Kiri

ANNUAL PROGRAMME REPORT FM14-21 Estonia EE-INNOVATION Competitiveness 2022 1 A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY B. PERFORMANCE 1. Programme progress and results Objectives Increased value creation and sustainable growth is the overall programme objective. Therefore, all the granted projects serve the purpose of creating increased value and sustainable growth. Programme aims to stipulate and develop innovation-led long-term business cooperation between Estonia and Norway by initiating bilateral cooperation projects and events. Programme has three different focus areas: Green Industry Innovation, ICT and Welfare Technology. Programme is implemented through open calls (Small Grant Schemes and Main Calls) and pre-defined projects. With more than a year to go until the end of implementation period in April 2024, most of the projects are still in progress, developing or applying new technologies in aforementioned focus areas. Some of the projects have been terminated due to various reasons, for instance a price increase in supply chains or raw materials due to the crisis caused by Covid-19 and war in Ukraine. Still the first projects have finalised their activities and delivered results. Most of completed projects have fulfilled the planned results, i.e. creating new jobs, reducing the CO2 footprint and/or energy consumption. Some Project Promoters may, as a broader trend in the context of the general economic downturn and restrictions resulting from the corona crisis, experience problems in achieving economic goals. Nevertheless, the completed projects have presented reasonable and acceptable achievements also in increasing the annual growth in turnover and operational profit. There are several good examples of successful bilateral cooperation projects of Estonian and Norwegian enterprises, for example project no EE-INNOVATION-0049, implemented by Estonian company Skeleton Technologies OÜ and Norwegian technology company NXTech AS. The cooperation between the aforementioned companies have been sustainable for two Norway Grants implementing periods, the Project Promoter has expressed hope that the effective cooperation between the two companies will also continue beyond the current funding scheme. Outcome 1: Increased competitiveness of Estonian companies within focus areas Green Industry Innovation, ICT and Welfare Technology The reporting period is characterized by significant progress in the implementation of the Green ICT programme, with a closure of the second small grant scheme in spring as well as the launch and closure of the additional activities call for the already approved projects in late autumn 2022. Second Small Grant Scheme Second Small Grant Scheme was open from the 1st of November 2021 until the 21st of January 2022. There were 9 applications submitted in Green Industry Innovation focus area, applying for grant in amount of 1,511,667.50 euros. Selection Committee proposed to finance 6 projects as aresult of its meeting on March 31st, 2022. The management board of the Implementing 1  Agency agreed to award 6 grants in total amount of 969,217.50 euros. The budget remainder was reallocated to the additional activities call. Call for additional activities in ongoing projects The call was open from the 12th of September until 11th of November, 2022. Implementing Agency received 13 applications in total grant amount of 1,823,682.99 euros. The evaluation of received applications took place from November 12th until December 31st, 2022 and Selection Committee meeting took place on the 10th of January, 2023. As a result of the meeting it was proposed to the management board of the Implementing Agency to award grant to 13 projects in amount of 1,823,682.99 euros. Management board of the Implementing Agency agreed with the proposal and therefore all the projects were entitled to start their activities from the 1st of February, 2023. Projects must be implemented by the 30th of April, 2024. Pre-defined projects EE-INNOVATION-0001 Open Cyber Range (OCR) Project has had a good progress despite the initial delay of activities. All main work-packages are in implementation phase and some of them even beyond the time-schedule. Project has presented its 5th interim report and involvement of partners is good. Project has established its website on: https://kaitseministeerium. ee/et/Avakuberharjutusvali (in Estonian) and https://kaitseministeerium. ee/en/Open-Cyber-Range (in English). The creation of OCR's visual identity has started: since OCR will be part of CR14 in the future, the visual identity will reflect CR14's identity. CR14 has procured and awarded contracts for the creation of the visual identity (the OCR part of this is covered as a separate point). The creation of a new website has also been started along with the updating of the CR14 website. EE-INNOVATION-0002 Health Sense Project has had a good progress after delayed start due to Covid-19 pandemic, which engaged the staff of project promoter. Therefore, we have agreed to extend the implementation deadline upon project promoter's request until the 30th of April 2024. It leaves sufficient time for successful implementation now. There's a smooth cooperation between project promoter and Norwegian partners (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and Helse West ICT). Cooperation Committee members discussed the possible options how to use the remaining grant. Due to limited time remaining for implementation of projects and the fact that projects currently being implemented in EE-INNOVATION programme do not need additional funds the Cooperation Committee decided to reallocate the funds to other EEA and Norway Grants programmes being implemented in Estonia. Bilateral Outcome: Enhanced collaboration between beneficiary and donor state entities involved in the programme 2 