Categorisation of EU interventions Cohesion policy 2014-20 John Walsh, DG REGIO, Unit Evaluation and European Semester

The SF categorisation system … An information system (not priority or eligibility list)… to increase quality of information, transparency and policy accountability on the use of cohesion policy resources across Europe. It tracks the financial inputs and monitors programming and progress in the implementation of the cohesion programmes 2007-2013 across themes across Objectives across Member States

Structure of categorisation system 2007-13 - 5 dimensions Ex-ante + ex-post + “Priority Themes” - 86 codes Form of Finance - 4 codes Territorial dimension - 11 codes Ex-post only – reported according to the combination of codes + Above three dimensions and + Economic Dimension - 23 Codes Location Dimension – N° of Nuts II/III codes varies by MS (ESF also has beneficiary data ... not ERDF/CF)

Measuring Progress … in a simplified project pipeline 2007-13 Programmes => EU Financial allocations (Ex-ante) Project preparation, calls …. Project selection (at OP level – Ex-Post) => data by theme (including earmarking) + 4 other dimensions Contracting, procurement by project promoter Spending => expenditure declarations (at OP/ priority axis level – not associated to priority themes) Indicators / Completion => outputs / results (at OP level – not associated to priority themes)

Categorisation : 2007-13 vs 2014-2020 2007-2013 2014-2020 N° Dimensions 5 5 + 1 (ESF) Frequency of data Once per year - 30/06 Once per year 31/1 Coverage Decided – selection + spending Level of reporting OP Priority axis Concentration on EU priorities Through Lisbon Earmarking Through thematic objectives Climate and biodiversity tracking Informal Formalised with defined weightings

Dimensions : 2007-13 vs 2014-2020 2007-2013 2014-2020 Ex-ante and ex-post 1."Priority theme" => "Intervention Field" 86 100 2. Form of Finance 4 codes 4 codes (with amendment) 3. Territorial dimension 11 codes <10 codes (with amendments) Ex post selection / spending only 4. Economic Dimension 23 codes Small changes 5. Location National NUTS codes No change

Thematic concentration - 11 thematic objectives Research & innovation Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) Shift towards a low-carbon economy Climate change adaptation & risk prevention and management Environmental protection & resource efficiency Sustainable transport & removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures Employment & supporting labour mobility Social inclusion & combating poverty Education, skills & lifelong learning Institutional capacity building & efficient public administrations

Programme structure / reporting level Thematic Objectives = Priority Axis => Policy purpose Investment Priorities => Policy priorities / specific objectives (with results expected) +/-100 Intervention Fields => investments System offers flexibility in use of “Intervention fields” against the different “Thematic Objectives”

Improved ventilation of "intervention fields" Key Changes I Innovation & R&D and SME distinguish … Support to public vs private R&D efforts Clarify SME supports – Service to SMEs vs investments by SMEs Ventilation of e-services E-Gov E health E-Inclusion, etc E-commerce Social entrepreneurship

Improved ventilation of "intervention fields" Key Changes II Improved ventilation of certain categories a. Energy efficiency - buildings vs homes vs SMEs TEN-T priorities – core vs comprehensive Distinguish risk prevention – Climate /Env vs human activities [Distinguish public vs private culture and tourism] [Water supply vs conservation]

Improved ventilation of inteventions Energy efficiency, cogeneration, energy management … to become … Energy efficiency renovation of public infrastructure Energy efficiency renovation of existing housing stock and demonstration projects Energy efficiency in SMEs Intelligent Energy Distribution Systems at low voltage levels (smart grids) Co-generation and district heating

Changes to other dimensions Principal reasons for changes is that these dimension should have added value. Form of finance: clarify and Introduce "repayable grants"; eliminate "other forms" Territorial dimension: clarify "Rural codes" [introduce "Macro regional dimension" delete different forms of ETC] Economic dimension: Essentially keep list with small adjustments. Very important for RTDI / Business support, labour market (green jobs) Location: No change

ESF – Secondary Theme dimension (ex-ante & ex-post reporting) To be reported ex-ante and ex-post: Integrated schemes for urban and rural development Supporting the shift to a low-carbon, resource efficient economy (100% weighting) Enhancing the accessibility, use and quality of information and communication technologies Enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs Strengthening research, technological development and innovation Social innovation Not Applicable

Main characteristics … in a nutshell Ex-ante negotiation and annual ex-post monitoring No double counting Better more timely information on stages of project pipeline – decided, selected, [contracted], expenditure declared More refined “intervention fields” learning from experience Use of Rio markers / bio diversity tracking across ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund to track climate contribution: integrated no additional burden.

Timetable Informal discussion with MS early 2013 in implementing and delegated acts => to reach broad agreement; Categorisation codes and templates to be finalised in implementing act after adoption of legislation; After adoption of implementing act MS to put in place amended data systems to allow encoding of selected projects Production of annual reporting tempaltes

Questions? …. And thank you for your attention