The 22nd of May is the deadline for the EOI phase. It will take some time to process all applications by the evaluation committee.  

It is expected that this process will be completed by the middle of June, and projects that have been selected will be informed of this shortly after.  

Successful applicants will then have a further 2 months to develop phase 2 of the application. 

Successful projects can receive up to €650,000.  

There is no funding for developing an EOI under phase 1.  

Projects which advance to phase 2 will receive funding to develop the application further.  

The winning application will be 100% funded under the EIP initiative.  

The projects cannot receive double funding from public sources for the same actions. However, projects are welcome to seek additional funding outside of public sources. 

Be innovative. There are a limited number of contracts to be awarded and it is expected that there will be a high number of applicants. Demonstrate knowledge of your focus area and a clear path for the project. 

The project must fit into the remit of the CAP Strategic Plan. 

Next, the project must fit under the specific requirements of call 2 or call 3. 

After that, a strong concept and a display of innovation are key.   

The quality of the Operational Group (OG) will be important when the EOI is assessed.  

No. The application needs to meet the current call criteria.  There will be more calls later in the year, and adequate preparation will give your project concept the greatest chance of success when the right time comes. 

The OG should consist of partners that are relevant to the project. The partners should have expertise relevant to the project. For example, participant farmers/ landowners, Agri-environmental specialists, etc.  

The project must have at least two partners and the administrative capacity to deliver it on time and on budget. 

For more on Operation Groups click here.

The most relevant approach to forming an OG is to always consider a bottom-up approach. Most previous projects have had an academic partner, but this is not essential.  

If you feel you need an academic member, there is an opportunity at phase 2 to reach out to potential partners.

There is no inherent disadvantage, although having a partner who has previous experience on an EIP project can be invaluable.  

Yes. However, the partner needs to have the capacity to work on multiple projects if they intend to do so.  

It is important to look at the EU CAP website for more on Operation Groups click here.

No. There is a requirement to have a minimum of two, but there is not an upper limit.

Once they fit in with the project, there are no restrictions. The quality of OG partners will be critical when the application is being assessed.

Once proposals successfully move through phase one (the expression of interest) and phase two (the full application) into phase three (project implementation), there is a requirement to hold a legally standing association or partnership in order to administer the project and process its funds. Some past examples include entities such as Irish Rural Link, FORUM Connemara, Kilkenny Leader Partnership, Men’s Development Network, Carroll Consultancy, Ballyhoura Development, Shanakyle Bog Restoration Group, Talamh Beo, Cillulta, Ballymoney Community Environment Group, Inishowen Rivers Trust, Burren Beo Trust.” 

EIPs are delivered via Operational Groups which are groups of actors brought together as one entity for the purposes of the project. The Operational Group will be the contact 

point and the beneficiary under the measure. If approved for aid for implementation of your project, the group must constitute itself as a lawful or legally standing association or partnership which has legal capacity to enter into contracts with the Department, assume obligations, and be eligible to receive funding.” 

Please see the below links for terminology: 

• Association 
• Partnership 
• Legal capacity 

Projects mentioned during the webinar, like the Pearl Mussel Project, were prescriptive calls.   

Calls 2 and 3 are open calls and innovative ideas are encouraged. Under call 2 there is a prescriptive call under the theme on intact pigs’ tails.

Innovation can mean a lot of different things. Actions that were taken in past projects to address a particular challenge may have been successful but rather small. That said, many small innovative solutions can add up.  

A large innovation can be, for example, trying to introduce new farming practices which address identified challenges. These larger innovations often include smaller innovations within that project, such as soil testing and improving, harvesting methods and times, and measures to address water quality like effluence runoff.  

A project may try something previously tested and build upon it. A farmer might be testing something on his farm that could be scaled up to a pilot area and form the backbone of your project.  

Call 2 consists of one open call on animal health and welfare, and one prescriptive call on intact pig tails. The open call is open to all forms of innovation.  

Call 3 is open call to all creative ideas relating to Women in Agriculture and must adhere to the CSP objectives.

Yes, if it falls within the CAP Strategic Plan.  

No. The funding is coming specifically from the CSP and must be allocated within the Rep. Of Ireland.

A project that finds an innovative solution to a local issue is key. It would need to relate specifically to Women in Agriculture, and where possible, mobilise the local community and resources to address that issue.  

Patricia Deane, who presented in the webinar, is a perfect example of a female going out to meet with the farmers and addressing the challenges faced and provide for their needs. However, the successful projects in call 2 and 3 would need to deliver for women, rather than just be delivered by women.

CAP Network Ireland is available to handle queries and general questions, whereas DAFM can be reached regarding technical details in the email addresses provided.  

When in doubt refer to the information pack provided by CAP Network and use the DAFM website as a resource.

You need to achieve 60% in each of the categories to ensure the project proposal is well rounded and robust.

The winning application will be 100% funded under the EIP initiative. The projects cannot receive double funding from public sources on the same actions. Projects are welcome to seek additional funding outside of public avenues.

Innovation is the main objective of an EIP project.  Defined actions and goals at the outset, can be flexible in the delivery of the project to best suit local needs, once justified. This provides the opportunity for the project to evolve and adapt to best fit the project participants’ needs and achieve the intended objectives.

No, it is up to a maximum of €650,000 for each winning project.

There are numerous results-based payments projects and schemes which have followed on from EIPs or have been directly influenced by the learnings from EIPs.  

The purpose of EIP’s is showing proof of concept. If the expected results are not achieved, learning from the short falls or change of direction is just as important. These can filter into many future schemes or even future EIPs.