1 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 “ Cohesion policy: response to the economic crisis” European Commission seminar for managing and certifying authorities Brussels, 9 June 2009 Bruno CASSETTE DG REGIO, Unit D1 Bruno CASSETTE DG REGIO, Unit D1

2 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 The Commission has adopted a global strategy based on the reiteration of the strategic focus of the programmes on growth and job-related objectives. Objectives are to speed up implementation of programmes and accelerate financing to beneficiaries for programmes already approved for the period through a series of simplification measures. This strategy is based on a set of documents: 3 Communications and 3 Regulations

3 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 The three Commission Communications are: -“From financial crisis to recovery: a European framework for action” adopted on 29 October 2008; -“A European Economic Recovery Plan” adopted on 26 November 2008; -“Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy” adopted on 16 December 2008;

4 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 The three new Regulations are: -Regulation (EC) n° 284/2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006, so called the “General Regulation”, on certain provisions relating to financial management, adopted by the Commission on 26 November 2008, published in the Official Journal on 8 April 2009 and entered into force on 9 April 2009; -Regulation (EC) n° 396/2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006 on the European Social Fund to extend the types of costs eligible for a contribution from the ESF, adopted by the Commission on 26 November 2008, published in the Official Journal on the 21st of May and then, entered into force on 22 May 2009; -Regulation (EC) n° 397/2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 on the European Regional Development Fund as regards the eligibility of energy efficiency and renewable energy investments in housing, adopted by the Commission on 3 December 2008, published in the Official Journal on the 21st of May and then, will enter into force on 10 June 2009.

5 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 This strategy is based on two pillars: Non-legislative recommendations to Member States to accelerate implementation; Legislative changes to accelerate investment and simplify implementation of the Cohesion Policy Operational Programmes. In addition, the Commission has put in place a temporary arrangement under State aid rules for Member States to tackle the effects of the credit squeeze on the real economy until 2010.

6 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 Non-legislative measures These measures aim to help accelerate the implementation of programmes and projects: By providing technical support for project implementation (measures 1 and 2); By offering flexibility in programme management (measures 3 to 6).

7 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 Non-legislative measures (1/3) Measure 1: Promote entrepreneurship and enhance cooperation with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Funds (EIF); Measure 2: Increase the capacity to prepare major projects;

8 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 Non-legislative measures (2/3) Measure 3: Adapt the priorities of existing Operational Programmes / reprogramming; Measure 4: Extend the final date of eligibility of expenditure for the programming period to 30 June 2009 (instead of 31 December 2008); Measure 5: Modify the guidelines on closure of assistance ( ) from the Structural Funds

9 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 Non-legislative measures (3/3) Measure 6: Additional recommendations to Member States from the Communication “Cohesion policy investing in the real economy” adopted on 16th December For instance : -Directing action to smart investment; -Maintaining public investment.

10 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 Legislative changes The Legislative Package aims to achieve three main goals: In line with the non-legislative measures, to clarify the use of technical support available for programme implementation (measure 1); To accelerate and facilitate the actual take-up of Structural Funds (measures 2 – 4); To extend the scope of eligible expenditure in strategic areas, such as energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes (measures 5 and 6).

11 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 Legislative changes (1/3) Measure 1: Facilitate the implementation of financial engineering instruments; Measure 2: Increase the advances to ERDF and ESF programmes to increase the cash flow to the national, regional and local authorities;

12 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 This amendment brings the total of advance payments to €11.25 billion in 2009 Commission financing in2009 Advances before the recovery plan, in billion € (as a % of total allocation) Advances in 2009 added by the recovery plan, in billion € (as a % of total allocation) Total advances in billion € in 2009 Structural Funds EU (2.5%)3.80 EU (2%) 4.58 Eu Cross-Border Cooperation 0.08 (2%)0.16 (2%)0.24 Cohesion Fund EU-15 (3 countries0.26 (2.5%)00.26 EU (4%)02.37 Total

13 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 Legislative changes (2/3) Measure 3: Accelerate intermediate payments for major projects; Measure 4: Simplify the system for advances paid to beneficiaries under State aid schemes;

14 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 Legislative changes (3/3) Measure 5: Symplify the reimbursement of expenditure; Measure 6: Increase the share of energy- efficiency investment.

15 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 Legislative changes (+) Temporary framework under State aid rules Modification of Art.55 of the General Regulation concerning certain projects generating revenue (entered in force on 25 December 2008)

16 Cohesion Policy Brussels, 9 June 2009 Thank you for your attention! Thank you for your attention!