).
2.1.1.	Eligibility of applicants (i.e. applicant and co-applicant(s))
Applicant
(1)	In order to be eligible for a grant, the applicant must:
•	be a legal person and
•	be non-profit-making and
•	belong to the following categories: national drugs agencies or development cooperation agencies with pertinent experience in the drugs sector and
•	be nationals of a Member State of the EU or CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) and
•	be established in a Member State of the European Union or  CELAC and
•	be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary

(2)	The potential applicant may not participate in calls for proposals or be awarded grants if it is in any of the situations listed in Section 2.3.3 of the Practical Guide ;

In Part B section 8 of the grant application form (‘Declaration by the applicant’), the applicant must declare that the applicant himself, the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies) are not in any of these situations.
The applicant must act with co-applicant(s) as specified hereafter.
If awarded the Grant contract, the applicant will become the Beneficiary identified as the Coordinator in annex E3h1 (Special Conditions). The Coordinator is the main interlocutor of the Contracting Authority. It represents and acts on behalf of any other co-beneficiary (if any) and coordinate the design and implementation of the Action.
Co-applicant(s)
Applicants must act with co-applicants that will be subject to the following eligibility criteria:
•	national drugs agencies and other public specialised agencies or bodies of the Member States of the EU or CELAC responsible for global and/or sectoral drugs policies,
•	national drugs observatories of the Member States of the EU or CELAC.
In addition to the applicant, each proposal must include at least one co-applicant from one EU country and at least two co-applicants from two different LAC countries. The maximum number of co-applicants is indicatively fixed at 10, which is considered a number compatible with sound financial management. Co-applicants must participate in designing and implementing the action. All activities must be open to all EU and LAC countries.
Co-applicant(s) participate in designing and implementing the action, and the costs they incur are eligible in the same way as those incurred by the applicant. 
Co-applicant(s) must satisfy the eligibility criteria as applicable to the applicant himself.
Co-applicant(s) must sign the Mandate in Part B section 4 of the grant application form.
If awarded the Grant contract, the co-applicant(s) will become beneficiaries in the Action (together with the Coordinator) 

2.1.2.	Affiliated entities
Affiliated entity(ies)
The applicant and its co-applicant(s) may act with affiliated entity(ies)
Only the following entities may be considered as affiliated entities to the applicant and/or to co-applicant(s):
Only entities having a structural link with the applicants, in particular a legal or capital link.
This structural link encompasses mainly two notions:
(i) 	Control, as defined in Directive 2013/34/EU on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings:
Entities affiliated to a beneficiary may hence be:
-	Entities directly or indirectly controlled by the beneficiary (daughter companies or first-tier subsidiaries). They may also be entities controlled by an entity controlled by the beneficiary (granddaughter companies or second-tier subsidiaries) and the same applies to further tiers of control;
-	Entities directly or indirectly controlling the beneficiary (parent companies). Likewise, they may be entities controlling an entity controlling the beneficiary;
-	Entities under the same direct or indirect control as the beneficiary (sister companies).
(ii) 	Membership, i.e. the beneficiary is legally defined as a e.g. network, federation, association in which the proposed affiliated entities also participate or the beneficiary participates in the same entity (e.g. network, federation, association) as the proposed affiliated entities.

The structural link shall as a general rule be neither limited to the action nor established for the sole purpose of its implementation. This means that the link would exist independently of the award of the grant; it should exist before the call for proposals and remain valid after the end of the action.

By way of exception, an entity may be considered as affiliated to a beneficiary even if it has a structural link specifically established for the sole purpose of the implementation of the action in the case of so-called “sole applicants” or “sole beneficiaries”.  A sole applicant or a sole beneficiary is an entity formed by several entities (a group of entities) which together comply with the criteria for being awarded the grant. For example, an association is formed by its members.
	What is not an affiliated entity? 

The following are not considered entities affiliated to a beneficiary:

-	Entities that have entered into a (procurement) contract or subcontract with a beneficiary, act as concessionaires or delegates for public services for a beneficiary,
-	Entities that receive financial support from the beneficiary,
-	Entities that cooperate on a regular basis with the beneficiary on the basis of a memorandum of understanding or share some assets,
-	Entities that have signed a consortium agreement under the grant contract.

How to verify the existence of the required link with the beneficiary?

The affiliation resulting from control may in particular be proved on the basis of the consolidated accounts of the group of entities the beneficiary and its proposed affiliates belong to.

The affiliation resulting from membership may in particular be proved on the basis of the statutes or equivalent act establishing the entity (network, federation, association) which the beneficiary constitutes or in which the beneficiary participates.
	
