Division 5.2 Operating grants

Article 21 of the LIFE Regulation provides for support for certain operational and administrative costs for non-profit making entities which pursue an aim of general Union interest, are primarily active in the field of environment and/or climate action and are involved in the development, implementation and enforcement of Union policy and legislation.

One call for proposals for annual operating grants will be organised for co-financing the 2015 financial year of the beneficiary. Starting from 2016, a system of biannual framework partnership agreements for operating grants will be put in place. This will ensure striking a balance between the need for more certainty and stability of the beneficiaries while maintaining a certain level of competition among non-profit making entities.

Operating grants outside the call for proposals may be awarded in duly justified exceptional cases as defined in Article 190 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 of 29 October 2012 on the rules of application of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union^f1 (RAF), in particular where the characteristics of the beneficiary leave no other choice or where the beneficiary is identified as such in a legal basis.

Proposals will be checked for their compliance with eligibility and selection criteria. For proposals that comply with these criteria, the overall relevance and quality will be assessed in relation to the award criteria. Points will be given according to these criteria and a minimum quality level will be required. The final award decision will be taken based on the results of the evaluation process.