Experience of Accessing EU Financial Support in Lithuania 4th PG Funding Meeting , Paris

EU Community Funding Programs in the Lithuanian Road Sector To develop the Lithuanian road network EU ISPA ( ), ERDF and Cohesion Fund (since 2004) have been used. To develop the Lithuanian road network EU ISPA ( ), ERDF and Cohesion Fund (since 2004) have been used. These funds have been used for trans- European transport network (TEN-T), main and local roads development. These funds have been used for trans- European transport network (TEN-T), main and local roads development.

EU support for Lithuania in and In , the total EU funds sum of support for the development of the Lithuanian road sector was approximately 194,9 MEUR. In , the total EU funds sum of support for the development of the Lithuanian road sector was approximately 194,9 MEUR. In 2007–2013, Lithuania expects about 590,2 MEUR from EU funds. In 2007–2013, Lithuania expects about 590,2 MEUR from EU funds.

Similarities and differences among EU Cohesion, Regional Development and other Funds for development of the road network CF can be used only for the main roads belonging to the trans-European transport network. CF can be used only for the main roads belonging to the trans-European transport network. CF project cost must be over 10 MEUR CF project cost must be over 10 MEUR CF project must be approved by EC. CF project must be approved by EC. ERDF program has been implemented for main roads. ERDF program has been implemented for main roads. There are differences in financial, monitoring and reporting systems and eligibility criteria. There are differences in financial, monitoring and reporting systems and eligibility criteria. The overall project management and supervision are similar. The overall project management and supervision are similar.

Main principles of preparation for financing with EU support (1) In Lithuania transport projects to be proposed for financing under the Cohesion Fund regulations are identified and selected according to the Single Programming Document (SPD). In Lithuania transport projects to be proposed for financing under the Cohesion Fund regulations are identified and selected according to the Single Programming Document (SPD).

Main principles of preparation for financing with EU support (2) In selection of projects, Lithuania will give priority to the measures facilitating: In selection of projects, Lithuania will give priority to the measures facilitating: Development of connections with EU countries; Development of connections with EU countries; Projects included in the future TEN-T network; Projects included in the future TEN-T network; Connections along the Pan-European Transport Corridors; Connections along the Pan-European Transport Corridors; Remove bottlenecks along the network; Remove bottlenecks along the network; Connections to the future TEN-T network in certain justified cases; Connections to the future TEN-T network in certain justified cases; Projects to be co-financed from ERDF should seek to improve access to regional centres, improve safety and environmental situation in transport sector. Projects to be co-financed from ERDF should seek to improve access to regional centres, improve safety and environmental situation in transport sector.

SPD implementation problems Insufficient rate of contracting has resulted from time-consuming SPD administration stages: Insufficient rate of contracting has resulted from time-consuming SPD administration stages: 1) preparation and approval of the documentation for the calls for proposals; 1) preparation and approval of the documentation for the calls for proposals; 2) evaluation and selection of applications. 2) evaluation and selection of applications.

Reasons The main reasons delaying the above- mentioned SPD administration stages: The main reasons delaying the above- mentioned SPD administration stages: insufficient human resources in the institutions in charge of the SPD administration (Implementing Agencies, Intermediate Bodies and the Managing Authority); insufficient human resources in the institutions in charge of the SPD administration (Implementing Agencies, Intermediate Bodies and the Managing Authority); lack of experience; lack of experience; insufficient quality of the submitted applications. insufficient quality of the submitted applications.

Insufficient rate of absorption has resulted from: objective project implementation reasons; objective project implementation reasons; deficiencies of the national legal base; deficiencies of the national legal base; time-consuming declaration procedure. time-consuming declaration procedure.

Problem solution options The SPD Managing Authority has made steps leading to a successful solution of the above- mentioned SPD implementation problems: The SPD Managing Authority has made steps leading to a successful solution of the above- mentioned SPD implementation problems: it has been allowed to the SPD administration institutions to recruit staff and experts, organise staff training as well as training of the applicants and project operators by using the Technical Assistance resources; it has been allowed to the SPD administration institutions to recruit staff and experts, organise staff training as well as training of the applicants and project operators by using the Technical Assistance resources; the SPD Administration and Financing Rules have been revised; the SPD Administration and Financing Rules have been revised; meetings of the SPD Monitoring Committee have been organised to make decisions concerning reallocation of funds between the SPD measures; meetings of the SPD Monitoring Committee have been organised to make decisions concerning reallocation of funds between the SPD measures;

Problem solution options (2) amendments to Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on maximum commitments that could be made by the appropriation managers by entering into grant agreements have been initiated; amendments to Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on maximum commitments that could be made by the appropriation managers by entering into grant agreements have been initiated; the SPD and the SPD Complement have been amended affecting efficiency and rate of absorption; the SPD and the SPD Complement have been amended affecting efficiency and rate of absorption; replies to the enquiries of the SPD administration institutions were being provided. replies to the enquiries of the SPD administration institutions were being provided.

Conclusion The main problems relating to the SPD implementation in 2005 were: The main problems relating to the SPD implementation in 2005 were: insufficient rate of contracting insufficient rate of contracting absorption of support. absorption of support. It may be partly explained by the fact that Lithuania has just started using the support of the EU Structural Funds and has had no such experience before. It may be partly explained by the fact that Lithuania has just started using the support of the EU Structural Funds and has had no such experience before.

Postscript To our knowledge, all countries which joined EU in 2004 face the same problems. To our knowledge, all countries which joined EU in 2004 face the same problems. However, we do not have enough information about other countries, especially the more experienced ones. However, we do not have enough information about other countries, especially the more experienced ones.

Thank You for Your Attention Vytautas LINGAITIS