If the applicants are awarded a contract, their affiliated entity(ies) will not be become Beneficiary(ies) of the Action and signatory(ies) of the Grant Contract. However, they will participate in the design and  in the implementation of the Action and the costs they incur (including those incurred for Implementation Contracts and Financial Support to third parties) may be accepted as eligible costs, provided they comply with all the relevant rules already applicable to the Beneficiary(ies) under the Grant Contract.
Affiliated entity(ies) must satisfy the same eligibility criteria as the applicant and the co-applicant(s).  They must sign the affiliated entity(ies) statement in Part B section 5 of the grant application form.
2.1.3.	Associates and Contractors
The following entities are not applicant(s) nor affiliated entity(ies) and do not have to sign the "mandate for co-applicants" or "affiliated entities' statement":
•	Associates
Other organisations may be involved in the action. Such associates play a real role in the action but may not receive funding from the grant, with the exception of per diem or travel costs. Associates do not have to meet the eligibility criteria referred to in section 2.1.1. Associates must be mentioned in Part B section 6 — ‘Associates of the Applicant participating in the Action’ — of the Grant Application Form. 
•	Contractors
The grant beneficiaries and their affiliated entities are permitted to award contracts. Associates or affiliated entity(ies) cannot be also contractors in the project. Contractors are subject to the procurement rules set out in Annex IV to the standard grant contract.
2.1.4.	Eligible actions: actions for which an application may be made
Definition: 
An action is composed of a set of activities.
Duration
The initial planned duration of an action may not be lower than 36 months nor exceed 48 months.
Sectors or themes
As described in section 1.2 (Objectives of the programme and priority issues), there are four priority components which must be included jointly in the proposals: Component 1. Consolidation of the national observatories; Component 2. Capacity-building in reduction of demand; Component 3. Capacity-building in reduction of supply; Component 4. Policy support, dialogue and consolidation of the Mechanism.
Location
Actions must take place in one or more of the following countries: 
Latina America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago.
EU Member States:  Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
Types of action
Proposed actions will be considered eligible if:
•	their objective is consistent with the programme’s specific objectives indicated above;
•	they include jointly the four priority components of the programme; 
•	they are inspired by the priority areas for cooperation projects included in the EU-CELAC Action Plan on Drugs 2013-15 and are coherent with the EU Drugs Strategy 2013-2020 and corresponding Action Plan (see: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/anti-drugs/european-response/strategy/index_en.htm);
•	the applicants present a methodology whereby the activities can be adapted to the evolution and needs of the LAC countries;
•	the applicants explicitly state that they commit to cooperate actively with the Steering Committee chaired by the European Commission and constituted by representatives of the European Commission, the co-presidencies of the EU-CELAC Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs, representatives from the consortium to which the grant is awarded, and possibly representatives of European agencies such as the EMCDDA;
•	they take into account cross-cutting issues such as sustainable development, gender and a good governance and human rights-based approach.
The following types of action are ineligible:
•	actions concerned only or mainly with individual sponsorships for participation in workshops, seminars, conferences and congresses;
•	actions concerned only or mainly with individual scholarships for studies or training courses.
Types of activity
Taking in due account the objectives and priorities mentioned in section 1.2, applicants have to present a coherent methodology (one of the action’s eligibility criteria), geared to achieving measurable results and pursuing the programme’s objective, as well as a set of activities per component. In particular, but not exclusively:
1. For the component Consolidation of the national observatories, the proposal might include the following indicative main activities:
•	Annual meeting of the EU and LAC national observatories, with exchange of methodology of good practices and successes.
•	Training workshops that group countries with similar interests and level of acquired expertise.
•	Dissemination of knowledge such as national annual reports, synthesis documents and investigation results.
•	Pilot projects of "twin observatories workshops" between EU and LAC countries.
2. For the component Capacity-building in reduction of demand, the proposal might include the following indicative main activities:
•	Themed workshops and work visits in order to exchange experience and good practices in prevention, treatment, risk and harm reduction, social reintegration and rehabilitation.
•	Activities to enhance the implementation of consensus and conclusions reached during COPOLAD I on the adoption of quality and evidence-based criteria to facilitate the implementation of programmes and their accreditation, as well as further develop a sustainable training of trainers’ strategy in key areas of drug demand reduction, including planning and evaluation.
•	Establishment of Thematic Task Forces  (TTFs).
3. For the component Capacity-building in reduction of supply, the proposal might include the following indicative main activities:
•	Cross-cutting seminars, workshops, studies, study visits or exchanges for relevant staff of competent authorities of LAC countries in the field of reduction of supply: exchange of experience and good practice in law enforcement areas such as penal antidrug legislation and its implementation, alternatives to prison, and mutual legal assistance.

•	Workshops and dissemination of good practices in the field of alternative development in order to strengthen the capacities of competent authorities in regions where crops are cultivated for the production of illicit drugs.

•	Workshops to exchange experience and best practices on the diversion of drugs precursors.

•	Establishment of Thematic Task Forces (TTFs).

