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.

• 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 SEAP, SECAP or plan of similar ambition and provide the other supporting documents.

• As the EUCF aims to support especially small and medium-sized municipalities / local authorities 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.

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

The lead applicant must have a politically approved SEAP, SECAP or plan of similar ambition. Joint action plans prepared collectively by a grouping of municipalities/local authorities are also accepted.

The proof of political commitment to the development of the investment concept through a letter of support by the mayor or other relevant political representative must be submitted only by the lead applicant of the grouping.

Groupings are not obliged to form a joint legal body but they have to define a lead applicant. This lead applicant will sign the Grant agreement with the EUCF and receive the lump sum which can be then used according to the consortium’s internal agreement / governance they put in place.

If the grouping application has been successful, the municipality cannot apply again alone. If the application has been unsuccessful, the municipality can apply again – either in the grouping or alone.