5. Application by grouping of municipalities/local authorities

Groupings of municipalities/local authorities are highly encouraged to apply for the EUCF. When applying as grouping, the following points have to be considered:

• Both formal (e.g. formalised by an assembly act) and informal groupings are invited to apply.
• One responsible partner, i.e. one lead applicant has to be defined.
• Municipalities/local authorities participating in the grouping cannot be beneficiaries of previous EUCF calls for applications, either individually or as part of a different grouping. 
• In the application form, the relations and decision-making processes within the grouping for the development of the investment concept have to be outlined.
• Either the lead applicant or the grouping needs to have a SECAP or other local climate and/or energy plan with mitigation targets.
• The lead applicant has to provide the proof of political commitment to the development of the investment concept.
• As the EUCF aims to support especially small and medium-sized municipalities and, if feasible, encourages them to team up, groupings are appreciated in the evaluation process.
• In case the application is successful, the grant amount of EUR 60,000 is awarded to the grouping as a whole. Thus, the lump sum is awarded per application, not per municipality/local authority.

• The lead applicant is responsible to sign the Grant Agreement and to disburse the amount among the partners.

Formal or informal groupings of municipalities/local authorities are eligible to apply. They have to define in the application form one lead applicant.

No, the lead applicant must have a SECAP or other local climate and/or energy plan with mitigation targets. Joint action plans prepared collectively by a grouping of municipalities/local authorities are also accepted.