Contribution to the MIM
At the start of a project typically 5% to 8% of the maximum EU contribution (see Data Sheet of the Grant Agreement) is deducted from the pre-financing and paid into the MIM. If the MIM is not used during the project, the retained amount is returned to the consortium at the end of the project (via the final payment).
When does the MIM intervene?
As a general rule, each beneficiary is liable only for its own obligations towards the European Commission. The MIM intervenes only in clearly defined exceptional cases. It becomes active only if amounts due to the European Commission/funding agency cannot be recovered from the consortium.
During the project
The MIM may intervene if:
- a beneficiary leaves the project, and
- fails to repay amounts that were unduly received
After the project
The MIM may intervene if:
- a recovery is issued at final payment (e.g. due to overpayment), and
- the consortium or the concerned beneficiaries do not repay the amount
In such cases, the MIM covers the outstanding amount vis-à-vis the European Commission.
When does the MIM NOT intervene?
The MIM does not cover internal financial issues within the consortium, such as e.g. A beneficiary does not fulfil its obligations and does not repay funds but remains in the project; Internal recoveries or redistributions between beneficiaries where no EU claim exists.
In such cases, the consortium must find its own solutions, typically based on the Consortium Agreement.
Practical notes
- The MIM reduces the financial risk for individual beneficiaries towards the European Commission, but it does not replace internal safeguards within the consortium.
- Clear provisions in the Consortium Agreement (e.g. on liability and recoveries) remain essential.
Further information