FAQs

Following the order of all guideline sections, below are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) by applicants of the First Call.

ELIGIBILITY

The main applicant must be legally registered as a non-profit cultural association from the following countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan.

The partners can include profit organisations, institutions or other associations coming from different sectors, not exclusively from the cultural sector, registered or operating in the Southern Mediterranean.

According to the guidelines, the main applicant must be a non-profit organisation. However, you can apply as the first partner while collaborating on the project with a main applicant that fits the criteria. When doing so, please remember that:

  • Main applicants must be non-profit organisations legally registered in the eligible countries and active in the cultural sector in the Southern Mediterranean region.
  • Main applicants must be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the project proposal with their partners, not acting as an intermediary.

No. This grant is solely intended to involve at least two partners: one of the partners shall act as main applicant and the others as associated local or international partners. Individuals can only apply within the framework of a collaboration with a cultural association.

Most importantly, the main applicant must be legally registered in one of the eligible countries as a non-profit cultural association.

The participation of non-registered organisations as partners, with the exclusion of the main applicant, may be accepted in duly justified cases and insofar their existence can be proven (e.g. cultural and artistic groups or platforms of professionals which have carried out activities).

The project should take place between February 1st 2017 and January 31st 2018. As for the duration, it should be a minimum of 9 months and a maximum of 12 months.

“Lot 1” deals with the following activities:

Area of Action Partner involved
Artistic and cultural projects implemented in the framework of local, national or regional educational programmes Cultural organisations and educational institutions
Artistic and cultural projects fostering citizen participation and/or addressing issues of public interest including awareness-raising activities Profit organisations, institutions or other associations coming from different sectors
Contemporary artworks contributing to different ways of approaching the local environment and its context, and open to citizen participation Profit organisations, institutions or other associations coming from different sectors
Other forms of collaboration with other stakeholders offering an innovative approach (e.g. research, methodology, etc.) and a strong potential for social development (e.g. target groups, advocacy, etc.) Cultural actors and other public or private organisations active in the public space

“Lot 2” deals with the following activities:

Area of Action Sectors
Set-up, improvement or dissemination of emerging and/or consolidated professional organizations Cultural and artistic sectors
Training of specialized trainers, facilitators, network-brokers or planners Cultural sector
Awareness-raising activities on the role of culture including public discussions, seminars, workshops and conferences Local, national or regional cultural development
Strengthening creative industry platforms or resource centres (e.g. training schemes, incubators, etc.) Social and economic sectors
Design and implementation of new funding models (e.g. crowd-funding platforms, etc.) Cultural and creative sectors involving public or private funding bodies

Yes, it is possible. Though, invited professionals should match the objectives, target groups and expected achievements described in the submitted project.

However, it is a recommendation to include other professionals and specialists related to other sectors: economy, creative industries, communication and media, etc. from your own country or other countries both in the Southern Mediterranean and in the EU.

Following the guidelines is the difference between eligibility and immediate disqualification. It also makes it easier for the panel of experts when it is time to assess all applications submitted.

If you are applying for Lot 1 and Lot 2, it is not necessary that you have partners in another eligible country from the Southern Mediterranean, even though it is always seen as a valuable advantage in terms of networking, yet it would not reduce the chances at obtaining the grant.

If you are applying for Lot 3, the project should include at least 4 partners (one main applicant and 3 partners), from 3 different eligible countries in the Southern Mediterranean.

In order for the application to be eligible, the main applicant has to be a registered non profit cultural organization. But if you can provide us with a document that shows that you started the registration process (you can submit this document with the application), you can submit your application and it will be taken into consideration and evaluated, but keep in mind, that in December the final beneficiaries will be announced, and if by that time the registration is not complete, the project cannot be granted.

Unfortunately, no exceptions to the rule can be made. The SouthMed CV beneficiary countries are Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia; consequently, applications to the SoutMed CV call(s) for funding can be submitted only by organisations duly registered in one of the mentioned countries.

Yes, and it is very important to follow this requirement. Remember that all applications must dedicate:

  • 10% of the project’s budget for mobility and networking activities;
  • 5% for capacity building activities such as: participation in training and peer-to-peer activities organised by the SouthMed CV consortium;
  • 5% of the total budget for external audits. However, the costs cannot be less than 1000€.