After the two main calls and small grant schemes, the bilateral output 1 “Bilateral partnerships supported” has not been achieved. Currently there are 20 projects with partner from Norway. The second small grant scheme added only one donor partnership project (EE-INNOVATION-0086) where Project Promoter UP Catalyst OÜ (EE) involved a Norwegian partner Saferock AS (NO). The goal of the project is to create a technological solution that turns CO2 into valuable sustainable carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for making CO2 negative concrete with enhanced mechanical properties. As part of this project, CNTs will be tested, and a scalable pilot reactor unit will be designed and built. The testing will be done by the project’s partner SafeRock, who tests carbon nanotubes in its patented geopolymer concrete. Based on SafeRock’s feedback, UP Catalyst will conduct physical characterization analyses of nanotubes. In addition to the project level partnerships, the programme contributed into bilateral activities by participating in two events initiated by donor programme partner Innovation Norway. PO representative Mr Kaupo Läänerand participated in the “Matchmaking for Business Cooperation on Blue Growth in Europe” in Greece in May 2022. The event was targeted to gathering businesses, clusters, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders from 11 countries in Europe in Athens, Greece. PO gave two presentations of the importance of Blue Growth and of offshore wind in Estonia. The event was hybrid and in addition to the physical participation opened for virtual participants, too. Estonian and Latvian enterprises accompanied POs of innovation programmes in study tour organised by Innovation Norway in June 2022. Small group of Estonian participants (6 persons) visited central actors to hear about the developments in Norwegian space industry, showcase the developments in the space industry in each country and boost cooperation on space industry between Norway and the Baltics, also with a view to partnerships for Horizon Europe, the European Defence Fund and other funding schemes proved to establish valuable contacts between space industry actors, companies and suppliers. In 2023, at least three events shall be co-organised together with Innovation Norway, which shall be a good opportunity to boost the contacts and partnerships withing the programme. Therefore, a cooperation with DPP demonstrated to be close and effective. DPP has taken strong initiative to arrange “umbrella” events under the bilateral activities that involve several beneficiary countries. This provides various matchmaking opportunities and sets a ground basis for partner search in all participating countries. In terms of DPP involvement in programme, the comprehensive knowledge and experiences has sufficiently supported the evaluation process of the second open call. IN was responsible of evaluating the bilateral partnerships in the applications, which resulted with timely and thorough assessments. Due to DPP active involvement in Cooperation Committee meetings, all the essential topics are mutually deliberated prior any enforcements. Cooperation Committee meeting was organised on the 5th of December 2022. Meeting concentrated mainly on the submitted applications in the additional acitivities call, but also on overall progress results and the budget remainders of the open calls and management costs. Briefly, upcoming bilateral events 3  were discussed, and the participation of Estonian companies agreed. Reallocation of remaining funds to other Norway Grants programmes in Estonia was also discussed at the meeting. C. MONITORING AND EVALUATION 1. Monitorings carried out IA monitors project promoters granted under the Programme through verification of reports, procurements, and payment claims, also conducting on-the-spot inspections and follow-up inspections (during implementation of main call projects). Upon verification of payment claims, reports and procurements and conducting on-the-spot inspections, IA internal procedures “Inspection activities” are followed, as stated in the Management and Control Systems. Inspection activities include on-the-spot activities according to the programme’s risk assessment, control on procurement activities and results control (including examination of results and involvement of experts, if necessary, for more complex projects). The main purpose of the on-the-spot inspection is to obtain additional assurance on the eligibility of costs, the progress of the project results and the objects, services or developments supported, where it is not possible to verify without a site visit. On-site inspections are carried out by IA monitoring specialists and project consultants usually at the end of the project activities. In the reporting period, on-the-spot inspection were carried out to three of the completed projects (all resulted without any comments): EE-INNOVATION-0051, "Development of resource-saving colored heat-treated wood", Thermory AS EE-INNOVATION-0069, "AutoMVA", IPDx Diagnostics OÜ EE-INNOVATION-0049, "Development of marine-certified ultracapacitor modules", OÜ Skeleton Technologies Notifying of irregularities in the programme is based on Regulation No. 143 of the Government of the Republic of Estonia of 1 September 2014 “Conditions and Procedure for Deeming Costs to Be Compensated for out of Structural Assistance of the Period 2014–2020 as Eligible, Payment of Support and Making Financial Corrections” and recovery of the grant shall be based on the Performance Agreement (signed between PO and IA), Programme Agreement and Regulation on the Implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014–2021. In the reporting period, several irregularities have been notified: Irregularity no 135, project EE-INNOVATION-0050 “Development of a