4. For the component Policy support, dialogue and consolidation of the Mechanism, the proposal might include the following indicative main activities:
•	Annual conferences on themes chosen in the scope of the Mechanism that represent current problems needing concerted action, i.e. new challenges and new responses to the drugs phenomenon in LAC and Europe. This annual conference will be organised back-to-back with the High Level Meetings of the Mechanism, thereby boosting participation and bringing in expert knowledge.
•	Attendance and long-distance capacity-building activities for relevant staff from the national drugs agencies on selected technical aspects and key concepts of drugs policies such as integrated policies, balanced approach, shared responsibility, comparative legislation, policy design, implementation and evaluation tools, mechanisms for inter-service coordination and cooperation, socio-economic costs related to drugs, as well as specialized documentation support to facilitate evidence-based decision making.
In order to guarantee the global strategic orientation of the programme, the European Commission will create and chair a "Steering Committee" which will meet once per year and it will coincide with the programme's annual conference. The venue of this Steering Committee (and the annual conference alike) will alternate between Brussels (DG DEVCO premises) and a CELAC country and will accompany the programme throughout  its implementation period. 
The Steering Committee will be structured as follows:
Structure
- Four members of the European Commission;
- Two representatives of the entity implementing the Programme;
- One representative per beneficiary country (EU Member States and CELAC Member States) on a   voluntary basis;
The Steering Committee will be presided by the European Commission.
Criteria to be admitted to the Steering Committee
In order to be admitted to the Steering Committee, individual countries will have to comply with the following criteria:
- for those countries having a drug observatory, commit to strengthen it, ensuring the availability of a competent Focal Point;
- for those countries not having a drug observatory, commit to establishing one, ensuring the availability of a competent Focal Point;
- for those countries without an Early Warning System, commit to establish one.
Functions
- Give a strategic orientation of the Programme, of dialogue with beneficiary countries, the EU Delegations and embassies of the EU MS in affected countries of the CELAC region;
- Issue opinions and recommendations on the Annual Action Plans submitted by the executing entity;
- Ensure the relevance of the indicators measuring the results of the Programme;
- Promote synergies between the Programme actions and the programmes of bilateral and regional cooperation of the EU and its Member States and with the programmes and projects financed by multilateral donors.
Functioning
The COPOLAD II Steering Committee is an advisory body created to cooperate with the European Commission on the strategic orientation of the Programme.
The Steering Committee will meet once per year and it will coincide with the Programme's annual conference. The meetings will be convened by the EC alternatively in Brussels and in a CELAC country. Financing of the meeting will be limited to travel expenses for the designated members of beneficiary countries (EU Member States and CELAC Member States). Per diems will be excluded and will have to be assumed by the participating country. Per diems will be included in the budget only for the representatives of the implementing entity.    
Financial support to third parties 
Applicants may not propose financial support to third parties.
Visibility
The Applicants must take all necessary steps to publicise the fact that the European Union has financed or co-financed the Action. As far as possible, actions that are wholly or partially funded by the European Union must incorporate information and communication activities designed to raise the awareness of specific or general audiences of the reasons for the action and the EU support for the action in the country or region concerned, as well as the results and the impact of this support.
Applicants must comply with the objectives and priorities and guarantee the visibility of the EU financing (see the Communication and Visibility Manual for EU external actions specified and published by the European Commission at https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/communication-and-visibility-manual-eu-external-actions_en).

