1. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 1 Technical Assistance Ilze Aleksandroviča Head of Control and Development Division EU Funds Department Ministry of Finance Republic of Latvia 1 December 2005

2. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 2 Contents  Progress of Implementation  Use of the ESF and EAGGF funding of 2004  Implementation of the EU SF Monitoring and Evaluation Plan 2004-2008 [TA project “Evaluation”]  Implementation of the Human Resource Development Plan of Institutions Involved in the Management the EU SF 2004 – 2008 [TA project “Training”]

3. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 3 Long-term objectives of TA  To ensure efficient management of the Structural Funds through a high-quality implementation process;  To ensure publicity and information on the EU Structural Funds.

4. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 4 Contents  Progress of Implementation  Use of the ESF and EAGGF funding of 2004  Implementation of the EU SF Monitoring and Evaluation Plan 2004-2008 [TA project “Evaluation”]  Implementation of the Human Resource Development Plan of Institutions Involved in the Management the EU SF 2004 – 2008 [TA project “Training”]

5. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 5 Progress of Implementation Project Number of Contracts (MA, 2nd LIB, final beneficiaries) Structural Funds payment claims submitted for the period by 30.06.2005., LVL % of total contractual amount 2004-2005 5.1.1. “Assistance” 19511 280,7015,01% 5.2.1. “Training” 129 52726,36 % 5.2.2. “Information and Publicity” 2093 009,2118,42% 5.2.3. “Evaluation and Research” 10,000% 5.2.4. “Development of Management Information System” 1047 351,467,26% Total 51681 168, 4013,41%

6. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 6 Progress of Implementation Updating National Programmes  06.09.2005 – activity and financial plans for 2006 approved  Preparation of amendments to concluded contracts is currently underway.

7. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 7 Progress of Implementation Project Total amount 2004-06, LVL % of funding committed (2004-2008) 5.1.1. “Assistance”6 940 07571,79% 5.2.1. “Training”232 00046,25% 5.2.2. “Information and Publicity” 882 49878,38% 5.2.3. “Evaluation and Research” 380 00052,54% 5.2.4. “Development of Information Management System” 1 665 29485,41% Total10 099 86772,31%

8. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 8 Objectively verifiable indicators  Approximately 330 employees and experts contracted;  1 thematic evaluation completed [SRDA];  2 projects are currently being contracted [3-phase evaluation and a study by the MoC];  17 television and 43 radio programmes broadcasted;  Information billboards ensured for all bodies implementing ERDF projects.

9. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 9 Contents  Progress of Implementation  Use of the ESF and EAGGF funding of 2004  Implementation of the EU SF Monitoring and Evaluation Plan 2004-2008 [TA project “Evaluation”]  Implementation of the Human Resource Development Plan of Institutions Involved in the Management the EU SF 2004 – 2008 [TA project “Training”]

10. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 10 Use of the ESF and EAGGF funding of 2004  Aid scheme “Technical Assistance for Capacity Building of NGOs and Municipalities to Implement ESF Measures” [LVL 600 000];  139 project applications submitted for the total amount of LVL 1 920 000, currently being evaluated.

11. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 11 Aid scheme “Technical Assistance for Capacity Building of NGOs and Municipalities to Implement ESF Measures”

12. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 12 Use of the ESF and EAGGF funding of 2004  The ESF National Programme for 2006“Establishment and Operation of SF Regional Information Centres” developed  Proposals received from bodies involved in the implementation of the ESF and EAGGF on the following projects: Improving ethical competence in public administration bodies for promoting professional ethics, including the prevention of corruption; Developing manual for project applicants.  Several project proposals are under development, including those related to the preparation for the next programming period 2007-2013

13. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 13 Contents  Progress of Implementation  Use of the ESF and EAGGF funding of 2004  Implementation of the EU SF Monitoring and Evaluation Plan 2004-2008 [TA project “Evaluation”]  Implementation of the Human Resource Development Plan of Institutions Involved in the Management the EU SF 2004 – 2008 [TA project “Training”]

14. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 14  Thematic evaluation of the SPD activity „Support to Investments in Development of Businesses in Areas Requiring Special Support” Objective To establish whether guidelines developed for the aid scheme and project selection process comply with the objectives of the SPD priority and measures. Results Improvements made in the aid scheme documents. Thematic evaluation of SF (concluded September 2005)

15. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 15 Thematic evaluation of SF (contracts under review)  Thematic evaluation of the EU Structural Funds Deadline – March 2006 Themes –  Evaluation of the system of monitoring indicators  Evaluation of the implementation of the SPD activities  The impact of the SF on regional development in Latvia  Study “The Importance of the Cultural Sector in the Economy of Latvia and the Use of SF for the Development thereof” Deadline – February 2006

16. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 16  Open calls for proposals launched Evaluation of the efficiency of the SPD implementation system Evaluation of the development of the SF planning documents 2004 –2006 and activities included in these documents  Open calls for proposals to be launched in January 2006 Evaluation of the correspondence of the SF and the National Action Plan on Employment Evaluation of the implementation of horizontal priorities Thematic evaluation of SF (planned themes)

17. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 17 Contents  Progress of Implementation  Use of the ESF and EAGGF funding of 2004  Implementation of the EU SF Monitoring and Evaluation Plan 2004-2008 [TA project “Evaluation”]  Implementation of the Human Resource Development Plan of Institutions Involved in the Management the EU SF 2004 – 2008 [TA project “Training”]

18. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 18 Implementation: t raining courses organised in the 3rd and 4th quarter under the following topics:  Legal issues;  Quality assurance system;  EU Structural Funds, including: “Technical and Quality Evaluation of Projects”; “Administrative Evaluation of Projects”; “Objectively Verifiable Results of the EU SF Implementation” “Finance and Budget of the EU”, etc.

19. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 19 Statistics  37 seminars on 26 topics organised in 2005; of those 15 seminars on 14 topics organised during the 3rd and 4th quarter.  The total number or participants - 830, whereas during the 3rd and 4th quarter – 323.  29 participants have attended (will attend) training courses on the Structural Funds management organised by other institutions, (number in the 3rd and 4th quarter is 13).

20. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 20 Planned activities  Training will be provided in accordance with the HRD Plan of Institutions Involved in the Management the EU Structural Funds and the identified training needs.  The following topics are under development: An in-depth training course on “Risk Management”; “Assessment of Business Environment”; A training course on the application of the law “On Procurement for State and Municipal Needs”.

21. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 21 Activities for the implementation of the HRD Plan funded from other sources:  Training courses: “Irregularities in the EU Structural Funds management”; “Evaluation of the EU Structural Funds”; “Monitoring of the EU Structural Funds”.  Development of specific competencies of professionals involved in the management of the EU Structural Funds.

22. Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 22 Thank you!