fully-automated edible insect mass rearing and production technology” (suspected) The audit authority has identified shortcomings in the project promoter’s performance in implementing the project, the violation is allegedly found in the procurement of outsourced services Deficiencies in the purchase of the software development service were identified, as the project promoter did not comply with the reporting obligation and has not ensured full and fair competition in the procurement of IT services. Contract with the successful tenderer has not been executed correctly, because the project promoter exchanged procurement related information with the tenderers and the successful tenderer had a significant competitive advantage over the others. Therefore, AA has suggested that there is no evidence that the project promoter has allowed full and fair competition between bidders. The costs related to the irregularity are in total sum of 448 152 euros. 4 AA has submitted the final audit report to PO and Implementing Agency on September 20th, 2022. Audit Authority has proposed to Implementing Agency to implement a 25% correction rate to the irregularity and therefore recover 112 038 euros of the ineligible costs from the project promoter. Implementing Agency has received the audit report and has analysed the circumstances presented in the audit report and form a position for further formal activities. The audit is closed, but the official decision on correction rate has not yet been decided. Irregularity no 136, project EE-INNOVATION-0067 “Development and launching Offur” (suspected) The audit authority has identified that the project promoter has not ensured full and fair competition between potential bidders when purchasing the development service and that conflict of interest has not been avoided. The auditors have pointed out that there is a conflict of interest within the meaning of Article 8.15 of the Regulation because the effective use of competition was not ensured in the bidding process, the service was procured from the project promoter’s former employees, and its contractor was not independent from the project promoter. Therefore, audit authority concludes that the selected service provider had a competitive advantage and that compliance with Article 8.15 (4) and Article 1.3.2 of the Regulation and has not been ensured. AA suggests service-related ineligible cost should be recovered with the 100% correction rate. In total 191 280 euros is reported ineligible. Audit Authority recommend Implementing Agency to initiate the process of recovery of ineligible costs. Implementing Agency has received the audit report and has analysed the circumstances presented in the audit report and form a position for further formal activities. The audit is closed, but the official decision on correction rate has not yet been decided. Irregularity no 141, project EE-INNOVATION-0085 “Fuel cell and Li-ion capacitor power system for construction industry” (actual) A cost verification revealed inconsistencies in the presented documents. The employment contract of one of the project team members was concluded on November 1, 2021, but the annex to the employment contract assigning the employee to the project indicated the date from November 11, 2021, although the full month's salary was marked eligible by the project promoter. That turned out to be a human error and the correct date is November 1, 2021. Enterprise Estonia asked to correct the document and eliminate the error. The project manager (young and inexperienced) decided to correct the document by pasting the signatures of old document to the new document, which was considered as forging the documentation. Project promoter has fired the project manager and has appointed a new one. Implementing Agency received a confirmation from national employee register that the employee in question started working on November 1, 2021. Implementing Agency also received opinions of both National Focal Point and the auditing authority, according to which in this case it is not a serious fraud and the correction should be applied only to the 10 days' salary expenses in respect of which the violation was committed. Therefore, instead of a 6-month refund of the employee's salary (12 740,91 euros), a correction was made in the staff cost amount of 10 days in sum of 802,80 euros. Project Promoter has has reimbursed the recoverable amount. The case has been closed on 14.07.2022. Irregularity no 150, project EE-INNOVATION-0081 “Development of inverter battery banks” (closed) The Project Promoter has submitted an application to terminate the project on August 17th, 2022, due to the recent economic and security crises in the world, which has caused unforeseen obstacles in the implementation of the project. Supply chains of the materials needed for the project have become uncertain and unavailable, the components have become twice as expensive, and it is difficult to obtain some of the components needed for the product development due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Therefore, Project Promoter has indicated in its application to EAS that it is not possible to implement the project in the planned scope and time frame. Due to the early termination of the project, some of 5 the project's activities will not be implemented and the results will not be achieved as planned - the environmental impact and economic impact of the project have not been achieved, half of the social impact has been achieved with 6 jobs created. Despite the termination of the project, the Project Promoter plans to implement the activities in the future after the situation in the world has been stabilised. Therefore, Project Promoter indicates to the possibility that the results of the project will be achieved with a delay as the activities shall be implemented in a slower