TNC Factsheet - Austria

• Local Action Groups (LAGs) could start with TNC since 2023.
• TNC themes and priorities in the Local Development Strategy (LDS) are defined by the LAGs, as part of their LDS.
• TNC budget in the LDS is defined by the LAGs. There is no definition of a specific budget in the LDS; however, LAGs decide the number of TNC projects and the corresponding budget during the LDS implementation.
• Calls for TNC projects are defined by the LAGs and launched according to their own schedule. Calls can be open for ‘regular’ local projects as well as for TNC projects. There is no obligation to have separate calls.
• Average (planned) time for official approval for the TNC projects selected by the LAGs: 3-6 months.
• Guidelines on transnational cooperation in LEADER/CLLD for the 2023-2027 programming period are not available.

• Types of territory that can be covered in a TNC project include rural and non-rural territories both in the EU and in third countries.

Partnerships made up of local public or private members who are not based in a rural area are only eligible if they implement a rural development strategy.

• Types of eligible partners in a TNC project can include
  • LAGs (rural territory, EU MS)
  • local public or private partners (non-LAG) active within a LAG territory
  • other public-private partnerships (rural territory, EU)
  • other public-private partnerships (non-rural territory, EU)

Partnerships made up of local public or private members who are not based in a rural area are only eligible if they implement a rural development strategy.

• Types of stakeholders eligible for preparatory support for TNC projects include LAGs, local public or private partners (non-LAGs) active within a LAG territory.
•  The existence of a lead partner is not an eligibility criterion for a TNC project.

• Eligibility criteria for preparatory actions: There are no specific eligibility criteria for preparatory actions for TNC projects. Funding is available for all projects that contribute to achieving the objectives of the LEADER intervention and the priorities of the respective LEADER region as described in the LDS. This also includes topics that are not covered by other funding measures described in the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP).
• Eligibility criteria for TNC projects: There are no specific eligibility criteria for TNC projects other than for ‘top up’ for cultural TNC projects. The following requirements must be met to receive a ‘top up’:
  • local cultural stakeholders must be actively involved
  • the cultural quality of the planned work programme must be guaranteed
  • the project must include measures for cultural mediation and cultural participation
  • the TNC project must fulfil at least one of the following specific cultural programme objectives in the field of culture:
    • transformation of professional fields
    • social innovation and the shaping of participation
    • questioning stereotypes and contributing to a new image of the country
    • addressing cultural heritage, capacity building and creative dissemination of intangible cultural heritage

• Costs eligible related to the following actions for preparatory support:
  • meetings
  • participation in events
  • study trips
  • feasibility study for the TNC project
  • interpretation and translation
  • consultancy support
• Eligible actions for TNC projects
  • meetings
  • participation in events
  • preparation of publications
  • study visits
  • training
  • joint products
  • joint services
  • joint events
  • website development
  • marketing and promotion
  • local actions directly linked to the TNC project (for example, local events or capacity building for relevant local stakeholders, etc.)
  • other investments
• Eligible costs for TNC projects:
  • share of common costs related to joint publication and/or website
  • rental of venue for meetings and events
  • translation fees
  • interpreters' fees
  • fees of consultancy and expert services
  • accommodation
  • travel
  • purchase of equipment for the purposes of the project
  • costs related to dedicated project staff (e.g., joint project manager)
  • expenditure related to local actions directly linked to the TNC project
• Non-eligible costs for TNC:
  • The CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) and corresponding national law define a list of non-eligible costs for most CSP interventions (chapter 4.7.3.1.1 in the Austrian CSP), for example, costs before the approval date or after the end of approval or financing and insurance costs or VAT on eligible goods. Representation costs, costs for catering and hospitality are not eligible, unless the project necessity of these costs is plausibly justified
  • LEADER-specific non-eligible costs are the following:
    • non-cash own work
    • purchase of motor vehicles; only costs for the utilisation (rental, leasing) of non-fossil fuelled vehicles for the pilot phase of local and small regional small-regional public transport systems solutions are eligible for funding
    • costs for core tasks of churches and religious communities, such as spreading the faith or pastoral care, as well as ongoing maintenance or renovation of sacred buildings (e.g., churches)
• The use of simplified cost options (SCOs) for TNC:
  • SCOs can be used for preparatory support for TNC
  • SCOs can be used for the implementation of TNC projects
  • lump sums based on draft budgets in accordance with Article 83 (2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 for eligible costs of up to EUR 100 000 are possible for all LEADER projects. The approving authority decides based on a set of criteria whether the application of this SCO is suitable for a project

• Letter of Intent from the non-Austrian project partner must be submitted.
• for cultural projects, a culture-specific project description is required to get the ‘top up’ for TNC in the cultural sector.

• Minimum amount of support for preparatory actions related to one TNC project: There is only a general specification for all LEADER projects with a minimum of EUR 5 000 eligible costs per project.
• Maximum amount of support for preparatory actions related to one TNC project: can be defined in the LDS.
• Minimum amount of support for one TNC project: There is only a general specification for all LEADER projects with a minimum of EUR 5 000 eligible costs per project.
• Maximum amount of support for one TNC project: can be defined in the LDS.
• Maximum rate of public support for preparatory actions for TNC projects: The maximum rate of support is 80%. The LDS can define a lower rate or different rates based on specific criteria (lower than 80%)
• Maximum rate of public support for TNC projects: The maximum rate of support is 80%. The LDS can define a lower rate or different rates based on specific criteria (lower than 80%). For cultural projects, a ‘top up’ may be granted with up to 100% support rate for the project.