1. Key features of the draft cohesion policy and ETC regulations 2014-2020

2. Structure of my presentation
Main objectives and principles for the future cohesion policy as a whole
Key features of the draft ETC Regulation
Timeline, next steps

3. Main cohesion policy objectives and principles for 2014-2020

4. Objectives
Reduce disparities between Europe's regions strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion
Deliver the Europe 2020 strategy objectives
of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth

5. Connecting Europe Facility
Proposed EU budget
Cohesion Policy
33 % (€336 billion)
Other policies
(agriculture, research, external etc.)
63 % (€649 billion)
Connecting Europe Facility
4 % (€40 billion)

6. Legislative package General regulation
Common provisions for cohesion policy, the rural development policy and the maritime and fisheries policies
Common provisions for cohesion policy only (ERDF, ESF, CF)
Fund-specific regulations for ERDF, ESF, CF
Specific ETC Regulation
EGTC regulation
Delegated acts (Art. 290 TFEU)
Implementing acts (Art. 291 TFEU)
Article 1
Article 1(3): GenReg + Chapter I of ERDF apply,
Unless otherwise provided or applies logically to IGJ goal only

7. Principles: Reinforcing effectiveness and performance
Conditionalities:
Ex-ante (not applicable to ETC)
Macro - economic (not applicable to ETC)
Performance framework
Clear and measurable milestones and targets
Performance reserve (not applicable to ETC)
Ex-ante conditionality
Ensuring conditions for effective investment are in place
Performance framework for all programmes
Clear and measurable milestones and targets
Focus on results
Common & programme-specific indicators, reporting, monitoring & evaluation
Performance reserve
5 % of national allocations (by Member State, fund and category of region)
Macro-economic conditionality
Alignment with new economic governance

8. Thematic concentration
Research & innovation
Information and communication technologies (ICT)
Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Shift towards a low-carbon economy
Climate change adaptation & risk prevention and management
Environmental protection & resource efficiency
Sustainable transport & removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures
Employment & supporting labour mobility
Social inclusion & combating poverty
Education, skills & lifelong learning
Institutional capacity building & efficient public administrations

9. Succession of strategic documents: Common Strategic Framework (CSF)
Partnership Contract
Operational Programmes
CSF – adopted on the EU level
Content (selected features):
EU2020 objectives translated into key actions for each CSF fund
Priority areas for cooperation activities for each CSF fund, taking account of macroregional strategies
Coordination mechanisms for ensuring coherence among CSF funds
Comprehensive investment strategy: aligned with Europe 2020 objectives
Coherence with National Reform Programmes
Coordination: cohesion policy, rural development, maritime & fisheries funds
Objectives and indicators to measure progress towards Europe 2020 targets
Effectiveness: introduction of a performance framework
Efficiency: reinforcement of administrative capacity, cutting red tape

10. Succession of strategic documents: Partnership Contract
Agreed between COM and a Member State (MS) for the period –
Content (selected features):
Analysis of disparities and development needs
Milestones and targets (coherent with EU2020 objectives)
Main priority areas for cooperation (incl. macroregional strategies)
Integrated approach to territorial development and coordination among CSF funds
Comprehensive investment strategy: aligned with Europe 2020 objectives
Coherence with National Reform Programmes
Coordination: cohesion policy, rural development, maritime & fisheries funds
Objectives and indicators to measure progress towards Europe 2020 targets
Effectiveness: introduction of a performance framework
Efficiency: reinforcement of administrative capacity, cutting red tape

11. ...and Investment priorities
Each thematic objective is translated into “investment priorities” (in Fund-specific regulations)
For ETC: Art.5 of the draft ERDF Regulation + Art.6 of the draft ETC Regulation
Flexibility for a programme to choose an optimal mix of them

12. Streamlining delivery
Aim: to make life simpler for beneficiaries
Harmonisation and clarification of basic rules
(for regional, agriculture and fisheries funds)
Accreditation instead of compliance assessment
Increased proportionality in controls
Wider application of simplified costs (flat rates, lump sums and unit costs)
E- cohesion policy

13. Key features of the draft ETC Regulation 2014-2020 (CBC elements)

14. Financial resources proposal: 11,7 bn €
Transnational
2,4 bn €
Interregional
0.7 bn €
Population = criterion for breakdown by Member State
75% co-financing rate
Cross border
8,6 bn €

15. Thematic concentration
4 thematic objectives for cbc and transnational
Interregional can cover all thematic objectives
Definitions of investment priorities in ERDF Regulation apply
Additional elements in ETC Regulation:
ESF-type actions
legal and administrative cooperation and
cooperation between citizens and institutions
macro-regional strategies (transnational)

16. Decision on eligible areas – cross border programmes
COM to adopt the list of cross-border areas to receive support by programme (at NUTS 3 level)
Based on preliminary discussions with programmes
Continuity encouraged, adjustements possible
Addition of adjacent NUTS 3 regions may be proposed when submitting draft programmes to COM

17. Content of programme documents
Strategy for a programme contribution to Europe 2020
Justification for choice of thematic objectives and corresponding investment priorities, indicators
More detailed implementing provisions
Confirmation of agreement to programme content in writing and commitment to provide necessary co-financing
COM to adopt programme model

18. Selection of operations
Concept of sole beneficiary
Beneficiaries to fulfil all four cooperation criteria: development, implementation, staffing and financing of operations
MA to provide lead beneficiary with document setting out conditions of support, including products and services to be delivered and time-limit for execution

19. Eligibility of expenditure
Common Provisions Regulation rules
Specific ETC rules proposed by the COM (optional)
Rules adopted by the Monitoring Committee for the programme as a whole
National rules (as the last resort)

20. New territorial options
Community-led local development
Integrated territorial investment
Joint Action Plan
Adapted to multi-country context
Article 9 CLLD  Art. 28
Article 8 JAP  Art. 93(1) GenReg
Article 10 ITI  Art. 99(3)
“sustainable urban development”  Chapter III ERDF ??
ITI ≠ integrated terr development under TN
Article 10 ERDF “particular attention to addressing the specific difficulties” [does not apply]  Art. 111(4) GenReg [applies]
islands, mountain areas, sparsely populated areas

21. Management and control – main changes
N+3 rule
Authorities´ changes
Managing Authority (MA) to do also CA work, need for accreditation
Strenghtened joint management (if possible):
MA to do the first level control
AA to do the control work on all programme area
Annual clearance of accounts and closure of finalized projects
Proportionality for controls
Lighter annual reports
Article 20 Designation of authorities
MA = CA (NOT an option)
Article 21 EGTC overrules Art. 113 GenReg
Art. 113(7) intermediate body for ‘global grant’
Article 22 Functions of MA
Article 23 Functions of AA
Article 24 Accreditation

22. Timeline, next steps

23. Timeline 2012-13(?) 2011 │ 23 Regulations + budget negotiated
(Council+EP) and adopted
Regulations proposed
2012: CSF in public consultation - adopted
Timeline
(?)
2011
CSF proposed (December)
List of eligible areas for cooperation (implementing act)
Adoption 3 months later
Partnership contracts
Cooperation programmes + Ex-ante evaluations
Submission 3 months later
Submission 6 months later
16 November 2011
Monitoring Committee AT-CZ cross border cooperation programme,
30 November-1 December 2011, Jindřichův Hradec
│ 23

24. Thank you for your attention!