3.2 Selection process

Criteria

Weighting

Sub-criteria

1. Urban innovativeness and relevance

To what extent is the applicant able to demonstrate that the project proposal is a new solution that has added value in relation to the topic of the Call? To what extent is the solution relevant to the local context and to Cohesion Policy objectives?

30%

1.1

The project is in line and relevant to the topic of the Call for Proposals, as presented in the relevant Terms of Reference. The project demonstrates the potential of the new solution to add value in relation to the topic of the Call.

1.2

Urban authority(ies) demonstrate a clear ownership of the project (towards city-led innovation), the proposed solution is relevant for the urban authority(ies) as public institution(s).

Urban authority(ies) will be actively involved in the experimentation and/or will play a central role in the Project Partnership.

1.3

The proposed innovation is relevant for the selected urban area (place-based approach[1]). Data and other evidence allow to analyse the breadth and depth of the challenge at the local level. 

1.4

The project demonstrates that the proposed solution(s) has not been previously tested and implemented on the ground (i.e. in the urban area concerned or elsewhere in the EU).

1.5

The project makes use of and builds on existing practices. The project provides evidence of research, based on existing practices, data and/or scientific literature.

1.6

The project demonstrates a clear contribution to policy and specific objectives of the 2021-2027 EU Cohesion Policy targeted by the relevant Call for Proposals. Concrete contribution elements, referring to priorities from Cohesion Policy programmes, initiatives or projects at the regional or national level are mentioned.

1.7

The project builds on an integrated approach[2] to urban development, taking into account all relevant areas of urban policy (e.g. spatial, social, economic, environmental) to answer the identified urban challenge.

1.8

The project makes a clear contribution to the green (e.g. it includes ‘zero carbon’ or greener services) and digital (e.g. it includes digital components) transitions, by demonstrating how its implementation makes the most from the transition to the digital economy and contributes to tackling environmental and climate challenges, and transition towards climate-neutrality.

2. Partnership and co-creation

To what extent is the Partnership relevant and solid to implement the proposed solution and achieve expected results. To what extent the proposal allows meaningful participation and co-creation from stakeholders, target groups and citizens?

12%

2.1

The Partnership is relevant to address the identified urban challenges and to implement the proposed solutions. It includes relevant thematic expertise and experience.

2.2

The composition of the Partnership is balanced with regards to the relevant governance levels and sectors (vertical and horizontal multi-level and multi-stakeholder cooperation). Ideally, the quadruple helix[3] is represented in the Partnership.

2.3

All Partners have a clear and defined role in the Partnership, matching competences to fulfil their tasks. They complement each other. At least the MUA or one Delivery Partner demonstrates experience in international transfer/networking activities.

2.4

The wider group of stakeholders has been identified and is involved in the design and implementation of the proposed innovative action.

2.5

Participation and co-creation: The project demonstrates that participation and co-creation process with the target groups, citizens, social and economic stakeholders is planned throughout the whole project implementation.

3. Measurability of results and impact

To what extent are expected results specific and realistic, and reflecting project expected impact on the local context, as well as beneficiaries/end users?

12%

3.1

Project’s objectives are properly described (specific) and realistic (achievable during implementation timeframe). They are in line with the relevant Call for Proposals.

3.2

Project’s expected results reflect the change in the local situation that the project will generate if the project is successful. They are properly described (specific) and realistic (achievable during implementation timeframe) and are relevant and of sufficient scale to answer the identified challenge.

3.3

Project expected results are measurable and properly quantified through proposed indicators. Result indicators targeted by the Call for Proposals have been considered when relevant. A robust methodology for data collection and measurement of results is proposed.

3.4

Target groups, end users and/or citizens benefiting from the project outputs and results have been properly identified and quantified. They are relevant and of sufficient scale to contribute to the project’s objectives and expected results.

4. Sustainability and up scaling:

To what extent will the project provide a durable contribution to address the identified challenge? To what extent the proposed solution will be self-sustainable beyond its end date and has the potential to be up scaled if proven successful?

8%

4.1

The project demonstrates that the proposed solution will provide a significant and durable contribution to solving the challenges targeted in the identified local context.

4.2

The project demonstrates that the solution can be self-sufficient after the project end. The project addresses the questions of ownership and potential funding sources[4] for the solution to be continued beyond the project’s end-date.

4.3

The project demonstrates how its main outputs and investment elements (if applicable) will be durable beyond the project end-date. The project has identified by whom and how outputs could be used after its end.

4.4

The proposed solution demonstrates to be directly linked to relevant local/regional/national strategies and policies, ensuring the use and sustainability of projects outputs and results beyond project’s end.

4.5

The proposal demonstrates the potential of the solution to be scaled up if proven successful. Sufficient and concrete information has been provided on how this can be done.

4.6

The proposal has identified possible funding sources for the scale up of the proposed solution (if proven successful) beyond project end, possibly from Cohesion Policy, other public/private investors or the urban authority(ies) itself/themselves.

5. Transferability:

To what extent will the project have the potential to be transferable to other urban areas across Europe?

8%

5.1

The proposal has identified other European urban areas that could benefit from replicating the proposed solution in view of the favourable conditions for transfer (similar contexts, characteristics) or of increasing their innovation potential. The proposal elaborates on how the most suitable Transfer Partners will be identified. If Transfer Partners have already been identified, the proposal specifies these together with the underlying motivations and rationale.

5.2

The proposal identifies which main outputs/elements of the proposed solution(s) can be transferred or replicated in further urban areas across EU and which are the basic conditions (e.g. regulatory, technical) and resources (human, financial) that the other urban authorities should ensure in order to adapt and/or replicate, in full or in part the innovative solution in other EU contexts.