TNC Factsheet - Slovenia

• Local Action Groups can start transnational cooperation (TNC) activities in the first half of 2025.
• TNC themes and priorities in the Local Development Strategy (LDS) are defined by the LAGs.
• TNC budget in the LDS is defined by the LAGs up to a certain limit defined at the Member State level.
• Calls for TNC projects are defined and launched by LAGs according to their own schedule.
• Average (planned) time for official approval by the Paying Agency for TNC projects selected by the LAGs: 3-6 months.

• Types of territory that can be covered in a TNC project include rural and non-rural territories both in EU Member States and in third countries.
•  Types of eligible partners in a TNC project can include
  • LAGs in rural territories in EU Member States
  • other public-private partnerships in rural and non-rural territories within the EU
• Types of stakeholders eligible for preparatory support for TNC projects include LAGs and local public or private partners (non-LAG) active within a LAG territory.
• The existence of a lead partner is not one of the eligibility criteria for a TNC project.

• Detailed description of eligibility criteria for TNC projects (based on the national regulation for LEADER/CLLD implementation):
  • LAG cooperation projects are implemented in accordance with the conditions for granting support, as for all other projects within LDS (all necessary permits and approvals required by the relevant regulations for the implementation of projects must be obtained)
  • The project must be consistent with the strategy. Project objectives must be measurable with clear effects and results
  • A project that is eligible under other interventions of the Slovenian CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, or where financing is possible through other financial supports, can be supported by support for the implementation of projects within the LEADER intervention, if such a need is recognised in the LDS and demonstrates added value for the development of the local area (settlements with less than 10 000 inhabitants, only promotion is allowed in Slovenia)
  • The project is selected and approved by the LAG bodies
  • Prohibition of double financing
  • A clear closed financial structure for the entire project, beneficiaries must not be in insolvency proceedings
  • Settled mandatory duties and other monetary non-tax liabilities
  • The project must be implemented within a maximum of three years

• Costs eligible related to the following actions for preparatory support: Slovenia does not have separate preparatory support for TNC projects. Within the cooperation project, LAG costs incurred during the preparation and implementation of the cooperation project are both eligible for funding.
• Eligible actions for TNC projects (note: LAG cooperation projects must be of a non-investment nature – only some small investments eligible for support):
  • 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.)
• 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:  
  • Investments (only some small as a part of a project)
  • the costs referred to Article 73 (3) of Regulation 2021/2115/EU
  • the costs referred to in Article 64 of Regulation 2021/1060/EU

The following costs or activities are not eligible for support:

• costs of preparing applications and claims for payment
• purchase of used equipment and machinery
• investments and purchases of equipment, machinery and services intended for private use
• payment of taxes, customs duties and import duties, interest on debts, bank guarantees and guarantee costs, and administrative fees
• The use of simplified cost options (SCOs) for TNC: SCOs can be used for the implementation of TNC projects. Cooperation projects are prepared as projects of a non-investment nature (in which direct personnel costs are allocated to the implementation of a major part of project activities, and a flat rate is used for the remaining categories of eligible costs): where staff costs are paid in the form of hourly rates (7 different types of hourly rates), the remaining project costs are paid as a flat rate of 40 % of the eligible direct personnel costs = hourly rate + 40 %.

• A cooperation agreement must be concluded between the partners in the cooperation project and a clear definition established of the planned activities with the intended financial framework of each partner in the cooperation project. LAG cooperation projects are implemented in accordance with the conditions for granting support, as for all other projects within the LDS (all necessary permits and approvals required by the relevant regulations for the implementation of projects must be obtained).

• Total public expenditure allocated to TNC projects in the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP): EUR 5 300 000
• Minimum amount of support for one TNC project: EUR 5 000
• Maximum amount of support for one TNC project: EUR 200 000
• Maximum rate of public support for TNC projects: 80%