Structural Funds Programming Predeal, Romania 1.1 Introductions Structural Funds Programming Predeal, Romania Structural Funds Programming Dr. Dimitra G. Ioannou dioannou@otenet.gr April 2006

The characteristics of SF programming Multi-annual stability and long term planning Institutional and organizational capacity building Institutional innovations in the management of regional development Sound and performance oriented financial management Partnership (a fundamental principle) Enhanced transparency, co-operation and co-ordination National and cross-national networking

The priorities for cohesion policy 2007-1013 Making Europe and its regions a more attractive place to invest and work Expand and improve transport Infrastructures Improve the environmental contribution to growth and jobs Address Europe’s intensive use of traditional energy sources Help maintain a healthy labour force Improving knowledge and innovation for growth Increase and improve investment in RTD Facilitate innovation and promote entrepreneurship Promote the information society for all Improve access to finance More and better jobs Attract and retain more people in employment and modernise social protection systems Improve adaptability of workers and enterprises and the flexibility of the labour market Increase investment in human capital through better education and skills

Recommendations for programming of SF interventions in Romania Concentrate resources on the foundation of regional development approaches Generate integrated regional development approaches Improve the professional capacities for regional development action Promotion of Structural Funds and other types of assistance through, and towards, an integrated development strategy approach

Programming Relationships

Group Discussion Theme: Integration of the previously mentioned recommendations in the so far applied OP programming process in Romania Representatives of the Romanian authorities responsible for the preparation of the OPs documents present the process followed, and actual considerations.

Group Work 1. Trainees should be grouped by OP (at MA or IB level) 2. Each group fills the two sheets (max 30 min) 3. The results of the group work are presented in class (10 min for each OP) on the next day in the morning The aim of this exercise is to create reflection upon the coherence of the OPs priorities with the Strategic Community Guidelines; to present, and debate on, all Romanian OPs in class.

Group Work – Sheet 1

Group Work – Sheet 2