1. Brussels, 15 October 2008 1 IWONA KUR Regional Office of Warmia and Mazury Brussels, 15 October 2008 Performing efficient models of administration capacity and regional reform in the European Union

2. Brussels, 15 October 20082 Warmia and Mazury

3. Brussels, 15 October 20083 Warmia and Mazury Population: 1,4 mln Area: 24 000 km2 Population density/km2): 59 Land use:  54% agricultural land  30% forests  6% lakes and rivers  10% urban areas

4. Brussels, 15 October 20084 Commissioner Hübner (EP conference 10.06.2008) Absorption of EU funds depends on:  administrative capacities: number and qualifications of staff  quality of national law transposing EU rules  transparency of procedures  sound planning of calls for proposals

5. Brussels, 15 October 20085 Structural Funds 2004-2006 Structural Funds for Poland  11 bln euro  1800 staff in gov. administration 6 Operational Programmes Integrated Regional Operational Programme – 2,96 bln euro - centrally managed programme for 16 regions

6. Brussels, 15 October 20086 Structural Funds 2007-2013 Structural Funds for Poland: 67 bln euro 16 Regional Operational Programmes - negotiated by regions with the European Commission - Warmia and Mazury RPO – 1 bln euro Human Capital OP - 4 priorities with regional components

7. Brussels, 15 October 20087 Determinants of efficient administration Institutions Employment policy and staff Management and coordination Regulations ITC Information and promotion

8. Brussels, 15 October 20088 Challenges Lack of qualified candidates Long recruitment procedures Unattractive salaries in public administration  ECORYS recommends to double the salaries High employee turnover Outflow of trained staff to private sector Low absorption of Technical Assistance Technical capacities Legal framework

9. Brussels, 15 October 20089 Action Plan to strengthen administrative capacities Adopted in June 2007 by the Council of Ministers Objectives:  increase employment in government structures involved in SF management  Introduce standardized remuneration scheme (increase salaries)  introduce standardised evaluation and promotion scheme

10. Brussels, 15 October 200810 SF management 2007-2013 Central administration:  1852 staff (March 2007)  405 new staff employed in 2007  objective: 2800 staff in gov. administration (50% increase!)  cost for period 2007-2013 : 5,3 mld PLN - 4,5 mld from OP Technical Assistance

11. Brussels, 15 October 200811 SF management 2007-2013 Regional administration:  current employment: 1971 staff in 16 Marshal Offices (2 October 2008)  objective: 4000 staff in regional self- government administration (100% increase!)

12. Brussels, 15 October 200812 Technical capacity building ITC for structural funds management (SIMIC) E-administration: electronic submission of projects via internet Standardisation of application forms

13. Brussels, 15 October 200813 Legal framework Incompatibilities between national and EU law Restrictive application of EU rules by national law

14. Brussels, 15 October 200814 Concluding remarks Administrative capacities – key to successful SF management In Poland:  central administration - good situation  regional administration - still challenges ahead Public administration - competitive employer? Technical capacity building Favourable legal framework

15. Brussels, 15 October 200815 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Iwona Kur Director of the Regional Office of Warminsko- Mazurskie Voivodeship in Brussels warmia.mazury@skynet.be