It is possible as long as it is done on another project application and alternating the organisation´s roles.

However, we would discourage this without exploring other potential partners that add value to the partnership. It is the aim of SouthMed CV to develop networks across countries especially in the Southern Mediterranean.

In the case of SouthMed CV, a project is considered a cultural work that can be implemented and communicated on a long term basis while having an impact on one or several spheres in the public space: cultural, health, social, educational, etc.

The main applicants for grants and their partners should be registered in one of the eligible countries in the Southern Mediterranean (Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon). Since your organization is registered in Europe, you cannot be main applicants or partners.

Your organization on the other hand, can be a collaborator in the project, as experts providing methodology. In that case, the collaboration should be mentioned in the application but your organisation cannot be a partner.

Unfortunately, because of the conflict in Libya and the difficulties, it is not among the eligible countries for the call for project, The main applicant for the grant should be a cultural nonprofit organization that is registered in one of the following countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. If you work with an organization that is registered in one of these countries, you can apply for a grant.

Please refer to the guidelines. To be eligible the main applicant and the partners should be organisations legally registered in one of the eligible countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon). Application for Lot 1 and Lot 2 should contain at least 3 partners (including the main applicant) that could be from one or more eligible countries. Applications for Lot 3 should have at least 4 partners (including the main applicant) from 3 different eligible countries. The grants can go up to 30000 euros for Lot 1, 45000 euros for Lot 2 and 60000 euros for Lot 3.

Yes it is possible that your project receives funds, if it is selected for a grant after the evaluation. We recommend you read the guidelines carefully, keep in mind that the main applicant (that will lead the project) must be a registered nonprofit organization (registered in one of the 7 eligible countries). And the main applicant should have at least 2 other partners.

No. The partners should be legally registered in one of the 7 eligible countries from the Southern Mediterranean: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon.

The municipality itself cannot be the main applicant, but if there is a nonprofit organization that usually works closely with the municipality, this organization can apply as main applicant, and the municipality can be a partner in the project.

The partners for the project should be from one of the 7 eligible countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. However, people from European associations can participate as experts, there can be collaboration with European associations or organizations, but they cannot be official partners, nor can they benefit from the grant.

In this case it´s enough to have 4 associations from the Arabian countries (if they are from the eligible countries).

We recognize and understand the difficulties in Egypt around that subject, regarding legal issues and registration of non-profit organizations, but unfortunately there are some criteria that we cannot overlook.
We suggest that you find a partner that is a non-profit organization, from any of the eligible countries that can apply as the main applicant, with your company being the first partner.
You can have a written agreement between the two organizations, that states that you both will be responsible for leading and managing the project proposed, you can also mention in the written agreement who receives the grant from SouthMed CV (this document will be presented with your application form). In that case, SouthMed CV can accept the application for project proposal.

No, as main applicant, you can submit only one application. However, you can be a partner in another submitted application.

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Any fees for trainers, for awareness-raising activities or for external experts attending peer to peer assessments involving the sub-granted projects should be stated under “Human Resources” in the budget sheet provided for download on the application form.

In the case of travel and subsistence expenses, for attending awareness-raising activities or peer to peer assessments involving the sub-granted projects please refer to Part 2 of the budget sheet provided for download on the application form.

For travel and subsistence expenses related to trainers and external experts please refer to Part 2 of the budget sheet provided for download on the application form.

The 10% is for expenses related to networking activities only amongst the main applicant organisation and its partners and/or with other organisations and networks.

The SouthMed CV project intends to enhance networking and mobility throughout the Southern Mediterranean region.

The 5% is for travel subsistence expenses for members of the granted projects to participate in awareness raising sessions (conferences, seminars, etc.), training courses or other capacity building activities, as well as peer to peer meetings and assessment amongst members of granted projects.

These activities are to be arranged by the SouthMed CV consortium during the implementation of the granted projects, between March and May 2017 in the eligible countries that are part of the first Call.

