1. State of play of PA and OP negotiations – Key issues emerging from negotiations
ESF Technical Working Group Brussels, 4 March 2014

2. Overview of the presentation
I. State of play : some statistics
II. Key issues emerging from the negotiations
III. Exchange of views and/or identification of topics for next meeting

3. I. State of play: some statistics - PA
9 Partnership Agreements formally submitted: PL, FR, LV, PT, LT, SK, FI, DE, EE
All PA expected to be submitted by
Adoption of observations by Commission expected shortly: PL, LV
ISC on draft observations on-going: PT, LT, SK, FI
ISC on draft observations to be launched shortly: FR, DE, EE

4. I. State of play: some statistics - OP
SFC 2014: possible to ‘send’ OP to Commission as from 28/02/2014 PM
1 Operational Programme formally submitted (EE), but more in the pipeline

5. II. Key issues (1)
ESF minimum share and ensuring that sufficient budget is allocated to thematic objectives 8 to 11
ESF allocation to be assessed against needs and challenges (in particular CSRs)
Need to respect scope and Treaty based mission of each Structural Fund
Consistency with relevant CSRs
Need to get the programming right from the start
Selection of corresponding investment priority: focus, adequate monitoring, ex ante conditionality
Regional OPs also to adequately support relevant CSRs

6. II. Key issues (2)
Selection of thematic objectives and investment priorities
Social inclusion: 20% : OK – active <-> passive measures
Youth Employment Initiative: limited info on how YEI will be delivered and support the implementation of the Youth Guarantee
Roma: specific actions and mainstreaming
Public Administration Reform: lack of commitment ?
Programming architecture
Increasing number of regional OPs: need for strong coordination mechanisms between programmes and Funds; risk of loss of effectiveness; ESF becomes instrument to support ERDF;
Systematic use of cross-financing

7. III. Exchange of views and/or identification of topics for next meeting

8. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !