Article 2U.K.Selection of innovative actions

1.The entrusted entity shall select innovative actions on the basis of calls for proposals, taking account of themes defined by the Commission services on an annual basis.

2.The following authorities may apply for support to undertake innovative actions:

(a)any urban authority of a local administrative unit defined according to the degree of urbanisation as city, town or suburb and comprising at least 50 000 inhabitants;

(b)any association or grouping of urban authorities of local administrative units defined according to the degree of urbanisation as city, town or suburb where the total population is at least 50 000 inhabitants; this can include cross-border associations or groupings, associations or groupings in different regions and/or Member States.

3.The expert panel referred to in Article 1(2)(e) shall make recommendations concerning the innovative actions to be selected. The expert panel shall be geographically balanced and chaired by the Commission. In making its recommendations, the expert panel shall take into account, in particular, the following criteria:

(a)the innovative content of the proposal and its potential to identify or test new solutions;

(b)the quality of the proposal;

(c)the involvement of relevant partners in the preparation of the proposal;

(d)the capacity to demonstrate measurable results;

(e)the transferability of the solutions proposed.

The expert panel shall ensure that the territorial diversity of the Union's urban areas is taken into account in its recommendations.

4.The entrusted entity shall select the innovative actions on the basis of the recommendation of the expert panel and in agreement with the Commission.

5.The amount granted to each innovative action shall not exceed EUR 5 000 000.

[F16. Each innovative action shall be implemented within a maximum period of four years.]

Textual Amendments