The quality assessment is carried out by the JS with support of a group of independent external experts, selected through an open tender procedure. Experts (representing different sectors and countries) demonstrate extensive professional experience and qualifications in the fields of regional development, spatial planning as well as project management and financial structure. The recommendations of the experts are used by the Secretariat when compiling the assessment reports and making proposals to the SC.
In regard to the projects requesting the external funding (Tacis) also the EC Delegations will provide comments for the assessment reports.
The Steering Committee approved 20 project proposals out of 52 regular projects submitted in the eighth application round. In addition, out of 10 submitted Tacis upgrade projects, eight proposals were approved, which together with regular projects will consume all the Tacis funds currently available in the programme under the Tacis Action Programme 2004 (MEUR 3,8). The majority of projects are approved under conditions (in particular budget reductions) and will have to apply the required changes in their setups as well as provide relevant clarifications before they can be contracted.
The eighth call for applications was closed on 23 September 2005. The approval decision was taken by the Steering Committee on 9 December 2005 in Øyer.
Altogether there are 120 projects approved in the Baltic Sea INTERREG IIII B programme. All remaining ERDF funds are committed (MEUR 16,8), therefore no regular rounds are planned to be organized in the future.