Questions-Answering

Yes. The Programme allows the implementation of both “soft” activities (educational, informational, training, exchange activities, etc.) and investment components, including:

• - equipment;
• - software;
• - networking and communication devices;
• - monitoring equipment;
• - small-scale infrastructure elements.

All such expenditures must be directly linked to the project objectives and properly justified in the application.

Yes. According to the Programme rules, small-scale infrastructure elements are defined as works with a value of up to EUR 50,000, regardless of whether a construction permit or its equivalent is required. Infrastructure components cannot constitute the sole or main objective of the project and must be logically linked to other project activities.

Support may be provided, among others, for:

• - joint initiatives aimed at improving municipal waste management;
• - activities related to the circular economy;
• - innovative environmental solutions;
• - waste sorting and recycling activities;
• - educational and awareness-raising environmental campaigns;
• - pilot solutions in the field of waste management.

Yes. The Programme encourages applicants to submit their own innovative proposals and solutions that are in line with the objectives of the call and demonstrate environmental and cross-border value.

No. The Programme documents do not require the mandatory implementation of identical investments or technical solutions on both sides of the border.

However, the application should clearly demonstrate:

• – the shared relevance of the identified problem;
• – joint development of solutions;
• – exchange of experience and know-how;
• – benefits for the Programme area on both sides of the border.

Each small project must involve at least one partner from Poland and one partner from Ukraine. The Programme does not establish a strict maximum number of partners; however, the partnership structure should ensure effective project management and high-quality implementation.

According to the Programme rules, the implementation of a small project may start no earlier than the day following the announcement of the decision of the Small Projects Fund Committee, and the project must be completed no later than 30 September 2027. At the same time, the possibility of adjusting the indicated deadline is currently being considered so that potential beneficiaries can realistically plan project activities within the available timeframe.

The value indicated in criterion F10 refers to the total value of the small project. According to Section 2.7 “Costs of implementing a small project” of the Programme Implementation Manual: “The total value of a small project must not exceed EUR 100,000. Small projects implemented under the SPF are co-financed up to 90% of eligible costs. The minimum co-financing amount for a small project is EUR 20,000, while the maximum Programme co-financing is EUR 90,000.” This is why the minimum total value of a small project amounts to EUR 22,222.22: if EUR 20,000 constitutes up to 90% co-financing, then the minimum total project value must amount to EUR 22,222.22. Therefore, criterion F10 refers to the total value of the small project, not only to the grant amount.

The involvement of at least one partner from Poland and one partner from Ukraine is mandatory. However, no additional points are awarded solely for a higher number of partners participating in the project.

No. External services constitute direct costs that must be procured and implemented within the official project implementation period. The costs of such services contracted before the signing of the Grant Contract cannot be included as eligible expenditure.

Access to the system is granted through a valid e-mail address and password provided during registration. Based on these credentials, the Lead Applicant (its representatives) may upload information related to the relevant project application. It is recommended that one project manager/author works on the application and coordinates and verifies the information with partners offline before uploading it to the Generator.

Examples of the Project Communication Plan can be found in the Communication Guide for Project Partners available on the Programme website in the “Documents” section.

Yes, the costs of purchasing second-hand equipment are eligible provided that such equipment complies with the eligibility rules of the Small Projects Fund as well as applicable standards and regulations. The purchase of second-hand fixed assets already financed by the Programme under another grant agreement is not allowed.

Yes, such costs may be assigned either to this budget category or to the category “External experts and services”.

Ownership rights and other property rights arising from project implementation may be transferred only to one of the small project beneficiaries, provided that this is properly specified in the Application Form and the Partnership Agreement.

No, the project will not be automatically rejected; however, such Declaration will be requested during the clarification process.

Yes, the co-financing percentage must be the same for each partner/beneficiary of the small project. According to the Manual, each partner must provide at least a 10% own contribution, and the share of the Programme contribution and the own contribution must be identical for all beneficiaries.

At the same time, partners may have a different distribution of the total project budget. For example, one partner may implement 40% of the project budget and another 60%, but each of them must ensure the same percentage of own contribution from their respective part of the budget.

Example:

• Partner 1: budget EUR 40,000 → 10% own contribution = EUR 4,000;
• Partner 2: budget EUR 60,000 → 10% own contribution = EUR 6,000.

Therefore, different partner budgets are allowed, but different percentages of own contribution are not.

According to the provisions of the Small Projects Manual, the Programme does not contain a separate restriction on one organisation submitting two different project applications, provided that they concern different projects, different partnerships and separate project activities.

Thus, one organisation may potentially act as an applicant in two different projects, provided that:

• – each project has separate logic, objectives and results;
• – the projects do not duplicate each other in terms of content and activities;
• – each project complies with the Programme requirements regarding cross-border character and partnership;
• – budgets, expenditures, personnel and procurements are clearly separated between the projects.

It should also be taken into account that double financing is not allowed. Therefore, the same expenditures (e.g. the same staff, purchase of equipment, services, works, etc.) should not be included in both projects, nor expenditures already covered by another grant financing source.