Association of the Carpathian Euroregion, acting pursuant to Chapter 7.3.2 of the Programme Manual of the Interreg NEXT Poland – Ukraine 2021-2027 Programme, hereby establishes the Small Project Fund Committee for the purpose of selecting small projects and performing other tasks specified in the Rules of Procedure of the Committee, within the framework of the implementation of the Small Project Fund under the Interreg NEXT Poland – Ukraine 2021-2027 Programme.

The tasks of the Committee include:

a) Adopt the Rules of Procedure of the Committee, including the provisions on the prevention of conflicts of interest and on the application of the principle of transparency, and amend them.

b) Approve the composition of the Small Projects Fund Committee and its amendments.

c) Approval of the list of experts on the basis of the criteria set out in the Rules for the selection and work of experts.

d) To appoint an Objections Panel from among the candidates put forward by the SPF Beneficiary .

e) Selection of small projects for implementation according to the following rules:

– The Committee is informed of projects rejected on formal grounds and those not recommended as a result of the qualitative assessment.

–  The Committee considers the projects recommended for funding by the Expert Panel and decides whether to select and approve them for implementation or to reject them.

– The Committee bases the selection of small projects for funding on the results of the qualitative assessment. However, it may also take into account additional factors or formulate additional conditions, and recommendations for small projects selected for funding, which will have to be met during the contracting phase.

f) Vote on the grant application of an Applicant whose objections to the selection of a small project have been upheld by the Objections Panel in accordance with the Objections Procedure.

g) Approval of amendments to small projects where the Committee’s approval is required in accordance with the rules laid down in the Manual for small projects.

h) Review all issues affecting the implementation of the SPF and the remedial measures taken.

i) Analysis of progress in implementing the SPF and achieving its objectives.

j) Oversee the efficiency and correctness of the implementation of small projects.

k) Make recommendations to the SPF Beneficiary including on the reduction of the administrative burden for applicants/beneficiaries of small projects, and monitor the follow-up.

l) To carry out tasks other than those mentioned above if this is justified in view of the purpose for which it was established.

Composition of the Small Project Fund Committee:

1. The voting members of the Committee are representatives of the following institutions and organisations from Poland and Ukraine representing:

a) SPF Beneficiary

b) regional/local/municipal authorities and other public institutions,

c) economic/social partners/ organisations representing civil society,

d) NGOs active in the thematic area of a given SPF

whereby each institution with voting rights may only be represented by one member.

The Committee consists of equal number of voting members from Poland and Ukraine, representing institutions and organisations from all voivodeships and oblasts of the Programme area.

2. The members of the Committee as observers without voting rights are representatives of the following institutions:

a) Managing Authority,

b) National Authority,

c) Joint Secretariat,

d) National Controller for the SPF project

whereby only one observer from the institution concerned may attend.

3. A representative of the European Commission may also participate in the work of the Committee in an advisory and monitoring role.

The First Meeting of the Small Project Fund Committee under the Interreg NEXT Poland – Ukraine 2021-2027 Programme, Priority 4: Cooperation, shall be held on 4 November 2025.

Agenda:

1. Opening of the meeting and approval of the agenda.

2. Information on the composition of the Small Project Fund Committee.

3. Adoption of the Rules of Procedure of the Small Project Fund Committee of the Interreg NEXT Poland – Ukraine 2021-2027 Programme.

4. Presentation on the implementation status of the project “Cooperation beyond borders – Small Projects Fund on the Polish-Ukrainian border”.

5. Approval of the list of experts for the qualitative assessment of small project applications.

6. Appointment of the Objections Panel.

7. Work schedule for 2025/2026.

8. Any other business.

9. Summary and closure of the Meeting.