1. State aid and EU funding - Are they compatible
State aid and EU funding - Are they compatible? Which difficulties do Member States authorities face when implementing the rules?
Brussels, 25th June 2018

2. Different policy objectives
Two sets of rules
Different policy objectives
Doubled obligations

3. Identified issues Different policy objectives Doubled obligations
Two sets of rules
Different source of funding = different requirements
ESIF vs. centrally managed funds
Funding gap vs. aid intensity
Narrow posibility of using simplified costs method
Different policy objectives
Inability of financing the measures approved by the EC (DG REGIO) within the operational programmes due to lack of compatibility criteria for state aid
Doubled obligations
Two notification procedures
Duplicated evaluations, audits and monitoring checks

4. Issues Results Two sets of rules
Different treatment of similar projects due to the source of funding
Narrow posibility of using simplified costs method
Funding gap vs. aid intensity
Incoherent definitions (eligible costs, innovations)
Ambiguity of state aid rules
Results
Rivalry between programmes
Cohesion policy funding less attractive than centrally managed funds because of state aid
Administrative burdens
Lack of legal certainty and clarity
Discrimination against beneficiaries who are large enterprises
Double duty

5. Different policy objectives
Energy-inefficient heating and cooling systems
Lack of compatibility criteria for state aid
Inability of finacing measures approved by the EC
POs approved by the EC (DG REGIO)
Changing state aid rules during programming period (DG COMP)
Resulting in:
Prolonging notification procedures
Risk of not spending the allocated funds
Energy sector excluded from the regional aid

6. Doubled obligations DG COMP DOUBLED DG REGIO Notifications Evaluations
Audits
Notifications
Evaluations
Monitoring checks

7. Different policy objectives
Two sets of rules
Different policy objectives
Doubled obligations
HARMONIZATION, COORDINATION, SIPLIFICATION

8. Mutual acknoledgement of the evaluations and audits results
Harmonising or coordinating of the notification process for major projects that require the approval of state aid
Mutual acknoledgement of the evaluations and audits results
Reviewing and unifying definitions
Harmonising the duration of state aid rules with programming periods for ESIF (including N+ principle)
Fast track for interpretation of state aid rules for ESIF projects
Providing initial verification in terms of state aid when approving operational programs
Increasing the possibility of setting costs with a simplified method

9. Thank you www.uokik.gov.pl Katarzyna Pamuła-Wróbel Deputy Director
Department of State Aid Monitoring
Poland