CO FINANCED BY THE EXTERNAL BORDERS ... - Choose your …...outsource the evaluation or may carry it out jointly with the RA. The evaluation report has been drawn down by the RA in

EX-POST EVALUATION REPORT ON THE RESULTS AND IMPACTS OF ACTIONS

CO-FINANCED BY THE EXTERNAL BORDERS FUND

ANNUAL PROGRAMMES 2007 TO 2010

(Report set out in Article 52(2) (b) of Decision No 574/2007/EC)

2




(Report set out in Article 52(2) (b) of Decision No 574/2007/EC)

Report submitted by the Responsible Authority of:

Republic of Poland

Date: 28 January 2013

Name, Signature (authorised representative of the Responsible Authority):

...........................................

Grzegorz Polak, Director

Department for International Cooperation and European Funds, Ministry of Interior

Name of the contact person (and contact details) for this report in the Member State:

Łucja Chrobot

Unit for EU Funds and Border Management

Department for International Cooperation and European Fund, Ministry of Interior

Phone: 0048 22 60 136 38

E-mail: [email protected]

Karolina Chrzanowska

Unit for EU Funds and Border Management

Department for International Cooperation and European Funds, Ministry of Interior

Phone: 0048 22 60 143 05

E-mail: [email protected]

3

Important remark

This evaluation is to be performed by

1. staff with evaluation expertise within the Responsible or Delegated Authorities

2. a dedicated evaluation department within the national administration

3. external evaluation expert

4. or a combination thereof.

OR

This evaluation is to be carried out by the Responsible or Delegated Authority and then reviewed by

1. a dedicated evaluation department within the national administration

2. external evaluation expert

3. or a combination thereof.

All options can be supported by the technical assistance.

4

GENERAL INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY ON

EVALUATION EXPERTISE AND ON METHODOLOGY

- Did you have recourse to evaluation expertise to prepare this report?

Yes

- If yes, for what part(s) of this report?

Part IV with appendix 2

- Please explain what kind of evaluation expertise you had recourse to:

* In-house evaluation expertise (for instance, Evaluation department of the Ministry, etc.):

n/a

* External evaluation expertise:

External experts chosen in the open concur.

Important remark

Any evaluation expert must be obliged by the Responsible Authority to:

- use this template, exclusively

- fully comply with any instructions, methodological note, maximum length, etc. set out as annex to this

template.

5




CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION - DATA COLLECTION AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK PUT IN PLACE IN

YOUR COUNTRY ....................................................................................................................................................... 6

PART I – NATIONAL CONTEXT IN WHICH THE FUND WAS IMPLEMENTED ........................................ 9

1.1. SECURING CO-FINANCING AND INVESTMENTS IN THE FIELD ........................................................... 9

PART II – REPORTING ON IMPLEMENTATION ............................................................................................. 17

2.1. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMMES IN THE “AWARDING BODY” METHOD (IF

APPLICABLE) ....................................................................................................................................................... 17 2.2. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMMES IN THE “EXECUTING BODY” METHOD ..................... 19 2.3. PROGRAMME REVISIONS ........................................................................................................................... 22 2.4. USE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) .................................................................................................... 25 2.5. QUALITATIVE OPINION ON THE OVERALL IMPLEMENTATION SET-UP ......................................... 26

PART III – REPORTING ON ACHIEVEMENTS ................................................................................................ 29

3.1. BORDER MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................................................... 29

THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES, WHICH HAVE TO BE ACHIEVED IN ORDER TO

MEET THE REQUIREMENTS, WERE DEFINED FOR THE PRIORITY 1 AND 2: ..................................... 32

3.2. VISA POLICY AND MANAGEMENT OF MIGRATION FLOWS ABROAD ............................................. 38


MEET THE REQUIREMENTS, WERE DEFINED FOR THE PRIORITY 3: .................................................. 39

3.3. DEVELOPMENT OF IT SYSTEMS SUPPORTING BORDER MANAGEMENT AND MANAGEMENT

OF MIGRATION FLOWS ...................................................................................................................................... 41



3.4. TRAINING, RISK ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY SUPPORT ...................................................................... 48



3.5. OVERALL RESULTS ACHIEVED WITH THE FUND'S INTERVENTION ...................................................................... 52 3.6. CASE STUDIES/BEST PRACTICES .............................................................................................................. 58

PRINCIPLE OF PARTNERSHIP AND TRANSPARENCY IS IMPLEMENTED BY INVOLVING IN

FUND’S IMPLEMENTATION THE MEMBERS OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED INTER-MINISTRY

TEAM FOR THE SCHENGEN FUND, NORWEGIAN FINANCIAL MECHANISM, EUROPEAN REFUGEE

FUND, EXTERNAL BORDERS FUND AND EUROPEAN RETURN FUND, WHO REPRESENTS THE

MAJOR POLISH MINISTRIES AND SERVICES. ............................................................................................... 62

3.7. LESSONS LEARNED ..................................................................................................................................... 63

PART IV – OVERALL ASSESSMENT - IMPACT AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE ................................ 64

4.0. ANALYSIS ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIGRATION FLOWS .................................................... 64 4.1. ADDED VALUE AND IMPACT ..................................................................................................................... 72 4.2. RELEVANCE OF THE PROGRAMMES' PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS TO THE NATIONAL SITUATION

............................................................................................................................................................................... 112 4.3. EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAMME ......................................................................................... 113 4.4. EFFICIENCY OF THE PROGRAMME ................................................................................................. 114 4.5. COMPLEMENTARITY ......................................................................................................................... 125

6

INTRODUCTION - DATA COLLECTION AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK PUT IN PLACE

IN YOUR COUNTRY

0.1. Please present an overview of the evaluation system set up as part of the implementation of

the External Borders Fund. What information is required from the final beneficiaries on the

progress and final results of the project and how is it assessed?

The Fund evaluation system has been described in detail in the description of Management and Control

System. The Responsible Authority (RA) is in charge of the Fund evaluation within the deadlines laid

down in the relevant decisions and ensures the quality standards agreed between the Commission and a

Member State. The evaluation task has been mandated to the Delegated Authority (DA) which may

outsource the evaluation or may carry it out jointly with the RA.

The evaluation report has been drawn down by the RA in cooperation with the DA which appointed an

external expert.

In order to use the available funds as effectively as possible a system has been established for systematic

collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data concerning the financial and material aspects of

the implemented projects – the system is intended to ensure compliance of the project implementation

with the assumptions and objectives of Annual Programmes.

Reporting is one of the main tools for a permanent and continuous monitoring of the Annual Programme

and particular projects implementation progress. Reporting includes the reports submitted to RA on the

project implementation in compliance with the financial memoranda provisions. The aim of project

implementation reports consists in implementation progress monitoring and also allows early detection of

irregularities. There are the following substantive project implementation reports:

Quarterly Report – submitted to RA once per three months;

Final Report – submitted to RA after the project is completed.

The partners include in the reports the following elements:

description of the activities implemented;

clarification of discrepancies, if any;

risks to the project implementation;

budget execution data and available financial resources used for the execution thereof;

the extent to which the intended project results have been achieved by the report submission

deadline;

description of the problems encountered during project implementation;

7

description of the way the co-financing visibility under the Fund has been ensured, including the

examples of promotional materials and description of the visualisation of project co-financing

under the EBF.

Information provided in the a/m reports are reviewed by the project officers and the partners are requested

to provide additional clarifications or to correct the documents. Should the partners fail to achieve

assumed indicators, they must explain the situation and present the remedies undertaken to prevent such

situation. Should the clarifications be not accepted, the co-financing may reduced.

The substantive report review process has been formalised using a check-list which is filled in by the

project officer and approved by his/her superior.

The Final Report on the Annual Programme implementation is drawn down based on the project

implementation quarterly and final reports and on the financial statements. The substantive reports are

made by the partners and reviewed by the RA. The substantive reports approved by the RA are submitted

to the DA for information and use.

Annual Programme Report is subject to approval of the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Interior (RA)

whereas the evaluation report has to be approved by the Director of the Department of European Union

and International Cooperation, Ministry of Interior (RA). Both documents are subsequently submitted to

the European Commission.

During the project implementation substantive and financial monitoring is carried out to obtain data

showing the quantitative and qualitative progress of project implementation. The project monitoring

system allows evaluating their implementation in the context of assumed objectives and provides data on

the financial aspects of project implementation.

It is assumed to monitor each project on site at least once during its implementation.

Based on information collected under the monitoring systems the irregularities of project implementation

may be identified and, therefore, prevented and remediated. Monitoring system data are a major source of

information needed for evaluation of Fund and projects.

0.2. Please provide also information on any specific / additional data collection methodology

used for this report.

The evaluation report has been drawn up with the participation of the RA Representatives (Parts I-III,

Annex 1), and an external expert appointed on a contest basis (Part IV, Annex 2).

In order to prepare the report the RA reviewed the Multiannual Programme 2007-2013, Annual

Programmes 2007-2010, Annual Programme Reports, Project Fiches, final reports and quarterly reports

from the project implementation and national programme documents via desk research.

8

Furthermore, the RA requested the partners to prepare and deliver the substantive input and numeric data

that were needed for the relevant information preparation for reporting purposes. A statistical analysis of

the quantitative survey data was carried out and the data were compiled using Ms Excel application. The

aggregated data are presented in a tabular and descriptive form.

Besides, a meeting with the partners' representatives was convened to hold a discussion on brainstorming

basis in order to clarify the problems encountered during acquisition of necessary data at a given project

level.

The external expert who was appointed for the purpose of the survey “Evaluation of the results and impact

of measures co-financed under the External Border Fund in programming period 2007 – 2010” has

compiled the data necessary to supplement Part IV and Annex 2.

The desk-research analysis covered documents, important from the point of view of achieving

evaluation’s objectives, including: Multiannual Programme 2007-2013, Annual Programmes (2007-2010),

Project Fiches, a mid-term report 2007 – 2009, as well as final reports and/or quarterly reports from the

project implementation.

The external expert carried out individual in-depth interviews (Individual in-Depth Interview) with the RA

and DA representatives. Furthermore, for the purpose of survey a sample was selected, i.e. the partners

whose expenditure under Annual Programmes 2007-2010 had been certified by 30 June 2012 were

selected. The partners were obliged to participate in the survey PAPI (Paper And Pencil Interview) and the

results of the survey were reviewed by the external expert.

Totally 37 projects were evaluated, which were implemented by 12 partners, including: General

Headquarters of the Border Guard, General Headquarters of the Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

the Ministry of Finance, Office for Foreigners, Podkarpacki Voivode, Mazowiecki Voivode, Lubelski

Voivode, and Podlaski Voivode Office, Border Guard Training Centers, and Bieszczadzki Unit of the

Border Guard.

The evaluation report was drawn down in the Polish and English language using the report form provided

by the European Commission. When working on the report an established format and instruction provided

with the report form were was applied.

9

PART I – NATIONAL CONTEXT IN WHICH THE FUND WAS IMPLEMENTED

1.1. SECURING CO-FINANCING AND INVESTMENTS IN THE FIELD

1.1.1. Within the national budgetary framework, how do you secure the national resources

available for national and private co-financing for the Fund? What was the approach for the

2008-2010 annual programmes? Do you envisage changes for the future?

Implementation of the projects under the EBF is based on the national budget prefinancing principle.

It should be noted that the EBF beneficiaries are state budgetary units.

When a partner is not capable to secure the funds in its own budget for the project implementation, the

relevant funds are provided from the target reserve of the state budget governed by the Minister of Finance

in accordance with the financial flow principles adopted in Poland.

Both the EU and national co-financing committed for the project implementation is usually raised by the

partners from the state budget target reserve. The existing practice shows that during the first few months

of the year partners spend funds from its own budget. This is due to the fact that there is no possibility to

raise funds form the state budget target reserve for formal reasons.

1.1.2. What investments did you undertake at national level in the field of external borders

management and visa policy? (Please mention under which field(s) and expenditure

category/ies the costs for the VIS roll-out are included).

Border

Management

Table n° 1:

Year

Infrastructure

and

equipment

[EUR] Staff [EUR]

Other

[EUR] Total [EUR]

2007 total 121 846 513 428 339 418 69 275 478 619 461 409

2008 total 114 428 318 475 259 266 70 957 557 660 645 140

2009 total 139 146 373 522 925 410 76 170 763 738 242 546

2010 total 143 913 419 561 117 742 67 797 317 772 828 478

2011 total 114 886 611 573 332 501 71 433 239 759 652 351

2012 total (as

planned) 72 063 111 594 163 191 62 907 561 729 133 863

2012 total for

first half year 13 284 186 246 818 200 28 744 201 288 846 587

10

Visa Policy

Table n° 2:

Infrastructure

and

equipment at

visa sections

[EUR]

Staff at visa

sections and

headquarters

[EUR]

Other

[EUR]

Total [EUR]

2007 total 83 213 554 9 271 741 0 92 485 295

2008 total 105 817 671 11 467 368 0 117 285 039

2009 total 144 972 335 13 302 573 0 158 274 908

2010 total 173 026 582 15 529 806 0 188 556 387

2011 total 207 083 281 13 956 761 0 221 040 043

2012 total (as

planned)

0 12 995 600 0 12 995 600

2012 total for

first half

year

0 5 414 833 0 5 414 833

IT Systems

Table n° 3:

Year

VIS (total

investments/all

authorities) [EUR]

SIS (total

investments/all

authorities) [EUR]

Total [EUR]

2007 total 1 133 30 439 405

30 440

538

2008 total 0 24 257 916

24 257

916

2009 total 1 703 079 9 480 689

11 183

768

2010 total 3 810 073 16 533 590

20 343

662

2011 total 381 904 13 638 813

14 020

718

2012 total (as

planned) 17 663 3 469 030 3 486 693

2012 total for

first half

year 2 781 531 088 533 869

*Figures have been calculated in PLN and converted into EUR in accordance with the ECB exchange rate suitable for January

2013 (1 EUR = 4,0908 PLN)

Other, if applicable:

n/a

11

1.1.3. Do the above tables include all your expenditure in the field of borders, visa and IT systems?

If not, what is excluded / not properly taken into account?

The above tables shows expenditure of the Fund beneficiaries. Overall data in the surveyed areas cannot

be collected due to a large number of the institutions involved.

1.1.4. Please indicate an estimate of the share of the contribution from the Fund (% of all) in

relationship to the total national expenditure in the area of intervention by field (border

management, visa policy, IT systems) and the total.

Border

Management

Total national

expenditure

Contribution

from the

EBF (EC) [EUR]

Share of the

ECcontribution

(%)

4 598 122 489 29 312 114 0,64%

Visa Policy

Total national

expenditure

Contribution

from the

EBF (EC) [EUR]

Share of the

EC

contribution

796 052 105 0 0

VIS/SIS

SIS i VIS

(total

investments/all

authorities)

Contribution

from the

EBF (EC) [EUR]

Share of the

EC

contribution

(%)

120 634 469 19 735 317 16,36%

*Figures have been calculated in PLN and converted into EUR in accordance with the ECB exchange rate suitable for January

2013 (1 EUR = 4,0908 PLN)

1.1.5. Please outline briefly any important national developments in border and visa management

since the approval of the multi-annual programme which are having an impact on the

operations undertaken by authorities receiving funding under the EBF Borders Fund

(including legislative changes, administrative and operational measures, changes in the

institutional set-up, changes in response to changes in the size of the flows to be managed,

the number of border crossing points or consulates etc). See also section 4.0 on the flows.

12

Migration in Poland

Along with the accession of Poland to the European Union our country has become an attractive target

among the foreigners not only as a transit area but also as a education, employment and living place.

An increased interest in staying in Poland among the foreigners was observed in 2008. Thus, according to

the data available on 31 December 2011 there were 100 298 foreigners with valid residence cards (3,218

more than in 2010 and 7,724 more than in 2009) with the largest number of cards (as much as 30%) issued

to the Ukraine citizens. In 2011, 40,808 foreigners were granted a permit to work in Poland, i.e. 3,687

persons more compared to 2010. The number of registered declarations of employers with the intention to

employ citizens of the countries covered by a simplified system amounted to 259,777 in 2011 (180,073 in

2010). Besides, 209,577 work visas were issued where 93% of such visas were granted to the citizens of

Ukraine, Byelorussia and Russia.

