1. ESF IMPLEMENTATION IN CYPRUS
Technical Working Group
May 13th, 2004

2. 1. Overall Assessment Structures In place MA – Planning Bureau
IB – Min. of Labour & Soc. Insurance (ESF Unit)
PA – Treasury of the Republic of Cyprus
Audit – Independent Audit Body

3. 1. Overall Assessment Main Challenges Fine-tuning
Further capacity enhancement
Training
Consultants
Short programming period
Quick responsiveness of structures

4. 1. Overall Assessment Main Challenges (cont.)
Final Beneficiaries readiness
Lack of expertise
Project management
Structural Funds Regulations
Staff shortages
Outsourcing

5. 1. Overall Assessment Twinning Projects
Twinning project with German experts aiming at understanding the administrative arrangements for Structural Funds programming and implementation

6. 1. Overall Assessment Solutions/Arrangements/Advice
Utilize existing experience
Utilize existing administrative and institutional structures
Avoid duplication as much as possible
“Short Proposal” approach
Acceleration of implementation process
Facilitation of learning process
Strengthening of funds absorption capacity

7. 1. Overall Assessment Guidance & Assistance
Open line – Help desk (Advisor from Commission – one stop shop paradigm)
Special attention on issues of eligibility of expenditure

8. 2. Implementation Arrangements
Monitoring Committee
It works
All major players are represented (public sector, local authorities, economic & social partners, NGO’s etc)
Advantageous position (experience of tripartism since 1950s)

9. 2. Implementation Arrangements
Main Challenges in Developing the Programme Complement
Performance indicators for each measure
Specific selection criteria for each measure
Project appraisal and selection procedure
due to lack of evaluation culture

10. 2. Implementation Arrangements
Social Partners´ Involvement
Social Dialogue – historically established
Involvement at all stages (National & EU funds)
Consultation process
Preparation/planning
Implementation

11. 2. Implementation Arrangements
Gender Mainstreaming Strategy
The commitment of the Cyprus Government to the promotion of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women has been manifested through the National Development Plans
The legislative framework is in line with EU
Implementation
Reinforcement of the relevant institutional mechanisms
Time for making the adjustments

12. 2. Implementation Arrangements
State Aid
The legislative framework is in line with EU

13. 3. Project Pipeline and Project Implementation
Eligibility Rules and Procedures
Need for clarification
“Crystal clear” language, understandable by the layman (avoid legalistic jargon)

14. 4. Financial Issues
Utilization of the long experience of the relevant departments of the public sector
Multi-annual budget programming is ensured through the existing legislative framework concerning the programming and budgeting procedure that is followed
The projects will be pre-funded from the national budget (to secure effective cash flow)
Management, monitoring and control of all related data will be done through an IT Management Information System (ready in August)

15. ESF IMPLEMENTATION IN CYPRUS
Thank You