Number of applications and grants per applicants
The applicant may not submit more than one application under this Call for Proposals.
The applicant may not be awarded more than one grant under this Call for Proposals.
The applicant may be a co-applicant or an affiliated entity in another application at the same time.
A co-applicant/affiliated entity may submit more than one application under this Call for Proposals.
A co-applicant/affiliated entity may not be awarded more than 1 grant under this Call for Proposals.
A co-applicant/affiliated entity may be the applicant or an affiliated entity in another application at the same time.
2.1.5.	Eligibility of costs: costs that can be included 
Only ‘eligible costs’ can be covered by a grant. The categories of costs that are eligible and non-eligible are indicated below. The budget is both a cost estimate and an overall ceiling for ‘eligible costs’. 
The reimbursement of eligible costs may be based on any or a combination of the following forms:
•	actual costs incurred by the Beneficiary(ies) and affiliated entity(ies)
•	one or more simplified cost options.
Simplified cost options may take the form of:
•	unit costs: covering all or certain specific categories of eligible costs which are clearly identified in advance by reference to an amount per unit.
•	lump sums: covering in global terms all or certain specific categories of eligible costs which are clearly identified in advance.
•	flat-rate financing: covering specific categories of eligible costs which are clearly identified in advance by applying a percentage fixed ex ante.
The amounts or rates have to be based on estimates using objective data such as statistical data or any other objective means or with reference to certified or auditable historical data of the applicants or the affiliated entity(ies). The methods used to determine the amounts or rates of unit costs, lump sums or flat-rates must comply with the criteria established in Annex K, and especially ensure that the costs correspond fairly to the actual costs incurred by the Grant Beneficiary(ies) and affiliated entity(ies), are in line with their accounting practices, no profit is made and the costs are not already covered by other sources of funding (no double funding). Refer to Annex K for directions and a checklist of controls to assess the minimum necessary conditions that provide reasonable assurance for the acceptance of the proposed amounts.
The applicant proposing this form of reimbursement, must clearly indicate in worksheet no.1 of Annex B, each heading/item of eligible costs concerned by this type of financing, i.e. add the reference in capital letters to "UNIT COST" (per month/flight etc), "LUMPSUM" or "FLAT RATE" in the Unit column. (see example in Annex K)
Additionally in Annex B, in the second column of worksheet no.2, "Justification of the estimated costs" per each of the corresponding budget item or heading the applicant must:
•	describe the information and methods used to establish the amounts of unit costs, lump sums and/or flat-rates, to which costs they refer, etc.
•	clearly explain the formulas for calculation of the final eligible amount
•	identify the beneficiary who will use the simplified cost option (in case of affiliated entity, specify first the beneficiary), in order to verify the maximum amount per each beneficiary (which includes if applicable simplified cost options of its affiliated entity(ies))
At contracting phase, the Contracting Authority decides whether to accept the proposed amounts or rates on the basis of the provisional budget submitted by the applicant, by analysing factual data of grants carried out by the applicant or of similar actions and by performing checks established by Annex K. 
The total amount of financing on the basis of simplified cost options that can be authorised by the Contracting Authority for any of the applicants individually (including simplified cost options proposed by their own affiliated entities) cannot exceed EUR 60 000 (the indirect costs are not taken into account). 
Recommendations to award a grant are always subject to the condition that the checks preceding the signing of the Grant Contract do not reveal problems requiring changes to the budget (such as arithmetical errors, inaccuracies, unrealistic costs and ineligible costs). The checks may give rise to requests for clarification and may lead the Contracting Authority to impose modifications or reductions to address such mistakes or inaccuracies. It is not possible to increase the grant or the percentage of EU co-financing as a result of these corrections.
It is therefore in the applicant’s interest to provide a realistic and cost-effective budget.
Eligible direct costs
To be eligible under the Call for Proposals, costs must comply with the provisions of Article 14 of the General Conditions to the Standard Grant Contract (see Annex G of the Guidelines).
Salary costs of the personnel of national administrations may be eligible to the extent that they relate to the cost of activities which the relevant public authority would not carry out if the Action were not undertaken.
Contingency reserve
The budget may include a contingency reserve not exceeding 5 % of the estimated direct eligible costs. It can only be used with the prior written authorisation of the Contracting Authority.
Eligible indirect costs
The indirect costs incurred in carrying out the action may be eligible for flat-rate funding, but the total must not exceed 7 % of the estimated total eligible direct costs. Indirect costs are eligible provided that they do not include costs assigned to another budget heading in the standard grant contract. The applicant may be asked to justify the percentage requested before the Grant Contract is signed. However, once the flat rate has been fixed in the special conditions of the Grant Contract, no supporting documents need to be provided.
If any of the applicants or affiliated entity(ies) is in receipt of an operating grant financed by the EU, it may not claim indirect costs on its incurred costs within the proposed budget for the action.

Contributions in kind
Contributions in kind mean the provision of goods or services to a Beneficiary(ies) or affiliated entity(ies)  free of charge by a third party. As contributions in kind do not involve any expenditure for a Beneficiary(ies) or affiliated entity(ies), they are not eligible costs. 
Contributions in kind may not be treated as co-financing.
However, if the description of the action as proposed includes contributions in kind, the contributions have to be made.
Ineligible costs
The following costs are not eligible:
•	debts and debt service charges (interest);
•	provisions for losses or potential future liabilities;
•	costs declared by the Beneficiary(ies) and financed by another action or work programme receiving a Union (including through EDF) grant;
•	purchases of land or buildings, except where necessary for the direct implementation of the action, in which case ownership must be transferred to the final beneficiaries and/or local Beneficiary(ies), at the latest at the end of the action;
•	currency exchange losses;
•	credit to third parties.
2.2.	How to apply and the procedures to follow
Prior registration in PADOR for this Call for Proposals is obligatory. 
PADOR is an on-line database in which organisations register and update information concerning their entity. Organisations registered in PADOR get a unique EuropeAID ID (EID) which they must use when they submit an application.
PADOR is accessible via the website: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/pador_en
Registration is obligatory for all applicants, co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies).
It is strongly recommended to register in PADOR before you start drafting your proposal and not to wait until just before the deadline of submission. Before starting to register your organisation in PADOR, please read the ‘Quick guide’ on the website. It explains the registration process. 
When submitting your proposal you must indicate your EuropeAid ID (EID). However, if it is impossible for the organisation to register online in PADOR for technical reasons, the applicants and/or affiliated entity(ies) concerned must complete the ‘PADOR off-line form attached to these Guidelines and send it by the submission deadline, together with the application. The registration in PADOR will then be carried out by the European Commission service in charge of the Call for Proposals. If, at a later stage, the organisation wishes to update its data itself, it will have to send an access request to the PADOR helpdesk.
All questions related to registration in PADOR or the online submission via PROSPECT should be addressed to the IT helpdesk at EuropeAid-IT-support@ec.europa.eu.
2.2.1.	Application forms  
Applications must be submitted in accordance with the instructions on the Concept Note and the Full Application form in the Grant Application Form annexes to these Guidelines (Annex A). 
Applicants must apply in English.
Any error or major discrepancy related to the points listed in the instructions on the Concept Note or any major inconsistency in the application form (e.g. if the amounts in the budget worksheets are inconsistent) may lead to the rejection of the application.
Clarifications will only be requested when the information provided is unclear and thus prevents the Contracting Authority from conducting an objective assessment.
Hand-written applications will not be accepted.
Please note that only the application form and the published annexes which have to be filled in (budget, logical framework) will be evaluated. It is therefore of utmost importance that these documents contain ALL the relevant information concerning the action. No additional annexes should be sent.
2.2.2.	Where and how to send Applications
Online submission:
Applications must be submitted online via PROSPECT https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/prospect  following the instructions given in the users’ manual.
Applicants must verify that their application is complete using the checklist (Section 7 of Part B of the grant application form). Incomplete applications may be rejected.
Upon submission of the application online, the Applicant will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt in their PROSPECT profile. 
 Exceptions:
If it is impossible for the organisation to submit their application online via PROSPECT for technical reasons, the applicant must send its application in a sealed envelope (Part A: concept note and Part B: full application form), budget and logical framework. In particular, the applicant must send, in a sealed envelope as described below the following items: 
a. One original signed copy of the complete application form, (Part A: concept note and Part B: full application form), the budget and logical framework. The Checklist (Section 7 of Part B the grant application form) and the Declaration by the applicant (Section 8 of Part B of the grant application form) must be stapled separately and enclosed in the envelope
b. Two additional copies in A4 size, each bound.
c. An electronic version (e.g CD-ROM) of the items under point (a). The electronic file must contain exactly the same application as the paper version enclosed. 
To reduce expense and waste, we strongly recommend that you do not use plastic folders or dividers. Please also use double-sided printing if possible
Applications must be submitted in a sealed envelope by registered mail, private courier service or by hand-delivery (a signed and dated certificate of receipt will be given to the deliverer) at the address below. Where an applicant sends several different applications (if allowed to do so by the Guidelines of the Call), each one has to be sent separately:
Postal address
European Commission
DG for International Cooperation and Development - EuropeAid
Attn. Mr. José IZARRA AGUADO 
Head of Unit G3 J-54 05/022
Avenue du Bourget 1
B-1049 Brussels
Belgium

Address for hand delivery or by private courier service
European Commission
DG for International Cooperation and Development - EuropeAid
Attn. Mr. José IZARRA AGUADO 
Head of Unit G3 J-54 05/022
Avenue du Bourget 1
B-1140 Evere
Belgium

The outer envelope must bear the reference number and the title of the Call for Proposals, together with the full name and address of the applicant, and the words ‘Not to be opened before the opening session’.
Applications sent by any other means (e.g. by fax or by e-mail) or delivered to other addresses will be rejected.
2.2.3.	Deadline for submission of Applications
The deadline for the submission of applications is 31/07/2015 at 16:00 (Brussels date and time). Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last day to submit their applications, since heavy Internet traffic or a fault with the Internet connection (including electricity failure, etc.) could lead to difficulties in submission. The Contacting Authority cannot be held responsible for any delay due to such afore-mentioned difficulties.
In the exceptional case of submission by post or by hand-delivery (see section 2.2.2), the date of submission is evidenced by the date of dispatch, the postmark or the date of the deposit slip. In the case of hand-deliveries, the deadline for receipt is at 16:00 hours local time as evidenced by the signed and dated receipt.
Any application submitted after the deadline will be rejected.
However, for reasons of administrative efficiency, the Contracting Authority may also reject any application sent in due time but received after the effective date of approval of the proposal evaluation (see indicative calendar under section 2.5.2).
2.2.4.	Further information about Applications 
Questions may in addition be sent by e-mail no later than 21 days before the deadline for the submission of applications to the below address, indicating clearly the reference of the Call for Proposals:
E-mail address: EuropeAid-COPOLAD@ec.europa.eu
The Contracting Authority has no obligation to provide clarifications to questions received after this date.
Replies will be given no later than 11 days before the deadline for the submission of applications. 
To ensure equal treatment of applicants, the Contracting Authority cannot give a prior opinion on the eligibility of applicants, affiliated entity(ies), an action or specific activities.
Questions that may be relevant to other applicants, together with the answers, will be published on the EuropeAid website: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/online-services/index.cfm?do=publi.welcome , as the need arises. It is therefore advisable to consult the abovementioned website regularly in order to be informed of the questions and answers published.
All questions related to PADOR registration and the online submission via PROSPECT should be addressed to the IT helpdesk:  EuropeAid-IT-support@ec.europa.eu
2.3.	Evaluation and selection of applications
Applications will be examined and evaluated by the Contracting Authority with the possible assistance of external assessors. All actions submitted by applicants will be assessed according to the following steps and criteria.
If the examination of the application reveals that the proposed action does not meet the eligibility criteria stated in paragraph 2.1, the application will be rejected on this sole basis.

