National Information Seminar The management of IPA funds and the role of the Thessaloniki Liaison Office Zagreb, 21 st February 2012 Kirill Dimanopoulos – Thessaloniki Liaison Officer - JTS MED

Programme Bodies To facilitate the participation of the IPA countries (Albania, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro) to the MED programme. To facilitate the capitalization and coordination between the other transnational cooperation programmes of the area and the MED programme Audit Authority Managing Authority Certifying Authority Joint Technical Secretariat Liaison Office IPA Thessaloniki Liaison Office ENPI Valencia Monitoring Committee (Selection committee)

Mission of the Thessaloniki Liaison Office Objectives: To facilitate the participation of the IPA countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro) to the MED programme. To facilitate the capitalization and coordination between the other transnational cooperation programmes of the area and the MED programme Tasks: Providing information about the offered opportunities of the MED Programme to potential beneficiaries coming from IPA countries Providing information about the modalities of participation in the MED Programme for potential beneficiaries coming from IPA countries Serving as a liaison between the ERDF Lead partners and the IPA partners Managing the matchmaking process of IPA partners to MED projects Providing up to date information about the integrated way of managing the IPA funds Coordinating between the MED authorities and the participating IPA countries and the respective EU Delegations Promoting the capitalization activities between the MED programme and the other transnational cooperation programmes of the area Promoting the exchange of experience and best practices between the MED programme and the other transnational cooperation programmes of the area Providing coordination between the MED programme and the other transnational cooperation programmes of the area Providing guidance to potential Lead Partners to which cooperation programme of the area is the most appropriate to implement their idea

Target area of the Thessaloniki LO

Main motivation for involving IPA Partners Better dissemination of results Obtaining the special expertise of the IPA Partner Thematic reasons Better geographical coverage

What are the main activities of the IPA partners They are usually involved since the beginning (participation in the preparation meetings) They are carrying out visibility actions They are contributing to the thematic work: –By analyzing the status quo in their territory –By designing local action plans –By carrying out studies –By organizing thematic workshops

IPA participation within the transitional management

Management of IPA funds in MED programme Joint IPA envelope for the 4 countries ( ): 5,4M IPA partners can participate to strategic projects (2 nd call) and to all future calls for proposals with this financing They cannot be Lead Partners As partners, they participate to the application with the LP and sign the Partnership Agreement as any other partner of the project IPA partners sign a separate Subsidy (Grant) contract with the MA but otherwise, work with the LP as any other partner in the cooperation project

IPA participation within the integrated management Project acronymIPA PartnerCountry IPA budget (EUR) MEDESS-4MSMaritime Safety DepartmentMontenegro MEDNET Intermodal Transport Cluster Croatia Port of Rijeka ,50 Port Authority of Zadar ,50 Albanian Institute of TransportAlbania HOMERMediterranean UniversityMontenegro Total IPA budget committed

Technical hints IPA allocation The whole IPA contribution for the period 2010 to 2013 is 5.4 M IPA financing rate 85% Neither IPA subsidy contract can be signed nor advanced payment can be carried out until the Financing Agreement (between the Commission, Managing Authority, IPA countries) is not signed The commitment letter of each partner must specify the precise amount of the national co-financing corresponding to the total IPA amount requested within the application form

Technical hints Selection of projects JTS-External Experts Selection Committee Contracting The MA concludes a separate IPA subsidy contract with the IPA partner(s) Reporting Through the LP Receiving direct payment from the CA

Advanced Payment According to the result of the Monitoring Committees written procedure Advance payment for IPA partners is possible Application process The advanced payment is not automatic The application should be done through the LP Technical details Maximum 10% can be the size of the advanced payment at the beginning of the project IPA partners receiving the advanced payment directly from the Certifying Authority In each following reporting period 25% of the advanced payment will be reduced from the reimbursement

IPA First Level Control systems Each IPA country has set up a centralised First Level Control system Control free of charge for IPA partners Eligibility and FLC guidelines will be prepared by each IPA country Deadlines, rules and procedures may not be identical for the 4 IPA countries Each IPA partner must refer to the control system of the IPA country where it is located

Public procurement Practical Guide to Contract procedures for EU external actions (PraG) explains the contracting procedures applying to all EU external aid contracts National rules on public procurement may be used if they are stricter than PraG Procurement procedures have to be applied for all services, supplies and works planned in the project budget (including the services allocated in the preparation costs)

Whats upcoming? Transnational IPA Seminar in Podgorica, Montenegro, 2 nd of March 2012 Applicants Seminar on 6th of March 2012 in Marseille, France Further information and assistance? Contact the Liaison Office: and find further information on (e.g. LO section ) Thank you for your attention!