EPA TCP Belgium

Finnovaregio Foundation is the European Foundation whose main objective is to seek international funding related to the transfer of innovation methods and technology, in the fields of environment, renewable energy, resource management, climate change, information and communication technology and tourism projects for regions and municipalities, public and private administrations, to improve life quality of its inhabitants.

Finnovaregio also aims to the international dissemination and communication of European initiatives through permanent contact with interested audience in relevant forums (seminars, conferences, info days and other meetings) in Brussels, including European Institutions such as the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions, the European Commission..etc. There are also, more than 250 regional offices, embassies, thematic networks and think tanks present in Brussels, which are part of the current Finnovaregio´s agenda to promote and raise international interest in related EU programs through the promotion of European values and policies at national and local level.

EPA TCP Malta

Paragon Europe was founded in 2004 with the objective of targeting EU funding opportunities for both the local and the foreign market. Since its inception Paragon Europe, has advocated the importance of integrating innovation techniques as the basis for solid business strategies as well as the underlying rationale of EU co-funded projects. Currently Paragon’s clientele encompasses established firms, public entities and constituted bodies. Paragon Europe has a multi-disciplinary team of experts and academics that are capable of providing a substantial input in project activities. As a result of its vast experience in various EU co-funded projects, Paragon Europe has acquired an in-depth knowledge of the administrative and legal procedures at EU and at national level. Over the years, Paragon Europe has been responsible for the submission of applications for various EU co-funded projects including Lifelong Learning, Youth in Action, Life+, Interreg III, Euro- Med and The Sixth and Seventh Framework Projects (FP6) and (FP7).

In April 2011, Paragon Europe has opened a new office in Brussels with the aim to serve as a hub for local and foreign clients who would like to meet together, increase their revenue and be cost effective. Paragon Europe, has evolved during the years and today its’ portfolio of services encompasses the following: Training, Tenders, Internships, Business Advisory, Business Research, Project Management.

Paragon Europe aim is to help Good business to become Great businesses. We aim to help businesses to improve their work practices by introducing cost effective methods which will lead to higher revenues and profitability.

259B, Constitution Street, Mosta, MST 9052, Malta
Tel: (00356) 21418756 Fax: (00356) 21418702 Mob: (00356) 79418756
info (at) paragoneurope.eu
www.paragoneurope.eu

Since its foundation in 2007, the European projects association (EPA) in order to achieve its goals, has adopted a strategy consisting of developing a network of territorial contact points (TCP) that will coordinate and implement activities at different levels:national, regional ad local. TCPs mission is to improve even further the absorption of EU funds and to coordinate the process of determining the best way to utilize available EU assets and financial resources in the completion of given project proposals. In this context, Association Informo (which is the Croatian national contact point of EPA) could serve as an example of successful story.

Informo is a non-profit organization working to encourage employment through various forms of education, organization of seminars and consultations.

As a non-profit organization, Informo acts with an aim to improve the life conditions of the Croatian citizens in various areas with a special attention to the youth and the unemployed.

In addition, Informo performs consultations in regards to preparation and implementation of projects which apply for national and international funding (EU, UN, and others) and the implementation and evaluation of projects financed by EU funds, providing information
services on the EU options, and other consulting services.

Association Informo was established in 2005, in Buje, Croatia, and operates primarily in the area of Istria, but is also active on the national level and involved in different international projects.
Since its beginning, Informo gained valuable experience both in organizing and conducting seminars and workshops, as well as in designing and implementing EU projects.
Due to the extraordinary work achievements, Informo was selected to act as the national contact point for the European Projects Association (EPA).

In fact, since its foundation in 2005 Informo has successfully managed 24 projects and has considerably contribute to the absorption of EU funds in Croatia and in the West Balkan region. Nowadays, the European Project Association is implementing many international projects through its NCP Informo . One of them is ENESCOM, a project financed by the EU through the programme Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) with 1.800.000 EUR. The project aims to enlarge the list of Cities and municipalities that have signed the Covenant of Majors, a major tool for the implementation of sustainable development. Another project managed by Epa through NCP Informo is “Acquis 2”, aiming to provide a more efficient adoption of the Acquis Communautaire in the regional and local entities in the Balkan region.

Informo is one of the very first EPA’s NCPs and served as a sort of experiment for the implementation of an EU-wide network. Given the results, NCP Informo can be undoubtedly considered an example of best practice not only for EU based associations, but also for stakeholders from candidate and potential candidate countries.

Before proceeding to the application form, please read the following documents:

What is a Territorial Contact Point (TCP)?

The primary role of EPA Territorial Contact Point (TCP) is to serve as liaison office between the EPA Board of Directors and potential or existing EPAs' stakeholders in a specific Region. It works at three different levels: National (NCP), Regional (RCP) and Local (LCP).

One of the most important tasks of a TCP is to ensure that emerging stakeholders and existing members receive the support and the assistance they need to start and succeed in their projects. Moreover, the TCP is in charge of promoting EPA at the local level and of recruiting new members for the Association. It also promotes EPA’s objectives and it increases the diffusion of appropriate codes of behaviours and best practices for European Projects.

Why to become a Territorial Contact Point?

There are many advantages and benefits in becoming a Territorial Contact Point. Some of them are:

1 The TCP status will raise the visibility of your organization and the number of connection of your professional network;

2 Being a TCP will improve your image and credibility. EPA will certify your organization allowing you to consolidate your reputation in your country and also at the European level;

3 On the economical side, becoming a TCP will not only  give you a discount of 20% on your membership fees, but will also  provide you a commission of 25% for each new member you  recruit in your country.

What are the tasks of a Territorial Contact Point?

To become a TCP, the EPA member is required not only to share the values and the goals of the European Projects Association, but also to have a previous experience in project management of EU funds.

Once it becomes a TCP, these are the duties that the member has to perform:

• The TCP will actively recruit new members for EPA, whether directly or through local partnerships. The recruitment implies that the TCP will ensure that all the forms for the enrolment of new members are write properly, fully completed, and sent to Epa Board of Directors;
  
  
• It will serve as facilitator among Regional stakeholders and EPA Board of Directors;
  
  
• It will be a professional representative of EPA in the country and it will participate in the EPA TCP Network, a group of all appointed TCPs, who share information and support one another;
  
  
• It will participate directly and professionally in the research of solutions and in the development of projects. For this purpose, the TCP will organize designed training session for the local stakeholders. These trainings will be analysed and certified by EPA;
  
  
• Finally, it will ensure the submission of quarterly reports on the activities and status of the National and Regional stakeholders to the EPA Board of Directors, as well as annual reports on information related to the members and officers, activities and finances.