In 2011, 6,887 persons applied for refugee status in Poland as compared to 6,534 persons in 2010 (an

increase by 5%, however, these are still considerably lower numbers than those in the years 2007, 2008,

2009). It should be emphasised that the refugee flow does not depend on the target or transit migration

country almost at all.

It is worth noting that the above cited figures show a clear and strong dichotomy – migrants who come to

Poland are, on the one hand, citizens of less developed countries, or EU and USA citizens (with Polish

background), on the other hand.

The above figures show that Poland has not become a net immigration country and with the scale of

emigration it will not become one in the foreseeable future.1

Borders

On 21 December 2007 Poland undertook to implement the Schengen Agreement in full. The Border

Guards terminated border controls on all crossing points located along the borders with Germany, Czech

Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania.

As of 31 December 2007 the 71 crossing points were available for external border traffic including: 16

road crossing points, 14 railway crossing points, 20 sea crossing points, 1 river crossing point and 20 air

crossing points. At the border with Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine there were 6, 13 and 12 crossing points,

respectively, and 20 sea and 20 air border crossing points.

In 2007, 221.6 million border checks (passport and LBT) of persons were made, including 50 million at

the external border and 171.6 million checks at the internal border.

1 POLITYKA MIGRACYJNA POLSKI – stan obecny i postulowane działania” - Dokument przyjęty przez Radę Ministrów w dniu

31 lipca 2012 r., Opracowanie: Zespół do Spraw Migracji.

13

As of 31 December 2011 the following 69 crossing points were available for border traffic: 17 road

crossing points, 14 railway crossing points, 18 sea crossing points, 1 river crossing point and 19 air

crossing points. At the border with Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine there were 7, 13 and 12 crossing points,

respectively, and 18 sea and 19 air border crossing points. 33.3 million checks of persons were carried out.

Number of persons crossing the borders of the Republic of Poland

YEAR Land border Sea border Airports

2007 31 589 394 2 674 141 17 690 700

2008 23 421 370 308 156 12 090 411

2009 18 866 230 253 084 8 528 114

2010 21 775 271 287 306 8 577 390

2011 24 489 999 272 864 8 537 267

Total 120 142 264 3 795 551 55 23 882

Source: Data provided by the Border Guard

Approach to the Border Guards (main beneficiary of the EBF) functioning over the period 2009 - 2015 in

the following areas:

Continuation of transformation: building a modern border/immigration control service of police

nature;

Increasing or (at least) maintaining the existing effectiveness of the BG service in terms of

external border protection;

Transformation of the BG into a leading immigration service: more intensive activity in the area

of illegal migration prevention on the Polish territory;

Withdrawal of the BG from the internal border line;

Adjustment of the BG infrastructure on the Polish territory to the tasks performed following the

Schengen zone accession of Poland.

For the years 2009-2015 the approach assumes the following:

Increasing or (at least) maintaining the existing effectiveness of the BG service in the area of

border crossing traffic and protection of the sections of Polish state border which form the

EU/Schengen external border;

Transformation of the BG into a leading immigration service: more intensive activity in the area

of illegal migration prevention on the Polish territory (reconnaissance, control of legality of

foreigners’ residence, work and employment, targeted actions for protection of the communication

routes of particular international significance);

Withdrawal of the BG from the EU/Schengen internal border line deep into the country territory

consisting in successive and planned reduction of the number of BG posts located at the Polish

14

border sections which coincide with the EU/Schengen internal borders; successive stepping up the

activities of the BG across the territory of the country; adjustment of the BG infrastructure on the

territory of Poland to their tasks carried out after the accession of Poland to the Schengen

Agreement, taking into account the possibility of using the infrastructure jointly with of other

public order agencies (Police, Customs).

Organizational modifications and new rights:

Liquidation of the border crossing points and selected BG posts at the internal border and

establishment of the new posts inside the country;

Establishment of 1 new unit instead of three units at the internal border (2009);

Amendment of the Law on foreigners and other laws (as of January 2009) so as to allow:

Autonomous control of employment legality; interviews within the local communities and checks

on the place of residence of the foreigners; annulment of a visa on the territory of the country

(important for the control of fraud in the labour market liberalisation for the workers from the

neighbouring third countries);

Appointment of the BG liaison officers in the Voivode offices;

New guarded centres for foreigners and detention facilities.

The EU funds ensure strengthening of the capability in the area of border control activities that consists in

modernisation of infrastructure and equipment, training courses, upgrading of the IT and radio-

communication systems. Recently, the EU projects have dealt with construction and modernisation of the

BG facilities; language courses for the BG officers; aircraft handling training courses; additional supply of

the means of transport, including dedicated means of transport; extension of the Central

Telecommunication Unit; modernisation of the BG radio communication systems; replacement of the

equipment and software needed for border control and protection, building an automatic radar system for

the Polish maritime areas.

Visas

Number of consular posts in accordance with the Visa Code

Year Number

2007 140

2008 140

2009 125

2010 127

2011 127

Source: Data provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

15

Number of visas issued annually (2007-2011):

Year Number

2007 1 198 817

2008 677 476

2009 789 017

2010 898 545

2011 1 173 553

Source: Data provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main services implementing border control and visa policy

The Border Guard service carries out controls of the border traffic, including control on persons and

controls of security in accordance with the Act on Border Guard, Act on the Protection of State Border

and Schengen Border Code. Moreover, this service also prevents the transportation across the state border,

without appropriate permits, of waste, harmful chemical substances and nuclear and radioactive materials;

contamination of border waters, as well as transportation of drugs, psychotropic substances, weapons,

ammunition and explosives across the state border without permits.

In accordance with Article 85 (1) of the Act of 13 June 2003 on Foreigners (OJ 2006, No 234, item 1694,

as amended), the BG is also a competent body in carrying out the checks of the legality of residence.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the main body of the central administration responsible for foreign

affairs, including those relating to the operation of consular services.

The Customs Service carries out customs control of trade turnover with third countries and turnover with

excise goods on the basis of EU legislation (Community Customs Code) and national law (inter alia, Act

on Customs Service and Act on Excise Duty) and combats crime in this respect. It provides protection of

the intellectual property rights and protection against terrorist threats. It also prevents the introduction into

the territory of the European Union of goods covered by prohibitions or limitations (weapons, explosives,

radioactive materials, drugs, waste). The Customs Service also has competences in the area of controls on

persons. In accordance with Article 85 (1) of the Act of 13 June 2003 on Foreigners, the Customs Service

is also a competent body in carrying out the checks of the legality of residence.

The Customs Service organisational structure was thoroughly reformed in 2002. As a result of the

reorganisation, the Central Customs Office operating as the second instance authority was closed down.

The structure of the Customs Service is currently based on the functioning of customs chambers as second

instance authorities and their subordinate customs offices and customs branches. The territorial structure

of the customs administration is supervised by the Minister of Finance, on behalf of whom the Head of

16

Customs Service performs the tasks and supervisory functions with the help of Departments within the

Ministry of Finance structure.

The Veterinary Inspection service conducts veterinary border control aimed at protecting the territory of

Poland and other Member States against infectious diseases of animals and any harmful (microbiological,

chemical and other) factors constituting threat to public health and animal health.

The Plant Health and Seed Inspection service carries out phytosanitary controls of plants, plant

products and objects brought into the territory of the Republic of Poland (and other Member States) from

third countries, as well as means of transport used for their transportation. The aim of the control is to

prevent the entry into the territory of Poland and the European Union of harmful organisms that could

bring about economic losses in agricultural, horticultural, glasshouse and forestry crops.

The Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection service carries out controls of trade quality of agri-food

products imported from abroad.

The State Sanitary Inspection service carries out border sanitary controls aimed at maintaining the

sanitary and epidemiological barrier of Poland by preventing the introduction to Poland of food and

materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, whose health quality fails to meet the

regulations in force and may result in a threat to human life.

Voivodes, in accordance with Article 17 of the Act of 12 October 1990 on the Protection of State Border

and the Ordinance of the Council of Ministers of 13 December 2005, are responsible for the planning and

realisation of investments in border crossings, in particular of cubature premises, technical infrastructure

and the purchase of appliances and equipment used for control. Voivodes are, inter alia, first instance

bodies in numerous cases related to the stay of foreigners in Poland (concerning temporary and permanent

residence permits, deportations and issuing, in specified cases, tolerated stay consents). The Voivodships:

Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Podlaskie, Lubelskie and Podkarpackie, which border Russia, Belarus and

Ukraine are of a special meaning due to the fact that they are situated at the EU external border.

The Office for Foreigners is the main body of the central government competent for the entry of

foreigners into the territory of the Republic of Poland, transit through this territory, stay in it and leaving

it, granting of refugee status, provision of asylum to foreigners, consenting to tolerated stay and provision

of temporary protection. Moreover, the Office provides persons applying for refugee status with social

benefits allowing for, among others, accommodation, food and free health care services during the time of

conducted procedures.

The Police focus their activities on combating cross-border crime and organised crime and cooperation

with the following services: the Border Guard, services subject to the Ministry of Finance, including the

Customs Service and Treasury bodies, as well as with international partners, in accordance with internal

provisions and appropriate international agreements. The Police play an important role in the process of

controlling the legality of foreigners’ stays in the territory of the Republic of Poland. The structures of the

Polish Police contain the Central Node of the Polish SIS and VIS Component, the SIRENE office and the

National AFIS Network. The areas under the responsibility of poviat police headquarters neighbouring

17

directly on the state border have a different service organisation system than in other places, taking into

account the characteristics of cross-border crime. On the list of threats, possible violations of state border

and other crimes related to them occupy the starting positions. In accordance with Article 85 (1) of the Act

of 13 June 2003 on Foreigners, the Police is also a competent body in carrying out the checks of the

legality of residence. The Police operate on the basis of the Act of 6 April 1990 on the Police

(consolidated text, OJ of 2007 No 43, item 227, No 57, item 390).

The State Fire Service takes no immediate actions related to the protection of border or border controls,

but contributes to a significant extent to the protection of the eastern border of the European Union from

environmental pollution, as well as to the removal of results of serious failures that could result in

threatening the lives of European Union citizens.

PART II – REPORTING ON IMPLEMENTATION

2.1. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMMES IN THE “AWARDING BODY” METHOD

(IF APPLICABLE)

2.1.1 Overview of calls for proposals for the programmes

According to what logic do you organise the launching of calls for proposals?

n/a

If you also select projects without a call, what are the reasons for using both such methods?

n/a

2.1.2. Overview of project proposals received, selected and funded after calls for proposals

under the awarding body method

Table n° 5

Number of

Programme

2007

Programme

2008 Programme

2009

Programme

2010 TOTAL

2007-2010

Proposals

received

n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Projects

selected

n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Projects funded

Including

multiannual

projects

n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Out of which

multiannual

projects

n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

18

If not all projects were selected for funding after the calls for proposals, please explain the reasons why,

per annual programme, where applicable:

Annual programme 2007: n/a

Annual Programme 2008: n/a



2.1.3. Overview of projects funded in the “awarding body” method without a call for

proposals

Table n° 6

Number of

Programme

2007

Programme

2008

Programme 2009 Programme

2010

TOTAL

2007-2010

Projects funded n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Out of which

multiannual

n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

2.1.4. Total number of projects funded in the “awarding body” method under the

programmes 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010

Table n° 7

Number of …

Programme

2007

Programme

2008

Programme

2009

Programme

2010

TOTAL

2007-2010

Projects funded

after calls for

proposals (total

"projects funded"

table 5)

n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Projects funded

without such calls

(total "projects

funded" table 6)

n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

TOTAL

Projects funded in

the “awarding

body” method

(including

multiannual

projects)

n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

2.1.5. Co-financing

Please describe the process of verifying and ensuring the presence of co-financing by the final

beneficiaries whose projects were selected.

n/a

19

2.2. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMMES IN THE “EXECUTING BODY” METHOD

2.2.1. Description of the selection process under the "executing body method"

According to what logic do you organise the selection process under the executing body method?

If you also select projects without a call for expression of interest or similar method, what are the reasons

for using both such methods?

Due to the specific character of the activities qualified for realisation under the EBF, projects are selected

through a closed call, without the procedure to submit an official announcement of the call in newspapers /

on the web page. In case of the EBF, the RA acts as an executing body.

First there has been the call for interest. The invitation to submit calls for interest for the realisation of the

projects (call for interest) has been addressed by the RA to the closed group of potential beneficiaries /

partners (The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Border Guard, The Police, The Office for Foreigners,

Custom Services, Voivodes). The Multiannual Programme as well as the Annual Programmes shall be

prepared based on the project proposals received. The annual programme indicates the projects, which

will be financed within the allocation.

Following the final opinion to the Annual Programme given by the Interdisciplinary Team for the

Schengen Fund, Norwegian Financial Mechanism, European Refugee Fund, External Borders Fund and

Return Fund, and its submission to the European Commission, the RA sends letters to the beneficiaries

notifying them on the opening of the procedure for the call for applications and specification of the form,

time and place for their submission.

The application includes information which enables to evaluate the possibility of realisation of the project

financing including reference to the minimum criteria in accordance with Art. 16 (5) of the Decision

establishing the EBF.

Applications are received by the DA, where they are formally verified.

Following a completion of the formal verification, the DA hands over the applications with the check list

to the RA. Verification of the content of the applications is carried out by representatives of the RA, and

on the request of the RA, also by representatives of the DA.

The Interdisciplinary Team for the Schengen Fund, Norwegian Financial Mechanism, European Refugee

Fund, External Borders Fund and Return Fund obtains verification results of the applications from the

RA and takes a final opinion on the projects financing.

20

The RA acts as the authority indirectly implementing the projects. A financial agreement is signed with a

partner who completes the project and who is, in fact, the competent authority with whom the RA

implements the project within the meaning of Article 6(3) of the Implementing Rules, i.e. the Border

Guard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Customs Service, Office for Foreigners, Voivodes.

The financial agreement provides details on the project implementation principles and shall specify the

obligations of the partners of the RA. Financial agreements include precise information related to, inter

alia, activities carried out by the partners, timetable, budget, results, indicators, information on

qualification of the expenses, individuals responsible for the project completion on the partner’s side,

information on promotion, reporting obligation, uniform formats for the documents used. They comply

with the requirements of Article 8(4) and 10(1) of the Implementing Rules for the EBF.

2.2.2. Proposals received, selected and funded after calls for expression of interest or similar

selection method in the “executing body method”

Table n° 8

Number of …

Programme

2007

Programme

2008

Programme

2009

Programme

2010

TOTAL

2007-2010

Proposals

received 19 11 34

44 108

Project selected 19 10 18 22 69

Projects funded

16 15 23

32 86

Out of which

multiannual

projects

- 8 7 10 15

If not all projects were selected for funding after the calls, please explain the reasons why, per annual

programme, where applicable:

Annual Programme 2007: not applicable




2.2.3. Projects funded in the “executing body” method without a call for expression of interest or

similar selection method

21

Table n° 9

Number of

Programme

2007

Programme

2008

Programme 2009 Programme

2010

TOTAL

2007-2010

Projects funded 0 8 7 10 15

Out of which

multiannual

0 8 7 10 15

2.2.4. Total number of projects funded in the “executing body” method in the programmes 2007,

2008, 2009 and 2010

Table n° 10

Number of …

Programme

2007

Programme

2008

Programme

2009

Programme

2010

TOTAL

2007-2010

Projects funded

after calls for

expression of

interest, or similar

selection method

(see table 8)

16 7 16 21 70

Projects funded

without such calls

(see table 9)

0 8 7 10 15

TOTAL

Projects funded in

the “executing

body” method

(including multi-

annual)

16 15 23 32 61

2.2.5. Co-financing

Please describe the procedures for verifying and ensuring the presence of co-financing by the final

beneficiaries whose projects were selected.

The RA acts as the authority indirectly implementing the projects. A financial agreement is signed with a

partner who completes the project. All the financial information including co-financing proportion is

included in project application.

22

Mainly, partners apply to Minister of Finance for projects pre-financing. Those applications for national

funds are verified by the RA.

