1. Northern Periphery and Arctic 2014-2020 Programme Programming Process Lead Partner seminar, 18th September 2013 – Skellefteå, Sweden Kirsti Mijnhijmer

2. Early preparations  Ongoing evaluations  Ongoing evaluation aimed at simplification (2011)  EPRC (2012): positioning the programme in the new strategy landscape  many new Arctic strategies  Annual conferences 2011 + 2012: project + young people's vision  2 Task Force meetings (April + September 2012)

3. Status of the programming process  6 Programme Planning Group meetings since November 2012  Contents chapters of Operational Programme in advanced stage:  Area analysis: identifying development needs in the area + SWOT  Programme strategy: rationale behind selection of themes  Priorities: draft objectives, results sought, types of actions supported, beneficiaries and target groups  In addition: draft indicators, horizontal principles  Preparatory project exploring Arctic Dimension of new programme  integrated horizontally, no priority axis  Interactive process: regular consultation of Regional Advisory Groups & Ex Ante evaluators

4. Draft Priorities

5. Next steps  Consultation of contents chapters  Workshop with stakeholders at NPP Annual Conference 19th September, Skellefteå, Sweden. Main question: Are the priorities workable?  Public consultations in programme partner countries organised by Regional Contact Points (20th September-15th October)  Establishing implementation framework  No major changes expected in budget and setup. Geography unchanged.  Simplification and harmonisation measures.  Timeline (best case scenario):  December 2013: PMC approval Operational Programme  June-Sep 2014: European Commission approval  programme launch.

6. Thank You for Listening! www.northernperiphery.eu