STEP 1: OPENING & ADMINISTRATIVE CHECKS AND CONCEPT NOTE EVALUATION
The following will be assessed:
•	Compliance with the submission deadline. If the deadline has not been met, the application will automatically be rejected.
•	The Application Form satisfies all the criteria specified in points 1-5 of the Checklist in Section 7 of Part B of the grant application form. If any of the requested information is missing or is incorrect, the application may be rejected on that sole basis and the application will not be evaluated further.
The Concept Notes that pass the first administrative check will be evaluated on the relevance and design of the proposed action.
The Concept Note will receive an overall score out of 50 using the breakdown in the evaluation grid below. The evaluation will also check on compliance with the instructions on the Concept Note, which can be found in Part A of the Application Form.
The evaluation criteria are divided into headings and subheadings. Each subheading will be given a score between 1 and 5 as follows: 1 = very poor; 2 = poor; 3 = adequate; 4 = good; 5 = very good.
Evaluation Grid
Section	Maximum Score	
1. Relevance of the action	30	
1.1. How relevant is the proposal to the objectives and priorities of the Call for Proposals?*	5x2**	
1.2. How relevant to the particular needs and constraints of the target country(ies) or region(s) is the proposal (including synergy with other EU initiatives and avoidance of duplication)?*	5x2**	
1.3. How clearly defined and strategically chosen are those involved (final beneficiaries, target groups)? Have their needs been clearly defined and does the proposal address them appropriately?*	5	
1.4. Does the proposal contain specific added-value elements, such as environmental issues, promotion of gender equality and equal opportunities, needs of disabled people, rights of minorities and rights of indigenous peoples, or innovation and best practices [and the other additional elements indicated under 1.2. of these Guidelines]?*	5	
2. Design of the action	20	
2.1. How coherent is the overall design of the action? In particular, does it reflect the analysis of the problems involved, take into account external factors and relevant stakeholders?   	5x2**	
2.2. Is the action feasible and consistent in relation to the objectives and expected results?	5x2**	
Maximum total score	50	

* Note: A score of 5 (very good) will only be allocated if the proposal specifically addresses more than the required minimum number of priorities as indicated in Section 1.2 (Objectives of the programme) of these guidelines.
**these scores are multiplied by 2 because of their importance
Once all Concept Notes have been assessed, a list will be drawn up with the proposed actions ranked according to their total score. 
Firstly, only the Concept Notes with a score of at least 30 will be considered for pre-selection. 
Secondly, the number of Concept Notes will be reduced, taking account of the ranking, to the number of Concept Notes whose total aggregate amount of requested contributions is equal to 500% of the available budget for this Call for Proposals. The amount of requested contributions of each concept note will be based on the indicative financial envelopes for each lot.
After the evaluation of Concept Notes, the Contracting Authority will send letters to all applicants, indicating whether their application was submitted by the deadline, informing them of the reference number they have been allocated, whether the Concept Note was evaluated and the results of that evaluation. This letter will appear online automatically in the PROSPECT profile of the applicant. Applicants who, in exceptional cases (see section 2.2), had to submit their application by post or hand-delivery will receive the letter by post.
The Evaluation Committee will then proceed with the applicants whose proposals have been pre-selected.

STEP 2: EVALUATION OF THE FULL APPLICATION 
Firstly, the following will be assessed:
•	The full application form satisfies all the criteria specified in points 1-9 of the Checklist (Section 7 of Part B of the grant application form). If any of the requested information is missing or is incorrect, the application may be rejected on that sole basis and the application will not be evaluated further.
The quality of the applications, including the proposed budget and capacity of the applicants and affiliated entity(ies), will be evaluated using the evaluation criteria in the evaluation grid below. There are two types of evaluation criteria: selection and award criteria.
The selection criteria help to evaluate the applicant(s)'s and affiliated entity(ies)'s operational capacity and the applicant's financial capacity and to ensure that they:
•	have stable and sufficient sources of finance to maintain their activity throughout the proposed action and, where appropriate, to participate in its funding;
•	have the management capacity, professional competencies and qualifications required to successfully complete the proposed action. This also applies to any affiliated entity(ies).
The award criteria help to evaluate the quality of the applications in relation to the objectives and priorities, and to award grants to projects which maximise the overall effectiveness of the Call for Proposals. They help to select applications which the Contracting Authority can be confident will comply with its objectives and priorities. They cover the relevance of the action, its consistency with the objectives of the Call for Proposals, quality, expected impact, sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Scoring:
The evaluation grid is divided into sections and subsections. Each subsection will be given a score between 1 and 5 as follows: 1 = very poor; 2 = poor; 3 = adequate; 4 = good; 5 = very good. 
Evaluation Grid
Section	Maximum Score	
1. Financial and operational capacity	20	
1.1. Do the applicants and, if applicable, their affiliated entity(ies) have sufficient experience of project management?	5	
1.2. Do the applicants and, if applicable, their affiliated entity(ies) have sufficient technical expertise (especially knowledge of the issues to be addressed)?	5	
1.3. Do the applicants and, if applicable, their affiliated entity(ies) have sufficient management capacity (including staff, equipment and ability to handle the budget for the action)?	5	
1.4. Does the lead applicant have stable and sufficient sources of finance?	5	
2. Relevance of the action	30	
Score transferred from the Concept Note evaluation		
3. Effectiveness and feasibility of the action	20	
3.1. Are the activities proposed appropriate, practical, and consistent with the objectives and expected results?	5	
3.2. Is the action plan clear and feasible?	5	
3.3. Does the proposal contain objectively verifiable indicators for the outcome of the action? Is any evaluation planned?	5	
3.4. Is the co-applicant(s)'s and affiliated entity(ies)'s level of involvement and participation in the action satisfactory?	5	

