Eligibility criteria

The two previous articles gave an introductory summary of the Rural Development Plan for Malta (RDP) - the new policy that intends to co-ordinate all the resources of the rural communities to build a new agricultural sector.

In addition, the RDP measures were described to illustrate how through the principles and objectives the challenges farmers face will be tackled.

Today's concluding article will explain the role of the Rural Development Department, and illustrate the core eligibility criteria for both beneficiaries and the expenditure.

There are three main functions needed to manage applications for aid for schemes under the RDP: authorisation, execution and accounting for payments.

These are purposefully kept separated within the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment (MRAE).

The Rural Development Department (RDD), situated at the Agricultural Services and Rural Development Division, will be responsible for receiving and processing the applications for aid from farmers as well as keeping and administering a computerised database which will contain all the data obtained from the applications for aid schemes established under this RDP.

The Paying Agency will effect payments for projects and the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) Department will keep an information bank of all the registered farmers and land parcels in Malta and Gozo.

Within the RDD there are the following three separate units:

Development and Programming: responsible for statistical analysis and research, policy formulation, preparation of subsequent RDPs, development of measures, and preparation of RDP policies and procedure manuals.

Programme Implementation: responsible for all aspects of the implementation of the RDP (calls for project proposals, establishment of selection committees, provision of technical support to selection committees, technical support to contracting, technical screening of invoices for payment, etc.).

Monitoring and Evaluation: monitoring of the project and measures, preparation of progress reports for monitoring committee, and commissioning of evaluations from external evaluators.

Eligibility criteria for funding

All projects applying for aid have to comply with the general core eligibility criteria which are common to all measures:

¤ each project has to be located in Malta;

¤ involve activities that are eligible for support under the RDP; and

¤ be consistent with Maltese and EU policies.

Additionally each measure has its own criteria for eligibility and expenditure. The tables summarise these together with the measure's objectives.

Processing of aid applications

For every project approved, the ministry will draft an offer letter setting out the conditions under which aid is to be given, the amount of aid to be provided, and the timing of that aid. The offer letter is also the document that will provide the legal basis of the provision of aid.

The support may be stopped at any time during the life of the project if it does not meet its agreed targets.

A refund of aid can also be demanded if the project fails.

There is a requirement that each project must be monitored during its life and appraised after it has been completed to ensure that the project is achieving its objectives and targets. The monitoring required, which will be carried out by the MRAE, will be set out in the offer letter.

Another important responsibility will be the regular visiting of the projects. These will be carried out to check the claims for payment and to verify that, for example, buildings have been constructed and are being used for the proper purposes; crops have been planted; and target levels of employment have been achieved.

Payment of grant aid will typically be every three months on proof of expenditure. All grant claims will be accompanied by a fully completed monitoring statement that sets out forecast and outputs, and reports on progress to date. All successful applicants will be required to provide an independent audit report each year, with the exception of very small projects.

When a project has been completed an appraisal will be made by the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment as to whether the project has delivered its expected outputs and whether any lessons can be drawn for future projects.

At present calls for pre-accession grant programmes can be viewed in the Malta Government Gazette at the Department of Information, 3, Castille Place, Valletta, or online at: www.doi.gov.mt.

For more information on any of the issues discussed in the three articles on the RDP call 8007-2310 or the Gozo AICS Agricultural Office, tel: 2156-5809.

Melanie Giorgi, M.Sc. (Lond.) is a scientific officer at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment.