1. Greening the Structural Funds Programmes www.grdp.org Agata Miazga-Payne on behalf of GRDP partnership

2. Goal Identify and recommend the best ways of integrating the environment in the next round of Structural Fund programmes.

3. Overview n Introduction & background n Interpretation of  integration n Lessons learnt/recommendations u programme development u programme implementation u programme evaluation u role of environmental authorities n Guidance documents

4. Introduction n Environment Agency for England and Wales n Greening Regional Development Programmes - GRDP project, Interreg IIIC u inspiration from EAs from Italy, Spain, UK u exchange of experience on  integration u 37 partners

5. Interpretation n No clear interpretation what  integration is. Environment should be integrated at every stage of the programme.

6. Lessons learnt programme development n Limited involvement of environmental partners, in programme development in some MS. n Strategic environmental assessment required for EU funded programmes. It could be an excellent tool to ensure  integration but limited experience.

7. MAs should establish transparent democratic procedures for the selection and involvement of partners. SEA methodological guidance should be provided. MSs should be encouraged to share good SEA practices for OPs & NSRFs. Recommendations

8. n The best  integration if there is assigned/dedicated staff to support applicants in delivering projects with economic, social, environmental outcomes. n Evaluation of project shows that some projects do not follow their proposals and thus do not deliver the planned benefits. Lessons learnt programme implementation

9. Recommendations MAs and EAs should assign staff to deliver environmental integration. MAs & EAs must keep supporting projects to ensure delivery of planned benefits. EAs should be involved in monitoring. Possibility for funding withdrawal if projects fail.

10. n Environmental evaluation of programmes and projects is often considered by MSs as a procedural burden & added cost. n Monitoring systems can fail to collect information on environmental indicators. Lessons learnt programme evaluation

11. Recommendations MAs should welcome environmental evaluation as a way of improving programmes, rather than an obstacle to economic & social benefits. MAs should ensure that programmes contain sound environmental indicators and projects should be asked to collect appropriate data.

12. n There is not enough political support for  integration and role of EAs in this process at EU and national levels. n Close co-operation between MAs & EAs is essential for  integration. Lessons learnt environmental authorities

13. Recommendations MAs should establish a co-operation mechanism with EAs. It should provide detailed arrangements to assign sufficient staff/finance. EU should refer to the roles of EAs. National governments should refer to EAs in NSRFs & guidance.

14. n Draft SEA Handbook for SFs n Draft guidance on partnership n Draft guidance on greening project level “Towards doing it better...” Guidance