How to improve the technical and financial management of the TEN-T projects? Ioannis Giogkarakis-Argyropoulos, Head of Unit T2 – Road and Rail Transport,

How to improve the technical and financial management of the TEN-T projects?

Ioannis Giogkarakis-Argyropoulos, Head of Unit T2 – Road and Rail Transport, TEN-T EA

The Future of TEN-T Policy & Transport Corridors in EuropeRiga, 17 September 2010


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How to improve the technical & financial management of the TEN-T projects?

• Background

• The current programme

• Most recent experience

• The way forward


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Background (1)

• Objectives of the improvements already made in the current (2007-2013) TEN-T programme

– Facilitate the completion of the TEN-T infrastructure investments and the creation of an efficient Trans-EuropeanTransport network

– Enhance the monitoring and administration of projects

– Raise visibility of EU support


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Background (2)

• Main improvements and changes to the programme:

– Increased funding (€ 8 billion)– More focus on Priority Projects, in particular

cross-border sections and bottlenecks– Creation of the TEN-T Executive Agency in

charge for the implementation of projects


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Background (3)

• Main simplifications to the monitoring & administration of projects

- Standardised administrative requirements (Decisions, Strategic Action Plans, Reports)

- Flexibility on modifications to the cost breakdown- Harmonised templates for financial statements- Standardised examination of payments


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TEN-T EA managed projects


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Share of completed and ongoing projects in the current portfolio


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Most recent experience (1)

• Common specific characteristics:

– High degree of complexity– Large number of stakeholders– Part of longer term investments– Different sources of funds– Non cumulation of EU funding


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• Selection aspects:

– High over-subscription– Search for European added value– Leverage effect of TEN-T funding– Dependence on project applications– Evaluation based on information supplied by

the applicants


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• Implementation issues:– Long preparatory periods– High degree of complexity in the decision making– Optimistic plans– Maturity– Project and risk management aspects– Delays– Regular budget revisions

• Need for a deeper look into matury and implementation plans


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• Financing issues:

– Insufficiency of TEN-T funding– TEN-T funding vs other EU sources– Financial crisis– Updated cost estimates– Absorption rates– Streamlining payments/faster response times– EU Financial Regulation


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– Beneficiaries have gradually become familiar with the TEN-T requirements

– Close and regular contacts with stakeholders have facilitated the technical and financial management

– Sound project management practices yield results and facilitate reporting

– Added value of the Agency?


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Key Objectives

• Better understanding of and preparation for the implementation challenges

• Improved awareness of the TEN-T requirements

• Better appreciate beneficiaries’ needs & practices

• Bring added value to project and programme implementation

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The Way Forward (1)

• Overview of respective project management methods and tools used

• Identification of potential national specificities in project implementation

• Development of common monitoring practices & reporting based on the TEN-T requirements


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The Way Forward (2)• Sharing experiences and good practices

for improved quality of project management and monitoring through:- Project Management Workshops- Working groups- Internal information sharing

• Need to insist on complete and accurate information on both technical & financial progress


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The Way Forward (3)

• Provide for improved risk management and better responses to obstacles

• Facilitate the timely preparation and submission of requirements and shorten the approval time, and reduce the associated workload

• Closer working relationships

• Review of the Multi-annual programme project portfolio is ongoing


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Recurrent Challenges

• Do we provide the right assistance and advice?

• What are the needs of beneficiaries/project promoters? To what extent do we address them?

• What are the main issues?

• How can we disseminate and make the best use of good practices?


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Thank you for your attention!

How to improve the technical and financial management of the TEN-T projects? Ioannis Giogkarakis-Argyropoulos, Head of Unit T2 – Road and Rail Transport,

Documents

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