Assessment of project applications is divided into two stages:
 

• technical and financial compliance of the applications;
• assessment of the substantive quality of the applications.

Assessment of the technical and financial compliance of project applications is carried out by the implementing agency where the application has been submitted. This means that applications are reviewed and initial verification of the compliance of applicants is performed in the implementing agency. In the first place the verification of the financial compliance of the applicant must ensure that the applicant is solvent, that the applicant has no tax arrears and that the applicant has enough money to implement the project. During processing the application the applicant is obligated to answer all the questions asked by an employee of the implementing agency about the application and, where necessary, allow a representative of the implementing agency to carry out preliminary on-the-spot verification on the applicant’s premises.

In the phase of initial or technical assessment the compliance of the submitted project applications with the selection criteria projects established in the measure decree is assessed.

According to the operational programmes, each project cofinanced by the Structural Funds has to comply with the six core criteria specified below:

• the project must be in compliance with the National Strategic Reference Framework and conform to the goals of the priority axis from which support is requested;
• the project must be relevant in terms of substance and timing – be based on relevant research, development plans and reasoned needs;
• the project must be economically or socially effective;
• the project must be sustainable and generate lasting or long-term added value;
• the support must be necessary for implementation of the project;
• the applicant must be able to implement the project.

The task of the implementing agency is to assess the subject matter of project applications through organisint the assessment of projects or trough participating in it. Applications that have passed all the stages of technical assessment, i.e. applications that have been declared compliant will pass to the round of substantive assessment where the quality of the projects is assessed. Depending on the measure, applications are assessed by an assessment committee or an assessment panel consisting of independent experts. The ranking of the applications is identified on the basis of the evaluation criteria established in a decree of measure conditions. The specific assessment methodology which serves as the basis for selection of projects is developed by the intermediate body or implementing agency separately per measure. To achieve objective assessment the implementing agency must ensure that all the criteria serving as the basis for selection are clearly defined and unambiguous. The whole process of assessment and selection of project applications must be documented.

As a result of assessment of applications it is decided whether to satisfy an application (the project will be cofinanced) or reject it (the project will not get support). The final decision about co-financing a successful application from the structural funds of the EU is made in the form of an administrative decision. The administrative decision (decision to satisfy the application) specifies the amount allocated to the project and the obligations of the recipient of the project upon using the support.