2.3. PROGRAMME REVISIONS

2.3.1. Overview of revisions for 2007-2010 annual programmes

Table n° 11

AP

EU

contribution

allocated

Was a revision

concerning a

change of

more than

10% of the

allocation

needed? (Y/N)

Percentage of

allocation

concerned by

the revision, if a

revision was

needed

AP 2007 7 169 354,28 Y 24%

AP 2008

7 860 469,93 Y 18%

AP 2009

8 688 538,00 Y 65%

AP 2010

8 195 390,00 Y 86%

23

2.3.2. In case a programme revision was necessary, please provide the main reasons. Please select

one or more from the list below and provide a brief explanation, for the annual programme

concerned

Annual programme 2007

Financial change beyond 10%

Changes in the substance/nature of the actions

New action(s) needed

Other (please explain)

Explanation/elaboration:

The scope of the projects has been extended and modified.







The main reason of the Annual Programmes revisions is the significant change of the exchange rate of

PLN to EUR. Since the financial plan of the Annual Programmes is now based on the EUR it is possible

to co-finance additional projects within the same amount of funds (in EUR) if the EUR rate is higher than

planned.

The additional invitations to submit calls for interest for the projects implementation (call for interest) are

addressed to the partners of the Fund and this is the best way to consume maximum of the allocation.









24


planned.







All/part of the above






planned.



The scope of the projects has been modified.

2.3.3. In case you revised the annual programme, was the revision useful? To what extent did it

lead to a better consumption of the allocation?




planned.

Also as the partners of the Fund usually apply procedure of Public Procurement Law there are some

savings under particular projects to be reallocated within the same allocation.



25

2.4. USE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA)

2.4.1. Allocation and consumption 2007-2010

Table n° 12

AP TA allocated (€) TA consumed (€)

2007 469.820 469.041

2008 580.000 578.444

2009 638.198 626.519

2010 603.677 167.512

Total 2007-2010 2.291.695 1.841.516

Table n° 13

AP/Use

of TA

(€)

Staff within

the RA,

CA, AA

(n°/€)

IT and

equipment

Office/

consumables

Travelling/

events

Monitoring,

project

management

Reporting,

translation

Total

2007 217.908 26.325 179.314 2.011 43.483 0 469.041

2008 137.453 351.239 50.557 1.093 34.546 3.556 578.444

2009 542.730 10.840 15.455 11.147 32.157 14.190 626.519

2010 121.127 2.368 6.163 13.659 23.727 468 167.512

2.4.2. Did the TA support prove to be useful? For what was it most helpful? Would you have

preferred that the TA allows for other elements to be funded as well and if so which ones?

The technical assistance (TA) funds were necessary for the proper and effective implementation of the

EBF. The financial support allowed to purchase IT equipment necessary for the persons involved in the

Fund implementation and for improvement of their office standards. The availability of TA funds also

provides an opportunity to improve foreign language and technical abilities of the Fund managing persons

who may participate in dedicated training courses, workshops, conferences and language classes.

Technical training courses for the partners constitute a very important aspect of the use of TA funds as

they could not be delivered without the EU financial support. Additionally, the TA funds allow technical

and financial monitoring of the projects to be carried out and faster detection of irregularities, if any, and

remedies application.

26

2.5. QUALITATIVE OPINION ON THE OVERALL IMPLEMENTATION SET-UP

2.5.1. Has there been a review of the management and control systems at national level during the

reporting period? In case any changes occurred, please briefly mention why they were

needed and what they consisted of.

The first version of the description of Management and Control System was approved by the European

Commission in 2009.

In the Management and Control System approved by the European Commission following changes were

introduced:

Audit Authority – function of the Audit Authority has been delegated to the General Inspector for

Treasury Control served by the Department for Protection of EU Financial Interests, Ministry of

Finance together with 16 Regional Treasury Control Offices.

Financial agreements – financial agreements are signed only by the Director of the Department of

European Union and International Cooperation, Ministry of Interior and Administration instead

Undersecretary of State in Ministry of Interior and Administration and the Director of the above

mentioned Department.

The Office for Administration and Finance at the Ministry of Interior and Administration was

involved into Management and Control System. The Office keeps records in respect of the

technical assistance for the RA.

The amended version was accepted by the Commission in August 2011.

Due to the institutional change of December 2011, which consisted in dividing the Ministry of Interior and

Administration into two independent units: the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Administration and

Digitization, the management and control system also undergoes appropriate changes.

2.5.2. To what extent were you legally or financially dependent on the approval of the Commission

Decisions for launching the implementation of the annual programme?

The call for proposals is launched by the RA only following the Commission Decision on the approval of

Annual Programme. Projects fiches are verified also for compliance with the Annual Programme

provisions.

27

2.5.3. What was the implementation rate by priority? (how much did you spend out of the amount

you actually allocated?)

Implementation rates were calculated based only on allocations 2007 -2009, which were already closed by

the RA. The amounts spent within the allocation 2007- 2009 were based on the data from final reports on

the implementation of Annual Programmes.

In case of Annual Programme 2010 financial data valid for 30 June 2012 were calculated by the DA.

EU

cofin

Total

budget

(EU and

national) EU cofin

Total

budget

(EU and

national) EU cofin

Total

budget (EU

and

national) EU cofin

Total

budget

(EU and

national) EU cofin

Total

budget

(EU and

national) EU cofin

Total

budget

(EU and

national)

AP 2007 88,38% 88,38% 0,00% 0,00% 97,54% 97,54% 72,24% 72,24% 93,81% 375,25% 83,58% 84,51%

AP 2008 92,79% 91,82% 0,00% 0,00% 150,93% 150,93% 66,62% 66,62% 95,37% 95,37% 93,02% 92,44%

AP 2009 93,55% 93,84% 99,27% 99,27% 95,45% 95,45% 94,43% 96,05% 85,97% 85,97% 93,35% 94,05%

AP 2010

% 91,82% 91,69% 99,27% 99,27% 125,60% 125,60% 77,29% 79,51% 89,28% 96,21% 90,27% 90,81%

Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Priority 4 Priority 5 Total

* Implementation rates in Priority 3 and 4 result from reallocation of the funds under allocation 2008 –

2009 between projects 3.3.1.1 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and 3.4.2.2 (General Headquarters of the

Police) which was made after submission of the final version of AP 2008 to the EC.

Project 3.3.1.1 was a multiannual one and was implemented under allocations: 2007, 2008, 2009 and

2010. Project 3.4.2.2 was initially planned to be implemented under allocation 2008 but due to some

delays with spending money within eligibility period for allocation 2008, the decision on extending of

implementation of this project also under allocation 2009 was made.

2.5.4. Please fill in Annex 2 to this report.

2.5.5. In light of Annex 2, what is your overall assessment of the implementation of the External

Borders Fund allocations in your Member State from 2007 to 2010? Please choose among

the options below:

Not satisfactory

Satisfactory

Good

Very good

28

2.5.6. Please explain your choice in relation to question 2.5.5

Despite some difficulties appeared during project’s implementation the realization of the fund is evaluated

as good.

The initially planned results (expressed by indicators) should be achieved in majority. Some indicators

have been modified and new one were introduced as well. Due to savings occurred because of changing

EURO rate there were additional projects accepted under allocations. The process of certification of the

projects’ expenditures is ongoing.

However it is necessary to stress that due to some irregularities found by the Polish institutions

expenditures within some projects are ineligible and budgets of some other projects were cut down

according to Guidelines for determining financial corrections to be made to expenditure co-financed by

the SOLID Funds for non-compliance with the rules on public procurement accepted by Poland in January

2011. These corrections made within the projects have no negative influence on the implementation of the

operational objectives stated in the Multiannual Programme.

PART III – REPORTING ON ACHIEVEMENTS

3.1. BORDER MANAGEMENT

Priority 1 - Support for the further gradual establishment of the common integrated border management system as regards the checks on persons at and the

surveillance of the external borders

Priority 2 - Support for the development and implementation of the national components of European Surveillance System for the external Borders and of a

permanent European Patrol network at the southern maritime borders of the EU Member States

3.1.1 What were the results achieved through the projects implemented at the level of these priorities, grouped by action?

Prioryty1

and 2

Category Indicators

OUTPUT RESULTS

1. Means of

transport

Number of means of

transport acquired or

upgraded

Number of patrol

missions performed

% of the fleet

modernised out of the

total

Average intervention

time (time between

the alert and arrival

on the spot)

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

Achi

eved

throu

gh

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

After the intervention

through the Fund

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

Baseli

ne

Over

all at

natio

nal

30

2007-

2010

level

2007-

2010

APs

2007

-

2010

level

2007-

2010

2007-

2010

level

2007

-

2010

Total 190 85,54 1211 11,77%

4. Operating

equipment

for border

checks

Number of equipment

acquired or upgraded

% of Border

Crossing Points

covered with

modernised

equipment

Average time spent

with the verification of

a traveller's entry

Actual

ly

achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010

Achieve

d

through

APs

2007-

2010

Bas

elin

e

Overa

ll at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

Total 908 9,65 1631 18,5

2%

11,7

5%

25,62

%

5. Border

infrastructu

re

Number of Border

Crossing Points

developed or upgraded

Number of places in

detention facilities at

external borders

Number of other

infrastructures

developed or

upgraded

Number of staff

working in

new/upgraded

infrastructures

% of Border Crossing

Points's modernised

out of the total number

of Border Crossing

Average waiting time

for travellers at

borders

31

Points

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Base

line

Overal

l at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

Ac

hie

ved

thr

ou

gh

AP

s

20

07-

20

10

Bas

elin

e

Ove

rall

at

nati

onal

level

200

7-

201

0

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010

Achieve

d

through

APs

2007-

2010

Base

line

Over

all at

natio

nal

level

2007

-

2010

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Over

all at

natio

nal

level

2007

-

2010

Total 8 2,06

%

23 1 113 124 50 1598 3809

5% 1% 7%

3. Operating

equipment

for border

surveillance

Number of equipment


% of equipment

renewed out of the

total equipment


time (time between the

alert and arrival on the

spot)

Length of the external

borders covered (km)

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

Baseli

ne

Overall

at

nationa

l

Achi

eved

throu

gh

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

Achieve

d

through

APs

Bas

elin

e

Overa

ll at

nation

al

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

Baseli

ne

Over

all at

natio

nal

32

2007-

2010

level

2007-

2010

APs

2007

-

2010

level

2007-

2010

2007-

2010

level

2007-

2010

2007-

2010

level

2007

-

2010

1 068 0.11 1 365 55,7

5%

25% 59,18

%

3.1.2. To what extent are the achievements of the 2007-2010 annual programmes consistent with the initially set objectives in the multi-annual

programme and in the annual programme in question? (Please detail)

Multiannual Programme outlines a general situation of the country with regard to goals achieved which could be to a large extend covered by the Fund. In spite of

serious undertakings financed from both national resources and foreign aid, which were described in the chapter 1.2 and 1.3 of the Multiannual Programme, the

needs within the scope were still considerable.

The following operational objectives, which have to be achieved in order to meet the requirements, were defined for the Priority 1 and 2:

Need 1

Modernisation and development of the

border infrastructure

Operational objective 1

Adjusting border infrastructure facilities to the

European Union standards

Priority 1

Support for the further gradual establishment of the common integrated border

management system as regards the checks on persons at and the surveillance of

33

Need 2

Development of the ICT systems necessary

for the border traffic control

Need 3

Development of the ICT systems necessary

for the surveillance of the external EU

border

Need 4

Modernisation consisting in the

introduction of special technique

equipment and transport equipment of the

best and most adequate technical and

operating parameters


Maintenance of a high standard of control and

effective protection of the European Union external

border and ensuring safety in the Schengen Zone

the external borders

Need 5

Development of surveillance systems at the

European Union external border


Development of surveillance systems at the

European Union external border

Priority 2

Support for the development and implementation of the national components of a

European Surveillance System for the external borders and of a permanent

European Patrol Network at the southern maritime borders of the EU Members

States

AP 2007

All actions implemented under allocation 2007 were planned within the Multiannual Programme. 7 projects were implemented under Priority 1.

The Annual Programme 2007 aimed at implementation of the following operational objectives within Priority 1:

1. Adjusting border infrastructure facilities to the European Union standards;

34

2. Maintenance of a high standard of control and effective protection of the European Union external border and ensuring safety in the Schengen Zone.

AP 2008

All actions implemented under allocation 2008 were planned within the Multiannual Programme apart from action 1.3.4. Modernisation of the Authorised

Interception System for purposes of implementation of Border Guards’ statutory tasks in the area of exchanging criminal information with the Police which was

financed from savings in allocation 2008.

Five projects were implemented under Priority 1.

The Annual Programme 2008 aimed at implementation of the following operational objectives stated in the Multiannual Programme:

1. Adjusting border infrastructure facilities to the European Union standards;

2. Maintenance of a high standard of control and effective protection of the European Union external border and ensuring safety in the Schengen Zone.

AP 2009

All actions implemented under allocation 2009 were planned within Multiannual Programme, however the title of the action 3.1.3 Equipping of the Services

Completing the Schengen Zone Border Protection Tasks with new modern Means of Transport was updated to extend the scope of it to: Equipping of the Services

Completing the Schengen Zone Border Protection Tasks.

The Annual Programme 2009 covered activities from all Priorities. 9 projects were implemented under Priority 1. One project were implemented under Priority 2.


1. Adjusting border infrastructure facilities to the European Union standards,

2. Maintenance of a high standard of control and effective protection of the European Union external border and ensuring safety in the Schengen Zone;

3. Development of surveillance systems at the European Union external border.

The outcomes of the projects implemented under allocation 2007, 2008 and 2009 show that the planned results (expressed by indicators) have been achieved in

majority. Due to some irregularities budgets of some projects were cut down according to Guidelines for determining financial corrections to be made to

35

expenditure co-financed by the SOLID Funds for non-compliance with the rules on public procurement. These corrections made within the projects have no

negative influence on the implementation of the operational objectives stated in the Multiannual Programme.

The measures undertaken by national institutions within the scope covered by the Fund’s objectives, i.e. external border control as regards persons, migration

flows are financed above all from the national budget. However, activities proposed under the EBF meet Polish expectations and constitute added value in

comparison with existing national programmes at national level, and in relation to the national budget in the area of intervention of the EBF.

The Annual Programme's objectives are in accordance with national needs identified in the Integrated Border Management Programme 2007–2013.

Following Poland’s entry in the Schengen Zone, protection of the external borders is a responsible task for Polish border services. Projects implemented under the

EBF not only support target groups identified on the national level but also all the EU Member States.

Comparing implementation of the Annual Programme 2007, progress of Annual Programmes 2008 and 2009 has been made, this includes: process of signing

contracts with Partners and certification of the expenditures. Due to the seminars organised, Partners were able to prepare payment requests and attached

documents in more proper way than for Annual Programme 2007 projects.

AP 2010

The process of certification of the projects’ expenditures is ongoing.

3.1.3. To what extent did the projects and the actions, through their results, contribute to improving overall border management in your country? In

answering, please refer to the outputs and results at section 3.1.1. above.

Effective protection system for the external borders of the European Union means a necessity to continue modernisation and development of border facilities used

by the BG.

The increasing cross-border traffic, in particular at the external borders, requires suitable facilities, i.e. sufficient number of border crossings and further

modernisation and development of border crossing facilities in order to enable installation of modern equipment for fast, smooth and thorough border control, as

well as improved security at external border.

36

Within the framework of adjustment of the BG border infrastructure to a new organisational structure of the BG and the EU standards, the development and

modernisation of existing premises and the construction of new BG posts were planned. The size and standard of new premises corresponded to current needs with

regard to staff and technical requirements. The realisation of construction goals and the construction of administrative buildings contributed to appropriate

working and service conditions with regard to work organisation, safety and health conditions. The best possible conditions for storage of the highly specialised

equipment influenced its proper functioning and contributed to the rise of mobility of border services and, as a result, to a smooth control and surveillance of

individual state border sections.

Modernisation of the Border Guard’s ICT system which is its main instrument, keeps it efficient, as well as keeps the data communications equipment work

uninterruptedly.

Due to rapid development of data processing systems used in EU countries including creation of new databases, the BG is obliged to use additional controlling

instruments for border clearance. With successive development of the documents equipped with biometric data carriers, it becomes necessary to equip officers

performing controlling activities with devices enabling a mobile access to data resources within the scope of border crossings. The BG had to purchase necessary

access devices enabling a quick access to the BG central database.