pace and time frame. The total grant allocated to the project is 691,502.58 euros, of which 179,382.78 euros have already been paid to the Project Promoter. The fourth interim report of the project has been submitted to the EAS, which is currently being processed. The amount of the fourth cost report is in sum of 151,420.16 euros of which the grant is 49.90% i.e. 75,558.67 euros. Implementing Authority has conducted the independent evaluation of the results achieved so far and the report has been sent to National Focal Point. NFP shall make the decision on a possible waiver according to the Article 8.13.4 that applies on eligible costs under the Grants in case of non-completed projects in early 2023. Irregularity no 162, project EE-INNOVATION-0073 3D “Hospital Wayfinder and Management System” (suspected) Audit Authority has identified a conflict of interest in 3D Technologies R&D AS project and has concluded that the Project Promoter has not ensured full and fair competition during the procurement of consulting and software development services and has ignored the conflict of interest. The Project Promoter conducted tendering procedure for the purchase of consulting services and software development services, during which it forwarded the tender terms of reference to three independent companies - Interest Marketing OÜ, Iglu OÜ and GreenTech Labs OÜ. The successful bidder was Interest Marketing OÜ, who was selected based on the cheapest offer. By selecting Marketing OÜ Project Promoter started purchasing the service from a company whose sole owner and board member had previously been appointed as the project manager of the project in question. Therefore, the service provider had more information to determine the appropriate offer and price compared to other competitors. AA has identified ineligible costs of 142,480 euros, of which 71,077.23 euros of ineligible grant. AA has proposed to apply a 100% recovery rate. Implementing Agency has received the audit report and has analysed the circumstances presented in the audit report and form a position for further formal activities. The audit is closed, but the official decision on correction rate has not yet been decided. Based on the findings in aforementioned projects, an audit authority initiated an audit for the management and control systems, to further investigate if the Implementing Agency’s control systems ensure the sufficient control procedures for the purchase of services in funded projects. In their audit report draft, AA has proposed that the control procedures and the control trail for evaluating the compliance of procurements/purchases carried out in projects financed by the Green ICT program with the principles of the Public Procurement Act are not sufficient. Nevertheless, Implementing Agency, Programme Operator and National Focal Point strongly disagree with this and have presented their objections as the control procedures as well as the control check-lists have been approved prior the launch of the opening of calls by AA, also assessment provided by AA would apply if the project promoters were procurers within the meaning of the Public Procurement Act. As they are not, the assessment of the AA cannot differ from the start of the calls nor apply stricter conditions in the middle of the program period. Also, the project promoter must be preserved the legal clarity of the procedures, what is expected from them during the implementation of the projects. The audit report has been submitted on February 14th, 2023, hence the official process for further analysis of the circumstances and process the violation are ongoing. 6  Irregularity no 165, project EE-INNOVATION-0001 “Open Cyber Range (OCR)” (actual) Implementing Agency conducted procurement control for project no 2014-2021.1.02.20-0102 (Grace no EE-INNOVATION-0001) during the routine cost verification process and has identified irregularity in project promoter's procurement process. Contracting authority has stipulated the following qualification condition: 1) The devices must be delivered through the official sales channel of the Estonian region. 2) The provider must be an official representative/distributor (reseller) of the offered products in Estonia. 3) The provider must have at least two Estonian-speaking specialists in the Estonian team, at least one of whom must have (at least) a valid VNX systems architect certificate or a valid certificate of Implementation Engineer, Dell EMC Unity Solutions, and the other a valid certificate of a pre-sales consultant (pre-sales). Pursuant to Section 101(1)(6) of the Public Procurement Act, the contracting authority may demand from the tenderer information on the persons' education and professional qualifications. Due to the above, the condition does not comply with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, as the procurer requires the official Estonian sales channel and rights of a representative/distributor and two Estonian speaking specialists. In addition, the qualification condition is restrictive for foreign tenderers (over EU threshold procurement), as it is required that the equipment must be delivered through a sales channel in the Estonian region, and he must be an official representative/distributor of the products in Estonia. (Section 3(2) of the Public Procurement Act) According to Section 46(3) of the Public Procurement Act, the basic documents of public procurement cannot be changed by way of clarifications. In the case of such violations, the national regulation stipulates a correction rate of 25%. In this case, the correction rate and recovery of support is within the PO's discretion. PO shall make the decision in the beginning of 2023. 