State of play of PA and OP negotiations – Key issues emerging from negotiations ESF Technical Working Group Brussels, 4 March 2014

Overview of the presentation I. State of play : some statistics II. Key issues emerging from the negotiations III. Exchange of views and/or identification of topics for next meeting

I. State of play: some statistics - PA 9 Partnership Agreements formally submitted: PL, FR, LV, PT, LT, SK, FI, DE, EE All PA expected to be submitted by 22.04.2014 Adoption of observations by Commission expected shortly: PL, LV ISC on draft observations on-going: PT, LT, SK, FI ISC on draft observations to be launched shortly: FR, DE, EE

I. State of play: some statistics - OP SFC 2014: possible to ‘send’ OP to Commission as from 28/02/2014 PM 1 Operational Programme formally submitted (EE), but more in the pipeline

II. Key issues (1) ESF minimum share and ensuring that sufficient budget is allocated to thematic objectives 8 to 11 ESF allocation to be assessed against needs and challenges (in particular CSRs) Need to respect scope and Treaty based mission of each Structural Fund Consistency with relevant CSRs Need to get the programming right from the start Selection of corresponding investment priority: focus, adequate monitoring, ex ante conditionality Regional OPs also to adequately support relevant CSRs

II. Key issues (2) Selection of thematic objectives and investment priorities Social inclusion: 20% : OK – active <-> passive measures Youth Employment Initiative: limited info on how YEI will be delivered and support the implementation of the Youth Guarantee Roma: specific actions and mainstreaming Public Administration Reform: lack of commitment ? Programming architecture Increasing number of regional OPs: need for strong coordination mechanisms between programmes and Funds; risk of loss of effectiveness; ESF becomes instrument to support ERDF; Systematic use of cross-financing

III. Exchange of views and/or identification of topics for next meeting

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