REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” ERDF-Cohesion Fund REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME ASTURIAS Design and Structure June 4 h, 2012

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 2 INDEX Page A.Process of design of the Asturias ROP B.Structure of ERDF and Cohesion Fund at Regional Level 09 C.Conclusions 11

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 3 A.Process of design of the Asturias ROP B.Structure of ERDF an Cohesion Fund at Regional Level 09 C.Conclusions 11

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 4 Process of Design of Asturias ROP PREVIOUS STEPS 3. IMPLEMENTATION ASTURIAS ROP Preparatory Meetings 2. KEY POINTS IN BENEFICIARIES AND PROJECTS

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 5 PREVIOUS STEPS Preparatory Meetings (two years before) With all departments or areas wich can be manage EU funds Identify the real objectives and proposals of these areas: Areas with regional programming documents (Roads, R&D&I, SMEs, etc.). Other wise, each Department in every Regional Ministry have to elaborate a brief document of the future actions, identify the main projects (if it´s possible) After meetings and documentation analysis Selection the main areas and posible beneficiaries Process of Design of Asturias ROP

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 6 KEY POINTS IN BENEFICIARIES AND PROJECTS Well defined projects and Political Support Development and Competitiveness Regional Pact with Trade Unions and SMEs Associations Logical Projects Provisional budget Environmentally sustainable Without political difficulties Beneficiaries from Regional Administration Projects that Regional Government develops in cooperation with Municipalities (Regionals grants for their investments) are financed with our own budget (Regional) but not with EU Funds. Process of Design of Asturias ROP

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 7 KEY POINTS IN BENEFICIARIES AND PROJECTS Beneficiaries Characteristic Human Resources (quantity and quality) A critical size (enough potencial projects to be trained in computer system, audit requirements, publicity etc.) Identify weak areas and work hard by helping the benefiaries to have better procedures. Economic Development Institute of the Principality of Asturias (SMEs) that is a key beneficiary. Avoid (if posible) such really, complicated areas like R&D&I because it is very difficult to accomplish the EU regulations. In my opinion, it is the most problematic area Process of Design of Asturias ROP

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 8 IMPLEMENTATION With all those ideas we have an internal clear idea of our goals, which areas and departments have the means and budget for having a simple ROP. The final goal is have the EU funds as quick and smooth as possible. Fit previous design in: Lisboa Agend, National Reforms Prgramme, Europe Guidelines, etc.. Express previous steps in paper form (ROP, Selection Criteria etc) Help form external company Monofond Operational Programmes We don´t believe there are important synergies between programmes. Integrated Programmes are more complicated to manage. Process of Design of Asturias ROP

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 9 A.Process of design of the Asturias ROP B.Implementation of ERDF an Cohesion Fund at Regional Level 09 C.Conclusions 11

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 10 Implementation of ERDF and Cohesion Fund at Regional Level Carry out the development of the Regional Operational Programme Asturias Government: 62% Central Goverment: 29% Municipalities: 9% Multiregional ROP but with a defined regional part Mainly implemented by Central Government Asturias Government : environmental actions COHESION FUND (ESF) ASTURIAS REGIONAL ROP (ERDF) MULTIREGIONAL R&D&I in SMEs ROP Development of the Knowledge Economy ROP

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 11 A.Process of design of the Asturias ROP B.Implementation of ERDF an Cohesion Fund at Regional Level 09 C.Conclusions

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 12 Conclusions Conclusions: Basic Ideas About design Start from the beneficiaries. The Asturias ROPs are designed from the bottom to the top and with a clear idea: we want a smooth flux of European Funds. We don´t do experimental actions with European Funds but very clear and conservative actions. Help beneficiaries. It is very important that beneficiaries are well trained (computer system, EU regulations, etc.) Permanent support from European Fund Service. Do it simple. The involvement of a small group and well trained range of regional beneficiaries in an Operational Programme is a must. Communication EU Funds. We don´t put too much effort on Communication, only the necessary to accomplish the EU regulations. We already know that 80% of the population knows about EU Funds help in Asturias. We have one of the highest levels of daily newspapers´readers in Spain (63% of the total population).

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “ASTURIAS” 13 Conclusions Conclusions: Basic Ideas About design Monofond Operational Programmes are the best solution. Few Multiregional Programmes. At least in an almost federal structure like it is Spain there should be as less as possible. Specialised external company. Help from a specialised external company to accomplish with evaluation, European Guidelines, coordination between all the ROPs, etc.