The development of the IT platform and its extension by a subsystem of mobile access to data resources enabled the increase in capacity of border crossings, which

led to the achievement of the operating objective, i.e. maintaining a high standard of control on the EU external border.

In order to complete the statutory tasks the BG uses teleinformation system within the scope of all organisational locations. Central Information and

Communication Node of the Border Guard (CICN BG) is the main part of the system. Its technical equipment assures reliable operation of main applications of

control and surveillance of cross-border traffic and internal data processing. Due to the works extension on the computer application “BG checking in” it was

necessary to develop the servers by the additional processors and operating memory RAM to increase the calculation power of the main servers of CICN BG. All

BG officers and organisational units will exploit the increased CICN capacity and efficiency.

Supplying the BG with the special vehicles and accompanying road-patrolling vehicles equipped with adequate number of communication and surveillance devices

for checking people allowed to implement statutory tasks of BG in the frontier zone.

37

Modernization of the Authorised Interception System (AIS), which is used by the services of the Police and Border Guard officers to improve public safety and

security of the EU external borders. Modernized AIS provides enhanced safety of data collected in it and shortens time for access to such information, which

clearly improves safety at the EU external border by reducing response time and improve joint operations of the Police and BG. AIS is a system for the Police and

BG enabling to conduct classified operational control involving the use of technical means to obtain secret information and evidence and preserving them in

accordance with Art. 19 (6) of the Act on Police of 06.04.1990, and Article 9 of the Act on the Border Guard. The system is used by the BG to control the people

crossing the border, if there is a reasonable likelihood that they may commit, or committed a crime in accordance with the directory (Article 19 of the Police Act,

Article 9 BG Act).

Modernisation of existing the BG radio communication system aims to strengthen the surveillance and protection of state border throughout improving night-time

safety of flight operations, increasing possibilities of using aviation in case of having a rapid response to acts that threaten the security of the EU external border

and extending the scope of the tasks related to the protection of EU external borders performed inter alia within the framework of cooperation and implementation

of activities coordinated by FRONTEX Agency.

38

3.2. VISA POLICY AND MANAGEMENT OF MIGRATION FLOWS ABROAD

Priority 3 – Support for issuing of visas and tackling of illegal immigration, including the detection of false or falsified documents by enhancing the activities

organised by the consular and other services of the Member States in third countries

3.2.1. What were the results achieved through the projects implemented at the level of this priority, grouped by action?

Priorytet 3

11.

Operating

equipment

for visa

issuing

Number of equipment


Number of

destinations of the

equipment acquired

or upgraded

Average waiting

time for visa issuing

Actual

ly

achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Baseline

174 0 241 94

6

days

8 days

39


programme and in the annual programme in question?


serious undertakings financed from both national resources and foreign aid, which were described in the chapter 1.2 and 1.3 of the Programme, the needs within

the scope were still considerable.

The following operational objectives, which have to be achieved in order to meet the requirements, were defined for the Priority 3:

Need 6

Development of a backup centre for the

system supporting visa issuance


Increasing functionality of the ICT infrastructure of

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs


Support for biometric infrastructure of consular

offices and improvement of data transfer in the visa

issuance process

Priority 3

Support for the issuing of visas and combating illegal immigration, including the

detection of false or falsified documents by enhancing the activities organized by

the consular and other services of the member States in third countries

AP 2007

All actions implemented under allocation 2007 were planned within Multiannual Programme. Three projects were implemented under priority 3. The Programme

2007 aimed at implementation of the following operational objectives stated in the multiannual programme:

1. Increasing functionality of the ICT infrastructure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

2. Support for biometric infrastructure of consular offices and improvement of data transfer in the visa issuance process.

40

AP 2008

All actions implemented under allocation 2008 were planned within multiannual programme. Three projects were implemented under Priority 3.

The Programme 2008 aimed at implementation of the following operational objectives stated in the multiannual programme:

1. Increasing functionality of the ICT infrastructure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

2. Support for biometric infrastructure of consular offices and improvement of data transfer in the visa issuance process.

AP 2009

One project were implemented under priority 3. The Annual Programme 2009 aimed at implementation of the following operational objective stated in the

Multiannual Programme: Increasing functionality of the ICT infrastructure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

AP 2010

One project were implemented under priority 3. The Annual Programme 2010 aimed at implementation of the following operational objective stated in the

Multiannual Programme: Increasing functionality of the ICT infrastructure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


majority. Comparing implementation of the previous Annual Programme 2007, progress of Annual Programme 2008 and 2009 has been made, this includes:

process of signing contracts with Partners and certification of the expenditures.

3.2.3. To what extent did the projects and the actions, through their results, contribute to improving visa issuing and preventing irregular entry into the

EU? In answering, please refer to the outputs and results at section 3.2.1. above.

The construction of the backup centre enabled improving data storage safety and data sharing safety, as well as provides greater reliability and accessibility of the

IT system supporting visa issuance. The application of modern appliances enables the processing and storing of the increasing bulk of information, which is related

to the necessity of obtaining biometric data of persons applying for various documents (including visas and passports). Construction of a modern and efficient

backup centre is an indispensable and one of the essential condition of a properly functioning IT system.

41

The main purpose of the action was to provide consular offices issuing visas outside the Schengen Zone with the equipment for the collection of biometric data.

The action includes the purchase and installation of software and devices for the collection of biometric features in consular offices.

The action contributes to the improvement of the visa project security, and as a result, to the security of the Member States. The completion of these tasks fully

depends on equipping consular offices with hardware and software for the collection of fingerprints.

The action concerned building the infrastructure of safe connection between the internal networks of diplomatic and consular posts and the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs Headquarters, which will create conditions for further integration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with external national and foreign Partners. The

objective of the activity is to build the communication system of a global range that needs to take into consideration the most diversified technical conditions and

the degree of advancement of telecommunication infrastructure of those states, in which Polish diplomatic and consular posts have been set up.

3.3. DEVELOPMENT OF IT SYSTEMS SUPPORTING BORDER MANAGEMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF MIGRATION FLOWS

Priority 4 – Support for the establishment of IT systems required for the implementation of EU legal instruments in the field of external borders and visas


Priorytet 4

6. SIS

% of EBF contribution to

total investment

undertaken to support

development of SIS

% of successful

connection tests

Compliance Test

Extended (where

applicable)

Number of institutional

stakeholders involved

YES NO NA

42

total 0,69% * 10

7. VIS

% of EBF contribution

to total investment


development of VIS

Number of

consulates

connected to VIS

Number of border

crossing points

connected to VIS

Number of other

stakeholders connected

total 13,78%* 7 2

8. Other

ICT systems

Number of other ICT

systems developed or

upgraded

Number of

institutional

stakeholders

involved

Improvement in

average time

consultations/number

of consultations

(Yes/No)

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Bas

elin

e

Overa

ll at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

Total 3 0,36 3 22 5,7 22

43







44

Need 7

Development of ICT systems for

foreigners (third country nationals).

Need 8

Development of systems of safe

communication infrastructure of the head

office with consular offices, taking into

account needs related to an increased

movement resulting from, inter alia, the

implementation of biometric systems.

Need 9

Improvement of the office infrastructure in

order to introduce biometric technology

(transfer of the visa applicants'

photographs and their fingerprints to the

Schengen systems)

Need 10

Purchase of proper equipment for

biometric measurements and training of

staff operating these devices in the

consular offices

Need 11

Making the Police IT systems which gather

and process biometric data fully accessible

to Border Guard units and modernization

of those systems


Effective management of the visa traffic and

foreigner issues


Support for the establishment of IT and

communication systems required for full

implementation of the Community legal instruments

in the field of external borders’ security

Priority 4

Support for the establishment of ICT systems required for implementation of the

Community legal instruments in the field of external borders and visas

45

AP 2007

Two projects were implemented under priority 4. The Annual Programme 2007 aimed at implementation of the following operational objective stated in the

Multiannual Programme: Support for the establishment of IT and communication systems required for full implementation of the Community legal instruments in

the field of external borders’ security.

AP 2008

All actions implemented under allocation 2008 were planned within Multiannual Programme. Three projects were implemented under priority 4.


1. Effective management of the visa traffic and foreigner issues;

2. Support for the establishment of IT and communication systems required for full implementation of the Community legal instruments in the field of

external borders’ security.

AP 2009

All actions implemented under allocation 2009 were planned within Multiannual Programme. Five projects were implemented under priority 4.


1. Support for the establishment of IT and communication systems required for full implementation of the Community legal instruments in the field of

external borders’ security;

2. Effective management of the visa traffic and foreigner issues.


majority. The measures undertaken by national institutions within the scope covered by the Fund’s objectives, i.e. external border control as regards persons,

migration flows are financed above all from the national budget. However, activities proposed under the EBF meet Polish expectations and constitute added value

in comparison with existing national programmes at national level, and in relation to the national budget in the area of intervention of the EBF.

46

The Annual Programme's objectives are in accordance with national needs identified in the Integrated Border Management Programme 2007–2013. Following

Poland’s entry in the Schengen Zone, protection of the external borders is a responsible task for Polish border services. Projects implemented under the EBF not

only support target groups identified on the national level but also all the EU Member States.

Comparing implementation of the previous Annual Programme 2007, progress of Annual Programme 2008 and 2009 has been made, this includes: process of

signing contracts with Partners and certification of the expenditures. Due to the seminars organised, Partners were able to prepare payment requests and attached

documents in more proper way than for Annual Programmes 2007 projects.

AP 2010

The process of certification of the projects’ expenditures is ongoing.

3.3.3. To what extent did the projects and the actions, through their results, contribute to the development of the IT systems necessary for the

implementation of EU instruments in the field of external borders and visas? Please breakdown for SIS, VIS and, where applicable, other IT

systems. In answering, please refer to the outputs and results at section 3.3.1. above.

As a way of improving the EU borders integrated management, in order to increase the security level both on the EU borders and on the Schengen Zone, it was

decided to establish a visa information system as a system enabling the exchange of data relating to short-term visas between member states. The use of the VIS

system is of fundamental importance for border control on the external borders. VIS processes biometric data (fingerprints) to verify or identify individuals

applying for a visa and crossing the EU external border or staying on the territory of Member States on the basis of the above mentioned visa. Biometric control is

the only way to assure that a given individual intending to enter the Schengen Zone is the same individual, for whom the visa was issued. Consequently, all

individuals with visas should be subject to systematic verification by means of VIS including biometric control. Until 2012 VIS shall achieve its full functionality

– all consulates will have started with issuing so-called biometric visas. At this date, control authorities should verify data of foreigners, from whom a visa is

required, including biometric data in VIS. It is recommended to equip all border crossings with relevant devices at the same time and to perform verification in

VIS, because otherwise foreigners would use border crossings which do not control biometric data.

47

The action undertaken under AP2007 assumed the installation of a new application version supporting AFIS in the system central unit, located in the Department

of Fingerprints of the Central Criminal Laboratory of the Police Headquarters together with modernization of part of IT equipment supporting the central unit. The

action implemented under AP2008 shall cover further modernization of AFIS equipment (the replacement of full-function workstations and local workflow).

The action provides for designing, preparing and implementing a modernized national registers and records on foreigners, called the POBYT System (“Stay

System”), based on the equipment planned to be purchased within the framework of undertaken activities. The purpose of the action is to improve the process of

decision-making by the authorized users of the ICT system in the field of entering, crossing and residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland and departing

from the territory by foreigners. The modernization of the POBYT System will shorten time of the administrative procedures connected to the movement of third

country nationals through the implementation of the IT solutions to support such procedures.

Undertaken activities provided Voivod services with ICT equipment to enable access to the systems: Pobyt, SIS, VIS as well as enabling implementing new

technologies in residence cards for foreigners. According to the Polish law Voivod is the first instance authority with regard to motions of the BG regarding

expulsion from the territory of Poland and the Schengen of foreigners detained during border control or inside the territory of the Republic of Poland. Voivod is

also the second instance authority in relation to decisions taken by the BG on the commitment of foreigners to leave the territory of Poland and the Schengen area.

48

3.4. TRAINING, RISK ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY SUPPORT

Priority 5 – Support for effective and efficient application of relevant EU legal instruments in the field of external borders and visas, in particular


Priorytet 5

12. Training

and risk

analysis

Number of persons

trained

Number of

practices/tools

developed or

upgraded (software,

statistics)

Number of reports

issued

Share of staff trained

(compared to total)

Number of

institutional

collaborations on risk

analysis developed

Actual

ly

achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Actual

ly

achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Base

line

Overal

l at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

Actu

ally

achie

ved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010

Achieved through APs

2007-2010

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Over

all at

natio

nal

level

2007

-

2010

Total 3989 83,24 6032 4 9 90%

49







Need 12

Trainings for Services dealing with

surveillance of the border and Schengen

Zone

Need 13

Training of the aircrews in order to provide

effective protection of the EU external

border

Need 14

Development and implementation of a

training system for consular office

employees both in the headquarters and in

the missions in connection with the

development of Schengen systems


Increasing the qualifications of the services

performing tasks in connection with the protection

of the border, Schengen Zone, as well as of the

consular services in the field of external borders and

visas, in particular the Schengen Border Code and

the European visa code

Priority 5

Support for effective and efficient application of relevant Community legal

instruments in the field of external borders and visas, in particular for the Border

Guard services and the consular staff

50

AP 2007

Four projects were implemented under priority 5. The Annual Programme 2007 aimed at implementation of the following operational objective stated in the

Multiannual Programme: Increasing the qualifications of the services performing tasks in connection with the protection of the border, Schengen Zone, as well as

of the consular services in the field of external borders and visas, in particular the Schengen Border Code and the European visa code.

AP 2008

Four projects were implemented under priority 5. The Annual Programme 2008 aimed at implementation of the following operational objective stated in the



AP 2009

Six projects were implemented under priority 5. The Annual Programme 2009 aimed at implementation of the following operational objectives stated in the



AP 2010 - The process of certification of the projects’ expenditures is ongoing.


majority.

However, it is necessary to stress that according to the the Partner – Ministry of Foreign Affairs realization of projects which were supposed to be implemented

within following key actions initial planned within Multiannual Programme were not launched:

1. Exchange of experiences with personnel of consular offices of other Schengen Zone countries;

2. Joint training workshops for the services in the context of requirements of a situation on border.

Comparing implementation of the previous Annual Programme 2007, progress of Annual Programme 2008 and 2009 has been made, this includes: process of

51

signing contracts with Partners and certification of the expenditures. Due to the seminars organised, Partners were able to prepare payment requests and attached

documents in more proper way than for Annual Programmes 2007 projects.

3.4.3. To what extent did the projects and the actions, through their results, contribute to improving the application of the EU standards in the field of

external borders and visas in your country and supporting overall strategy development by your administration in this area, including risk

assessment? In answering, please refer to the outputs and results at section 3.4.1. above.

The action includes: language training for the BG officers, training for aviation services, training for policemen on the execution of the Schengen legal regulations

and on the use of the SIS, training for Voivod staff, training for customs officers on the use and operation of the SIS and VIS system.

Increased effectiveness of operations of the services (e.g. the BG, Customs Service, Police, Voivod) performing tasks related to protection of both the border and

the entire Schengen area, as well as improvement in border control, requires complex development of the services’ human resources.

Language training for the BG officers is aimed at making them familiar with vocabulary and expressions useful while communicating with counterpart services of

EU Member States as well as with specialised terminology related to their services which enables to communicate with people crossing the Polish border in a more

efficient way.

Aviation services of the BG implemented personnel trainings to enable them to work on all aircraft types used by the BG and training for personnel without

qualifications to take actions in aircrafts. Accomplishing the training of pilots for the professional helicopter pilot licence will complete the staffing of the BG

Aviation Bureau and thus enable a more effective participation of the BG air force in operational activities of the unit and in national border protection.

Additionally, a full staffing will enable permanent air patrols (24h/day) in standby to start within 15 minutes after receiving a signal that it is necessary to use

aircraft.

The purpose of the joint training sessions of the Police and the BG is the preparation of Police and BG units, as well as other units and public services, to respond

to emergency situations on the external border.

52

In relation to Poland’s entry to the Schengen are, it is essential to train the Customs Service employees on new provisions such as the Schengen Border Code, on

skills and possibilities of using the Schengen Information System or the procedures concerning cooperation with the SIRENE bureau and other border services.

