Common use of PRIORITY AXIS II Clause in Contracts

PRIORITY AXIS II. Technical Assistance‌ Specific objectives of this priority are to: - Strengthen capacities of national and joint structures to manage this cross-border programmes; - Prepare and disseminate programme information; - Strengthen capacities of potential beneficiaries to prepare and implement projects and provide technical expertise for external programme evaluations. Technical assistance will be used to support the work of the two Operating Structures (OS) and the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) ensuring the efficient and effective implementation, monitoring, control and evaluation of the programme. This will be achieved, inter alia, through the establishment and operation of a Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) to be located in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and its antenna to be located in Kosovo. Technical assistance will support actions which ensure the preparation and selection of high quality programme operations and the dissemination of information on programme activities and achievements. The Technical Assistance component will account for maximum 10% of the EU funds allocation. Considering that, for the implementation of the cross–border programme, the Operating Structures in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and in Kosovo enjoy a de facto monopoly situation (in the meaning of Art. 168.1.c of the Implementing Rules to the Financial Regulation), the relevant Contracting Authorities (CA) of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and of Kosovo may establish an individual direct grant agreement without call for proposal with the respective Operating Structures for up to the total amount provided under priority II. In order to implement the activities covered by the direct grant agreement, the Operating Structures are allowed to sub–contracting (procurement of services or supplies) in accordance with Article 120 of the Financial Regulation and Article 184 of the Implementing Rules to the Financial Regulation. The direct grant agreements can be signed as soon as the Financing Agreements are concluded. This priority will be implemented through two measures: Measure Measure II.1 Programme administration, implementation, monitoring and evaluation Measure II.2 Programme Information and Publicity