Delegation of the European Commission Romania preparing for EU membership European Structural and Cohesion Funds

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Evolution of EU funds for Romania The yearly allocation from EU across all 3 instruments starting with 2000 is equivalent of more than 25% of all the investments under the national budget. EU pre-accession assistance will raise significantly during to a total of 2.8 Billion Euro for a 3 year period before accession.

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Link between Pre-Accession Fund and SF Main differences Strong increase of funds under Structural Instruments Different legal basis and purpose Decentralised management of the programmes in the case of Structural Instruments Strong Partnership principles and structures for programming, management and implementation of the Structural Instruments

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Differences in national wealth EU25 GDP per capita (pps) - €18,500 RO GDP per capita (pps) - €5,600

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Why does the EU need regional cohesion policy? To redress regional disparities To improve functioning of the Single European market To promote the stable and sustainable development of the EU

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund How does EU regional cohesion Policy work? Targeting additional funds on the areas most in need Financing multi-annual development programmes Developing partnership between socio-economic actors

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Targeting resources

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund The EU Structural Instruments European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) European Social Fund (ESF) Cohesion Fund European Agricultural & Rural Development Fund (EARDF) European Fund for Fisheries (EEF)

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Programme approach 7-year programme period Programmes drawn up in the Member States Strong emphasis on strategic targets Integration of ‘horizontal’ policies

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Partnership Building consensus on programme strategies Broad participation in Programme Monitoring Committees Ensuring effectiveness of measures financed Enhancing transparency

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Results so far Best results in poorest regions Over 2 million new jobs Partnership brings better use of regional potential Reductions in socio-economic disparities between regions – but they are still considerable

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Romania closes Chapter 21

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund INTERREG Internal borders Romaina / Hungary Romania / Bulgaria External borders Romania / Moldova / Ukraine Romania / Serbia / Montenegro Transnational cooperation

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund OP management

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund ROP Monitoring Committee National government members Regional members Non-governmental members EU Members (consultative role)

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Regional Committees (proposed) Similar breadth of membership as Monitoring Committee Similar terms of reference Responsibility for monitoring Regional Development Plan

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Indicative Financial Package for ROMANIA

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund Conclusions More focus on strategic objectives and programming – multi-annual perspective for development Develop regional partnerships for programming and implementation of the programmes Ensure policy coherence between the different programmes Start today the preparation of the institutions and personnel involved in the management of the Structural Instruments as the process takes time Start today the preparation of project pipeline to be financed under Structural Instruments as the process takes time Use the experience of pre-accession funds in preparing Structural Instruments Evaluate the possibility of co-financing the programmes by the state budget and by the beneficiaries Involve local and regional structures / social partners / private sector in the whole system

Delegation of the European Commission Structural Funds / Cohesion Fund SUMMARY More strategic approach More resources Stronger coordination and partnership