3.5. Overall results achieved with the Fund's intervention

3.5.1. Please insert an overview table presenting the overall achievements through the Fund's intervention.

Table n° 19: Overall 2007-2010 EBF results following aggregation by priorities

PRIORITY 1

Category Indicators

RESULTS

1. Means of

transport

Number of patrol

missions performed

% of the fleet


total

Average intervention time (time between the alert

and arrival on the spot)

Achi

eved

throu

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio


through the Fund

Achiev

ed

throug

Baseli

ne

Overall at

national

level 2007-2010

53

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

nal

level

2007-

2010

h APs

2007-

2010

Total 11,77%

4. Operating

equipment

for border

checks

% of Border

Crossing Points

covered with

modernised

equipment

Average time spent


a traveller's entry

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010

Achieve

d

through

APs

2007-

2010

Bas

elin

e

Overa

ll at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

Total 18,5

2%

11,7

%

25,62

%

5. Border

infrastructure

Number of staff

working in

new/upgraded


Points's modernised out

of the total number of

Average waiting time for travellers at borders

54

infrastructures Border Crossing Points

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010

Achieve

d

through

APs

2007-

2010

Base

line

Over

all at

natio

nal

level

2007

-

2010

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Overall at

national

level 2007-2010

Total: 50 1598 3809 5% 1% 7%

PRIORITY 2

3. Operating

equipment

for border

surveillance

% of equipment

renewed out of the

total equipment


time (time between


on the spot)

Length of the external borders covered (km)

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

Achieve

d

through

APs

2007-

2010

Bas

elin

e

Overa

ll at

nation

al

level

2007-

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Overall at

national

level 2007-2010

55

-

2010

2010 2010

Total: 55,7

5%

25% 59,18

%

PRIORITY 3

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Baseline

6

days

8 days

PRIORITY 4

6. SIS

% of successful

connection tests

Compliance Test

Extended (where

applicable)

Number of institutional stakeholders involved

56

YES NO NA

Total: 10

7. VIS

Number of

consulates

connected to VIS

Number of border

crossing points

connected to VIS

Number of other stakeholders connected

Total: 7 2

8. Other

ICT systems

Number of

institutional

stakeholders

involved

Improvement in

average time


of consultations

(Yes/No)

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Bas

elin

e

Overa

ll at

nation

al

Level

2007-

2010

Total 22 5,7 22

PRIORITY 5

57

3.5.2. How do you assess the results of section 3.5.1. in the national context of implementation of the External Borders Fund?

Neutral

Positive

Very positive

Excellent

12. Training

and risk

analysis

Number of reports

issued


(compared to total)

Number of institutional collaborations on risk

analysis developed

Actu

ally

achie

ved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010


2007-2010

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Overall at

national

level

2007-2010

Total 4 9 90%

58

3.5.3. Please comment on the overall results achieved (as presented in Table n° 16) in relation to your initially set expectations as stated in the annual

programmes.

The results of 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 projects show that the planned results (expressed by indicators) should be achieved in majority. Some indicators have

been modified and new one were introduced as well. The process of certification of the projects’ expenditures for allocation 2010 is ongoing.

3.6. CASE STUDIES/BEST PRACTICES

3.6.1. Important /successful projects funded in the annual programmes 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010

The border with the Russian Federation (232 km), the Republic of Belarus (418 km) and the Ukraine (535 km), as well as territorial sea external border (440 km)

and international airports, became on 1 May 2004 external borders of the European Union. The border between Poland and Ukraine is the longest one.

Fundamental needs related to the external border infrastructure were identified in the “Polish-Ukrainian Border Infrastructure Development Programme 2010 –

2013” adopted by the Council of Ministries on 26 January 2010. The document presents an analysis which has helped to specify priorities under which national

needs that demand further financing have been indicated. Programme identifies 3 specific goals:

- improve safety on the Polish - Ukrainian border;

- increase in throughput of border crossings;

- improve the conditions for travelers waiting for border control.

In compliance with on the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 13 December 2005 on the Voivode’s obligations as regards financing and maintenance of

border crossings, tourist crossings, places of border crossing on tourist routes and points of nightly stay on border rivers, their equipment and authorities competent

for placing and maintenance of border markings on internal sea waters (Journal of Laws No. 256, Item 2145), the Voivode shall be obliged to provide border

59

services with a relevant premises basis as well as technical equipment and devices necessary to conduct effective and efficient control. The scope of Voivode’s

duties shall also include planning and completion of the investments on the border crossing including construction of the new crossings infrastructure. The costs

related to construction, modernisation and maintenance of border crossings shall be covered with the budget funds of local competent Voivodes.

On Polish –Ukrainian border 12 border crossings is created.

Taking the above into consideration the projects implemented by the Podkarpacki and Lubelski Voivode constitute a particular value in the light of the multiannual

strategy and national requirements.

AP 2007

1. Development of road infrastructure and purchase of equipment for border control on the Road Border Crossing Krościenko - Smolnica

The project assumes completion of the following activities:

- Conversion of islets;

- Creation of additional lane of the motorway;

- Building a parking lot for the order service and travelers;

- Purchase of passport scanners;

- Purchase of thermo-visual cameras enabling observation of vehicles awaiting the crossing, as an aim to secure travellers.

The project completion contributed to effective organisation of external border control comprising tasks both related to clearance and protection.

Reconstruction of road isles and construction of an additional traffic lane led to the increase in capacity of the border crossing. Construction of parking space for

cars of border service and travellers shall lead to efficient organisation and good car traffic management on the border crossing. Providing lacking equipment and

devices led to effective organisation of external border control comprising tasks both related to clearance and protection, and at the same time, more efficient

crossing of the external border according to the Schengen acquis.

60

2. Modernisation of the main building including construction of a waiting room for travellers on the Railway Border Crossing Przemyśl – Mościska

(part for persons) and purchase of specialist equipment

The project assumed the construction of fencing separating a personal border crossing for travellers who cross the border from the platform for travellers who do

not cross the state border and the above equipment for identification of forgeries.

The project completion led to effective EU external border control comprising tasks both related to clearance and protection.

The objective for the construction of fencing and providing border services with necessary equipment for clearance led to effective EU external border control

comprising tasks both related to clearance and protection, and at the same time, more efficient crossing of the external border according to the Schengen acquis.

The objective for the modernisation of the main building was to improve the conditions for travellers waiting for clearance as well as improve work conditions for

border services.

3. Construction of a building for clearance for travellers on the Road Border Crossing Medyka – Szeginie

Within the project it was planned to construct a building for clearance for travellers in the pedestrian zone before the border line with Ukraine. The project

completion shall lead to effective EU external border control comprising tasks both related to clearance and protection, and at the same time, more efficient

crossing of the external border according to the Schengen acquis.

The main aim of actions is strengthening the control of individuals in the pedestrian movement. The project implementation contributed to an effective control of

the external border and will increase the travellers’ security.

The reason behind the construction of a building for clearance for pedestrians is also improvement of conditions for travellers waiting for clearance as well as

improvement of work conditions for border services.

The project assumed the construction of construction of a building for control with necessary connections (water and sewage, electricity) and equipping building

with office and accommodation equipment, like computers, cameras, file cabinets, air conditioners, desks for control etc.

61

AP 2008

4. Development of the Road Infrastructure and Procurement of the Equipment for the Cross Border Checks at Medyka - Szeginie Crossing

The Project contributed to effective and better organisation of performing persons’ control at the external border of EU. It was planned to increase the capacity of

the border crossing point as well as improvement of quality and conditions of persons clearances at the external border of EU. The purchased equipment improved

and speeded up clearance and control of persons procedures.

Efficient border control contributed to increasing security at the external border of EU as well as on the EU territory.

The following activities were planned under the project:

- performing the pavement of the entire area of the border crossing;

- extending the slip road to the border crossings by additional lanes for cars;

- providing lacking equipment and devices required for more efficient cross-border control (such as passport readers).

AP 2009

5. Reconstruction of the building for detailed control at the entry and construction of the building for detailed control at the exit of the Road Border

Crossing Medyka – Szeginie

Within the project, it was planned to reconstruct the building for control at the entry of the border crossing and to construct the building for control at the exit of

the border crossing. Buildings will be used for the control conducted by as well the Border Guard as Customs Officers.

As it was indicated in Multiannual Programme both services: the Border Guard and Custom Service are responsible for controlling people on the borders. Also,

pursuant to Art. 85.2 of the Act of 13 June 2003 on Foreigners (OJ No. 231 item 1694 as amended), the Customs Services, as well as the Border Guard, is entitled

to inspecting documents and permits allowing foreigners to stay in the Republic of Poland and the Community.

The Border Guard and Customs Officers use the buildings for detailed control to complete their statutory tasks in scope of external border protection. Therefore the

construction of such building for the Border Guard and separately for the Customs Officer is not justified.

The project completion shall lead to more efficient crossing of the external border according to the Schengen acquis. It is also planned to increase crossing

capacity as well as effective EU external border control and protection.

62

3.6.2. Description of best practices derived from the implementation of the External Borders Fund

Please describe a few best practices you consider you have acquired through implementation of the External Borders Fund in terms of tools for administrative

management and cooperation at national level or with other Member States.

1. Pre – financing system

In accordance with the national regulation, resources of individual funds are received from the European Commission to the separate interested bearing

bank accounts in the Ministry of Finance. Money are remitted from the mentioned accounts to state budget account as reimbursement for already pre-

financed expenditures. The Polish government provides a pre-financing from the budgetary state reserve. This system allows continuous realization of

projects.

2. Maximum use of allocation system

System of monthly updating exchange rate of PLN to EUR by the RA allows to reallocate savings to new/modified projects and to use maximum of the

allocation.

3. Creation of the Interdisciplinary Team for the Schengen Fund, Norwegian Financial Mechanism, European Refugee Fund, External Borders Fund and

Return Fund

Principle of partnership and transparency is implemented by involving in fund’s implementation the members of the above mentioned Inter-Ministry Team

for the Schengen Fund, Norwegian Financial Mechanism, European Refugee Fund, External Borders Fund and European Return Fund, who represents

the major Polish Ministries and services.

4. EBF working group – net of informal contacts

Taking into account many issues appearing during fund implementation which can be discussed on the working level, the EBF working group has been

established. This forum enables quick and fruitful exchange of opinions between MS.

Exchange of best practices and experiences is possible during bilateral meetings on MS expert level.

63

5. Direct and informal contact with representatives of the European Commission

It is particularly important that the rules governing the implementation of the Fund are clear to and understood by all Member States. Hence the important

role played by direct contact with representatives of the European Commission, as well as any instructions or guidelines by the European Commission

prepared to clarify doubts. The possibility of working informal contacts undoubtedly contributes to the clarification of unclear issues.

3.7. LESSONS LEARNED

3.7.1. Description of 3 less successful projects, among the projects funded in the annual programmes 2007 to 2010

It is not possible to indicate the less successful projects among the projects funded in the Annual Programmes 2007 - 2010.

The outcomes of the projects implemented under Annual Programmes s show that the planned results have been achieved in majority. However it is necessary to

stress that due to some irregularities found by the Polish institutions expenditures within some projects are ineligible and budgets of some other projects were cut

down according to Guidelines for determining financial corrections to be made to expenditure co-financed by the SOLID Funds for non-compliance with the rules

on public procurement accepted by Poland in January 2011. These corrections made within the projects have no negative influence on the implementation of the

operational objectives stated in the Multiannual Programme.

3.7.2. Lessons learned

3.7.2.1. Please describe what are the lessons learned and practices developed for the future both in terms of Fund/project management and in terms of

practices developed for the management of border/visa

Following recommendations results from the lesson learned:

1. Closer cooperation between institutions involved into management of the fund and project’s Partners.

2. Introducing of the Ex-ante control of projects.

64

3. Simplification of the cost eligibility rules and procedures.

4. Increasing of the awareness of the EC in terms of MS specific national rules.

5. Simplification of the project’s documentation to be fulfilled by the project’s Partners.

6. Implementation of the continuous training program for the project’s Partners.

7. Increasing of the responsibility for the project implementation of the lower management representatives within Partner’s institution.

8. Increasing of the awareness of the higher management in terms of fund’s possibilities.

9. Reinforcing of the cooperation between internal units (financial/administrative) of Partner’s institution.

10. Reducing of tasks’ duplication by the institutions involved into fund’s management.

3.7.2.2. Were you already able to integrate some of these practices in the management of the projects?

All practices described in the point 3.6.2 are already integrated in the management of the projects.

PART IV – OVERALL ASSESSMENT - IMPACT AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

4.0. ANALYSIS ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIGRATION FLOWS

4.01. Please present a short overview on the trends in migration flows to your country during the period 2006 to end 2011 and analyse them in light of

the developments influencing them (legislative, policy, etc.).

Please start from the background provided in the multi-annual programme, outlining any changes that appeared during the reporting period. When doing so,

please refer to relevant data / statistics concerning passenger flows, irregular attempts for entry, visa applications and visas issued for the years 2006, 2009, 2011.

(These reference years are considered relevant milestones as they represent the start, mid-term and (almost at the) end of the intervention period analysed).

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According to the Multiannual Programme 2007-2013 provisions, main regions generating a so called migration flow which crosses Poland, were countries of the

former Soviet Union, Southern Asia, and South-Eastern Asia. Among the persons detained for irregular crossing of the border, there were in the majority citizens

of: Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Vietnam, Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, China, and Pakistan. Frontex analysis cited in the Multiannual Programme 2007-2013 did not

show Polish borders as the most important routes of illegal migration into the EU, it stressed nevertheless that there was a significant migration pressing, directed

from the EU outside towards the Schengen Zone. This meant that Poland was in most cases treated as a transit country by immigrants.

An increased interest in staying in Poland among the foreigners was observed in 2008. Thus, according to the data available on 31 December 2011 there were

100 298 foreigners with valid residence cards (3,218 more than in 2010 and 7,724 more than in 2009) with the largest number of cards (as much as 30%) issued to

the Ukraine citizens. In 2011, 40,808 foreigners were granted a permit to work in Poland, i.e. 3,687 persons more compared to 2010. The number of registered

declarations of employers with the intention to employ citizens of the countries covered by a simplified system amounted to 259,777 in 2011 (180,073 in 2010).

Besides, 209,577 work visas were issued where 93% of such visas were granted to the citizens of Ukraine, Byelorussia and Russia.

In 2011, 6,887 persons applied for refugee status in Poland as compared to 6,534 persons in 2010 (an increase by 5%, however, these are still considerably lower

numbers than those in the years 2007, 2008, 2009). It should be emphasised that the refugee flow does not depend on the target or transit migration country almost

at all. It is worth noting that the above cited figures show a clear and strong dichotomy – migrants who come to Poland are, on the one hand, citizens of less

developed countries, or EU and USA citizens (with Polish background), on the other hand. The above figures show that Poland has not become a net immigration

country and with the scale of emigration it will not become one in the foreseeable future.2

Most visas, invariably since a couple of years, were issued by consular offices at the Eastern Polish border, in Ukraine, Belarus and in Russia. Total number of

issued visas in these three countries only totalled 1,085,737, which makes as much as 92.5 % of all visas issued in Polish consular offices worldwide in 2011.

This is an effect of a liberalisation of the visa process in the East and an introduction of a simplification of the visa procedure for incomers to Poland.

One of the most important activities in this regard was the decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on 1 March 2011 to reduce the charge from 35 to 20 euro for

processing by Polish consuls Ukraine visa applications. At the same time since September 2011 the catalogue of complementary documents in Ukraine, Belarus

and Russia has been simplified. Reducing of the amount of required documentation shortened time to service one client.

2 POLITYKA MIGRACYJNA POLSKI – stan obecny i postulowane działania” - Dokument przyjęty przez Radę Ministrów w dniu 31 lipca 2012 r., Opracowanie: Zespół do Spraw Migracji.

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Main reasons of rejections were not fulfilling legal requirements, including entering conditions defined in the Schengen Borders Code, and lack of justification for

the reason of the planned stay.

The following table shows the trends in migration flows in the years 2006 - 2011.

