1. Towards a Cohesion Policy more focused on outputs and results: The “joint action plan”
DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
ESF Legislation and Policy, Financial Engineering

2. More focus on results?

3. Purpose of the presentation
Present the “Joint Action Plan”, a potential approach on a management more focused on outputs and results
Create a common understanding around this innovative approach

4. Why? Origin of the joint action plan
Increase the focus of management on outputs and results …
Without additional layer of management. Replace input oriented management by linking payments to outputs and results.
Different scales possible:
Operations: already partially existing, via use of standard scales of unit costs or lump sums but there was a will to be more ambitious…
Programmes: discussed with ESF experts but considered as too difficult: OPs too long, scope too wide, too many external influences, …
=> Intermediary scale: option to implement part of programme(s) using a result based approach = JAP

5. What is a joint action plan?
A specific type of operation
Under the responsibility of one beneficiary
Contributing to specific objectives of the OP
Comprising a set of projects (for all types of granted projects)
Whose management, control and audit is exclusively based on jointly agreed milestones, outputs and results
Defined in the Commission decision

6. What is a JAP? Operation = Part of OP(s) Specific objective €
Milestones Outputs
results €
Project €
Authorities of the OP
Outputs, results
Commission
Beneficiary € €
Project
Outputs, results
Project
Outputs, results
Decision of the Commission

7. Key points for JAP (1) Intervention logic
What are the (types of) projects to implement in order to reach the objective?
What are the milestones, the quantified targets of outputs and results necessary to reach the objectives?
What are the indicators necessary to monitor milestones, ouputs and results?

8. Key points for JAP (2) Financial management
Costs to achieve milestones, outputs and results
Based on methods used to calculate simplified cost options
Also applicable to public contracts
No ceiling for lump sums
Consequence: payments to the beneficiary will be modulated according to the level of success
Costs included in payment applications as any other operation.
 No advances declared to the Commission

9. Key points for JAP (3) Audit
Audit = exclusively verification that conditions (milestones, outputs, results) for payments defined in the JAP decision have been fulfilled.
Reliable systems to collect and store the data, of common interpretation of indicators.
Competences of the beneficiary
For costs incurred by the beneficiary or bodies implementing the projects no double management rules. National accounting practices apply and are not subject to audit by the audit authority or the Commission.

10. Let’s take an example (1): types of projects
Networking employers / training institutes / Employment services
Integration in employment of young unemployed
Employment & self employment aids
Selection and definition of the progression pathways to employment
Trainings:
Basic skills
Mentoring in employment (6 months)
Vocational training, incl
qualification
Work placement
Social and
Vocational follow up

11. Let’s take an example (2): quantifications
Networking employers / training institutes / Employment services
(1 active network, /year)
Integration in employment of young unemployed
Employment & self employment aids (60%, 9.000)
Selection and definition of the progression pathways to employment
( young people)
Trainings:
Basic skills (66%, )
Mentoring in employment (6 months)
(73%, )
Vocational training, incl
qualification (90%, )
Work placement (20.000)
Social and
Vocational follow up
(100%, /year)
3 years

12. Let’s take an example(3): indicators and pricing
Indicator: number of pathways formalised (standard document)
Definition of a standard scale of unit cost (statistical data PES)
€ 200 / pathway
Max amount payable:
€ 200 x = EUR
Possibility to define milestones:
First payment of EUR when pathways
Second payment of additional EUR when additional pathways
Final payment on the basis of the exact number of pathways (with a minimum of 5.000)
Selection and definition of the progression pathways to employment
( young people)
And the same approach is repeated for every type of projects

13. Let’s take an example (4): pricing
Networking employers / training institutes / Employment services
(1 active network; 0.2 m€/yr, 3 yrs)
Integration in employment of young unemployed
(75%, ; 0.55 k€/p; max 5.5 m€)
Employment & self employment aids (60%, 9.000; 3 k€/p, max 27m€)
Mentoring in employment
Selection and definition of the progression pathways to employment
( young people,200 €/people, max 3 m€)
Trainings: Basic skills (66%, ; 2 k€/p, max 20 m€)
Vocational training, incl
qualification (90%, ; 3 k€/p, max 45.5 m€)
Work placement (20.000; 0.5 k€/p, max 10 m€)
Social and
Vocational follow up
(100%, /yr; 1 k€/p/yr, max 15 m€/yr, max 3 yrs)

14. End of the example
Total amount of this JAP would be a maximum of EUR million
But final payment depends on real performance.
‘Expenditure’ declared when outputs and results are justified: same principle as other operations using simplified cost options.
Unspent amounts go back to the OP as every other operation.
Commission decision will cover the main elements of the JAP to ensure legal certainty

15. Content of the proposal of JAP (implementing act)
Analysis of needs justifying the JAP
Intervention logic, indicators
Geographic coverage, target groups
Implementation period
Effects on equality between men and women, prevention of discrimination, sustainable development
Implementing provisions:
Competence of beneficiary
Steering
Monitoring and evaluation
Financial arrangements, including indicative schedule of payments
Financing plan by OP & priority axis
Costs of achieving milestones, outputs and result targets

16. Steering Committee and amendment of JAP
Why? Need for a close monitoring and early detection / correction of potential problems given the financial consequences. Element of flexibility of the plan necessary to correct initial errors or take acount of unforeseen events.
Role: review progress, consider and approve proposal of amendments
Who? Decided by MS, partnership principle, Commission may participate. Distinct from the Monitoring Committee.

17. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
QUESTIONS?