2. Evaluations carried out There were no evaluations carried out in 2022. Final evaluation (ex post) of the programme's implementation/impact will be carried out in 2024. The preparations of the ex post evaluation are planned to second half of 2023, in order to officiate the procurement in early 2024 and the following evaluation during 2024. D. ANNEXES 1. Results achieved 2. Communication summary 3. Project summary and call details 4. Risk management 5. Monitoring plan 6. Evaluation report 7. Agreement conditions 7  Annex 1: Results achieved Objective: Increased value creation and sustainable growth Outcome 1: Increased competitiveness of Estonian companies within focus areas Green Industry Innovation, ICT and Welfare Technology Achievements until end of December Unit of Previous Baselin 2022 Target Indicator measureme achievement Comment e value Numerato Denominato Achieveme value nt value r r nt value Estimated annual CO2 emissions Annual 118.91 (APR 25,000.0 Result reported by three reductions (tons of CO2 equivalent 0.00 - - 758.64 number 2021) 0 finalised projects. per year) Estimated annual growth in turnover Four of six finished Percentage N/A - 4 53 7.55 % 5.00 % of supported enterprises projects. Estimated annual growth in net Three of six finished operational profit of supported Percentage N/A - 3 53 5.66 % 5.00 % projects. enterprises Estimated annual decrease of energy One of six finished consumption of supported Percentage - - 1 53 1.89 % 5.00 % projects. enterprises (in MWh) Number of products/services/processes tested Cumulative One tested and some 0 0 (APR 2021) - - 1 10 in the Open Cyber Range security number more to come soon. platform Number of new The first finished project products/services/processes applied Cumulative 0 0 (APR 2021) - - 1 20 with investment (new-to-the-enterprise) number component. (disaggregated by sector) Number of registered applications Cumulative 0 0 (APR 2021) - - 0 5 No results to present yet. for Intellectual Property Protection number Cumulative 90 (IFR Number of jobs created 0 - - 114 100 Additional 24 new jobs. number 2022) Gender Female - - 3 - - 6 - - Male - - 4 - - 25 - - Not specified - - 83 - - 83 - - 8  Age Children and youth (0-17) - - 0 - - 0 - - Young adults (18-29) - - 2 - - 14 - - Adults (30-64) - - 5 - - 17 - - Elderly (65+) - - 0 - - 0 - - Not specified - - 83 - - 83 - - Number of new Cumulative products/services/processes 0 2 (APR 2021) - - 5 25 Three results added. number developed (disaggregated by sector) Output 1.1: Enterprises supported to develop or apply innovative green products, services and processes Achievements until end of December Unit of Previous Baselin 2022 Target Indicator measureme achievement Comment e value Numerato Denominato Achieveme value nt value r r nt value Number of large enterprises Cumulative No call with that objective supported in SGS to prepare 0 0 (IFR 2022) - - 0 15 number in 2022. projects for main call Number of large enterprises Cumulative No change after IFR supported to apply new green 0 2 (IFR 2022) - - 2 5 number 2022. products/services/processes Number of SMEs supported in SGS Cumulative 13 (IFR No call with that objective 0 - - 13 30 to prepare projects for main call number 2022) in 2022. Number of SMEs supported to apply new green Cumulative No change after IFR 0 4 (IFR 2022) - - 4 15 products/services/processes (new- number 2022. to-the-enterprise) Number of SMEs supported to Cumulative 26 (IFR develop new green 0 - - 32 5 6 contracts awarded. number 2022) products/services/processes Number of large enterprises Cumulative No change after IFR supported to develop new green 0 0 (IFR 2022) - - 0 2 number 2022. products/services/processes Output 1.2: Enterprises supported to develop innovative ICT products, services and processes Unit of Baselin Previous Achievements until end of December Target Indicator Comment measureme e value achievement 2022 value 9  nt value Numerato Denominato Achieveme r r nt value Number of SMEs supported in SGS Cumulative 20 (IFR No call with that objective 0 - - 20 25 to prepare projects for main call number 2022) in 2022. Number of SMEs supported to Cumulative No open call in ICT focus develop ICT products, services and 0 4 (IFR 2022) - - 4 8 number area in 2022. processes Number of large enterprises Cumulative No call with that objective supported in SGS to prepare 0 0 (IFR 2022) - - 0 6 number in 2022. projects for main call Number of large enterprises Cumulative No open call in ICT focus supported to develop ICT products, 0 0 (IFR 2022) - - 0 5 number area in 2022. services and processes Output 1.3: Enterprises supported to develop innovative welfare products, services and processes Achievements until end of December Unit of Previous Baselin 2022 Target Indicator measureme achievement Comment e value Numerato Denominato Achieveme value nt value r r nt value Number of large enterprises Cumulative supported in SGS to prepare 0 0 (IFR 2022) - - 0 2 No change in 2022. number projects for main call Number of enterprises supported in Cumulative 11 (IFR 0 - - 11 8 No change in 2022. SGS to prepare projects for main call number 2022) Number of SMEs supported to Cumulative develop new welfare technology 0 7 (IFR 2022) - - 7 5 No change in 2022. number products/services/processes Output 1.4: Open Cyber Range (OCR) is operational Achievements until end of December Unit of Previous Baselin 2022 Target Indicator measureme achievement Comment e value Numerato Denominato Achieveme value nt value r r nt value Number of SMEs supported to test Cumulative The first SME has taken new products/services/processes in 0 0 (IFR 2022) - - 1 15 number part in testing. the Open Cyber Range 10  Cumulative Number of professional staff trained 0 0 (IFR 2022) - - 0 100 No trained staff yet. number Gender Female - - 0 - - 0 - - Male - - 0 - - 0 - - Not specified - - 0 - - 0 - - Roma Roma - - 0 - - 0 - - Not specified - - 0 - - 0 - - Output 1.5: Health Sense data management platform developed