Table n° 20

Number of .. 2006 2009 2011

Passenger crossings at external

borders

Total number of

passengers:

47742369, including

21870690 Polish

citizens and

25871679

foreigners.

23875519

passengers to Poland

23866850

passengers from

Poland

Total number of

passengers:

27647428, including

13897349 Polish

citizens and

13750079 foreigners

13897349 passengers

to Poland

13750079 passengers

from Poland.

Total number of

passengers:

33300130,

including 16675423

Polish citizens and

16624707

foreigners.

16675423

passengers to

Poland

16624707

passengers from

Poland.

Third country nationals refused

entry at the external borders Data not available

26889 (including sea

and air borders)

22047 (including

sea and air borders)

Third country nationals 1464 (including sea 1561 (including sea 1175 (including sea

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apprehended after having

crossed the external border

illegally, including persons

apprehended at sea

and air borders) and air borders) and air borders)

Visas issued* Data not available 789 017 1 173 553


*Source: Report of the Polish Consular Service for the year 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Consular Affairs, April 2012

4.02. Please specify whether, in your opinion, the intervention through the Fund contributed to changes in migration trends in your country and if so,

explain the reasons.

Polish borders with Russian Federation, Republic of Belarus, and Ukraine, as well as external border on Baltic Sea and international airports have had, since the 1st

May 2004, an external EU border status. Its total length amounts to ca. 1185 km. With the accession of the Republic of Poland to the Schengen Zone, crossing that

border enabled moving to other EU countries without any further border controls.

As a result, the necessity to protect external EU borders became an extremely important task, guaranteeing safety of all Member States against threats coming from

persons and goods unwanted in the EU territory.

Although the Frontex analysis cited in the Multiannual Programme 2007-2013 did not show Polish borders as the most important routes of illegal migration into

the EU, it stressed nevertheless that there was a significant migration pressing, directed from the EU outside towards the Schengen Zone. This meant that Poland

was in most cases treated as a transit country by immigrants.

According to the Multiannual Programme 2007-2013 provisions, main regions generating a so called migration flow which crosses Poland, were countries of the

former Soviet Union, Southern Asia, and South-Eastern Asia. Among the persons detained for irregular crossing of the border, there were in the majority citizens

of: Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Vietnam, Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, China, and Pakistan.

Between the 28th of August to the 17

th of September 2012 an evaluation was carried out by the external expert and entitled “Evaluation of results and impact of

measures co-financed from the EBF in the 2007 – 2010 programming period”.

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The aforementioned evaluation covered an analysis of projects, accepted for implementation within the 2007 – 2010 allocation, which were implemented and

settled until the end of June 2012. Totally 37 projects were evaluated, which were implemented by 12 Partners, including: General Headquarters of the Border

Guard, General Headquarters of the Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, Office for Foreigners, Podkarpacki Voivod, Mazowiecki

Voivod, Lubelski Voivod, and Podlaski Voivod Office, Border Guard Training Centres, and Bieszczadzki Unit of the Border Guard.

The methodology of the evaluation consisted of a desk-research analysis of programme documents, individual In-Depth Interviews (IDI), and Paper-and-Pencil

Interviewing (PAPI) surveys.

The desk-research analysis covered documents, important from the point of view of achieving evaluation’s objectives, including: Multiannual Programme 2007-

2013, Annual Programmes (2007-2010), the project documentation (Project Fiches PR 2007–2010 together with attachments), a mid-term report 2007 – 2009, as

well as final reports and/or quarterly reports from the project implementation.

The IDI were carried out with representatives of the RA (EU and International Co-operation Department of the Ministry of the Interior – DUEWM MSW) and

with representatives of the DA (European Programmes Implementing Authority – WWPE).

The PAPI surveys were carried out with partners of the EBF and persons, who are responsible for direct implementation of projects. Totally, 23 surveys were done

among persons, responsible for 37 projects covered by the evaluation.

Results of the quantitative research showed that 26 % of the evaluation population noticed a direct impact of the implementation of their projects to migration

trends. Nearly 74% of the evaluation population answered that the scope of the project was not oriented to contribute to changes in migration trends. It results from

their specificity and assumed objectives. It is worth mentioning that no one answered in a way that excludes any impact in the area concerned.

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Chart 1

Source: Own study based on the results of the quantitative research

As much as 17 out of 23 (which makes nearly 74% of the evaluation population) answered that the scope of the project was not oriented to contribute to changes in

migration trends. It is however worth mentioning that no one answered in a way that excludes any impact in the area concerned.

At the same time, a part of respondents (6 persons) notice a direct translation of the implementation of their projects to migration trends and indicate following

reasons:

an increase of safety of immigrants crossing the border;

an exclusion of possibility to invigilate officers doing their tasks in relation to direct protection of the EU external border. There is a noticeable change in

the behaviour of criminal groups organising human transfers, as the project became a major barrier for their actions;

an increase of the number of patrols, and as a result intensifying of border control and observation actions, which brings tightness of borders;

strengthening the protection and supervision by increasing the number of aerial patrols. Round-the-clock aviation duties, an increase of safety and

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effectiveness of night patrols, which also significantly influences further tightness of borders.

Effects of projects, indicated by respondents, which contribute to an increase of tightness of borders, are a frequent reason of refraining from irregular crossing and

drive people to find an another way to enter the EU.

Moreover, an extension of existing systems and an introduction of new IT solutions improved work of consular personnel and its performance, resulting in an

easier and faster service for customers.

One of the main platforms of modernisation of consular services was preparation and implementation of Visa Information System (VIS). VIS is the common

database of visa information in the Schengen Zone, launched in 2011. Using this new tool required introducing significant systemic changes, additional equipping

units, modernisation of reception desks, and training personnel. According to provisions of “Report of Polish Consular Service for 2011” (Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, Consular Department, April 2012), in the end of 2011, the VIS system was functioning in 7 consular offices and was ready to operate in next 10 offices.

In 2011 consular offices issued a total of 1 173 553 visas, which makes for an increase by 30.6 % compared with the previous year. Most visas in 2011 (invariably

since a couple of years) were issued by consular offices at the Eastern Polish border: Ukraine – 572,037 visas (increase by 26 %), Belarus – 299,665 visas

(increase by 48 %), and in Russia – 214,035 visas (increase by 24 %). Total number of issued visas in these three countries only totalled 1,085,737, which makes

as much as 92.5 % of all visas issued in Polish consular offices worldwide in 2011. This is an effect of a liberalisation of the visa process in the East and an

introduction of a simplification of the visa procedure for incomers to Poland (source: Report of Polish Consular Service for 2011, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Consular Department, April 2012).

26.422 visas were rejected to foreigners, which makes for 2.2 % of the total number of 1,200,872 applications submitted in 2011. Main reasons of rejections were

not fulfilling legal requirements, including entering conditions defined in the Schengen Borders Code, and lack of justification for the reason of the planned stay.

The greatest shares of rejections were noted in case of so-called high migration risk countries: Kenya – 31.0 %, Nigeria – 26.9 %, Morocco – 21.9 %, Pakistan –

21.5 %, Syria – 20.3 %, Egypt – 19.6 %, Algeria – 12.3 %, and India – 9.9 %. (source: Report of Polish Consular Service for 2011, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Consular Department, April 2012).

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Chart 2

Source: Report of Polish Consular Service for 2011, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consular Department, April 2012

4.03. Please specify to what extent migration flows influenced decisions on the intervention of the Fund? Did you (re)shape the programming through

the Fund in order to meet any (new/ unforeseen) specific needs within the migratory context at national level? If, why?

At the stage of preparing the Multiannual Programme for the EBF 2007-2013, the situation in Poland and migration flows influencing the aforementioned situation

were defined and thoroughly analysed.

The main objective of the Multiannual Programme was therefore giving freedom and smoothness of the legal flow of people and goods through the state border

with reservation of a high level of safety and cohesion of a social community through protection of the border against threats for the national safety, national

economy, public health, and against irregular crossing the border.

2008 2009 2010 2011

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There was no necessity of remodelling of priorities and assumptions of the Fund in order to take new or unpredicted needs in the context of domestic migrations

into account.

4.1. ADDED VALUE AND IMPACT

Volume effects:

4.1.1. Taking into account the information in part I, how and where in particular did the Fund's intervention contribute most significantly to the

overall range of activities in support to border management (checks and surveillance) in your country?

Border Management

Within the concept of operation of the BG described in section 1.1.5 and the objectives of border management in Poland, it should be noted that the Fund has

contributed significantly to the achievement of the designed objectives. Achievement of its strategic objectives has been possible due to the following activities:

increasing the number of BG facilities to install modern equipment to allow for quick and efficient control and surveillance;

increasing the number of premises corresponding to the European standards in the field conditions and the organization of work of employees and officers of

the BG;

purchase of new and replacement of equipment exploited;

training staff.

These measures, in turn, translated into a specific realization of the operational objectives, such as:

increasing the number of border crossing facilities that meet EU standards;

reducing waiting times at border checks;

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increasing security at the external border;

increasing the efficiency of cross-border control;

sealing the border protection system;

increasing the efficiency and mobility of the services;

improving the coordination and deployment of the forces and means of the services;

improvement of knowledge of the officers / staff.

Strengthening of the capacity within the implementation of the border activities thanks to projects funded by the EBF is possible through modernization of

infrastructure, equipment, training, modernization of IT and radiocommunication systems.

As for the extent to which the Fund has contributed to the achievement of its objectives, it is necessary to refer to the financial information set out in paragraph

1.1.4. These statistics show that the share of EBF in financing expenses related to the protection of the external borders of our country is at a level of about 3%.

Only domestic expenditure related to infrastructure and equipment in the area of border management were taken into account in the analysis of the statistical data,

because only such a comparison to expenditure of the EBF is the most appropriate. While, on an annual basis was as follows: in 2009 - 5.68%, 2010 - 2.15%, 2011

- 5.45% and in the first half of 2012, up 16.18%. Despite the fact that the overall statistics show that the total value of the contribution FGZ is a little over 3% of

the national measures in the area of border management, it should be noted that the financial data do not reflect the value of the overall impact of the Fund in the

area of border management.

This is due to the fact that within the EBF also soft training projects are implemented, whose financial value is relatively low, but the results are priceless. It should

be emphasized that the importance of training projects is very high for the achievement of its objectives, such as quality of service and efficiency of passengers

traffic or detection of illegal crossings. It should also be noted that in most cases, funding of the training project from the national sources is very difficult.

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Chart 3

Source: Own elaboration based on the data submitted by the EBF Beneficiaries

4.1.2. Taking into account the information in part I, how and where in particular did the Fund's intervention contribute most significantly to the

overall range of activities in support to visa issuing in your country?

Visa Policy

The EBF financed the following activities, which had a positive impact on the development and achievement of the objectives set in the visa policy:

appropriate equipment of units;

creating a system of communication and exchange of information between units involved in the process of visas issuing;

trainings within the visa policy.

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It should be noted that the assessment of the impact of the Fund only in terms of financial value would not be adequate, because looking at the indicators presented

in the tables section. 3.2, it is noted that the expected results in this area have been achieved to a large extent. An example of this is the indicator of the number of

purchased or upgraded equipment associated with the process of issuing visas, where the value of the index at the national level was 241 units, of which 174 pieces

of equipment in question was funded by the EBF, which represents more than 72%.

The actions undertaken by national institutions in the field of visa policy are primarily financed from the state budget. Available domestic funds are not sufficient,

and the activities carried out under the EBF stand for the valuable support, necessary to fulfil the existing gap.

Without the support FGZ achievement of the following results at satisfactory level would not be possible:

support of biometric infrastructure in consular offices, data transferring in the process of issuing visas and extension of communication routes;

efficient handling visas and foreigners issues;

adapting information and communication systems for the full implementation of the Community legal instruments for the protection of the external

borders of the EU;

improving the qualifications of staff performing tasks related to the protection of the border, the Schengen area, and consular services in the field of

external borders and visas, in particular the Schengen Borders Code and the European Code on Visas.

Undoubtedly, in the question of a positive impact on simplification in procedures of obtaining a Polish visa, following projects, co-financed from the EBF, should

be pointed out:

FGZ-07-3514 Training for customs officers on the use and operation of the SIS and VIS system.

FGZ-07-3311 Implementation of adjustment and construction works in the premises of the backup centre and IT equipment providing.

FGZ-07-3321 Providing consular offices with equipment and software for the collection of biometric data.

FGZ-07-3341 Environmental analysis including development of the connection of public networks of offices abroad with LAN public network in the

headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

FGZ-08-3341 Extension of the Connection of the Network of Open Foreign Posts with Open LAN Network at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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FGZ-09-3431 Providing Lubelski Voivod services with ICT equipment and equipment to communicate with other systems: POBYT, SIS, VIS, Biometry.

FGZ-09-3432 Providing Mazowiecki Voivod services with ICT equipment and equipment to communicate with other systems: POBYT, SIS, VIS,

Biometry.

4.1.3. Taking into account the information in part I, how important was the support of the External Borders Fund to the national efforts in developing

the IT systems VIS and SIS?

IT Systems

The quality of functioning of the services depends considerably on improving communication systems and extending the telecommunication infrastructure. For

example, The Border Guard uses telecommunication systems that allow for round-the-clock clearance of travellers, consisting, among others, of checking available

domestic databases for objections against persons crossing the border. The border Guard secures a part of the external EU border and does border controls using

central EU SIS database.

That is why the extension of telecommunication infrastructure, creating new, specialist software, indispensable during the border control process, and supporting

the management of border control processes is important when it comes to ensuring the protection of border safety.

The next priority investments related to the improvement of communication systems is for example project FGZ-09-3411 The construction of a backup centre for

the AFIS National Network project, implemented by the Police. Stage I – Purchase and supply of the hardware components and software licences for the

construction of the backup centre for the AFIS National Network. Subjects authorised to collect and process fingerprinting data use the AFIS System. In the case

of a failure, the system becomes unavailable. The construction of the Supplementary Centre of the National AFIS Network was meant to eliminate this threat.

The Fund contributed in particular to extending the Central Telecommunication Node of the Border Guard, covering purchase of the necessary equipment and

software, but also extending the AFIS system, allowing for identifying persons through a verification of biometrical data.

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According to the data presented in the section. 1.1.4 EBF financial contribution of national financing related to development and modernization of IT systems is

significant.

Results of carried out qualitative research show unanimously that the majority of aforementioned undertakings, in case of no EBF would have no chance to be

realised or would be implemented but later and to a much smaller extent.

The Fund contributed particularly to extending the Central Telecommunication Node of the BG covering purchasing necessary equipment and software, but also

extending the AFIS system, allowing for the identification of persons through verifying biometrical data.

4.1.4. To what extent did the Fund contribute to strengthening the image of having secure borders in your society?

Strengthening an “image of safe borders” in the Polish society, as well as in the wider context (also among institutions responsible for border safety and officers

realizing tasks in relation to direct protection of the EU external border) would not be possible without the EBF.

An efficient system of protecting the external EU border is bound with the necessity to modernise and extend the border infrastructure used by the Border Guard.

A growing crossborder flow, particularly at external borders, requires an appropriate infrastructure, i.e. providing sufficient number of border crossings points and

further modernisation and extension of premises for fast, efficient, and thorough border control and improvement of external border safety.

Within EBF 2007-2010, 37 projects were implemented, which undoubtedly had a positive impact on border tightness (including infrastructure projects), obtaining

visas to Poland, as well as improving communication systems and an extension of the telecommunication infrastructure.

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Chart 4


More than the half of the persons covered by the research (12 persons) indicated that implemented projects would be realised even in the case of no co-funding

from the EBF sources. However, it must be stressed that all researched persons underlined that in such case, projects would be implemented in limited scope and

far later.

In addition to that, some projects required very urgent realisation, and the value of the investment exceeded financial capabilities of partners in funding projects

from own sources.

At the same time almost the half of respondents – namely 11– indicated that without financial support of the EBF, realisation of the project would become

impossible. The reasons for that situation were above all:

lack of financial sources, too high project budget, disqualifying possibility to realise it with such a scope from budget fund;

other important tasks covering available funds;

79

in the case of training projects for Border Guard officers, every year funds for that are more and more limited and without the EBF funding, training

so many officers would not be possible.

