Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds ABSORPTION CAPACITY FOR IPA COMPONENTS III AND IV IN CROATIA 19 October 2009 Zvonimir Savić Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds (CODEF)

Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds Pre-accession Partnership ( Political Framework) Strategic Development Framework 2006 – 2013 (national development priorities and priorities) Multi-annual Indicative Planning Document Multi-annual Indicative Financial Framework Strategic Coherence Framework ( for IPA components III and IV) Operational Programmes (OP) - Transport - Environmental Protection - Regional Competitiveness - Human Resources Development Plan for Agriculture and Rural Development Operational Programmes - Cross-border cooperation Annual Activity Plans - Institutional capacity building for implementation of the acquis National Programme for the EU accession Community Strategic Guidelines Programming framework for IPA

Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds Overview of IPA III and IV management system and operating structures

Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds Role of Strategic Co-ordinator (SC) for IPA III and IV The main responsibility of the SC is to ensure co-ordination of the regional development and human resources development components, under the responsibility of the NIPAC. The SC performs the functions assigned, with no direct involvement in the implementation of IPA Components concerned. The Strategic Coordinator is responsible for: - coordinating assistance granted under Component III (regional development) and Component IV (human resources development) and ensuring completeness and coherence of interventions; - drafting the Strategic Coherence Framework; - ensuring coordination between sectoral strategies and programmes.

Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds OP Transport Value: EUR M for , of which EUR M (75%) IPA. Priorities: 1.Upgrading Croatias rail transport system 2.Upgrading Croatias inland waterway system 3.Technical assistance Corridor X: Railway infrastructure projects Corridor VII: Inland waterways projects (Danube & Sava River) Status of OP implemenation: Major projects (above EUR 10 M): Line Rehabilitation Okučani to Novska section – Major Project Application (MPA) to be submitted to EC by end 2009; Zagreb Main Station Signalling and Interlocking System - Bilateral Project Agreement (BPA) signed by EC in April 2009.

Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds OP Environment Value: EUR M for , of which EUR M (75%) IPA funds. Priorities: 1. Development of waste management infrastructure for establishment of integrated WM system 2. Protection of water resources through improved water supply and wastewater management system 3. Technical assistance Status of OP implementation: Major projects (above EUR 10 M): Regional waste management center (RWMC) Kaštijun – BPA signed by EC in April 2009; RWMC Marišćina – BPA signed by EC in April 2009; RWMC Lećevica – MPA sent to EC in July 2009; Water Supply and Sewerage System with Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) for Slavonski Brod - BPA signed by EC in April 2009; Water Supply and Sewerage Improvements in Knin – MPA sent to EC in May 2009; Sisak Waste Water Programme - MPA sent to EC in May 2009; Non-major project (bellow EUR 10 M): Water Supply and Sewerage Improvements in Drniš – MPA sent to ECD

Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds OP Regional Competitiveness Value: EUR M for , of which EUR M (75%) IPA funds. Priorities: 1.Improving development potential of lagging-behind areas 2.Enhancing competitiveness of Croatian economy 3.Technical assistance Status of OP implementation: Major project (above EUR 10 M): BioCenter – MPA sent to EC in May 2009 A number of projects in tendering and evaluation phase; project preparation and tendering proceed in line with agreed procurement plan deadlines.

Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds Human Resources Development OP Value: EUR M for , of which EUR M (85%) IPA funds. Priorities: 1.Enhance access to employment and sustainable inclusion into the labour market 2.Reinforce social inclusion and integration of people at a disadvantage, with a view to their sustainable integration into employment 3.Enhancing human capital and employability 4.Technical Assistance Status of OP implementation: A number of projects in tendering and evaluation phase; project preparation and tendering proceed in line with agreed procurement plan deadlines.

Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds IPA III and IV as an instrument of preparations for Structural Funds management Testing Cohesion policy principles prior to accession: Logic of programming documents identical to those under SFs Areas of intervention more in line with Cohesion Policy Multi-annual strategic planning Institution and Capacity Building (increase in number of institutions and staff involved) Interministerial coordination and partnership Financial implementation according to n+3 rule Evaluation of OP

Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds Challenges for absorption of IPA III and IPA IV funds Further development of institutional and management structure Sufficient number of employees for managing EU programs Continuous training on the implementation and monitoring of projects Horizontal cooperation between stakeholders Ensure timely co-financing of programs/projects from national budget At the same time, Croatia is managing 1st generation of pre- accession programmes (CARDS and PHARE / ISPA / SAPARD), new pre-accession programme IPA, and preparing for structural funds post-accession Strengthening local government units, non-profit sector and entrepreneurs capacities for mangement and implemenation of projects

Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds Thank you for your attention! Central Office for Development Strategy and Coordination of EU Funds Radnička cesta 80 Tel , Fax