4. Sustainability of the action	15	
4.1. Is the action likely to have a tangible impact on its target groups?	5	
4.2. Is the proposal likely to have multiplier effects (including scope for replication, extension and information sharing)?	5	
4.3. Are the expected results of the proposed action sustainable?	5	

5. Budget and cost-effectiveness of the action	15	
5.1. Are the activities appropriately reflected in the budget?	5	
5.2. Is the ratio between the estimated costs and the expected results satisfactory?	10	
Maximum total score	100	

Note on section 1. Financial and operational capacity
If the total score for section 1 is less than 12 points, the application will be rejected. If the score for at least one of the subsections under section 1 is 1, the application will also be rejected.
Provisional selection
After the evaluation, a table will be drawn up listing the applications ranked according to their score and within the limits of the funds available. In addition, a reserve list will be drawn up following the same criteria to be used if more funds should become available during the validity period of the reserve list.

STEP 3: VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF THE APPLICANTS AND AFFILIATED ENTITY(IES)
The eligibility verification, based on the supporting documents requested by the Contracting Authority (see Section 2.4) will only be performed for the applications that have been provisionally selected according to their score and within the available financial envelope. 
•	The Declaration by the applicant (Section 8 of Part B the grant application form) will be cross-checked with the supporting documents provided by the applicant. Any missing supporting document or any incoherence between the Declaration by the applicant and the supporting documents may lead to the rejection of the application on that sole basis. 
•	The eligibility of applicants, the affiliated entity(ies) and the action will be verified according to the criteria set out in Sections 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 2.1.3.
Any rejected application will be replaced by the next best placed application on the reserve list that falls within the available financial envelope.
2.4.	
Submission of supporting documents for provisionally selected applications 
An applicant that has been provisionally selected or placed on the reserve list will be informed in writing by the Contracting Authority. It will be requested to supply the following documents in order to allow the Contracting Authority to verify the eligibility of the applicant, (if any) of the co-applicant(s) and (if any) of their affiliated entity(ies):
Supporting documents must be provided through PADOR, see Section 2.2.
1.	The statutes or articles of association of the applicant, (if any) of each co-applicant(s) and (if any) of each affiliated entity(ies). Where the Contracting Authority has recognised the applicant’s, or the co-applicant(s)’s, or their affiliated entity(ies)’s eligibility for another call for proposals under the same budget line within 2 years before the deadline for receipt of applications, it should be submitted, instead of the  statutes or articles of association, a copy of the document proving their eligibility in a former Call (e.g. a copy of the special conditions of a grant contract received during the reference period), unless a change in legal status has occurred in the meantime.  This obligation does not apply to international organisations which have signed a framework agreement with the European Commission.  
2.	An external audit report produced by an approved auditor, certifying the applicant's accounts for the last financial year available where the total amount of the grant exceeds EUR 750 000 (EUR 100 000 for an operating grant). The external audit report is not required from (if any) the co-applicant(s)).
This obligation does not apply to public bodies and international organisations provided that the international organisation in question offers the guarantees provided for in the applicable Financial Regulation, as described in Chapter 6 of the Practical Guide.
3.	A copy of the applicant’s latest accounts (the profit and loss account and the balance sheet for the last financial year for which the accounts have been closed). A copy of the latest account is neither required from (if any) the co-applicant(s) nor from (if any) affiliated entity(ies)).
4.	Legal entity sheet (see annex D of these Guidelines) duly completed and signed by each of the applicants (i,e by the applicant and (if any) by each co-applicant(s), accompanied by the justifying documents requested there. If the applicants have already signed a contract with the Contracting Authority, instead of the legal entity sheet and supporting documents, the legal entity number may be provided, unless a change in legal status occurred in the meantime.
5.	A financial identification form of the applicant (not from co-applicant(s)) conforming to the model attached at Annex E of these Guidelines, certified by the bank to which the payments will be made. This bank should be located in the country where the applicant is established. If the applicant has already submitted a financial identification form in the past for a contract where the European Commission was in charge of the payments and intends to use the same bank account, a copy of the previous financial identification form may be provided instead.
Where the requested supporting documents are not uploaded in PADOR they must be supplied in the form of originals, photocopies or scanned versions (i.e. showing legible stamps, signatures and dates) of the said originals. However, the Legal entity sheet and the financial identification form must always be submitted in original.
Where such documents are not in one of the official languages of the European Union, a translation into the language of the call for proposals of the relevant parts of these documents proving the applicant(s)'s eligibility, must be attached for the purpose of analysing the application.
Where these documents are in an official language of the European Union other than the language of the call for proposals, it is strongly recommended, in order to facilitate the evaluation, to provide a translation of the relevant parts of the documents, proving the applicants' eligibility, into the language of the call for proposals.
If the abovementioned supporting documents are not provided before the deadline indicated in the request for supporting documents sent to the applicant by the Contracting Authority, the application may be rejected.
After verifying the supporting documents, the Evaluation Committee will make a final recommendation to the Contracting Authority, which will decide on the award of grants.
NB:	In the eventuality that the Contracting Authority is not satisfied with the strength, solidity, and guarantee offered by the structural link between one of the applicants and its affiliated entity, it can require the submission of the missing documents allowing for its conversion into co-applicant. If all the missing documents for co-applicants are submitted, and provided all necessary eligibility criteria are fulfilled, the above mentioned entity becomes a co-applicant for all purposes. The applicant has to submit the application form revised accordingly.
2.5.	Notification of the Contracting Authority’s decision
2.5.1.	Content of the decision
The applicants will be informed in writing of the Contracting Authority’s decision concerning their application and, if rejected, the reasons for the negative decision. This letter will appear online automatically in the PROSPECT profile of the applicant. Applicants who, in exceptional cases (see Section 2.2), had to submit their application by post or hand-delivery will be informed in writing.
An applicant believing that it has been harmed by an error or irregularity during the award process may lodge a complaint. See further Section 2.4.15 of the Practical Guide. 

