How are EU-funded programmes managed and what do you need to know to become a better programme or project manager?
For the 2014-20 programing period there is more focus on results, less on absorption; more responsibility afforded to the national authorities, less paperwork for Beneficiaries; more focused priorities, less resources wasted. Several measures have been taken to step up the effectiveness and simplification of programme implementation, with great impact on the operations of the MAs, IBs, CAs and AAs in the Member States.
This course will give you all the essential knowledge and skills to manage, control and evaluate EU-funded programmes, at all levels. We start off with an understanding of the forms of support available and the ways they are managed. Simplified cost options are given high regard, along with the intricacies of public procurement. Management verifications and audits complement the system by providing the necessary checks and balances that safeguard sound financial management. Much attention to its role in programme control, and error prevention and detection is also afforded.
And speaking about sound financial management, the reinforced role of evaluation and monitoring is discussed in the context of programme effectiveness, and what is expected of programme and project managers in these two important areas of performance management. What about communicating the achievements of the funds?
This seminar delivers a complete, practical toolkit of skills for the management of EU-funded projects, for all levels of experience, from beginner to the most seasoned managers and controllers.
i. Overview of the principles and foundations of SCOs;
ii. Explaining the calculation methods for all SCO options available, considering the European Commission’s Guidance Notes on SCOs, the reports on SCOs published by the various EU institutions (including DG Regio, DG Empl, the European Court of Auditors) and the updates from the Omnibus Regulation;
iii. Analysing in detail how each Simplified Cost Option contributes to improve implementation under different conditions and under all ESI Funds through practical examples from different Member States;
iv. Studying errors in public procurement;
v. Analysing how the collection, processing and reporting of data is increasingly becoming integral to policy success;
vi. Overview of the theory-based and counterfactual evaluation methodologies;
vii. Explaining the notion of performance audits and discuss their application to the evaluation and audit of sound financial management;
viii. Analysing whether the ESIF communication strategies are achieving the expectations.
ix. Discussion on publicity rules for the new programmes;
x. Defining error and the most common areas of irregularities.
Managing Authorities, First Level of Control Bodies, Intermediate Bodies, Certifying Authorities, Audit Authorities, Central Coordination Authorities, Central or Regional Ministries, Finance Officers, Auditors, Methodology Departments, Technical Officers, Communications Officers, Officers involved in the managing, verifications and evaluation of EU-funded programmes and projects.
Delivering knowledge, experience and good feelings!
Our Plan for the three days
Registration and distribution of training material
Introduction – Setting the objectives and expected outcomes
#Simplifying: SCOs – Standard Scales of Unit Costs An in-depth analysis of standard scales of unit costs, through practical examples, workshops and from different perspectives – implementation, reimbursement to the Beneficiary, verification, certification to the EC and reimbursement from the EC.
Coffee Break
#Simplifying: SCOs – Flat Rates This session explores flat-rate financing and all its variants through practical examples, workshops and from multiple perspectives from all ESI Funds – implementation, reimbursement to the Beneficiary, verification and certification to the EC.
#Simplifying: SCOs – Lump Sums and Financing not based on costs This session explains lump sums and their application, together with an overview from all perspectives (incl. Article 14, ESF). This session includes practical examples and workshops.
Lunch
#Procurement: a guide to better planning A workshop on the verification of the preparatory phases of the public procurement process – studies justifying procurement, selection of procurement procedure, budgeting, the tender document, exclusion, selection and award criteria, specifications and more.
Coffee Break
#Procurement: analysing contract modifications The second workshop addresses the verification of the performance of contracts during their implementation, covering the most controversial matters such as delays, payment schedules, contract modifications and penalties.
Concluding remarks and wrap-up of Day 1
Welcome coffee
#Quality of public administration – monitoring (collecting, processing and reporting data) Monitoring has often been seen in the past as an ‘add-on’, an unwelcome distraction imposed by funding providers on recipients. This session analyses how it is increasingly becoming integral to policy success.
#Quality of public administration – evaluation (theory based and counterfactual) In this session dedicated to impact evaluations, we analyse the methods which seek to answer “why” and “how” an intervention works. Practical examples are provided throughout.
Coffee Break
#Quality of public administration – performance audits We explain the notion of performance audits and discuss their application to the evaluation and audit of sound financial management.
Lunch
#Communication – Implementation of communication strategies for ESIF: Are they achieving expectations? One problem the policy faces is related to how we communicate about it. This session analyses whether the ESIF communication strategies are achieving the expectations.
Coffee Break
#Publicity – promoting EU funded projects and programmes. What is expected to change for 2021-2027? We close off day two with a discussion on publicity rules for the new programmes.
Concluding remarks and wrap-up of Day 2
Welcome coffee
#Irregularities – Iregularities in EU funded projects (statistics & definitions) The third day starts with an overview of the most common errors, irregularities and fraud cases as reported by the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Understanding the errors helps in designing better controls.
#Irregularities -Safeguarding and preventing the EU Budget This session discusses the mechanisms to safeguard the EU Budget from irregularity, describing the different layers of assurance and the tools used to deter the occurrence of irregularity and fraud.
Coffee Break
#Irregularities – Avoiding the most common errors in EU funds managements (case studies) In the last session we discuss verification findings at all levels of the programme, and tries to address the question whether national eligibility rules are more demanding than the minimum rules set by the EC.
Concluding remarks and distribution of certificates
2021 Training Programme
