1. Training and Development Programme for future Structural Funds Trainers
February 2006

2. …. According to the Commission
Cohesion Policy
…. According to the Commission

3. The legislative proposals
The legislative proposals are put in place through 5 regulations:
A general regulation, which fixes the main objectives and eligibility rules, for interventions, for programming and for the management of the funds
3 regulations, ERDF, ESF and the Cohesion Fund, which spitulate the arrangements specific to each fund
A regulation on groupings for European transborder cooperation, which creates a new cooperation tool available to regional and local organisations

4. The 3 political priorities
The increase in disparities in the context of enlargement leads to concentration of cohesion policy on 3 priorities:
The convergence of countries (GNI < 90% of the average) and regions (regional GDP < 75% of the average) and the regions concerned by the statistical effect, that is 33% of the population of the Union
Regional competitiveness and employment: reinforce attractiveness and ensure that socio-economic changes are anticipated in other regions, without Community zoning
European territorial cooperation: Cross-border, trans-national and inter-regional

5. Re-orientation of Cohesion Policy based on the priorities of the Union (Lisbon and Göteborg)
Articulation around the 3 pillars of sustainable development:
Competitiveness: innovation, research, education and Accessibility
Employment and social inclusion
Environment and risk prevention

6. The general principles of the reform
A more strategic approach based on Union priorities
Budgetary and thematic Concentration
Decentralised and Territorial approach through greater responsibility for countries, regions and towns
Simplification of management methods
Proportionality and efficiency of control and monitoring

7. 1. A more strategic approach
Definition of Union priorities in the strategic guidelines established by the Council
Translation by the Member States of these Community priorities in a national strategic reference framework decided by the Commission
Operational implementation by means of regional and thematic programmes

8. 4. Significant simplification
3 funds in place of 6: ERDF, Cohesion Fund, ESF
A single fund by programme
Integration of projects of the Cohesion Fund in multi-annual programming
Identical management rules for the Cohesion Fund and the Structural Funds
Programming and financial management by priority and no longer by measure
National eligibility rules for expenditures and no longer Community rules

9. 5. More efficient financial management and control, in the interests of the Community
Clearer share of responsibilities between the Commission and the Member States (clearer articulation of different control levels)
Generalisation of the rule N+2: efficiency and discipline
Intervention of the Commission in control and monitoring in proportion with the degree of assurance given by the Member State and the financial stakes involved
Payments conditioned by the commitment of the Member States on the reliability of the country’s management and control systems
Clarification of the mechanisms for financial correction in cases of irregularity
Conditionality of the Cohesion Fund linked to the respect of convergence programmes (temporary suspension of commitments, but restitution possible)

10. What interventions do SF support in old and new member states
Old member states
Traditional (existing) interventions
National programs
Projects often implemented by state agencies
State budget co-financed and pre-financed (cash-flow)
Demand based
New member states
New types of interventions intorduced
Out of existing national support systems
Projects often implemented by the non-state actors (private, NGOs, LGOs)
Partly state budget co-financed, high involvment of end users for co-financing
Supply based interventions

11. Pre-accession funds vs. Structural Funds differences
International aid -
Centralised, EC responsibility
Spending technically based
Accession oriented =>IB projects important
Limited financial resources
Many projects not supported
Larger projects prefered
Support „out-of-system“
Selection of projects similar to public procurements
STRUCTURAL FUNDS
Support to national policies
Decentralised, member state responsibility
Spending based on programming
ESC oriented => Economic development objectives
Larger financial resources
Absorption capacity threat
Small projects are usual
SF usually co-finances regular national programs
„First come first serve“ project selection possible

12. Hierarchy of programming documents
EU Priorities & Pillars
National Strategic Reference Framework
National Development Plan
Operational Programmes
National development programmes
Regional or national operations – strategic plans or limited programmes, large projects, schemes

13. Three Cycles
Program
Project

14. Policy
Policy :“ A course of action adopted and pursued by a government, party, ruler, statesman” (Oxford English Dictionary)
“…The concept of policy denotes …deliberate choice of action or inaction, rather than the effects of interrelating forces” (Smith, 1976, p.13)

15. Policy and Legal Basis Article 158 of the Treaty:
in order to strengthen its economic and social cohesion, the Community shall aim at reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions, including rural areas.

16. Policy, Policy Instruments

17. Possible Actors who Use Structural Funds
Public Bodies (State Agencies of Development, Czech Invest,
Labour Offices, Business Development Agencies, Regions, Municipalities etc)
Private Organisations ( groups of companies,
networks of suppliers and producers, individual companies,
private bodies offering business/ development services)
Voluntary Bodies ( citizens groups, environmental groups,
“Third Sector” partnerships)

18. Internal Coherence of a Programme