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European Commission

EUROPEAN CIVIL PROTECTION AND HUMANITARIAN AID OPERATIONS

DG ECHO PARTNERS' WEBSITE

WORKING WITH DG ECHO AS AN NGO PARTNER | 2021 - 2027

TEMPORARILY INTERRUPTION-ACTIVITIES REDUCTION

FAQ 116 - Under the MGA, is it still possible to have total or partial suspension of contract? If yes, are some costs still eligible during the suspension period?

Yes, there is a possibility for total or partial suspension of the contract, and it can either be requested by Partner or initiated by DG ECHO. The procedure is regulated in Article 31 of the MGA. No costs incurred during the period of suspension are eligible. However, if the conditions apply, Partners may request an interruption of the activities (or some of them) according to Annex 5, during which time some of the costs incurred may be considered eligible.

FAQ 172 -If an NGO has to “temporarily interrupted or reduced” activities will operating costs still be eligible?

They may be eligible subject to the approval of the Commission.

FAQ 173 - Would this mean that NGOs will not formally suspend the action in APPEL (as used to be the practice during the FPA 2014)?

This will be communicated to partners soon, but in principle, APPEL will be adapted in order to allow the request of temporary interruption or reduction of activities. Both possibilities will be available through the system: to request the (total or partial) suspension of the action according to article 31 MGA and the to request the (total or partial) temporary interruption or reduction of activities according to Annex 5 of the MGA.

FAQ 174 - According to Article 6.3 a) iix)) of the MGA, costs incurred during suspension will not be eligible. This is problematic for NGO partners as in the humanitarian context actions may need to be suspended. Could DG ECHO elaborate on this?

If the  activities  in  the  field  (or  part  of  them)  must  be temporarily interrupted or reduced due to exceptional circumstances — in particular force majeure  —  the beneficiaries must inform DG ECHO  and, if needed and agreed, adapt the action to the new circumstances via an amendment. Related costs might be eligible if approved by DG ECHO.

FAQ 175 - Art. 10.3 of the MGA reads “- grant agreement suspension (Article 31): certain costs incurred during grant suspension are eligible (notably, minimum costs necessary for a possible resumption of the action and costs relating to contracts which were entered into before the pre-information letter was received and which could not reasonably be suspended, reallocated or terminated on legal grounds)”.
How is this to be interpreted along with other articles that state that costs of activities during suspension are not eligible?

Art. 10.3 of the MGA is a specific provision only applicable for pillar assessed participants.

PuntoSUDLATTANZIO KIBSURIECAH