1. Seminar : «Promotion of Regional Collaboration between Greece and the Czech Republic for the efficient use of European Structural Funds» Structural Funds - The Greek Experience “Administrative Skills at a Regional Level” Introducer: Georgios D. Tsiotras Secretary General Region of Central Macedonia

2. The region constitutes: - Driving force of development - An agent strengthening the cohesion within EU Regional Policy in the EU. The Role & Importance of the Regions in Democratic programming in Democratic programming in the implementation of the Principle of Subsidiarity & Decentralization in the implementation of the Principle of Subsidiarity & Decentralization in the Balanced National Development in the Balanced National Development In view of a New Institutional Framework for the Reorganization of the Regions and for the Administrative Structure of the Country Reinforced Role for the Regions : though the enlargement of the E.U through the introduction of the 4 th Programming Period [2007-2013] (direct negotiation with the EU)

3. Central Goal Socioeconomic convergence Regional Policy in the EU. Combination of Centralized European Policies on the basis of: the particularities of each member state the needs of each local society Rational exploitation of available resources, mainly aiming at: improving the conditions of life in every region of the country eliminating the isolation, exclusion and inequality phenomena in order to improve the everyday life of citizens Anthropocentric character of actions & policies

4. Regional Structure Regional Structure Greece consists of 13 Regions : East Macedonia & Thrace Central Macedonia West Macedonia EpirusThessaly Ionian Islands West Greece Sterea Ellada Peloponnese Attica North Aegean South Aegean Crete

5. Existing Operation (L 2503/1997): Region = a decentralized administration unit Transfer of authorities & resources from the Central Administration Independence of internal organization, staffing & financial management Regional Structure The Region: Disposes of its own personnel. Disposes of its own budget. Disposes of mechanisms to manage regional project credits Assists the Government in the configuration & implementation of a regional policy. Brings the Administration closer to the citizen and his problems The Secretary General of each Region is a representative of the Government, responsible for the execution of governmental policy in his or her Region.

6. Regional Structure Secretary General of Region Secretary General’s OfficeLegal / Judicial Office Department of Emergency Political Planning (DEPP) General Directorate of the Region Directorate of Political Protection 7. Forests 8. Agricultural Development 9. Local Authorities & Decentralization 10. Administration 11.Urban Condition - Aliens & Emigration 1. Planning and Development 2. Public Health & Welfare 3. Public Works 4. Control of Construction Works 5. Control of Maintenance Works 6. Environment & Town-planning Directorates:

7. Basic levels of operation for the Regions (L. 2503/97): 1. democratic programming & coordination of the policies announced by the State and the Local Authorities 2. control of the legitimacy & effectiveness of the Local Authorities Organizations policy Democratic Programming Regional Council = Collective Instrument : Regional Administration meets Local Authorities Programmatic composition of views & proposals made by the Local Authorities Organizations & social entities

8. ROP Guidelines : Align with the general developmental EU guidelines & with national choices Adapt to the needs of each Region & to the local society needs Are always aiming at improving the everyday life of the civilian 3 rd Community Support Framework – ROP Highlighting the metropolitan role of Thessaloniki and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship. Protecting the environment. Reducing inequalities within the same region. Central Macedonia ROP Actions : Promoting Agricultural development. Reducing unemployment and promoting equal opportunities in knowledge and skills. Developing mountainous areas, disadvantageous regions & internal zones.

9. Management of R.O.P. Implementation of procedures for the integration of Actions Project monitoring Control of Actions & Final Beneficiaries Special Management Service of R.O.P. Secretary General of Region Head of Management Service UNIT A: Programming and Evaluation UNIT B: Management and Monitoring UNIT C: Control UNIT D: Organization and Support Intermediate Evaluation Preparation of the Annual & Final Program Execution Report Publicity of the Program Competencies of the Special Management Service : Technical Secretariat INTERREG

10. For the monitoring of the 3 rd CSF implementation and the rational execution of the Regional Operational Program, Monitoring Committees were created = Collective Instrument Monitoring Committee of R.O.P. Competencies: Regional Operational Program Monitoring. Complement to Programming Criteria for the integration of Actions Approval of the Annual and Final Report regarding the execution of the Operational Program Progress evaluation/ adjustment proposal

11. Procedures and Criteria for the Integration of Actions in R.O.P. 1st Step: Invitation to the Final Beneficiaries for the submittal of proposals 2nd Step: Submittal of Proposals & Technical Newsletters of the Project 3rd Step: Proposal Evaluation 4th Step: Coordination procedure 5th Step: Integration / Rejection

12. Within the 4 th CSF it is necessary to review the regulative and managing regulations aiming to: The increase of the effectiveness the reduction of its complexity. 4 th Programming Period 2007 - 2013 (4 th CSF) New Structural Regional Policy:  Specification of the structural inabilities  Preparation of a long-term developmental strategy (SWOT analysis)  Avoidance of excessive concentration for a balanced long-term development  Reinforcement of the administrative ability to plan and implement developmental programs

13. General principles for the organization of the Strategic Development Plan: 1. Instruments for the preparation of the Development Plan  Coordination and Policy Definition Committee  Preparation team  Planning per Region 2. Preparation Contents and Phases : A. Development Prospect Localization B. Program Planning E.U. Financing Direct to decentralized regional structures Dialogue of Regions with local developmental bodies for planning actions and directions 4 th Programming Period 2007 - 2013 (4 th CSF)

14. The main development priorities for Greek Regions are reflected in the following points: 1.Εnhancement of Competitiveness 2.Improvement of accessibility and services of general financial interest 3.Environmental Upgrading and Protection and Prevention of Danger 4.Human resource development and promotion of employment 5. Improvement of the administrative capacity in public admin istration 6.Reinforcement of cross border, cross country and cross regional collaboration 7.Tourism 8.Agricultural Development 4 th Programming Period 2007 - 2013 (4 th CSF)

15. New member states in E.U. = reinforcement of collaboration = two- way benefits. European Enlargement & the Role of Regions Presence of Greek businesses i.e. in Rumania & Bulgaria = advanced party of European know-how & attitude INTERREG = pre-existing experience of cross countries – cross- regional agreements for actions and investments (long lasting inactivity of economic and financial bodies & state) Role of Regional Administration =Essential and critic for the approximation of the countries & local societies, under the umbrella of E.U. Equal partners of E.U.: development of collaboration methods for common projects and actions for the parallel development of areas Exploitation of natural & human resources Adoption of the best practices