During our stay we met persons being committed to their profession and at the same time kind and helpful to us. We have seen numerous interesting projects and seen many skillful solutions to problems we face ourselves.

Ole Wolf, Municipality of Horsens, Denmark, cultural department, project manager

The joint study visit significantly enhanced the working relations and improved the so-called group spirit. We also got important tips about how to coordinate better networking in the city, how to improve communication between different institutions as well as share rolls and responsibility.

Ketri Kupper, Pärnu City Government, Estonia, chief specialist of drug prevention

Annual budget: 270 000 EUR

For whom?

• civil servants and other staff in the public sector
  
• all administrative levels (state, county, region, local government)
• individuals as well as groups/networks

Why?

• knowledge and experience transfer on best practices
• networking
• harmonisation of working standars
• raising the competitiveness of the Baltic Sea Region in the globalizing world

For what?

• study visits (3-10 working days in one country)
• internships (up to 20 working days in one country)
• on the job training
• network activities

Essential requirements (NB! Read the guidelines):

• participation of a minimum of three countries, of these a minimum of one Nordic and one Baltic
• confirmation letters from superior, host institutions and on co-financing (at least 30% of the total budget)
• the programme covers up to 70% of the budget
• eligible costs: travel (incl. insurance), accommodation, per diem (up to 110 EUR per person per day)
• non-eligible costs: conference fees, costs related to regular NB8 meetings, room and equipment rental, translation, in-kind costs, etc.

Decision making
Decisions on the applications concerning the granting of the projects are taken by the three directors of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Offices in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania:

• based on the quality of the applications;
• following the criteria for support (see Guidelines of the Programme);
• following the indicators of success (see Guidelines of the Programme);
• cross-sectoral activities are given priority in the selection process;
• group applications are prioritised over mobility actvities for individuals;
• the programme does not allow earmarking of funds, neither in relation to country of origin nor in relation to sector.

Decisions can be expected no later than 8 (eight) weeks after the deadline of application. All applicants will be informed about the outcome of the selection process. The decisions cannot be subject to appeal. A grant should be used within 12 (twelve) months after notification.

How to apply?
Register and start filling your application at the NB8-Grants! Please note that we do not accept paper or scanned applications any more!

Deadline
30 March 2012

Programme Management Body
Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia
Madis Kanarbik, Head of Tartu Branch
Tel. +372 742 36 25
Mobile +372 50 46 570
Fax 744 12 41
E-mail: public.administration(at)norden.ee