Planning and use of funding instruments Objective 1 1 CSF, with 1 OP per region (or SPD if < 1 billion EURO) funded by the ERDF, ESF, EAGGF-Guidance, FIFG Objective 2 1 SPD per region (NUTS II level) funded by the ERDF, ESF (EAGGF-Guarantee) Objective 3 1 SPD per country funded by the ESF Community Initiatives: one Fund per Initiative Agenda 2000

Partnership arrangements A more decentralised cohesion policy Within the Member States: a wider definition of the partnerships: * regional and local authorities and other competent authorities * economic and social partners * other competent bodies including NGOs, environmental sector etc. active involvement of partners in all stages of programming Agenda 2000

Partnership arrangements A more decentralised cohesion policy Between the Commission and the Member States a clear definition of responsibilities with 3 key players * the Commission * the programme Management Authority * the Monitoring Committee Agenda 2000

Programming: 4 main steps 1. Programme guidance issued by the Commission 2. Development plans submitted by Member States after consultation with partners 3. Adoption of strategy by the Commission: quantified strategic targets priorities funding allocations 4. Detailed programming of measures by Management Authority and Monitoring Committees Agenda 2000

Planning and programming timetable Plans and programmes to cover 7 years (except transition areas) Plans submitted by Member States within 4 months of list of eligible regions concluded Commission decision within 5 months of receiving plans: CSF or SPD Commission decision within 5 months of receiving proposed OPs Member States to submit Programme Complement within 3 months of approval of SPD or OP Agenda 2000

Requirements of plans and programmes Regional Developments Plans: reinforced ex- ante evaluation Community Support Framework, SPDs: strategic priorities, financial allocations and methods of implementation….. SPDs and OPs will no longer contain measures, as they did before Programme Complement: measures, finance by measure, beneficiaries, publicity actions Agenda 2000

Programming: who does what? (1) Commission: determines eligible regions and indicative financial allocations establishes programme guidance adopts (modifies) programmes only at the level of strategic priorities monitoring at strategic level approves large-scale projects (>EURO 50 million) Agenda 2000

Programming: who does what? (2) Member State - Management Authority: prepares plans prepares and adopts the programming complement sub-delegates responsibilities as necessary - global grants selects projects prepares annual report implements the mid-term evaluation ensures that information and publicity rules are adhered to Agenda 2000

Programming: who does what? (3) Member State - Monitoring Committee agrees on programming complement lays down project selection criteria monitors programme implementation: proposes programme changes to Management Authority agrees on proposals to change programming complement approves mid-term evaluation agrees annual report Agenda 2000

Additionality “The Funds may not replace public or other equivalent structural expenditure by the Member State” 3 verifications: ex-ante, mid-term, ex-post measured against structural expenditures in all Obj. 1 regions (for Obj. 1)... ...or expenditures on active labour market policies outside Obj. 1 regions (for Objs. 2 and 3) Agenda 2000

Ceilings on co-financing rates Maximising the leverage calculated at measure level general conditions unchanged new ceilings where substantial revenue generated from infrastructure: Obj. 1: 40% + 10% for Cohesion Fund states Obj. 2: 25% can be 10% higher if not direct grants and where investment in firms: Obj. 1: 35% Obj. 2: 15% can be 10% higher for SMEs if not direct grants Agenda 2000

Monitoring arrangements A more transparent implementation Key annual encounters: Commission and Management Authority for management questions Commission and control authorities for control questions Monitoring of targets for quantified indicators Mid-term review of implementation Improved information and publicity system Agenda 2000

Evaluation: a tool for better programming ex-ante evaluation submitted by Member State with plans; new emphasis on employment situation environmental impact equality between men and women mid-term evaluation implemented by Managing authority using an independent expert: consequences for reprogramming ex-post evaluation implemented by European Commission by 2009 Agenda 2000

Financial Management Combining simplification and efficiency automatic annual commitments automatic de-commitment of unused resources payment on account of 7% on the adoption of the programme new system of reimbursements against expenditure incurred final payment of 5% at closure of programme flat-rate indexation of 2% built into budget with review for 2004-2006 Agenda 2000

Financial Control A clearer division of responsibilities Member States responsible for: efficient systems for financial control prevention of irregularities correction of irregularities ensuring compliance with Community law Commission responsible for: checks on efficiency of financial control systems consequences: possible suspension or cancellation of payments organisation of annual meetings Agenda 2000

The performance reserve A new tool to encourage improved performance 4% of national resources allocated before 31.3.2004 assessment of programme performance based on: realisation of aims decided ex-ante the quality of the programme management the absorption of EU resources and their leverage effect choice of indicators by Member State, based on proposals by Commission Member State proposes successful programmes allocation of Funds by the Commission Agenda 2000

Closing ongoing programmes Programmes before 1994 requests for payments until 31.3.2001 automatic decommitments until 30.9.2001 Programmes from period 1994-1999: requests for payments until 31.3.2003 automatic decommitments until 30.9.2003 Agenda 2000

Commission implementing decisions Eligibility of expenditure (article 30) Use of the EURO (article 33) Financial control (article 38) Financial corrections (article 39) Information and Publicity (article 46) ….others if necessary Agenda 2000