1. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH RCBI ‘handover’ meeting Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme Vilnius, 19 March 2012

2. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Meeting outline Expectations Review of the involvement of PC and what the programme plans to do to facilitate involvement Identify what RCBI tools/materials may be needed to help with this including a presentation on some of these, e.g. e- modules + support needed to the end of the project Situation at the start of the project (2007) and situation at end. How has it changed Review of support from RCBI - what was useful and what could be improved and what might be needed in the future programming phase Evaluation and wrap up

3. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Basis Quantitative analysis based on statistics on calls, provided by the programme Analysis based on questionnaires: – Programme – JTS – Belarus – NCP, CSE Input from RCBI Experts

4. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH No. of Belarus applicants calls 1 & 2

5. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH No. of Belarus partners in applications calls 1 & 2

6. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH No. of Belarus applicants and partners calls 1 & 2

7. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Success rate Belarus & MS applicants calls 1 & 2

8. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Budget share Belarus – 1 st call

9. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Involvement of BY organisations in applications - 1 As Applicants Low level of representation (JTS, NCP, CSE) Reasons Insufficient human and financial capacities to manage EU-funded projects (JTS) Lack of administrative capacities and experience in project implementation (e.g. language barriers, co-financing) (JTS, CSE) Insufficient experience with EU financing instruments, national approval procedures (NCP) Insufficient linguistic skills of BY organisations (NCP) Relatively low visibility of ENPI CBC programmes in Belarus (NCP) Late launch of LLB programme branch JTS offices in Belarus (NCP) Uncertain actual consequences and benefits (financial, political and institutional) (CSE)

10. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Involvement of BY organisations in applications - 2 As Partners -Very well represented (JTS); well represented (JTS); not very well represented (NCP, CSE) Reasons Requirement to have at least one partner from the PC and active position of the partners from the MS (JTS) Longstanding cooperation relations with Latvia and Lithuania (JTS) Lack of political support from central state (CSE) Late launch of LLB programme branch JTS offices in Belarus (NCP) Relatively low visibility of CBC programmes in Belarus (NCP) Uncertain actual consequences and benefits (financial, political and institutional) (CSE) There are opportunities for “easier money” for NGOs (CSE) Insufficient experience with EU financing instruments, national approval procedures (NCP) Low level of English skills (NCP)

11. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Involvement of BY organisations in awarded projects - 1 As Applicants -Low level of representation (JTS, NCP, CSE) Reasons -Lack of administrative (also financial) capacities and experience in project implementation (e.g. language barriers, co-financing) (JTS) -Low level of involvement at the application stage (NCP)

12. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Involvement of BYorganisations in awarded projects - 2 As Partners Very well represented (JTS); not very well represented (NCP, CSE) Reasons Longstanding cooperation relations with Latvia and Lithuania (JTS) Requirement to have at least one partner from the PC and active position of the partners from the MS (JTS) Low level of involvement at the application stage (NCP)

13. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Main challenges - 1 As Applicants Acquire more practical experience with EU financing instruments and national project approval procedure (NCP) Understanding of the project management cycle (JTS) Lack of experience (JTS) To find and involve qualified project developer (CSE) Improve linguistic skills (NCP) Additional administrative burden on national level (JTS) Low level of support from relevant national authorities (JTS)

14. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Main challenges - 2 As Partners Understanding of the programme rules (JTS) Acquire more practical experience with EU financing instruments and national project approval procedure (NCP) Improve linguistic skills (NCP) Additional administrative burden on national level (JTS) Low motivation due to a complicated project approval procedure in Belarus (JTS) Lack of own funds for co-financing (JTS) Undeveloped constructive contacts (CSE)

15. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Disadvantage issue Disadvantage (3) No disadvantage (1) Reasons: See challenges above (JTS) Lack of PC’s “ownership” in programme JMAs (NCP) Weaker regulatory convergence between PCs and the EU (NCP, CSE)

16. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH Balanced participation? A balanced distribution of funds among participating countries is very important (1) Equal treatment of all applicants is more important than balanced participation (1) Balanced participation is extremely important for programme success (2) Explanation: -Due to the nature of the programme (CBC) all the projects should involve partners from MS and PC seeking to achieve the same objective while implementing the project -Formal involvement causes disappointment and frustration Who is responsible for facilitating this? JMA/JTS (1) Branch offices (2) National authorities (2)

17. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH What are you doing to facilitate involvement? Programme Active JTS and BO position during information campaign Active position of the NA in Belarus trying to involve more BY partners Partnership of a minimum 1 PC organization (BY) and EU country organization (LV or LT) as a pre-condition Equal opportunities and equal treatment for all applicants and beneficiaries Extending eligible Programme’s territory in BY by inclusion of adjacent territories

18. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH What are you doing to facilitate involvement? NCP Coordinate the activity of BY organisations Advise on EU financial mechanisms and national project approval procedure Contribute to CBC programme visibility events in BY Contribute to fair and equal treatment of BY applicants/partners at the JMC and project-selection committee levels

19. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH What can/should you do in the future? Programme To perform active information campaign (e.g. presentation of success stories in media) To promote programme on national level To ensure equal access to Programme information for all applicants To raise administrative capacities of PC organisations (trainings, seminars, partner search forums, consultations) Involvement of skilled partners in sharing project preparation and implementation experience Use of competent local experts having experience on ground for training sessions is highly appreciated To provide assistance through established BO in PC

20. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH What can/should you do in the future? NCP Contribute to the drafting of the next generation ENPI CBC programmes Ensure equal treatment of BY organisations Encourage more regular participation of JMC members from BY in JMC meetings Explore ways of making the national project approval procedure more user- friendly Adequate ENPI financing and simplified application procedure CSE Participate in programming and programme management, share responsibility and be interested in programme results

21. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH RCBI support to LLB 2007-2011 Support for programming - contributions from experts from Belarus and other programming experts Training on programme management - JMA/JTS/JMC (3) Events to support calls for proposals – info seminars (2), project preparation workshop (6), partner search forums (2) Support for PC to participate in programme events (11) Guide to BY National Requirements for implementing ENPI CBC projects - steps to take when awarded a project

22. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH RCBI materials/tools - 1 Database of partners and contacts in Belarus E support for project management and implementation Identifying and developing ENPI CBC projects: Tips from RCBI practice of supporting potential applicants and partners RCBI Project Implementation Manual (PIM) Guide to national requirements for implementing ENPI CBC projects

23. This project is funded by the EUAnd implemented by a consortium led by MWH RCBI materials/tools - 2 The clock is ticking: Steps for preparing ENPI CBC project proposals ‘Who does What When’ Wheel - Responsibilities and tasks for each programme management structure Power point presentations from events – Project Preparation workshops, Partner Search forums, Programme Management and Implementation training Reports on PC involvement Other support?