Horizon 2020 – Informació per als projectes en marxa, indicacions COVID19

La Comissió Europea ha emès indicacions sobre com interpretar la clàusula de “força major” dels acords de subvenció dels projectes H2020 en l’actual crisi del COVID19.

 “The outbreak of Corona virus in the EU and elsewhere may have implications for the participation of individuals in meetings and events organised by beneficiaries for the purposes of H2020 ongoing actions and for their implementation. For instance, it may prevent beneficiaries to fulfil their obligations under the action or even to carry out work in a zone affected by the virus. It may also force beneficiaries to cancel a meeting due to unavailability of key staff or because most of the participants cannot attend.

If such a situation occurs, beneficiaries must immediately inform the Project Officer, which will examine on a case-by-case basis the possible application of the rules on forcem ajeure, in the meaning of Article 51 of the H2020 MGA.

Example: Beneficiaries cannot attend meetings or events related to the action because of their recent contact with someone suffering from the virus or their presence in an area considered to be at high risk. Costs of travel or accommodation that could not be canceller and which are not reimbursed from other sources could be eligible (provided that the cost eligibility conditions are fulfilled, notably that the meeting was necessary for the action, the costs were reasonable and in line with the usual practices of the beneficiary on travel) even if the beneficiary did not travel and did not take part in the meeting/event.”

+info: Can the clause on “force majeure” in the Horizon 2020 grant agreement be invoked in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak?