First call for submission of project proposals

The first call for projects was opened from 14 March 2016 to 6 June 2016. Project proposals could be submitted in the three thematic axes "Research and Innovation", "Nature and Culture" and "Institutional Competence". A total of 66 project proposals were submitted, of which 41 in axis 1, 19 in axis 2 and 6 in axis 3.

For this first call, 30,000,000 Euro of ERDF funds were available. 66 project proposals were submitted with a total of 49 million Euro. Most of the funding was applied in axis 1 "Research and Innovation" for a total of 29 million Euro. On the other hand, 15,5 million Euro were applied for in axis 2 "Nature and Culture" and 5 million Euro in axis 3 "Institutional Competence".

Most lead partners of the submitted project proposals, a total of 21 lead partners, are located in the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. 16 lead partners come from the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Alto Adige, 12 from the Region of Veneto. 9 from the Land of Tyrol, 5 form the Land of Carinthia and 3 from the Land of Salzburg.

On the 27th and 28th September 2016, the Steering Committee decided on the financing of the cross-border cooperation projects submitted under the first call. In the two-day meeting, which took place at the Karer Pass, in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Alto Adige, members discussed the evaluation proposal prepared by the Joint Secretariat, which included a qualitative assessment of all 66 submitted proposals. The Joint Secretariat was supported by the Regional Coordination Units and, where appropriate, by external experts. Previously, the formal proposals had also been subject to a formal evaluation by the Joint Secretariat. Following a comprehensive assessment, the Steering Committee expressed its support for the funding of 39 cooperation projects in the three axes "Research and Innovation", "Nature and Culture" and "Institutional Competence", 21 of which in the axis 1 "Research and Innovation ", 13 in the axis 2 "Nature and Culture" and 5 in the´axis 3 "Institutional Competence ". A total of 30,185,775.00 Euros was used earmarked.