and operating Achievements until end of December Unit of Previous Baselin 2022 Target Indicator measureme achievement Comment e value Numerato Denominato Achieveme value nt value r r nt value Data collection, and publishing environment architecture and data No (IFR In progress. No result Binary No - - No Yes analysis environment architecture 2022) yet. developed and published Data collection and publishing No (IFR In progress. No result procedures/tools in place and Binary No - - No Yes 2022) yet. documented Data analysis procedures/tools in No (IFR In progress. No result Binary No - - No Yes place and documented 2022) yet. Number of data mining/Artificial Cumulative In progress. No result Intelligence pilot projects 0 0 (IFR 2022) - - 0 3 number yet. successfully finished Cumulative Number of professional staff trained 0 0 (IFR 2022) - - 0 10 No trained staff yet. number Gender Female - - 0 - - 0 - - Male - - 0 - - 0 - - Not specified - - 0 - - 0 - - Roma Roma - - 0 - - 0 - - 11  Not specified - - 0 - - 0 - - Bilateral Outcome: Enhanced collaboration between beneficiary and donor state entities involved in the programme Achievements until end of December Unit of Previous Baselin 2022 Target Indicator measureme achievement Comment e value Numerato Denominato Achieveme value nt value r r nt value 6.51, 4.50, Based Target is on the ≥4.5, and Level of satisfaction with the survey 5.22 (APR an Have not received new Scale 1-7 - - 5.22 partnership carried 2021) increase data. out on on the behalf of baseline the FMO value 6.57, 4.50, Based Target is on the ≥4.5, and Level of trust between cooperating survey 5.33 (APR an Have not received new entities in Beneficiary States and Scale 1-7 - - 5.33 carried 2021) increase data. Donor States out on on the behalf of baseline the FMO value 50.00 %, Share of donor business Target is Have not received new partnerships which continue after Percentage N/A - 6 6 100.00 % minimum data. project implementation period 50% Number of jointly registered Cumulative applications for Intellectual Property 0 0 (APR 2021) - - 0 3 No applications yet. number Protection Donor State Norway - - 0 - - 0 - - Iceland - - 0 - - 0 - - Liechtenstein - - 0 - - 0 - - Not specified - - 0 - - 0 - - 12  50, Share of cooperating organisations 100.00 % Target is that apply the knowledge acquired Percentage N/A 6 6 100.00 % - (APR 2021) minimum from bilateral partnership 50 % Bilateral Output 1: Bilateral partnerships supported Achievements until end of December Unit of Previous Baselin 2022 Target Indicator measureme achievement Comment e value Numerato Denominato Achieveme value nt value r r nt value Number of projects involving Cumulative 18 (IFR Our set target was too cooperation with a donor project N/A, 0 - - 20 45 number 2022) optimistic. partner Number of staff from donor states in Cumulative 0 0 (IFR 2022) - - 0 5 - exchanges number Donor State Norway - - 0 - - 0 - - Iceland - - 0 - - 0 - - Liechtenstein - - 0 - - 0 - - Not specified - - 0 - - 0 - - Gender Female - - 0 - - 0 - - Male - - 0 - - 0 - - Not specified - - 0 - - 0 - - Type of exchange Online - - 0 - - 0 - - Physical - - 0 - - 0 - - Not specified - - 0 - - 0 - - 13 Annex 2: Communication summary 1. Best projects Projects EE-INNOVATION-0086 and EE-INNOVATION-0092 implemented in cooperation of Estonian UP Catalyst OÜ and Norwegian partner Saferock AS for development of CO2-negative concrete as a sustainable and scalable building material. Project EE-INNOVATION-0082 implemented in cooperation of Estonian Fusebox OÜ and Norwegian partner Pixii AS aim at development and testing services and products related to energy storage and demand side flexibility, also to reduce whole energy sector carbon intensity while increasing the efficiency of energy system. 2. Visibility of the Grants and the Donors 2.a. Communication activities Communication plan 2017-2024 describes the Green ICT Programme communication goals, target groups and main messages. Focus of the communication is on promoting Green ICT programme: the focus, content, and business opportunities for companies via bilateral cooperation. The main channel for the programme specific information is programme website www.eas.ee/norratoetus (in Estonian) and www.eas.ee/norwaygrants (in English), which contains updated information about the latest calls, application documents, events etc. Implementing Agency’s social media channels https://www.facebook.com/EnterpriseEstonia/ and LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-estonia are also used to promote programme events and activities (articles, good examples, events). Its Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/EnterpriseEstonia is used to present video material and best practices (i.e., project examples), also video recordings of the Teams events to applicants and Project Promoters (i.e., call opening and application requirements). NFP website http://eeagrants.fin.ee/en/ reflects a short description of the Green ICT programme with links to the IA website for more detailed information. 2.b. Project stories There are no project stories of specific projects published during reporting period. Some projects have been shortly introduced in programme specific press releases. 