In the Manual, it is stated that 4 countries are needed as a minimum for a consortium. But in the terms of reference for Call 08, it is stated 5. what’s the correct minimum number of countries for a partnership to be eligible?

The general minimum in the Programme manual is four countries, while in this ToR it is increased to five.
This is because the Manual fixes a minimum for the whole runtime of the Programme, that could, however, as it is specified in the Manual and as it is the case for this call, be increased in the ToR of each call. For Call 08 a minimum of 5 countries from the 69 regions of the cooperation area is mandatory in order to present an eligible proposal.