Taking results of the research into account, it is worth stressing that achieving following results that strengthen the “image of safe borders”, would be impossible

without:

an increase of the number of Border Guard premises allowing for installing modern equipment for fast and efficient control and supervision;

an increase of the number of premises complying with EU standards concerning conditions and organisation of work of Border Guard employees

and officers;

an increase of the number of border crossing premises complying with EU standards;

shortening of waiting time for the border control;

an increase of safety at the external border;

an increase of efficiency of the border flow control;

tightening of the border protection system;

an exchange of worn out equipment;

an increase of efficiency and mobility of services;

an improvement of co-ordination and distribution of services’ resources;

an increase of knowledge of officers and personnel.

Installing information boards increases the status of the investment and its visibility throughout the society.

The Fund did not cover stricte promotional and informational projects, yet within each project there were some promotional obligations to inform the society about

carried out investments and about financing of these investment from EU funds. These obligations were realised by installing informational boards, marking

equipment purchased within the project and preparing promotional materials. The visualisation of carried out investments together with an information about the

source of financing also positively impacts the way they are received by the society that is aware that these systems are constantly extended and modernised.

80

Also an improvement of work of border protection services influences positively the reception by the society. It is done by using modern equipment (portable

devices for passport control), which influences accuracy of verification, increase of comfort of verified persons, and shortening the waiting time.

It is also worth noting that in September 2011, the company TNS OBOP (working for more than 50 years. Since 1998 belongs to the international research group

TNS, which is one of the largest organizations in the world, dealing with marketing communications) conducted a survey on public institutions, which enjoy the

highest trust of Poles. These study confirms the existence of a good image of the BG in Polish society. Asked about the attitude of Poles to 35 institutions of

various profiles. It turns out that the most trusted institutions that Poles enjoy are those who ensure the safety of them, among them is the BG, which has high

ratings and enjoys high credibility among Poles - 59% of respondents expressed the opinion that they tend to trust.

4.1.5. How do you perceive the programmes' added value in comparison with existing national programmes/policies at national, regional and local level,

and in relation to the national budget in the area of intervention of the External Borders Fund?

Measures carried out by national institutions within the scope covered by Fund’s objectives, are in the majority financed by the state budget. It is worth mentioning

that funds, available in this area, which respondents noted, are to a large extent insufficient. In opinion of respondents, available state budget is utilised for other,

equally important tasks.

As mentioned before, more than a half of researched persons underlined that in case of no support from the EBF, implementation of their projects would be

impossible.

That is why actions proposed within the EBF fully comply with partners’ expectations, because they give opportunity to prepare and realise projects, which in the

majority of cases would have no chance to be implemented because of no funds or would be completed later and to limited extend.

It is also worth mentioning that implemented projects are in most of cases connected with other partners’ investments, which shows the added value of individual

Annual Programmes, as thanks to these funds it is possible to supplement and complete wider undertakings. As many as 21 respondents, constituting 91% of the

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research population, indicated that projects co-financed within the EBF, implemented by their institutions, were essentially connected with other investments,

performed by their units.

Chart 5


Taking aforementioned information into account, it is clear that the financial support of the EBF became an added value compared with existing national

programmes and in relation to state budget available in regard to the EBF intervention area.

Were implemented projects, financed from the EBF, substantially bound with other undertakings, realised by your unit?

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Chart 6

Source: Annual Programmes

Both objectives and priorities of the Multinational Programme as well as actions carried out within the individual Annual Programmes are compliant with national

needs set in the Integrated Border Management Programme 2007-2013, adopted by the Polish government on the 11th of September 2007.

In 2007-2009, apart from own budgets, institutions benefiting from the EBF could use special funds of the state budget given in a form of an act within the

Programme of modernisation of Police, Border Guard, National Fire Brigade, and Government Protection Bureau in 2007-2009. This programme aimed at

creating conditions for full implementation of statutory tasks by units responsible for safety and social order, as well as significant improvement of effectiveness of

those units, being a prerequisite of state and citizen security.

83

It is worth remembering that also other support played an important role in the proper preparation of services aimed at implementing tasks concerning border and

Schengen Zone safety. It was support from pre-accession funds, like Phare and Transition Facility, and from other programmes, like the Schengen Fund and the

Norwegian Financial Mechanism (with national co-financing).

In addition to that, actions undertaken within the EBF follow up and supplement actions carried out within aforementioned EU funds and the Norwegian Financial

Mechanism.

However, despite numerous important ventures financed both from national and aforementioned foreign sources, needs regarding freedom and smoothness of legal

flow of people and goods through the border while maintaining a high level of safety and cohesion of social community through protection of the border against

threats for the national safety, national economy, and public health, are still significant. Only support, available within the EBF, fills that gap.

Without the EBF intervention, achieving such a satisfactory level of following results would not be possible:

adjusting border infrastructure to EU standards;

keeping the high standard of control and efficient protection of the external EU border and safety for the Schengen Zone;

developing supervision systems of the external EU border;

increasing functionality of telecommunication infrastructure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

supporting biometrical infrastructure of consular offices and transferring data in visa-issuing, as well as extending communication paths;

a smooth visa and foreigner affairs service;

adjusting information and communication systems to a full implementation of community legal instruments concerning protection of the external

EU border;

improving qualifications of services that carry tasks related to border, Schengen Zone, and consular services protection, in regard to external

borders and visas, particularly Schengen Border Code and European Visa Code.

Moreover, it is worth recalling the results of the PAPI survey, which show that respondents indicate several additional positive effects, achieved due to

implemented projects, apart from those expected. The added value of the projects, implemented with EBF support, is achieving additional results than the ones

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achieved within former measures, done without EBF support, which are measurable, and proving that there is a connection between those results and additional

EBF support. Almost 61% of researched people confirm the existence of advantages, being an added value of realised projects. These were, among other:

realisation of the EBF project began a series of actions aiming at building a centre of mining and pyrotechnical training in the Training Centre of

the Border Guard in Kętrzyn. Since the beginning of its realisation up until now, extensive works have been carried out. At the moment the school

in Kętrzyn has a permission from the Voivode for such an activity and systematically conducts courses on that topic;

as a result of training offered within implemented projects, BG officers, became active in other EU undertakings;

tighter co-operation between the BG and the Police;

a possibility to expand the project, to implement additional actions, and to stimulate another investments;

interest of other Offices in realising similar projects and exchanging good practice in this matter;

increasing professional qualifications of people involved in project implementation, and users being beneficiaries of project results;

creating a permanent unit for acquiring and settling EU funds;

continuation of training from budget funds stemming from an increase of awareness of the necessity of training;

becoming acquainted with new procedures, gaining new experience;

improving qualifications of the personnel regarding project management;

an increase of experience of project technical staff.

During the evaluation, respondents were asked if they achieved additional benefits because of project’s implementation, e.g. an improvement of staff qualifications

in project management (21 indications), broadening of staff experience in terms of implementation of EU funds (20 indications), or stimulating further investments

(6 indications). Only in one case, the respondent answered that there are no noticeable additional benefits, apart from those initially expected.

Taking all aforementioned information into account, it must be said that the added value of the EBF, in regard to existing national programmes and national budget

sources, is very high.

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4.1.6. How did the Fund enhance your response capacity in relation to detecting irregular crossings and apprehending irregularly entering third-

country nationals? When applicable, please illustrate by referring to specific actions and/or projects.

According to statistical data, prepared by the BG, the number of citizens of the third countries, detained as a result of illegal crossing of the border amounted in

2006, 2009, and 2011 to 1464, 1561, and 1175 persons accordingly.

Above data show that the number of apprehended citizens increased in 2009, as compared with 2006, by over 6% (nearly 100 persons). However, in 2011 it was

lower by more than 25% (386 persons) compared with 2009. It does not mean that the capacity of officers to detect illegal crossings and detentions dropped down.

The number of detected illegal crossings depends on a number of conditions such as e.g. a decrease in the number of attempts of illegal border crossings resulting

from border tightness or looking for new paths of illegal human transfer.

Chart 7


Number of third country nationals apprehended as a result of illegal crossing of the external border

2006 2009 2011

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It is worth noticing that organised international crime groups dealing with an illegal transfer of immigrants are equipped with best equipment and means of

transport. Moreover, these are highly organised groups, dealing with other illegal activities, like transferring drugs or radioactive materials. That is why, to

guarantee safety of the border with an increasing cross-border flow, (particularly between external borders) it was necessary to begin with implementing border

crossings infrastructure and modern equipment for fast, smooth, and thorough border control. An important element was also an implementation and

modernisation of telecommunication systems, allowing for a round-the-clock service for travellers, also allowing to check information about persons crossing the

border, in available national databases. That is why many projects were realised to extend the telecommunication infrastructure, creating new, specialist software

indispensable during the border control process, and supporting the management of border control processes. Worn out end stations were exchanged and the safety

system of telecommunication network strengthened. The aforementioned actions allowed for continuous and proper work of the telecommunication system of the

BG, being a main working tool of the whole formation, and assured uninterrupted work of the equipment. Another important element in the process of detection of

irregular crossings and detaining persons from the third countries was purchasing modern means of transport for tasks related to border and border zone safety. It

allowed for introduction of mobile patrols of the BG, which resulted in not only patrolling of areas selected on the basis of risk analysis and results of

reconnaissance, but also examining identity papers (searches, realisation of delegated tasks, establishing perpetrators and witnesses of crimes and infringements).

Purchasing modern means of transport allows also for systematic, periodical control of public places in the border area, where citizens of the third countries gather.

During the evaluation, respondents were asked if projects, implemented within the EBF, enhance the level of illegal border crossings detection and the number of

detained persons from the third countries.

The majority of respondents, namely as many as 20 (almost 87%) answered positively.

Only three persons answered differently, saying, “I do not have opinion on that (1)” or “rather not (2)”. It resulted from the specificity of projects and assumed

objectives (Training for customs officers on the use and operation of the SIS and VIS system, Providing Lubelski Voivod services with ICT equipment and

equipment to communicate with other systems: POBYT, SIS, VIS, Biometry, Carrying out substantial trainings for the Lublin Voivode’s services which perform

tasks related to the protection of the border and the Schengen area, Conducting trainings for the officers and employees of the Customs Service and Border

Guard).

Chart 8

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The analysis of evaluated projects showed that among actions, which seem to influence the increase of the competence for detection of irregular border crossings

and detentions of persons to the biggest degree, the following should be indicated:

Actions of the Border Guard

Extending and preserving the IT platform and modernising radio communication systems of the Border Guard.

Language training for employees of the Border Guard.

Improving qualifications of services that realise tasks related to border protection with the use of aircrafts, as well as purchasing equipment for Border

Guard aerial units’ crews performing patrolling flights to protect the external EU border.

Purchasing specialist means of transport for the Border Guard.

Actions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Implementation of adjustment and construction works in the premises of the backup centre and IT equipment providing.

Providing consular offices with equipment and software for biometric data collection.

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Environmental analysis including development of the connection of public networks of offices abroad with LAN public network in the headquarters of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Extension of the Connection of the Network of Open Foreign Posts with Open LAN Network at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Actions of the Police

The construction of a backup centre for the AFIS National Network – Purchase and supply of the hardware components and software licences for the

construction of the backup centre for the AFIS National Network.

Training for policemen, in particular as regards the execution of the Schengen legal regulations as well as exchange of information and use of the

Schengen Information System.

Modernisation of the Authorised Interception System for purposes of implementation of Border Guards’ statutory tasks in the area of exchanging criminal

information with the Police.

DAKTYL III Index Roll Out.

Actions of the Podkarpacki Voivodeship Office

Development of road infrastructure and purchase of equipment for border control on the Road Border Crossing Krościenko - Smolnica.

Construction of a building for clearance for travellers on the Road Border Crossing Medyka – Szeginie.

Modernisation of the main building including construction of a waiting room for travellers on the Railway Border Crossing Przemyśl – Mościska (part for

persons) and purchase of specialist equipment.

Development of the road infrastructure and procurement of the equipment for the Cross Border Checks at Medyka - Szeginie Crossing.

Reconstruction of the building for detailed control at the entry to country in the Road Border Crossing Medyka – Szeginie.

Actions of the Lubelski Voivodeship Office

Construction of a landing site for helicopters on the Road Border Crossing in Hrebenne.

Expansion of the Road Border Crossing w Zosin – designing.

Completing equipment of the Road Border Crossing in Hrebenne.

Providing Lubelski Voivod services with ICT equipment and equipment to communicate with other systems: POBYT, SIS, VIS, Biometry.

Carrying out substantial trainings for the Lublin Voivode’s services which perform tasks related to the protection of the border and the Schengen area.

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Actions of the Ministry of Finance

Training for customs officers on the use and operation of the SIS and VIS system.

Conducting trainings for the officers and employees of the Customs Service and Border Guard.

Actions of the Mazowiecki Voivodeship Office

Providing Mazowiecki Voivod services with ICT equipment and equipment to communicate with other systems: POBYT, SIS, VIS, Biometry.

Actions of the Office for Foreigners

Improvement of procedures for entry, transit, residence and departure of foreigners in the territory of the Republic of Poland by modernising the ICT

system for set of records, files and register of foreigners.

Actions of the Training Centre of the Border Guard in Koszalin

Training concerning international migrations for Border Guard.

Actions of the Bieszczadzki Unit of the Border Guard

Expansion of the Border Guard's post in the village Horyniec-Zdrój.

An analysis of researched projects shows that they have a great impact on the increase of effectiveness of protecting the external EU border, not only in terms of

detection of irregular crossing of the border and detaining persons from the third countries, but also in regard to preventing other illegal crossings. An increase of

the number of illegal crossings in 2011 supports this opinion.

4.1.7. To what extent did the Fund contribute in particular to preparing your country for the introduction of the integrated, interoperable European

system of surveillance, e.g. EUROSUR?

According to assumptions set in the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social

Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Examining the creation of a European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR). COM(2008) 068, undertaking

actions allowing for creating a system able to co-operate with other systems of the EU member states within the European System of Border Guards aims at

improving supervision of the border, giving better coordination of distributing forces and means of services during extraordinary and critical situations.

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EUROSUR should guarantee a common technical framework that enables enhancing of everyday co-operation and communication among authorities of member

states and facilitating the use of advanced border protection technologies. The main operational objective should be an exchange of information among national

systems and the EU system, excluding personal data.

The objective of the system is to support member states in their efforts towards limiting the number of citizens of the third countries illegally crossing the EU

border, through enhancement of situation at their external borders and increase of reaction ability of their surveillance services and border control.

As part of the adopted Multiannual Programme, there are two Priorities, which were the most active in this regard.

Priority 1, relating to “Support for further progress in the process of gradual creation of a common, integrated border-management system in regard to the control

of persons at external borders and supervision over these borders”. Main implemented actions within this Priority, were:

FGZ-07-3121 Development and maintenance of the teleinformation platform for the Border Guard – designing and launching WLAN;

FGZ-08-3121 Development and Maintenance of the Central Information and Communication Node of the Border Guard;

FGZ-08-3131 Equipping Border Guard with the Specialist Means of Transport;

FGZ-08-3141 Modernisation of the Authorised Interception System for purposes of implementation of Border Guards’ statutory tasks in the area of

exchanging criminal information with the Police;

FGZ-09-3132 Equipping trainers of Border Guard Training Centre responsible for specialist training in the field of pyrotechnics sapper received by the

officers carrying out tasks in the direct protection of state border;

FGZ-09-3151 Modernisation of radio communication systems of Border Guard;

FGZ-09-3161 Development and maintenance of the teleinformation platform for the Border Guard – Schengen bus equipping.

Priority 2, relating to “Support for preparing and implementation of national elements of European supervision system over external borders and constant

European Patrolling Network on the southern sea borders of the EU countries”. Key actions within this Priority anticipate extending systems of technical

protection of the border, resulting in an increase of reaction capabilities of their reconnaissance services and border control.

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Below, there are two examples of projects implemented within 2009 and 2010 Annual Programmes, which contributed to an increase of reaction capacities of

reconnaissance services and border control:

FGZ-09-3211 – Purchase of the equipment for the Border Guard air crews performing flights to protect external EU borders.

