Thematic partnership
2013.01.17
Under the framework for thematic partnerships in 2013, SI is announcing a call for applications.
Call for applications for projects under the following themes:
- An ecologically sustainable region
- Sustainable growth for increased prosperity
- Regional challenges
The Swedish Institute (SI) invites Swedish organizations to submit project applications for thematic partnerships under the framework for Baltic Sea collaboration. SI shall contribute to economically, environmentally and socially sustainable growth and development in the Baltic Sea region and vicinity through its activities there.
The project activities that the Swedish Institute supports in the Baltic Sea region must have a clear connection to policy. The projects must address a challenge under one of the following policies – the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, the EU Eastern Partnership or HELCOM’s Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) – or be aligned with the aims of a closer partnership with other countries around the Baltic Sea, including Russia. These strategies constitute the basis of the thematic priorities for thematic partnerships (see below).
A thematic partnership entails organizations from different sectors forming partnerships in order to collaborate on a specific theme. Partnerships must be action-oriented projects that help meet common challenges in the Baltic Sea region. The projects must complement rather than replace the regular operations of the participating organizations. They must proceed from a clear needs analysis and have an innovative aspect – for instance, this could involve collaboration in new constellations or the use of new methods – that has not previously been implemented in the Baltic Sea region.
Through their thematic partnership, participants are expected to develop their international relations in the Baltic Sea region, improve their collaborative competence there and increase their knowledge in the collaborative area.
Application
For further information about how to prepare an application and what it should include, see “Instruction for thematic partnership applications” (available at the latest January 31, 2013). All applicants are asked to contact SI for a dialogue before submitting their application. The electronic application system for thematic partnerships opens on March 1, 2013.
The final application date is April 1, 2013.
Mutually collaborative, action-oriented projects
The aim of the thematic partnerships is to create mutual, long-lasting collaborative partnerships between organizations from several sectors, in Sweden and in the other countries on the Baltic Sea, and promote sustainable development in the region through these collaborations.
The thematic partnerships must be action-oriented. They must be aimed at bringing about change in the collaborative area in question and contribute to meeting common challenges in the region in a results-oriented way.
The projects must contribute to developing and establishing closer relations between organizations from different countries and different sectors.
Who can apply for and participate in projects?
Organizations
The following Swedish organizations from the public, private and non-profit sectors may apply for funding for thematic partnerships:
• Municipalities, regions, regional councils and county councils
• Government agencies
• Institutions of higher education and research institutes
• Business and trade associations
• Companies
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
SI applies state aid rules.
Collaborating countries
Collaborating countries eligible for funding:
- Sweden
- Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland
- Russia (with priority given to northwest Russia)
- Ukraine and Belarus
- Georgia and Moldova: primarily academic institutions. On condition that an academic institution from these countries is represented, other organizations may also take part in the collaboration.
Collaborating countries not eligible for funding:
Organizations from other Baltic Sea countries – Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany and Iceland – are welcome to take part in the collaboration, but SI does not provide any funding for their participation.
Requirements for the partnership
- A thematic partnership must include at least three countries eligible for funding.
- A thematic partnership must include Swedish and foreign organizations from at least two of the following sectors – public, private and non-profit. However, several organizations from the same sector may be included in a project.
- A thematic partnership must include at least four organizations – with at least two from Sweden.
SI has a positive view of partnerships that include more than four organizations when this can contribute to greater longevity of the partnership and dissemination of project results.
Financial grants
The thematic partnerships must run for three years and can be awarded a maximum of SEK 3,000,000.
The project period is September 1, 2013, to August 31, 2016.
The funds may be used for travel, lodging and meeting expenses. Funding from SI can also reimburse expenses for outlays including project management, analysis and reporting (internal and external expertise), and communication expenses; expenses for these budget items should not exceed 50 percent of the funding granted. SI sets requirements for co-financing. For more information about what expenses can be reimbursed, see “Instruction for thematic partnership applications” which will be available on www.si.se by January 31, 2013, at the latest.
Decisions
Decisions for the different application rounds are announced at the earliest ten weeks after the final application date. SI’s decision is final.
THEMATIC PRIORITIES 2013
Under the framework for thematic partnerships in 2013, SI is calling for applications for projects under the following themes:
An ecologically sustainable region
Projects that can contribute to:
1. marine environments in balance through more integrated coastal zone management or development of near-shore/offshore business with a focus on promoting a good sea environment.
2. preserved biological diversity and vibrant ecosystems with rich genetic variation, through the development and dissemination of new methods or innovative solutions.
3. sustainable resource management aimed at minimizing the amount of waste, for instance by changing consumption patterns or developing methods for improving resource efficiency.
Sustainable growth for increased prosperity
Projects that can contribute to:
1. environmentally-driven business development, increased potential for exports and the marketing of environmental technology in the region and beyond, or the leveling of differences in the use and awareness of environmental technology in different parts of the Baltic Sea region.
2. development of regionally adapted methods and models that can contribute to business development and increased capacity among small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), especially in knowledge-intensive services (such as ICT), tourism, and cultural and creative industries.
3. development of concepts and destinations in order to increase the attractiveness of the region globally.
Regional challenges
Projects that can contribute to:
1. positive changes in public health by developing health care systems (including e-health) and preventive care, development and application of innovative solutions in health care, and collaboration on infectious disease control.
2. counteracting organized crime through cross-organizational and preventive measures that can create conditions for increased operational and intelligence-based collaboration.
3. improving conditions for young people transitioning from school to work life and/or limiting the time they are unemployed or outside the community, for instance through innovative collaborations between organizations in business and vocational training.