What’s the difference between the implementation period and the execution period, indicated in the Special Conditions of the EU funded grant contracts? 

The Implementation period is a timeframe in which beneficiary has to implement all components, activities and to make payments of the project. Execution period means to a period of beneficiaries’ legal liability on the contract until the payment of the balance of final amount by the Contracting Authority (is EUD under the direct management modality) and in no event later than 18 months after the end of the implementation period (unless postponed in accordance with the Article 12.5 of the General Conditions).

The expenditures in relation with the project should be made within the implementation period. Namely, the beneficiary should not make expenditures neither prior to the start date of the implementation nor after the end date of the implementation.  The start and end dates of the implementation are indicated in Article 2 of the special conditions of the contract.

An exception is made for costs relating to final reports, including expenditure verification, audit and final evaluation of the project, which may be incurred after the implementation period of the Action. These cost (amount above EUR 500) have to be clearly listed in “The list of pending payments” in worksheet “Final sources of funding” in the final financial report (Annex G / Annex VI). The following details should be provided: Name of the provider, object of the contract (final audit, works execution guarantee…), amount in EUR, due date, reference document (date and number of invoice/contract), explanation and comments (why still not paid?)

For more information, please check out the Companion