TNC Factsheet - Czechia

• Local Action Groups (LAGs) could start TNC activities in the first half of 2025.
• TNC themes and priorities in the Local Development Strategy (LDS) are defined by the LAGs as part of their LDS. LAGs began preparing strategies in 2021, when there was no obligation to define TNC themes and priorities in the LDS. Some of the LAGs defined priorities and themes in the conceptual parts of the strategies, and some of them established priorities and themes within the programming frameworks of the CAP SP.
• TNC budget in the LDS is defined by the LAGs as part of their LDS up to a certain limit defined at the Member State level. LAGs can allocate maximum 50% of the reserved allocation for LAGs and maximum EUR 592 000 (CZK 15 million) for cooperation projects.
• Calls for TNC projects are continuously open.
• Average (planned) time for official approval for the TNC projects selected by the LAGs: more than 6 months.
• The list of possible cooperation themes published by the Managing Authority in the CSP or other official document is not available. A list of possible cooperation themes is not specified in the CSP or any other official document. There are rules for cooperation projects, which define the eligible costs of the project. However, eligible costs are broadly defined and include both investment and non-investment-related costs. The specific topics are open and are not defined in the rules. It is important that the project must demonstrate the added value of cooperation. 

• Types of territory that can be covered in a TNC project include rural and non-territories, both in the EU and in third countries. 
• 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) 
  • other partners (e.g., partners from third countries (non-EU)  

Partners from third countries (non-EU) must be municipalities or local partnerships. 

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

• Eligibility criteria for preparatory actions: Expenditures of the preparatory actions of the cooperation project must be part of the project that will be realised subsequently. It is not possible to cover only the preparatory actions of the project without the realisation of the TNC project. Salaries are eligible expenditures up to a maximum of 50% of the total expenses of the projects.
• Eligibility criteria for TNC projects (based on the national regulation for LEADER/CLLD implementation):
  • only expenses arising from the Czech grant application are covered
  • costs of the foreign partners are not eligible
  • the project contributes to LDS targets of the LAGs
  • the project demonstrates the added value of the cooperation
  • there are at least two partners in the project

• 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
  • other, e.g. salary costs
• 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
  • catering
  • 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: 
  • expenditures of the foreign partner
  • events that serve only the management/purposes of the LAGs, i.e. do not serve the wider LAG area/community
  • events that are part of the state's employment policy or regular educational programs within secondary and university education
  • investments in other states
  • alcoholic drinks
  • advertising expenses not related to the project
  • VAT, in the case that the applicant may apply for VAT refund by the Law of VAT
• The use of simplified cost options (SCOs) for TNC: 
  • SCOs can be used for the implementation of TNC projects. SCOs are used for ‘soft events’ (information and educational events, workshops, seminars), events for the general public (cultural events, bigger educational events, conferences), excursions, and field trips in the Czech Republic, the EU, Europe, or other countries

• Cooperation agreement
• Documents proving project selection
• Confirmation from the competent administrative authority in case the partner is a local partnership
• Tender documentation
• Attendance lists, photo documentation, minutes of meetings, report from the implemented event, event schedule, accommodation confirmation, event program
• Documentation for construction management, if construction expenses are incurred
• Declaration that the project meets the ABER conditions (Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2472)
• Final report of the project, etc. 

• Total public expenditure allocated to TNC projects in the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP): Not defined. LAGs can allocate maximum 50% of the reserved allocation for LAGs and max. EUR 592 000 (CZK 15 million) for cooperation projects.  
• Minimum amount of support for preparatory actions related to one TNC project: Not defined. It is not possible to cover only the preparatory actions of the project without the realisation of the TNC project. Salary is eligible up to a maximum of 50% of the whole expenses of the projects.
• Maximum amount of support for preparatory actions related to one TNC project: Preparatory actions can be realised only as a part of the TNC project. 
• Minimum amount of support for one TNC project: EUR 1 950 (CZK 50 000) per partner
• Maximum amount of support for one TNC project: 
  • According to the conditions of State aid ABER (Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2472): maximum EUR 2 million if article 60 is applicable.
  • According to the conditions of State aid ABER (Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2472): EUR 200 000 if article 61 is applicable.
• Maximum rate of public support 
  • 100% for preparatory actions for TNC projects
  • 100% for TNC projects