Equipment might be funded depending on the content of each project. However, we recommend looking for rentals or leasing instead of purchasing materials. In case of equipment purchase, then these materials should be made available to other associations/projects and never for private use only.

The evaluation committee will ultimately assess the necessity for the project to purchase or otherwise rent the materials.

Please refer to part 2.1 of the Guidelines page.

You can work with European organisations and implement a network with them as well as pay fees for European experts to be part of your activities.  However, you should be very specific about how the main activities of your project will benefit target groups and stakeholders in the seven eligible countries that are part of this Call.

Renovation costs can be eligible if essential to the project, BUT the project cannot consist only of structural costs, the project should consist of cultural/artistic activities, and the structural costs should be only a support to these activities

Costs connected to activities of capacity building (workshops, training) in the EU countries are eligible, and travel subsistence costs of European experts to the south Mediterranean countries are also eligible costs. Please do mention in the application form what kind of activities would take place in the EU and what kind of activities would the EU experts participate in.

This means two representatives of the submitted project (one form the main applicant organisation, and one from one of the project partners in the region), should be able to attend the meeting organised by SouthMed CV consortium between March and May 2017, not yet possible to tell exact dates and location.

On the other hand, you should specify on the submitted Budget annexed to your proposal (see Budget template) which items are part of Networking, capacity building and mobility as requested on the Guidelines.

CONTRACT AND MODALITIES OF PAYMENT

Please refer to section 4: Contract and modalities of payment in the Guidelines.

The proposed project must have clear starting and finishing dates for the activities funded by Southmed CV, in order to have a precise report. But the project can be continued with other funding sources, when the activities financed by SouthMed CV are completed.

REPORTING

Please refer to section 5: Reporting in the Guidelines.

After a contract is signed with the granted projects, The Contracting Party will inform all granted projects´ main applicant organisations about the external audit procedures.

It is recommendable that the external audit is carried out throughout the implementation of the project, and he/she must certify the final technical and financial report of the granted project.

PUBLICITY

Grant beneficiaries must acknowledge the EU contribution throughout the project implementation. (Please refer to section 6: Publicity in the Guidelines)

Grant beneficiaries shall contact and update all along the project implementation the EU delegations of their countries.

Guidelines for the visual identity to the SouthMed CV grant will be provided to beneficiaries in the contract agreement.

OTHER QUESTIONS: APPLICATION FORM QUESTIONS

The application form can be found on the website under: Apply – Second Call – Application form.

http://www.smedcv.net/application-form/

This is an official document that proves that the organisation legally exists. It is of utmost importance when filling out the application form that this document is uploaded. The document could be the register(s) of companies, official gazette, VAT registration, etc., in one of the eligible countries.

It is convenient that the person be a part of the organisation. In case the person is external, then applicants should provide a document that certifies on behalf of the organisation carrying out the project that he/she is responsible for it.

You can provide the entire necessary information in the Project Description field; including links to their websites, blogs, etc.

After filling out the compulsory fields, you may upload any additional supporting material in the indicated parts.

Yes. The Board of Trustees members can be your references in the application.

No. Previous projects can include those financed by grants or other means.

It is obligatory to complete both. Not doing so will result in immediate disqualification.

Firstly, fill out the Budget Breakdown table stating each item and its cost. Next, download the Budget (by clicking on the link) and after completing all the required fields you can proceed to upload it.   

The supporting material is only obligatory for Lot 3 applicants, but it is recommended that if you have any material to support your application, to upload it.

No, the application can only be filled in English, the official language of SouthMed CV.

LANGUAGE

Due to the fact that there’s a consortium developing SouthMed CV and being that the project is EUfunded, we have an obligation to communicate in English (the official language of the project). Moreover, the commission of experts that are going to handle the projects are from different countries.

The project website will not be available in French at the time being.

OTHER

Currently the project is being organised for all purposes explained on the website. You can always write us with your information which we keep for future references.

Although having a final production is encouraged, there is no problem if the residency program doesn’t include one.

Regarding this Call, Palestine and Israel are considered to be two different countries, the eligible countries are: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. Israel is not an eligible country Beneficiary of this grant.

Download the FAQs as a single pdf file (0,39 MB).