• Deliver an eligibility check of the suggested project idea/proposal portfolio by the Contractor of Phase 1, enhance the final identification of viable project ideas/proposals for further development and SF absorption with the leadership of Regional Development managing authority (MA);
  
• Assist the set up of the operational manual for the most efficient functioning of a Project Generation Facility; ;  
• Develop project ideas into fully fledged project proposals including all supporting documents ready for support under the Regional Development Operational Programme. The application forms must be accompanied by all annexes, licences and permits as prescribed in the measure specific SF call for proposals;
• Strengthen the absorption capacity of micro– and SMEs by improving their project preparation and management skills;
  
• Establish good awareness and efficient two-way communication channels among the key players involved in programme implementation (SMEs - final beneficiaries of Operational Programme, trainers, Intermediate body and Managing Authority).

The expected results from implementation of the project are:

• Approximately 70 - 90 ERDF project proposals elaborated (including project preparation, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, technical studies) and submitted for consideration by the quality control team and the managing authority of OP “Regional Development” for Structural Funds financing;
  
• Specific manuals elaborated for preparation of ERDF projects;
• Approximately 1000 SMEs (average 30 to 40 SMEs from every NUTS 3, if existing) gained skills in preparing project proposals and applications.
• Project preparation exercises and provision of specialized training in the six NUTS II regions involving final beneficiaries and recipients of OP “Competitiveness” (SMEs and NGOs) and the Executive Agency for Promotion of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Regional Offices (BSMEPA) related but not limited to:
  
  • General overview of European Regional Development Fund
  •  OP “Competitiveness” priorities, operations, eligibility criteria and grant schemes
  • State aid rules
  • Preparation of company strategies and business plans for achieving long-term competitiveness
  • Technical aspects of preparing project proposals (application forms, logframe, results, activities, budget etc.)
  • Project cycle management (project preparation, implementation, financing, control and monitoring).