Lessons learned and experiences gained in the financial implemenatation of the „BirdPROTECT” project

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the lessons learned, i.e. knowledge, skills and experience gained during the financial implementation of project activities of the Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad" (NIV-NS) during the project "BirdProtect" within the IPA Cross-border Cooperation Program Hungary- Serbia. The data presented in the paper are primarily intended for participatns of IPA cross-border cooperation projects and all those who intend to apply for IPA cross-border cooperation programs with countries that are members of the European Union (EU). Scientific Veterinary Institute „Novi Sad“, as a lead beneficiary was granted the project „Protect Wild Birds“ = Protect Habitats = Protect Humans“, acronym „BirdProtect“. The partners in this project were two companies- State forestry „Gemenc“ from Baja, Hungary (Gemenc) and Public enterprise „Vojvodinašume“ from Petrovaradin, Serbia (Vojvodinašume). The total value of the project was 358,228.89 euros, out of which 304,494.57 euros was funded by the EU, which is 85percent of the total project value. The remaining 15percent or 53,734.32 euros were financed by the project participants, in proportion with their project activities. Therefore, out of the total project value, according to the activities, the projects participants were granted the following amounts: NIV-NS - 157,686.00, Vojvodina forests - 102,428.25 and Gemenc - 98,114.64 euros. However, after the deduction of 15percent of self-financing of the project participants, the EU contribution to NIV-NS was 134,033.00, to Vojvodina forests - 87,064.01 and to Gemenc - 83,397.44, which is a total of 304,495.55 euros. Self-financing amounts by partners were the following: NIV-NS - 23,652.90, Vojvodina forests - 15,364.24 and Gemenc - 4,905.74 euros with the state support of the Republic of Hungary of 9,811.46, which was a total of 14,717.20 euros for Gemenc. The requirements of the IPA project programs of cross-border cooperation with EU member states imply that the EU finances in advance only 15percent of the value of project activities of all partners, which follows immediately after the project contract signing. According to that, all project partners received the following amounts of the advance payment: NIV-NS - 20,104.96, Vojodina Forests - 13,059.6 and Gemenc - 12,509.61 euros. Therefore, the total amount of the advance payment by the EU for the entire project was 45,674.17 euros. Each partner had to use its own funds for the realization of the project activities, and then to present and justify the costs through narrative and financial reports. After the report approval, the reimbursement of costs in the amount of 85percent follows by the Ministry of Finance in the Republic of Serbia, the Joint Technical Secretariat of the project in Budapest and the EU Commission. Also, it should be noted that all the costs of banking transactions were covered by NIV-NS, as the lead partner, because the EU funds for all partners were paid to a special account of the lead partner. To date, the costs of banking transactions were 121.00 euros, reduced by the amount of payment belonging to NIV-NS.