1. Presentation WG 2 Managing EU Funds on the Regional Level Republic of Albania Ministry of European Integration (MEI) Regional Conference EU Perspectives and Current Standing of the Countries in the Region in the SAP Belgrade, 7-8 th December 2005

2. I. Neighbourhood Programmes in Albania (An Overview)

3. Cross-border programmes (strand A): Greece – Albania Italy – Adriatic (Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia & Montenegro, Albania) Italy - Albania Transnational programmes (strand B): CADSES (Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Slovak Republic, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia & Montenegro, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) 3

4. Greece-AlbaniaGreece-Albania Funding (2000-2006) EUR 90m ERDF EUR 6,6m CARDS EC approval of NP: 24 February 2005 Funding (2000-2006) EUR 90m ERDF EUR 6,6m CARDS EC approval of NP: 24 February 2005

5. Greece-Albania Cross-border Programme PRIORITIES Transport Infrastructure: road and port infrastructure, customs facilities & border control and security installations Economic Development & Promotion of Employment: measures to encourage cooperation between SMEs, universities, protect and improve the natural environment, the quality of public health services and promotion of new employment opportunities by introducing new technologies

6. Italy-AdriaticItaly-Adriatic Funding (2000-2006) EUR 50,5m ERDF EUR 6m CARDS EC approval of NP: 22 December 2004 Funding (2000-2006) EUR 50,5m ERDF EUR 6m CARDS EC approval of NP: 22 December 2004

7. Italy-Adriatic Cross-border Programme PRIORITIES Protection, promotion and exploitation of environment, culture & Infrastructure of the cross border territory Economic Integration of the cross-border Productive systems: interventions of predominantly private interest, competitiveness & strengthening of the SME industry, handicraft, tourism, agriculture and fishing Actions to strengthen cooperation: intervention of systems to strengthen the institutions, harmonisation of systems, promotion of democracy, employment, security, social integration & human resources

8. Italy-AlbaniaItaly-Albania Funding (2000-2006) EUR 33,2m ERDF EUR 3m CARDS NP not approved yet by EC Funding (2000-2006) EUR 33,2m ERDF EUR 3m CARDS NP not approved yet by EC

9. Italy-Albania Cross-border Programme PRIORITIES Transport, Communication & Security: improvement of infrastructures, security systems and social assistance services Environment & Health care: protection, and management of marine & aquatic sensitive ecosystems, sustainable development of natural protected areas Economic development & Employment: SMEs, cooperation between universities & research centres and in the agriculture sector Tourism, Cultural heritage & Institutional cooperation

10. CADSES Funding (2000-2006) EUR 161m ERDF EUR 4,8m CARDS EUR 5m TACIS ~8m PHARE EC approval of NP: 17 December 2004 Funding (2000-2006) EUR 161m ERDF EUR 4,8m CARDS EUR 5m TACIS ~8m PHARE EC approval of NP: 17 December 2004

11. CADSES Transnational Programme PRIORITIES Promotion of Spatial Development approaches & actions for Social & Economic cohesion Efficient & sustainable Transport systems & Access to the Information Society Promotion & management of Landscape, Natural & Cultural heritage Environment protection, Resource management & Risk prevention

12. II. Institutional aspects/ Management structures/ Programme Implementation 12

13. Neighbourhood Programmes INTERREG – Cards NP Responsible Authorities: EU Member States: Managing Authority (Greece and Italy) CARDS: Programme Co-ordination Unit (Ministry of European Integration), Contracting Authority (EC Delegation) 13

14. Neighbourhood Programmes INTERREG - Cards NP Management Structures: Joint programmes, joint management structures Joint Monitoring Committee Joint Selection Committee Joint Technical Secretariat 14

15. Neighbourhood Programmes INTERREG - Cards Implementing Rules: Neighbourhood Programme 2004-06 Implementing Guidelines for INTERREG-CARDS/TACIS borders issued by the Commission on 11 June 2004 Single call for projects, single application, single selection process, joint projects Formal contracting process remains separate for internal and external elements 15

16. III. Managing EU Funds on the Regional Level in Albania Problematic

17. Main Objective: Ensure widespread involvement at local level/ building of ownership What has been done? Set up of national structures in central level and TA requested for strengthening this structure and supporting them in their role. Dissemination of information through Info-Days, web site in the Ministry of EI, materials in written etc. Establishment of a database on potential project partners Assistance upon request to the interested beneficiaries 17

18. Problems faced Lack of knowledge on project development in general and specifically on these programmes procedures (complexity etc) Insufficient number of personnel working on national (coordination) and local level. Lack of necessary infrastructure for establishing networking and communication Lack of information during application phase Lack of continuous exchange of information among the national structures in the respective participant countries

19. Recommendations More intensive assistance with regard to select credible, effective, genuine cross-border and transnational co-operation projects Strengthening of the structures with regard to training, personnel, infrastructure etc. Establishment of an effective collaboration between the partner countries (management structures) on organisational, functioning and information on Programme implementation Better coordination between sources of financing (state budget and other donors)