Application and selection
Light Projects are selected through a two-step selection system via open calls (Call for Light Concepts and Call for Light Project Proposals).
The 1st selection step (Light Concepts)
The 1st selection step (Light Concepts) should focus exclusively on the content-related aspects of Light Concepts submitted by cooperating SMEs without serious administrative requirements to be met at this stage. This allows SMEs to avoid unnecessary project development efforts at this stage. Preparation of Light Concepts is supported by the 7 SME development agencies operating on county level (the “Beneficiaries”).
Light Concept is prepared jointly by the cooperating SMEs (Light Partner applicants). Required language of Light Concept is English.
Submission of the Light Concepts should take place by any of the involved Light Partners through the B Light Platform through the upload of the Light Concept form in a) Word and b) filled-in PDF signed scanned version. Concept Light Proposal Template may be found here.
Submission of Light Concepts is continuous, with at least two evaluation stages per year. Details and deadlines are included in the Call for Light Concepts.
Evaluation and decision on Light Concepts has the following process:
- Light Concepts are jointly evaluated by the territorially competent SME development agencies (Beneficiaries): territorially competent SME development agencies of all Light Partners judge administrative and eligibility compliance of the submitted Light Concepts.
- Territorially competent SME development agencies (Beneficiaries) either reject or approve the Light Concept for further content-based evaluation. There is no possibility for completion of missing documents.
- After checking administrative and eligibility compliance, territorially competent Beneficiaries evaluate the evaluation form on the Light Concept based on the evaluation grid.
- After finishing the content-wise evaluation, within 60 days after submission deadline of Light Concepts a Selection Board session should be organized.
- Based on the decision of the Selection Board selected Light Concepts are appointed for further project development (no financial support is allocated to the Light Concepts at this stage).
The 2nd selection step (Light Project Proposals)
Owing to the 1st step of selection, 2nd step of selection can be made on a pre-selected and EPSF assisted, matured Light Project Proposals.
External experts of the External Project Support Facility (EPSF) will start working on the elaboration of the Light Project Proposals jointly with the cooperating SMEs on the basis of the Light Concepts submitted and approved by the Selection Board.
Submission of the Light Project Proposals should take place until the deadline defined in the Call for Light Project Proposals through the online B Light Platform.
Light Project Proposal is prepared jointly by the cooperating SMEs with assistance of the EPSF that is free-of-charge for the Light Partner applicants.
Required language of Light Project Proposal is English.
Submission of the Light Project Proposal should take place by any of the involved Light Partners through upload of the Light Project Proposal form in filled-in MS Excel version, the signed scanned version of the certification sheet and all the needed supplementary documents.
Light Project Proposal Template may be found here.
Submission of Light Project Proposals is continuous, with at least two evaluation stages per year. Details and deadlines are included in the Call for Light Project Proposals.
Evaluation and decision on Light Projects Proposals has the following process:
- Light Project Proposals are jointly evaluated by the territorially competent SME development agencies (Beneficiaries): territorially competent SME development agencies of all Light Partners judge administrative and eligibility compliance of the submitted Light Project Proposal.
- Territorially competent SME development agencies (Beneficiaries) either reject or approve the proposal for further content-based evaluation. For incomplete Light Project Proposals Light Partner applicants will be requested to deliver missing documents concerning administrative compliance until a given deadline. If content and/or cost of any budget items of the Light Project needs to be further specified, territorially competent SME development agencies may ask Light Partner applicants for clarification.
- After checking administrative and eligibility compliance, territorially competent Beneficiaries fill in the evaluation form regarding the Light Project Proposal based on the evaluation grid.
- After finishing the content-wise evaluation, within 60 days after submission deadline of Light Project Proposals a Selection Board session should be organised.
- Based on the decision of the Selection Board the Lead Beneficiary should sign Partnership Agreement Addendum with Light Partners of the granted Light Project.