3. Media coverage 14 In the reporting period, “Green ICT” programme received media references in the national and local newspapers and online media. Extract of the media coverage has been presented below: Name of the article Project no Link Channel https://eas.ee/eesti-norra-koostooprojektid-saavad-miljon-eurot- Press release: II SGS results General IA website toetust-uudsete-rohetehnoloogiate-arendamiseks/ Press release: opening of https://eas.ee/tana-avanes-eesti-norra-koostooprogrammi- additional activites call for General IA website taiendavate-tegevuste-voor/ alrady approved projects MILJON EUROT I Eesti – Norra koostööprojektid https://majandus.goodnews.ee/miljon-eurot-i-eesti-norra- press release saavad miljon eurot toetust koostooprojektid-saavad-miljon-eurot-toetust-uudsete- goodnews.ee in the media uudsete rohetehnoloogiate rohetehnoloogiate-arendamiseks/? arendamiseks Eesti–Norra koostööprojektid saavad https://www.toostusuudised.ee/uudised/2022/05/10/eestinorra- press release miljon eurot toetust koostooprojektid-saavad-miljon-eurot-toetust-uudsete- toostusuudised.ee in the media uudsete rohetehnoloogiate rohetehnoloogiate-arendamiseks arendamiseks Elektrikriisi lahendav idu: “Tõenäoliselt ei ole EE- https://digipro.geenius.ee/rubriik/uudis/elektrikriisi-lahendav- esimene black-out kaugel. INNOVATION- idu-toenaoliselt-ei-ole-esimene-black-out-kaugel-parast-seda- digipro.geenius.ee Pärast seda muutub meie 0084 muutub-meie-koigi-suhtumine/ kõigi suhtumine″ 15 Sunlyst kasvas välja EE- https://digipro.geenius.ee/rubriik/varskeidufirma/sunlyst-kasvas- idufirma, mis aitab INNOVATION- valja-idufirma-mis-aitab-eramajade-omanikel-pusti-panna- digipro.geenius.ee eramajade omanikel püsti 0065 paikeseparke/ panna päikeseparke Bisly uus hoonete juhtimise EE- https://epl.delfi.ee/artikkel/120081152/bisly-uus-hoonete- süsteem viib majahalduri INNOVATION- juhtimise-susteem-viib-majahalduri-too-ja-kasutajakogemuse- epl.delfi.ee töö ja kasutajakogemuse 0078 enneolematule-tasemele enneolematule tasemele Säästlikus ja efektiivsus nii EE- https://majandus.postimees.ee/7590625/saastlikus-ja- tehnoloogia kui toodete INNOVATION- majandus.postimees.ee efektiivsus-nii-tehnoloogia-kui-toodete-puhul puhul 0063 Estonian health tech startup Antegenes raises EE- https://estonianworld.com/technology/estonian-health-tech- €2.3 million to advance INNOVATION- startup-antegenes-raises-e2-3-million-to-advance-personalised- estonianworld.com personalised cancer 0074 cancer-prevention/ prevention EE- Skeleton toob merendusse https://www.postimees.ee/7573211/skeleton-toob-merendusse- INNOVATION- postimees.ee superkondensaatorid superkondensaatorid 0049 Kaitseminister Laanet ja EE- https://eestielu.goodnews.ee/kaitseminister-laanet-ja-norra- Norra kaitseminister Gram INNOVATION- kaitseminister-gram-arutasid-julgeolekuolukorda-nato- goodnews.ee arutasid julgeolekuolukorda 0001 ministeriaali-eel/? NATO ministeriaali eel Esimene energiasalvestussüsteemiga EE- https://bioneer.ee/esimene-energiasalvestuss%C3%BCsteemiga- liidetud virtuaalne INNOVATION- bioneer.ee liidetud-virtuaalne-elektrijaam-baltikumis-aitab-tarbijatel elektrijaam Baltikumis aitab 0082 tarbijatel teenida 16  An Estonian migraine EE- https://estonianworld.com/technology/an-estonian-migraine- treatment app enters a INNOVATION- estonianworld.com treatment-app-enters-a-clinical-trial/ clinical trial 0076 Estonian health tech startup Antegenes raises EE- https://estonianworld.com/technology/estonian-health-tech- €2.3 million to advance INNOVATION- startup-antegenes-raises-e2-3-million-to-advance-personalised- estonianworld.com personalised cancer 0074 cancer-prevention/ prevention 4. Website and social media Link to programme website Total number of page views in the reporting year https://www.eas.ee/norratoetus 2163 Link or account handle Number of posts published in the reporting year Number of followers Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EEANorwayGrantsEstonia 2 713 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-estonia/ 2 13921 5. Visuals There are no programme- and/or project-related multimedia assets to add in EEA and Norway Grants media library (eealibrary.org) at the moment. 17  Annex 3: Overview of contracted projects 1. Project summary Number Total Grant Amount budgeted to dpps (estimate) Total number of projects contracted 83 € 23,647,886 € 3,992,408 Number of pre-defined projects contracted 2 € 5,331,765 €0 Number of projects with a donor project partner 21 € 14,470,612 € 3,992,408 Number of projects with a donor project partner Norway 21 € 14,470,612 € 3,992,408 Number of projects with a donor project partner Iceland 0 €0 €0 Number of projects with a donor project partner Liechtenstein 0 €0 €0 2. Call details Number Grant Number of Submissi Number of Grant Grant of Amount Outcome( Call amount applications Call title on application deman amount projects contracte s) amount applied approved for deadline s received d% awarded contracte d for funding d € € € € Call for proposal - Green ICT 111.29 Outcome 1 18,871,54 31/03/2020 44 21,002,82 26 12,162,90 26 10,394,91 Main Call % 9 9 1 1 Call for proposal - Green ICT € € 120.72 € € Outcome 1 01/02/2021 18 10 12 Main Call 2 7,237,202 8,736,961 % 6,511,260 6,173,099 Call for proposal - Green ICT € € 96.80 € € Small Grant Scheme (additional Outcome 1 11/11/2022 13 13 13 1,884,032 1,823,706 % 1,823,706 1,823,706 activities for ongoing projects) Call for proposal - Green ICT € € 57.33 Outcome 1 17/01/2022 9 6 € 969,218 6 € 969,218 Small Grant Scheme 2 2,636,915 1,511,668 % Call for proposal- Green ICT € 80.51 Outcome 1 13/05/2019 53 € 966,092 45 € 828,451 45 € 778,893 Small Grant Scheme 1,200,000 % 18  Annex 4: Risk management Likelihood Consequence Risk description Risk score Planned response in 2023 (1-4) (1-4) Programme is vaguely targeted and assessment 2 medium low 3 medium high 2.45 Monitoring of project results. criteria does not support the outcomes. Programme implementation is obstructed due to many players and mixed interest. Risk could PO and IA regularly keep track on reaching the 2 medium low 3 medium high 2.45 result in unachieved programme (outcome) targets. targets. Insufficient bilateral interest to implement joint Despite all the efforts there are less bilateral cooperation projects. Could result in low level of 3 medium 3 medium high 3.00 cooperation projects than intended. Learning project cooperation and failure in achieving the high from success stories is needed. bilateral outcome. Public procurement conditions not clear for Project promoters. Ref. Regulation Art 8.15. 