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

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Key features of the draft cohesion policy and ETC regulations

2014-2020

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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

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Main cohesion policy objectives and principles for 2014-2020

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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

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Proposed EU budget 2014-2020

Cohesion Policy

33 % (€336 billion)

ConnectingEurope Facility

4 % (€40 billion)

Other policies

(agriculture, research, external etc.)

63 % (€649 billion)

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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)

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Principles: Reinforcing effectiveness and

performanceConditionalities:

– 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)

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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

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Succession of strategic documents: Common Strategic

Framework (CSF)

• CSF – adopted on the EU levelContent (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

Operational Programmes

PartnershipContract

Common Strategic

Framework (CSF)

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Succession of strategic documents: Partnership

Contract

• Agreed between COM and a Member State (MS) for the period 1.1.2014 – 31.12.2020

• 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

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...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

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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

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Key features of the draft ETC Regulation

2014-2020 (CBC elements)

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Transnational2,4 bn €

Cross border 8,6 bn €

Interregional0.7 bn €

Financial resources proposal: 11,7 bn €

• Population = criterion for breakdown by Member State

•75% co-financing rate

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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New territorial options

• Community-led local development

• Integrated territorial investment

• Joint Action Plan

• Adapted to multi-country context

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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

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Timeline, next steps

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Regulations + budget negotiated

(Council+EP) and adoptedRegulations proposed

Timeline

16 November 2011

Monitoring Committee AT-CZ cross border cooperation programme,

30 November-1 December 2011, Jindřichův Hradec │ 23

20112012-13(?)

CSF proposed (December)2012: CSF in public consultation - adopted

Adoption 3 months later

List of eligible areas for cooperation (implementing act)

Partnership contracts

Submission 3 months later

Cooperation programmes + Ex-ante evaluations

Submission 6 months later

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Thank you for your attention!