TNC Factsheet - Ireland

• Local Action Groups (LAGs) could start transnational cooperation activities in the second half of 2024.
• TNC themes and priorities in the Local Development Strategy (LDS) are defined by the LAGs as part of their LDS, based on a list of possible themes defined at the Member State level by the Managing Authority.
• TNC budget in the LDS is defined by the LAGs as part of their LDS.
• Calls for TNC projects are continuously open.
• The list of possible cooperation themes published by the Managing Authority in the CSP or other official document includes the following LEADER themes and sub-themes:
  • Economic development and job creation
    • the green economy
    • agricultural diversification
    • enterprise development
    • rural food production
    • social, community & cooperative enterprises
    • rural tourism & recreation
  • Rural infrastructure and social inclusion
    • rural infrastructure
    • accessible services
    • optimising digital connectivity
    • rural youth
  • Sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation
    • sustainable development of rural environment
    • climate change capacity building
    • climate change mitigation and adaptation

Guidelines on transnational cooperation in LEADER/CLLD for the 2023-2027 programming period are available in English.

• Types of territory that can be covered in a TNC project include
  • rural territories (EU MS)
  • third countries (non-EU)
• Types of eligible partners in a TNC project can include
  • LAGs (rural territory, EU MS)
  • other partners (e.g. partners from third countries (non-EU)
  • any partner implementing an LDS in a rural territory is eligible to be a cooperation partner, including in third countries (non-LAG) – e.g. the UK
• Types of stakeholders eligible for preparatory support for TNC projects only include LAGs.
• The existence of a lead partner is one of the eligibility criteria for a TNC project.

• Eligibility criteria for preparatory action for transnational cooperation: Preparatory Technical Support Project (Pre-Development phase) allows LAGs, project promoters and other contributors to meet and investigate the merit and potential to develop actions that could form a full cooperation project. It also provides an opportunity to develop an application and a cooperation agreement. Preparatory technical support could involve a feasibility study, market analysis and/or elaboration of the common issues that contribute towards a series of actions of mutual benefit to all of the LAG areas involved. This type of project, by its nature, will inform whether a full cooperation project should proceed. Approval of a Preparatory Technical Support project by the LAG is contingent on all the parties involved in the project demonstrating that they are envisaging the implementation of a full cooperation project. The application should at least identify the objectives and the character of a possible full cooperation project.

Eligibility criteria for TNC projects: Transnational full cooperation projects involve the implementation of a definite joint project with clearly defined deliverables producing benefits for all of the participating areas. Projects can be focused on a broad range of actions such as capacity building, common publications or physical investment. The project is managed under a coordinating/lead LAG (or by the Implementing Partner on its behalf) that must be identified at the application stage. In all types of cooperation projects, the direct partners and applicants (where the applicant is not the LAG partner) must pre-define/agree the key criteria related to the activities to be selected and carried out. See LEADER Cooperation Rules Section for further details.

• 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 that meet the objectives of the LAG LDS and programme themes/sub-themes
• 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:
  • courses of instruction or training which form part of normal education programmes
  • loans
  • working capital
  • operational Costs of Project Promoters
  • insurance
  • payments for gifts, donations or personal entertainment
  • statutory fines/penalties
  • legal expenses in respect of litigation
  • costs associated with meeting a legislative/statutory requirement
  • planning application fees and other measures required for compliance
  • reclaimable VAT
• The use of simplified cost options (SCOs) for TNC:
• SCOs can be used for preparatory support for TNC projects

• Required documents to be submitted with an application for a TNC project have been defined. The application process for full cooperation projects is the same as for any other LEADER project:
  • Expression of Interest and Standard Application Form must be completed and submitted to each LAG for approval
  • Each project applicant must complete their own application form. However, applicants can share text for common sections of the application form (e.g. project description) to reduce the administrative burden
  • Planning and Procurement must be completed at the application stage, i.e. Provisional Approval of Planning permission is not permitted
  • Standard Project Assessment Report must be completed for a full Cooperation Project
  • A separate report should be completed by each LAG, as is the case for all projects. Common information can be shared between each LAG to assist in completing the report, or, where there is a high degree of commonality between each area, the Lead LAG can agree to produce a single report to cover all areas – this must reflect the individual circumstances in each LAG area including how it fits with each LDS, different financial arrangements etc.
  • A timetable for the project implementation and management should be in place
  • A Cooperation Agreement signed by all parties involved should be in place prior to the commencement of the project

• Minimum amount of support for preparatory actions related to one TNC project: LAGs may not approve funding of less than EUR 1 250 for a project. LAGs may apply a higher minimum funding threshold, which in any event may not be higher than EUR 5 000.
• Maximum amount of support for preparatory actions related to one TNC project: EUR 6 000, with a rate of up to 100% per LAG.
• Minimum amount of support for one TNC project: LAGs may not approve funding of less than EUR 1 250 for a project. LAGs may apply a higher minimum funding threshold, which in any event may not be higher than EUR 5 000.
• Maximum amount of support for one TNC project: Up to EUR 200 000 funding per project partner.
• Maximum rate of public support:
  • The maximum rate of public support for preparatory actions for TNC projects is 100% from the LAG administrative budget.
  • The maximum rate of public support for TNC projects is up to 75% funded (up to 100% funded for Training Projects).