3 medium IA is consulting project promoters on regular 3 medium high 3.00 high basis. Because of the long description please consult original document as uploaded. State aid rules not clear for project promoters. Risk could result in project irregularities (i.e. Councelling of applicants on state aid issues is a 1 low 3 medium high 1.73 miscalculated eligible activites, costs and aid standard procedure in IA. intensity). Transfer of application and monitoring process into centralised information system administered Data quality in information system is being by National Focal Point may cause need for 2 medium low 3 medium high 2.45 monitored annually. additional manual data insertion by Implementing Agency, which may cause errors in data. Projects are cancelled or activities not started Selection Committee has kept rather due to the lack of project promoter's co- 3 medium conservative line when assessing the financial 3 medium high 3.00 financing, thus grant cannot be paid to project high capability of applicants. Nevertheless, the risk promoter and set targets are not met. may realize at some extent. Overall risk of not absorbing most financing and achieving most targets (1-4): 2.00 19 Annex 5: Monitoring plan Please note this Annex is uploaded separately and is not visible in this document. Please download and print separately if needed. Annex 6: Evaluation report Not Available 20 Annex 7: Agreement conditions Date of Description Type Tracking Fulfilled Description of measures taken fulfilment 1) The National Focal Point shall ensure that the Programme Operator, prior to signing a Both pre-defined projects (“Health Sense” project contract for pre-defined project no. 1 and “Open Cyber Range”) have gone “Open Cyber Range (OCR)” and no. 2 through the appraisal process performed by One-time “Health Sense”, carries out an external and General Yes 01/03/2021 independant assessor with positive result. fulfilment independent appraisal of the project, in order to verify its quality and contribution to Cooperation Committee has approved both the objectives of the Programme as well as applications. compliance with EU and national legislation. 1) No costs shall be eligible under pre- defined project no. 1 “Open Cyber Range PO has submitted the detailed description (OCR)” and no. 2 “Health Sense” before the One-time Pre-eligibility Yes 30/09/2020 and budget of the pre-defined projects to the detailed descriptions and budgets for these fulfilment FMO and received approval of the NMFA. pre-defined projects have been submitted to and approved by the NMFA. 1) The Programme Operator shall submit the summary description of the procedure for the selection of projects to the NMFA for PA Annex II set the operational rules for the approval, prior to the publication of the small programme. Programme agreement was grant scheme and call for proposals amended with the procedure for the foreseen under this programme. The selection of projects in small grant scheme programme agreement shall be amended One-time and main call. The programme agreement accordingly. Pre-payment Yes 09/01/2020 fulfilment has been amended accordingly. 2) The Programme Operator shall submit a Communication plan has been sent to the communication plan for the programme to FMO prior to the publication of the first small the NMFA for approval, prior to the grant scheme. publication of the small grant scheme and call for proposals foreseen under this programme. 21 22  ANNEX 5. Monitoring plan for Green ICT programme Project ID Project name Planned timing Type of monitoring Monitoring modality [site Monitoring reason/topic Contact [Q1, Q2, Q3, or [results, risk, or visit, phone/online meeting, [check procurement, observe details [name, Q4] compliance] – can review project reports, etc.] quality of activities, check email/phone] be multiple reporting system, follow up specific risk, etc.] All main call projects All main call Q2 - 2023 Risk assessment of Meetings and data analysis. Programme risks will be re- PO projects Q4 - 2023 programmatic risks. evaluated twice a year. IA All main call projects All main call Q1 - 2023 Risk assessment of Decision on site visit is based Routine action. IA projects Q3 - 2023 projects. on existing level of risks. All main call projects All main call Q1 - 2023 Everyday communication and All the projects with signed IA projects Q2 - 2023 consultation between contract. Q3 - 2023 Implementing Agency and Q4 - 2023 project promoters. All projects All projects Q2 - 2023 Checking the outputs and All the results of the PO Q4 - 2023 results in RF of programme in programme. IA Cooperation Committee meeting. All projects All projects Q1 - 2023 Results Examination on the activity All contracted projects. IA Q2 - 2023 reports to ensure the Q3 - 2023 implementation of the Q4 - 2023 activities set out in the application (incl. prepared documents, for example project plan, environmental impact analysis). All projects All projects Q1 - 2023 All contracted projects. IA Verification of the payment Q2 - 2023 claims, including cost Q3 - 2023 eligibility check and Q4 - 2023 compliance with the objectives of the programme.  Laura Pikkoja Riigi Tugiteenuste Keskus Meie 10.03.2023 nr 24.4-7/17-0504/1464-1 [email protected] Programmi "Green ICT" 2022. aasta aruanne Austatud Laura Pikkoja Edastame Eesti-Norra koostööprogrammi „Green ICT“ 2022. aasta aruande. Lugupidamisega (allkirjastatud digitaalselt) Joonas Pärenson juhataja Lisad: 1. APR EE-INNOVATION 2022 2. Annex 5. Monitoring plan Lisaadressaadid: Ettevõtluse ja Innovatsiooni Sihtasutus Tanel Tomson 639 7642 [email protected] Suur-Ameerika 1 / 10122 Tallinn / 625 6342 / [email protected] / www.mkm.ee Registrikood 70003158