European Partnership Help Center

The focus is on planning for potential future scenarios, not on undoing past commitments. The defined lifetime of current European Partnerships will not be shortened. Therefore, the projects kicked off or foreseen will not see their scope reduced due to the decision of not renewing the partnership in the next Framework Programme. The goal is to proactively reflect on how to sustain the added value and benefits of your partnership beyond the current funding. The strategies should explore alternative pathways, how the partnership could transition into a new form, sustain part of its activities, or leverage its assets through alternative structures or funding sources. Essential activities and results should attract interest in being maintained and developed beyond Framework Programme support. The scope of activities will indeed be proportionate to the support expected to be secured. The focus is however on maintaining relevance and value, rather than describing contraction.

Alternative implementation modalities are models or mechanisms, other than the European Partnership as it stands today, that would allow partners to sustain, build on, and further develop their joint assets and results. These may also involve transformations, growth, or shifts in form or focus. Examples include a self-sustained network, a national co-funding model, integration into another initiative, creation of a legal entity, or a private-public financing model. This reflection should be led by the partnership itself, as it holds the best understanding of its results, assets, and strategic context.

When preparing its proposal, the example partnership outlined the planned activities and their respective budget allocations. Subsequently, the partnership met with all the partners taking part to decide which expenses should be covered by the EU contribution. It was agreed that travel costs would be reimbursed. Although an initial scenario had proposed reimbursing 50% of personnel costs, the partners deemed this to be insufficient. Consequently, the example partnership assessed the financial implications of increasing the reimbursement rate to 60% of personnel costs, and a consensus was reached to allocate €3 million from the EU contribution to each call. In this case, the call budget can be sufficiently complemented by national funders. While it is possible to attract additional funders, reimbursing travel and personnel costs was considered more important.

Only costs can be reported to the European Commission. The reserve fund mentioned in the example belongs to the internal redistribution of EU-funding based on arrangements agreed within the Consortium Agreement. Since the reserve fund does not generate costs, it cannot be reported to the European Commission.

All participants must follow the provisions of the Grant Agreement when implementing a co-funded partnership. Beneficiaries may be reimbursed for eligible incurred costs foreseen in the Grant Agreement and that are necessary to implement the partnership. Should the actions and resulting costs of any beneficiary change significantly, this should be discussed with the responsible Project Officer and may require an amendment of the Grant Agreement.

In-kind contributions have a specific definition set out in the Financial Regulation, which also applies to Horizon Europe, i.e. it is used for non-financial resources made available free of charge by third parties. For co-funded partnerships under Horizon Europe, the Grant Agreement allows beneficiaries to charge these costs even if they are free of charge. Additional activities in co-funded partnerships encompass all non-call activities that are necessary to implement the action, and can be reimbursed if they fulfil the requirements and fit into the cost categories set out in the Model Grant Agreement. All other incurred costs are against payment (e.g. personnel costs for seconded staff). Costs must be related to the Description of Work and be necessary for the implementation of the action and compliant with the Grant Agreement.