Preparation of Member States’ Strategic Reports 2009 European Commission seminar for managing and certifying authorities Brussels, 9 June 2009 John WALSH DG REGIO – D2 Brussels, 9 June 2009

Content Why a strategic report? What format? What data should be presented? Why deal with the response to the crisis? What good practices examples? What timetable? Brussels, 9 June 2009

1. Why a strategic report? LEGAL BASIS Art 29 of General Regulation - New obligation for Period 2007-2013 National report in 2009 + 2012 => Commission synthesis in 2010-2013 PURPOSE Part of refocussing of Cohesion Policy in support of high level EU objectives Objective: Promote an EU debate on the contribution of Cohesion – transparency and accountability. Important contribution to EU Budget and policy debate on future of policy Brussels, 9 June 2009

2.1 What format? Separate from Annual Impl. Reports by OP Different character – concise and strategic Member States responsible for format and content Covering two objectives Convergence and Regional Competitiveness and Employment Cooperation objective being addressed separately Brussels, 9 June 2009

2.2 What format? Socio-economic situation and trends Achievements & future prospects Progress in implementation and challenges Examples of good practices Conclusions Annexes Brussels, 9 June 2009

Annex – Allocation to priority themes Annex – Recovery plan measures 2.3 What format? PUBLIC For Commission Annex – Allocation to priority themes ANNEX Good practices Annex – Recovery plan measures National Strategic Report 2009 Annex - Spending by OP Annex - Spending by OP Brussels, 9 June 2009

2.3 What data should be presented? Data on expenditure declared by OP Data on important indicators (from NSRF / OP) outputs, results indicators realised and expected Data on “Priority themes” – including Lisbon earmarking by Member State by Objective Brussels, 9 June 2009

4.1 Why deal with the response to the crisis? Crisis is impacting socio economic and business environment Recession may be delaying implementation or creating new needs Legislative changes and other recommendations to report on Combining report with the strategic report rationalises reporting Indicative questionnaire in Annex IV of Info Note Brussels, 9 June 2009

4.2 What aspect of the Recovery Package to deal with ? Changes to co-financing practices Use of simplification of eligible expenses Enlarging or adjusting OP priorities Simplifying Nat / regional implementation mechanisms Use of new State aid possibilities Use of accelerated procurement Brussels, 9 June 2009

5.1 What good practices examples? Examples of projects, mesures, policies supported At least 4 per MS – one under each heading of Strategic Guidelines Infrastructure Knowledge and Innovation More and better jobs Territorial dimension Template provided for 1-2 page description Brussels, 9 June 2009

5.2 Case Studies - Examples A guide to case studies: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperation/interregional/ecochange/doc/evaluation_brochure_062008_en.pdf REGIO database of EU funded schemes: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/projects/practices/index_en.cfm Brussels, 9 June 2009

6. What timetable? National coordination process – Autumn? Data on payments, indicators and priority themes – cut off date 30/09/2009 National Public Consultation – Nov-Dec? Submission – end-December 2009 in SFC2007 Brussels, 9 June 2009