Evaluation

A committee of internal and external experts evaluates each proposal against a series of criteria laid out in the annex [40 KB] of the call for proposals. Companies applying for funding are therefore informed of the criteria and the relative importance of each one before submitting their application. Close compliance with and respect of the evaluation criteria enhance a project's chance of success.

There are seven criteria. The criterion "European added value" applies only to common learning actions. They are:

• Credibility and viability
• Environmental and other external costs savings
• Quantity of road freight shifted or avoided
• Innovative approach
• European added value
• Dissemination plan
• Degree of intermodal integration

Credibility and viability form the most important single criterion, accounting for 50% of the total score in each category (40% for common learning actions).The majority of projects which fail the evaluation process do so because of poor credibility.

The evaluation works on a points system: a number of points is attributed to each proposal's criteria. A proposal must obtain an overall score of at least 60 points to be considered for funding, as well as pass the minimum threshold for each award criterion.

The 2011 evaluation committee finishes its work in June. The successful applicants will then be invited to contract negotiations with the aim of signing a grant agreement in the last quarter of 2012.

Become an expert

Are you an expert in sustainable freight transport and interested in helping the EACI evaluate project proposals, current or closed projects, or the impacts of the Marco Polo programme altogether?

If so, you can apply to be included on the list of expert evaluators. This is a reserve list of experts whom the EACI may call upon to help evaluate its programmes. Experts are paid and are usually required to work for short periods of time in Brussels.