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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Explore the increased funding and improved legal basis for cross-border initiatives under the new European Objective 3 programme. Discuss topics, management bodies, and collaboration criteria for successful implementation.

ronaldthompson
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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

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  1. EUROPEAN COMMISSION Objective 3 Territorial Co-operation2007-2013 Workshop 1: Cross-border co-operationDG Regional PolicyBrussels, 21 February 2005

  2. The new Objective 3: European Territorial Co-operation Objective in its own right Considerably increased funding 2.5% in the current period → 3.9% of total Structural Funds € 5.8 billion → € 14.3 billion

  3. Improved legal basis for co-operation Regulations will simplify joint implementation • General Structural Funds regulation • ERDF regulation • European Grouping of Cross-border Cooperation

  4. Main questions put by Member States • Financial framework • Geographical scope and eligible areas • Programme areas • Content and topics • Programme management bodies • Project management • Eligibility rules • Financial management and control

  5. The new Objective 3 • Cross border co-operation 47.7% of which 12.1% to be transferred to the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) and the Instrument for Pre-Acession (IPA) • Transnational co-operation 47.7 % • Interregional co-operation and network programmes 4.5% In addition, interregional co-operation with at least one region in another Member State will be encouraged in Objective 1 and 2 programmes Flexibility for Member States of 10% between Strands Co-financing rate of 75% in all Objective 3 co-operation programmes

  6. ERDF-funding

  7. Allocation principles Cross-border co-operation • Population in eligible NUTS III areas • Transfer of ERDF-funds to ENPI and IPA means that the external borders are not eligible for cross-border programmes under Objective 3 but under ENPI/IPA

  8. Cross-border co-operation Geographical scope and eligible areas Similar to present cross-border areas: • Geographic eligibility defined at NUTS III level • 20% may be used in adjacent NUTS III region Novelties: • Definition of maritime borders eligible for cross-border co-operation (up to 150 km) Maritime border regions further apart are encouraged to co-operate under the priority for bilateral co-operation in Transnational programmes • Most external EU borders will not be covered by the cross-border programmes under Objective 3 Most external borders will be eligible for ENPI or IPA programmes

  9. Flexibility concerning the location of operations outside the EU • Expenditure paid for the implementation of operations located on the territory of third countries: • for cross-border and transnational co-operation • on condition that the operations are of benefit to EU Regions • ceiling: 10% of the ERDF contribution to the programme • the responsibility for this expenditure lies on the EU lead beneficiary and the certifying authority

  10. Cross border co-operationProgramme areas Programme for each border or group of borders • Small programmes to be merged in order to diminish bureaucracy and administrative burden, possibly with subprogrammes where necessary. Subprogrammes may wish to set up separate Steering committees. • Trilateral/quadrilateral programmes? • Some new Member States have set up trilateral programmes. Are they working in a satisfactory manner and should they continue? • Some of the earlier Member States may also wish to try new models. One programme for "la Grande Région" for example?

  11. Co-operation programmesContent Cross-border programmes: • improving the economic and social situation of those living on either side of the border • recognising the particular challenges of border regions: geography, language, legal aspects, administration • essentially local in nature

  12. Cross-border programmesAvailable topics similar to present cross-border co-operation topics • Entrepreneurship and SMEs, universities, tourism and cross-border trade • Protection and joint management of the environment • Better access to transport • Information and communication networks • Water, waste management and energy management systems • Health, culture and education Should cross-border programmes be more focussed?

  13. More emphasis on genuine co-operation projects in all Objective 3 programmes Cross-border co-operation: • Partners from at least two countries • Fulfill at least 2 of the following 4 co-operation criteria: • joint project development • joint implementation • joint project staff • joint financing

  14. Programme management bodies Managing Authority (MA) • Normal responsibilities (except checking regularity of operations and expenditure – done by approved controllers) Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) • Located close to the MA Monitoring Committee • Normally also responsible for project selection

  15. Project management: the role of the Lead Beneficiary Lead Beneficiary: • Concludes agreement with MA • Concludes agreement with the beneficiaries participating in the operation (project partners) • Is responsible for implementing the whole project • Ensures that expenditure corresponds to activities agreed

  16. Project management: the role of the Lead Beneficiary Lead Beneficiary: • Checks that expenditure presented by the beneficiaries participating in the operation has been validated by the agreed controllers • Is responsible for transferring the ERDF contribution to the beneficiaries participating in an operation • In case of irregularities, recovers funds from the project partner in accordance with the partnership agreement

  17. Management of co-operation programmes and projects Joint eligibility rules for all Objective 3 programmes to be proposed by the Commission in a Commission implementing regulation Normal n+2 rule applies

  18. Financial management and control 1/4 Group of auditors (Art. 14 (2) ERDF) • Is chaired by the Audit Authority of the programme (Art. 14 (2) ERDF). • Assists the Audit Authority (Art. 61 Gen. Reg.) e.g. carrying out directly or outsourcing: • systems audit • sample check of expenditure • Approves the final report (Art. 61 (1) g)) and assists for the compliance assessment report (Art. 70 Gen. Reg.)

  19. Financial management and control 2/4 Financial responsibility • Certifying Authority (Art. 60 Gen. Reg. +Art.21 ERDF) recovers from the lead partner any amount unduly paid (Art. 17 (2) ERDF) • The lead beneficiary shall lay down the arrangements for recovering amounts unduly paid (Art 20 (1 a) ERDF). • The beneficiaries shall repay the lead beneficiary the amounts paid in error in accordance with the agreement existing between them (Art 17 (2) ERDF). • In case of failure, the Member States on whose territory the relevant beneficiary is located shall reimburse the certification authority (Art 17 (2) ERDF).

  20. Financial management and control 3/4 Financial responsibility • Improved legal security for the Lead Beneficiary as compared to 2000-06: • The responsibility of the LB is limited to • checking that implementation of operation and expenditure corresponds to agreed activities. • checking that declared expenditure is validated by approved controller (especially compliance with national and Community rules) • The Lead Beneficiary is not responsible for irregularities of other Beneficiaries for non-compliance with national and Community rules.

  21. Financial management and control 4/4 Financial responsibility • Improved legal security for the Managing Authority as compared to 2000-06: • The responsibility of the MA is limited to • check that implementation of operation and expenditure corresponds to agreed activities. • check that declared expenditure is validated by approved controller • The Managing Authority is not responsible for irregularities of Beneficiaries for non-compliance with national and Community rules. • Improved legal security for the Member State: not responsible for irregularities of Beneficiaries in other Member States (Art. 17 (2) ERDF)

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