On the rule of co-financing, please note that EC grants cannot finance actions for 100%, with the following exceptions:

• humanitarian aid, including assistance for refugees, uprooted persons, rehabilitation and mine clearance;
• aid in crisis situations within the meaning of article 168 paragraph 2 of the Implementing Rules of the Financial Regulation;
• actions to protect health or the fundamental rights of peoples;
• actions resulting from the implementation of financing agreements or actions with international organisations;
• where it is in the interests of the Union to be the sole donor to an action, and in particular to ensure visibility of a Union action. In this case grounds shall be provided in the Commission's financing decision.

Co-financing can be provided by the applicant as own direct financial contribution, or through funds from EU Institutions other than the Commission, EU Member States (e.g. national development agencies, ministries of foreign affairs), and any other organisation (please view the EuropeAid budget format, sheet n. 2 “Sources of Funding” to have a precise idea of how co-financing of an action is intended). The percentage of co-financing and of the EC contribution are set out in the documents relative to a specific programme (Annual Action Programme and Annual Work Programme) and again specified in the Guidelines for Applicants published for each Call for Proposals. Page 92 of the Practical Guide to Contract Procedures for EC External Actions (PRAG 2008), paragraph 6.2.9, refers to the principle of co-financing as mentioned before.

Date: 18/11/09