The EU moves on and as one funding period gains ground, another one rolls in. The EC and the MS have already been quite busy in laying down the foundations for the 2021-27 multi-annual financial framework, discussing how programmes can be improved to facilitate their accessibility to beneficiaries and their administration by the EC, national and regional authorities.
As the first published regulations and documents show, the EU is heading towards fewer, clearer and shorter rules which are aligned evenly across seven EU funds. This consolidation is further emphasized by the drive to capitalize on proven track records and not reinventing the wheel. So we can now rely more on national authorities, use the same management and control systems approved for the 14-20 programmes, apply a single audit principle, focus resources on results. These synergies are being exploited to contribute to more streamlined policy objectives, and will be supported by improved reimbursement processes based on conditions not costs, clearer financial instruments, and OPs which are more sensitive and flexible to changing economic and social conditions.
These and many more subjects will be discussed in this three-day seminar, which seeks to understand how the present programmes are helping shape the ones of the future through the principle of simplification across all facets of a multi-annual programme – the legal and regulatory framework, programming, implementation, verification and audit, reimbursement, monitoring and evaluation. It will deliver the facts as they evolve but, most of all, it will provide interpretations of the possible effects on our day-to-day management of the eventual programmes and projects on the ground.
i. Understanding the rationale and context of the proposals for the 21-27 multiannual financial framework;
ii. Comparing the proposals with the current implementation of the 14-20 programme, and understanding the effects of the changes proposed on the management and control systems;
iii. Acknowledging the benefit of simplified processes and synergies to bring down administrative costs;
iv. Appreciating the effects of legal, regulatory and policy discussions today to on-the-ground implementation later on;
v. Taking away points of discussion for further elaboration by the EC and national/regional authorities during negotiations on the regulatory package.
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, Officers involved in the programming department.
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
Introducing the principles and objectives driving EU investments in 2021-2027 The seminar starts with an overview of the principles that will support EU’s quest to become smarter, greener, better-connected, social and closer to citizens.
Coffee Break
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Preparing the new Programmes and setting up the Systems The first simplification measures proposed for 2021-27 are related to the Common Provisions Regulations, the Fund-specific regulations and delegated acts, with more consolidation and shorter text. Programming will be faster and more flexible just like the management and control systems.
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Simplified Cost Options immediately in the Programmes Reimbursement from the Commission may be simplified through the extended use of simplified cost options or payments based on conditions set in the Programmes.
Lunch
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Applying for and Selecting projects in 2021-27 The performance framework needs a simple and clear project application and selection process that quickly delivers the desired results. Here we discuss the intervention logic and the project selection processes to consider for the next period.
Coffee Break
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Financial Instruments More has to be done with less. The final session of the day looks into the attributes of the increasingly popular form of support by the European Union – Financial Instruments under the InvestEU Programme or managed by the Member State.
Concluding remarks and wrap-up of Day 1
Welcome coffee
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Monitoring & Evaluations No more annual and progress reports. Indicators will be tied exclusively to the performance framework. Real-time data on an open data platform (e-Cohesion). And a mid-term review will allow adjustments to the OP in 2025. The session concludes with a discussion on the effects of simplified monitoring and evaluation.
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Horizontal principles & Visibility of cohesion policy We discuss how the EC is prioritising horizontal principles and promoting publicity for the new programme.
Coffee Break
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Simplified Cost Options in the Projects (WORKSHOP) On the same wavelength of the 14-20 programmes, controls continue to shift focus on the essential elements of implementation of projects. This workshop looks in detail into the SCOs available to MAs/IBs for reimbursement to Beneficiaries, through examples and cases.
Lunch
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Management Verifications, the Accounts and the Management Declaration (WORKSHOP) Management verifications will follow a risk management strategy, increasing the opportunity to carry out risk-based sampling in the traditionally laborious claim-by-claim verifications. Through this workshop we explore the initiative and its relationship with the management declaration and the accounts, and also the new decommitment rules.
Coffee Break
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Audits The audits, audit opinion and audit control report complete the annual clearance procedure for 2021-27. We close off the day with an overview of the role of the Audit Authority and their audits in the next period.
Concluding remarks and wrap-up of Day 2
Welcome coffee
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Financial management – irregularities, eligibility, revenue generation, major projects and other The final day opens with an overview of the developments on the financial management side, with particular focus on simplification measures introduced.
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Financial corrections by the Commission and by Member States This session looks into the principles and procedures for the correction of errors and irregularities in operations and systems.
Coffee Break
Simplification measures in 2021-2027: Financial Corrections [WORKSHOP] The event closes off with a discussion of a number of cases of irregularity and the recommendations for their treatment, consistent with the principles promoted in the proposed regulations and guidance notes.
Concluding remarks and distribution of certificates
2020 Training Programme