2.5.2.	
Indicative timetable 

	DATE	TIME*	
Information meeting (if any)	-	-	
Deadline for requesting any clarifications from the Contracting Authority	10/07/2015	16:00	
Last date on which clarifications are issued by the Contracting Authority	20/07/2015	-	
Deadline for submission of Application Form	31/07/2015	16:00	
Information to applicants on opening, administrative checks and concept note evaluation (Step 1)	04/09/2015*	-	
Information to applicants on the evaluation of the Full Application Form (Step 2)	30/10/2015*	-	
Notification of award (after the eligibility check) (Step 3)	16/11/2015*	-	
Contract signature	01/12/2015*	-	

*Provisional date. All times are in local time.
This indicative timetable may be updated by the Contracting Authority during the procedure. In such cases, the updated timetable will be published on the EuropeAid web site	 https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/online-services/index.cfm?do=publi.welcome.
2.6.	Conditions for implementation after the Contracting Authority’s decision to award a grant
Following the decision to award a grant, the Beneficiary(ies) will be offered a contract based on the Contracting Authority’s grant contract (see Annex G of these Guidelines). By signing the application form (Annex A of these Guidelines), the applicants agree, if awarded a grant, to accept the contractual conditions of the standard grant contract. Where the Coordinator is an organisation whose pillars have been positively assessed, it will sign a PA Grant Agreement based on the PAGODA template. In this case references to provisions of the standard grant contract and its annexes shall not apply. References in these Guidelines to the Grant Contract shall be understood as references to the relevant provisions of the PA Grant Agreement.
Implementation contracts
Where implementation of the action requires the Beneficiary(ies) and its affiliated entity(ies) (if any) to award procurement contracts, those contracts must be awarded in accordance with Annex IV to the standard grant contract.
2.7.	Early warning system and central exclusion database 
The applicants and, if they are legal entities, the persons who have powers of representation, decision-making or control over them, are informed that, should they be in one of the situations mentioned in:
-	Commission Decision of 16.12.2008 on the Early Warning System (EWS) for the use of authorising officers of the Commission and the executive agencies (OJ, L 344, 20.12.2008, p.125) or
-	Commission Regulation of 17.12.2008 on the Central Exclusion Database (CED) (OJ L344, 20.12.2008, p.12),
their personal details (name, given name (if natural person), address, legal form and name and given name of the persons with powers of representation, decision-making or control (if legal person)) may be registered in the EWS only or both in the EWS and CED, and communicated to the persons and entities listed in the above-mentioned Decision and Regulation, in relation to the award or the execution of a grant contract or decision. 
3.	
LIST OF annexes
Documents to be completed
Annex A:	Grant Application Form (Word format)
Annex B:	Budget (Excel format)
Annex C:	Logical Framework (Excel format)
Annex D:	Legal Entity Sheet
Annex E:	Financial identification form
Annex F:	PADOR off Line Form 
DOCUMENTS FOR INFORMATION
Annex G:	Standard Grant Contract
-	Annex II:	General conditions 
-	Annex IV:	contract award procedures
-	Annex V:	standard request for payment
-	Annex VI:	model narrative and financial report
-Annex VII:	model report of factual findings and terms of reference for an expenditure verification of an EU financed grant contract for external action
-Annex VIII:	model financial guarantee
-Annex IX:	standard template for transfer of ownership of assets

Annex H:	Daily allowance rates (Per diem), available at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/applicable-rates-diems-framework-ec-funded-external-aid-contracts-05072013_en
Annex K:	Guidelines and Checklist for assessing Budget and Simplified cost options.
ANNEX J:	Information on the tax regime applicable to grant contracts signed under the call.
Useful links:
Project Cycle Management Guidelines 
https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/aid-delivery-methods-project-cycle-management-guidelines-vol-1_en
The implementation of grant contracts - A Users' Guide
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/companion/document.do?nodeNumber=19
Financial Toolkit	
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/financial-management-toolkit-for-recipients-15112010_en.pdf
* * *