Regional Policy Performance framework review and reserve Jan Marek Ziółkowski Evaluation and European Semester Unit DG for Regional and Urban Policy 1 Regional Policy March 2014, Brussels

Regional Policy Changes since our last meeting Derogation has been added – In the performance framework with three or more indicators, one indicator may fall below 85%, but not lower than 75% (Article 6(2) of the Implementing Act). Example of justification for the revision - when the information recorded by the bodies preparing programme has been found to be based on incorrect assumptions leading to under- or over-estimation of targets or milestones (Article 5(6) of the Implementing Act). Key implementation steps may be used to set targets – the Implementing Act no longer excludes their use, but the body preparing programme has to explain why key implementation steps are included and they are to complement, not replace output indicators 2

Regional Policy What has been in the pipeline… Guidance on Performance Framework has been published on InfoREGIO – the French and German translation will follow soon. Commission Implementing Regulation (information to be recorded, indicators, criteria of achievement) has been approved by the COESIF on February 12 – it is expected to be adopted by the Commission on 7 March, to be published in O.J. on 8 March and enter into force on 9 march Delegated Act on setting the level of financial corrections has been adopted by the Commission on 3 March and will be notified to the Council and the European Parliament which have two months for observations. 3

Regional Policy Before the examples, please remember!  Performance framework is the last stage of the process.  It is not possible to set it right without: a good understanding of the needs and choosing good and clear specific objectives to address them, and choosing adequate indicators to demonstrate progress in implementation. 4 The examples come from real programmes, but they are not necessarily models to follow.

Regional Policy Type of indicator Definition Category of region MilestoneTarget Financial eligible expenditure More developed Output (CI) Number of enterprises receiving support More developed Financial eligible expenditure Transition Output (CI) Number of enterprises receiving support Transition Increase the number of innovative SMEs

Regional Policy Type of indicator Definition Category of region MilestoneTarget Financial eligible expenditure More developed Output (PS) Number of new methods and technologies for sustainable green urban development More developed 612 Financial eligible expenditure Transition Output (PS) Number of new methods and technologies for sustainable green urban development Transition13 6 Reduce energy consumption in urban areas with a population of more than

Regional Policy Type of indicator DefinitionUnitMilestoneTarget FinancialCertified expenditureEUR Output (CI) Number of enterprises receiving support enterprises Type of indicator DefinitionUnitMilestoneTarget FinancialCertified expenditureEUR Output (CI) Number of new scientists in the supported facilities FTE1049 Output (PS) Number of enterprises participating in innovative projects enterprise Enhancing application-oriented R&I potential Increase of innovative and high-growth start-ups

Regional Policy Type of indicator DefinitionUnitMilestoneTarget Financial Certified expenditure EUR Output (CI) Number of researchers working in improved research infrastructure facilities FTE KIS Completed technical- economic justification for the projects completed Output (CI) Number of enterprises receiving support enterprises0490 KIS Number of contracts to implement projects contracts50 8 – to increase the ability of scientific institutions to attract external funding, by investing in human capital and infrastructure - to promote the development of innovative economic operators and private investment in the development of R&I

Regional Policy Reference documents - Guidance Monitoring and Evaluation for ERDF/CF Performance Framework & Reserve e_en.cfm#1 9 Regional Policy

Performance framework and financial instruments The reporting on selected projects should be based on when the decision to give loan is made. If the financial instrument pays through different instalments, including reporting as part of the fully implemented operations should wait until the last instalment is paid. It is possible to use output indicators only to set milestones for financial instruments or include also key implementation steps, depending on the nature of financial instrument and when it is likely to become operational. In practice, the milestone will likely be set for a key implementation step too, because there will be no or few outputs generated by fully implemented operations expected by the end of It will have to be, however, set as well for the output indicator, because the Common Provision Regulation requires setting milestones for output indicators. Yet, the milestone value for such indicator may be 0 and only its target will relate to outputs from fully implemented operations. 10