The main assumption of the project is purchasing night-vision goggles for night flights on Border Guard aircrafts with a supply of a portable tester for

servicing optical systems of night-vision devices in stationary stand. The project aimed at strengthening the supervision and protection of the state border

as well as increasing safety of aerial night operations, an increase of capabilities in the case of using aircrafts in times of emergency and offering a prompt

reaction to actions threatening the safety of the external EU border, and widening the scope and versatility of realised tasks of protection of the external

EU border. Moreover, the realisation of aerial operations with the use of night-vision goggles allows for more efficient and more rational use of assets.

Equipping crews with night-vision goggles allows for extended realisation of night actions.

FGZ-10-3211 An extension of the technical system of protection of the external EU border - this project was not covered by this evaluation,

nevertheless it was fully implemented.

The project covered purchasing portable infrared cameras. They are used during low visibility conditions in varying weather of the temperate climate by

the motorised and foot patrols for observation from selected field points and from remotely controlled platforms.

Taking the aforementioned objective of the EUROSUR programme into account, it should be stressed that financial support from the EBF greatly influenced the

knowledge of the situation at the external borders and enhanced the reaction abilities of reconnaissance services and border control, thus preparing Poland for an

introduction of the integrated interoperational EUROSUR European Surveillance System.

4.1.8. To what extent did the Fund contribute to increasing and improving (local) consular co-operation and creating economies of scale in consulates?

When applicable, please illustrate by referring to specific actions and/or projects.

There are two projects realised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which contributed to increase of consular co-operation, these are:

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FGZ-07-3341 Environmental analysis including development of the connection of public networks of offices abroad with LAN public network in

the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The project anticipated an analysis prior the commencement of the project allowing to, among others, prepare Internet connection parameters. An

infrastructure of a safe communication among internal networks of diplomatic and consular units was created, which aimed at creating conditions for further

integration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with external national and international partners. The project aimed at creating a global communication

system, taking various technical conditions and the level of development of telecommunication infrastructure in countries, where Polish diplomatic and

consular units operate, into account.

FGZ-08-3341 Extension of the Connection of the Network of Open Foreign Posts with Open LAN Network at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The project anticipated creating an infrastructure of safe communication among internal networks of 7 foreign diplomatic and consular units and the Head

Office to create conditions for further integration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with external national and international partners. Therefore, its aim was

to create a global communication network taking various technical conditions and level of development of the telecommunication infrastructure in countries,

where Polish diplomatic and consular units operate into account.

The system is based on a Virtual Private Network (VPN), with the Internet serving as a physical connection, due to being an inexpensive as well as more

and more available (even in countries with poor telecommunication infrastructure) data carrier, which is particularly important in the case of creating such a

broad communication system.

Data concerning potential savings in consulates, resulting from projects implemented with the EBF, are not available, but it should be indicated that an

introduction of biometrics as an element of visa applications will significantly increase the amount of time of data transfers between consular units and the

Head Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was therefore necessary to create a high-level security communication channel with a sufficient capacity.

4.1.9. To what extent did the Fund allow you to research, develop, test and introduce innovative / state-of-the-art technology at borders and in

consulates? (such as ABC gates and Registered Traveller Programmes).

Projects implemented within the EBF contributed to a significant degree to introducing modern technologies both in consulates and at the borders.

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As mentioned before, increasing crossborder traffic, particularly at external borders, required appropriate infrastructure, i.e. ensuring that a relevant number of

border crossings, and their modernisation and extension in order to install modern equipment for quick, efficient and thorough border control, and to improve

safety of the external border.

The other provisions of the Schengen Convention have become also a prerequisite of the introduction of modern technology. They actually forced the introduction

of innovative elements, in order to improve the performance of the border checks and people flow and the protection of the external border. By virtue of the above

mentioned Convention concluded on 19 June 1990, there was created Schengen Information System (SIS). The purpose of the SIS is to help the state authorities to

exchange information on persons crossing the borders of countries which are parties to the agreement. The priorities of the EBF are fully consistent with these

goals and due to new technologies it is much easier to achieve the expected results.

Participation in SIS II, Schengen Information System of the next generation, assumes an introduction of new, innovative elements, such as using biometrical data

(photographs and fingerprints) or so called communication of records, which will enhance capacity and reliability of earlier version of the SIS.

Developing the biometrical system was related to a necessity to purchase modern equipment coupled with relevant software.. Basing upon an analysis of final

reports of researched projects (9 projects out of analysed 37 covered purchasing equipment for border protection), it was found that the total amount of purchased

equipment for border control was 930 pieces, including 1 radiometric gate, 222 devices for document verification, and 686 pieces of other equipment: computers,

scanners, and mobile radio terminals, etc.

The introduction of the Visa Information System simplified processing visa applications and the control at the external EU border, at the same time preventing

against visa-shopping and improving the exchange of information concerning submitted visa applications between member states. Relevant authorities of member

states have full access to visa applications for entering the Schengen Zone territory. These elements contribute to an increase of the level of safety in Poland and to

even stronger tightening of co-operation in EU structures.

Among projects, which significantly contributed to introduction of modern technologies and solutions at the borders, are first of all:

FGZ-09-3161 Development and maintenance of the teleinformation platform for the Border Guard – Schengen bus equipping;

FGZ-09-3211 Purchase of the equipment for the Border Guard air crews performing flights to protect external EU borders;

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FGZ-09-3431 Providing Lubelski Voivod services with ICT equipment and equipment to communicate with other systems: POBYT, SIS, VIS,

Biometry;

FGZ-09-3432 Providing Mazowiecki Voivod services with ICT equipment and equipment to communicate with other systems: POBYT, SIS, VIS,

Biometry;

FGZ-09-3421 Improvement of procedures for entry, transit, residence and departure of foreigners in the territory of the Republic of Poland by

modernising the ICT system for set of records, files and register of foreigners;

FGZ-09-3411 The construction of a backup centre for the AFIS National Network

I stage – Purchase and supply of the hardware components and software licences for the construction of the backup centre for the AFIS National

Network;

FGZ-09-3151 Modernisation of radio communication systems of Border Guard;

FGZ-09-3132 Equipping trainers of Border Guard Training Centre responsible for specialist training in the field of pyrotechnics sapper received

by the officers carrying out tasks in the direct protection of state border;

FGZ-08-3422 DAKTYL III Index Roll Out;

FGZ-08-3341 Extension of the Connection of the Network of Open Foreign Posts with Open LAN Network at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

FGZ-08-3141 Modernisation of the Authorised Interception System for purposes of implementation of Border Guards’ statutory tasks in the area

of exchanging criminal information with the Police;

FGZ-08-3131 A purchase of specialist means of transport for the Border Guard;

FGZ-08-3121 Development and Maintenance of the Central Information and Communication Node of the Border Guard;

FGZ-07-3421 Upgrade of the AFIS system;

FGZ-07-3411 Development and maintenance of legal stay control systems;

FGZ-07-3321 Providing consular offices with equipment and software for the collection of biometric data..

4.1.10. What alternatives would you have used to address the problems identified at national level should the Fund not have been available? To what

extent and in what timeframe would you have been able to address them?

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In 2007-2009, beneficiaries of the EBF could use special national budget funds available within the “Programme for Modernisation of the Police, Border Guard,

National Fire Brigade, and Government Protection Office for 2007-2009”.

Also support from other programmes of the European Union such as the Schengen Fund or the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, was important in order to

properly prepare services that perform tasks concerning protection of the border and the Schengen Zone.

Chart 9


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As the above chart shows, if researched projects were not implemented with financial support of the EBF, Partners indicated own funds as the most probable

alternative sources for funding. As many as 17 out of 23 respondents answered in such a way. However, is must be stressed that in respondents’ opinion, projects

would be implemented to a limited extent and in a later time (as almost 61% of respondent answered).

It confirms the high added value of projects implemented within the EBF with regard to existing national programmes and available state budget.

4.1.11. Taking into account the above analysis of your programmes' achievements, please evaluate the overall impact of the programmes under the

External Borders Fund (choose one or more options and explain):

Border management

consolidation and limited extension of border management capabilities in your country

consolidation and significant extension of border management capabilities in your country

Process effects:

The implementation of EBF Annual Programmes significantly contributed to the strengthening and development of border management system through

the following activities:

increasing the number of BG facilities to install modern equipment to allow for quick and efficient control and surveillance

increasing the number of premises corresponding to the European standards in the field conditions and the organization of work of employees and

officers of the BG;

purchasing new equipment and replacing already exploited;

staff training.

limited modification of practices/tools supporting border management in your country

significant modification of practices/tools supporting border management in your country

Process effects:

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Modification of the existing practices and management tools to support border management largely was possible due to the training projects implemented

under the EBF. Both theoretical knowledge as well as practical experience brought to improvement of the effectiveness of BG officers in the

implementation of tasks on the external border in the field of application of best practices, in particular the Schengen Borders Code and the European Code

on Visas, border traffic control, conduct administrative proceedings against foreigners and border inspection counteracting illegal migration and human

trafficking. A better knowledge of foreign languages has had a positive impact on overcoming the language barriers by BG officers involved in the work of

EU bodies and referring contacts with the relevant services of other countries, which ensure a constant and direct exchange of information and best

practices.

introduction of new practices/tools supporting border management in your country

other (please specify)

Visa policy

consolidation and limited extension of visa policy capabilities in your country

consolidation and significant extension of visa policy capabilities in your country

Process effects:

The EBF funded a series of actions that have affected the development of the visa policy. Among them are: equipment of units, a system of

communication and exchange of information between units involved in the process of issuing visas and training in the field of visa policy.

limited modification of practices/tools supporting visa policy in your country

significant modification of practices/tools supporting visa policy in your country

Process effects:

It should be emphasized that the actions of the EBF stand for an invaluable support that fills a gap in the domestic financing of the area. Without the

support of the following results the EBF achievement would not be possible:

support for consular biometric infrastructure, transferring data in the process of issuing visas and extension of communication routes;

efficient handling visas and foreigners issues;

adapting information and communication systems for the full implementation of the Community legal instruments for the protection of the external

borders of the EU;

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improving the qualifications of staff performing tasks related to the protection of the border, the Schengen area, and consular services in the field of

external borders and visas, in particular the Schengen Borders Code and the European Code on Visas.

introduction of new practices/tools supporting visa policy in your country

other

IT systems

significant contribution to investments in SIS in your country

Process effects:

Taking into account the analyses of projects implemented under particular EBF Annual Programs, the EBF contribution in the area of investment in SIS

was identified as limited due to the relatively low value of the funds which had been allocated for this purpose in relation to the national financing. It

should also be noted that, that though a relatively small financial commitment of EBF (compared with domestic investments related to SIS), the results of

the fund in this area are high. First of all, cofinancing of the EBF filled a gap in the national budget, so that the EBF projects made it possible to keep

deadline for running the Schengen Information System (SIS) set by the European Commission.

limited contribution to investments in SIS in your country

crucial contribution to investments in SIS in your country

significant contribution to investments in VIS in your country

Process effects:

The introduction of the Visa Information System has simplified visa application processing and control of the external border of the EU. The effect of the

system is mainly to improve the exchange of information between Member States on applications submitted and the possibility of preventing visa-

shopping phenomenon. The relevant authorities of the Member States have full access to visa applications for the right to enter the territory of the

Schengen area. These elements will help to increase the level of safety in Poland, and ensure the safety of other EU Member States against threats from the

persona non grata in EU.

Taking into account the analyses of projects implemented under particular EBF Annual Programs, EBF contribution in the area of investment in the VIS

was defined as limited due to the relatively small amount of funds that has been allocated for this purpose in relation to the national financing.

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It should also be noted that, that though a relatively small financial commitment of the EBF (compared with domestic investments related to VIS), the

results of the fund in this area are high. First of all, cofinancing of EBF filled a gap in the national budget, so that the EBF projects made it possible to keep

deadline for running the Visa Information System (VIS) set by the European Commission - especially in countries where the greatest risks have been

identified. At the end of 2011, the VIS worked effectively in 7 consulates, and in 10 more consulates it was ready to start.

limited contribution to investments in VIS in your country

crucial contribution to investments in VIS in your country

other (please specify)

4.1.12. To what extent did the Fund enable you to address specific national weaknesses and/or deficiencies at external borders? When applicable, please

illustrate by referring to specific actions and/or projects.

To sum up the previous effects of all implemented projects being the subject of this evaluation, it should be stressed that the EBF played an important role in

eliminating weak points that previously existed at external borders.

Main national needs in this regard were identified in the Programme of the Integrated Border Management 2007 - 2013, adopted by the Polish government on the

11th of September 2007. The main objective of this Programme was guaranteeing freedom and smoothness of the legal flow of people and goods through the

national border while providing a high level of safety and cohesion of the social community through protecting the border against threats for the national security,

national economy, and public health, as well as against illegal crossing of the border.

External Polish borders have several weak points, the elimination of which was possible mostly because of all projects, realised with support of the EBF. They are

as follows:

lack of a relevant infrastructure (border crossings);

insufficient equipping services with modern devices allowing for carrying out tasks concerning direct protection of the border;

insufficient equipping officers with devices allowing for fast, effective, and thorough border control and efficient clearance of travellers;

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lack of effective and efficiently functioning communication systems;

lack of relevant telecommunication infrastructure;

lack of sufficient number of highly trained officers.

All aforementioned elements required vast investments and substantial financial intervention. Without these investments, Poland would not be feasible for

guaranteeing safety of the Member states against threats from unwanted persons in the same time and to the same extent.

Chart 10


It is also important to look, how this question is observed by representatives of institutions that implement projects financed from the EBF. When asked, whether

in their opinion projects contributed to strengthening weak points and eliminating problems at external borders, they almost unanimously confirmed this. As the

chart above shows, only one person answered: ”I have no opinion in this matter”.

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Until June 2012, 37 projects have been realised and financially settled, for whom total commitment from EBF has amounted to 20 983 364 EUR. It is once again

worth mentioning that results of this evaluation explicitly show, that the majority of these projects, without the possibility to obtain funding from the EBF, would

probably not be implemented (12 respondents in this way) or would be implemented, but later and to limited extent.

4.1.13. To what extent did the Fund enable you to address specific national weaknesses and/or deficiencies in the services and facilities available for your

country in third countries with regard to visa issuing and/or the (preparation for the) entry of third-country nationals into your country and the

Schengen area? When applicable, please illustrate by referring to specific actions and/or projects.

Implemented under EBF projects have contributed to the modernization of consular offices by participating in the implementation of the Visa Information System.

Expansion of existing systems and the introduction of new solutions undoubtedly contributed to the improvement of work of consular officers and increase their

efficiency, which largely contributed to a better and faster service to the public. The introduction of the Visa Information System has simplified the processing of

visa applications and the control of the external border of the EU, as well as improved the exchange of information between Member States in the field of complex

applications. The relevant authorities have constant access to visa applications for the right to enter the territory of the Schengen area.

However, it should be noted that the introduction of the SIS requires extensive changes to the system, equipment consular with additional devices, upgrading

servicing points for clients and adequately trained personnel. This is why projects co-financed under the EBF have contributed to the elimination of weaknesses

and deficiencies in this area, including the purchase of equipment and the modernization of the necessary infrastructure.

Among the projects that have the greatest positive impact on facilitating the procedure for obtaining visas for Polish project are the following: FGZ-07-3514

Training of customs officers on the use and operation of SIS and VIS, FGZ-07-3311 Implementation of adjustment and construction works in the premises of the

backup centre and IT equipment providing, FGZ-07-3321 Providing consular offices with equipment and software for the collection of biometric data, FGZ-07-

3341 Environmental analysis including development of the connection of public networks of offices abroad with LAN public network in the headquarters of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FGZ- 08-3341 Extension of the Connection of the Network of Open Foreign Posts with Open LAN Network at the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs, FGZ-09-3431 Providing Lubelski Voivod services with ICT equipment and equipment to communicate with other systems: POBYT, SIS, VIS,

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Biometry, FGZ-09-3432 Providing Mazowiecki Voivod services with ICT equipment and equipment to communicate with other systems: POBYT, SIS, VIS,

Biometry.

In 2011, consular offices issued a total of 1 173 553 visas, which is an increase of over 30% in comparison with 2010. While the most of visas were issued in 2011

in the consular offices in countries to the East from Poland: Ukraine - 572 037 visas, Belarus and Russia - 299 665 214 035. The total number of visas issued in the

above mentioned countries accounted for over 92% of all visas issued in Polish consulates in the world in 2011. Undoubtedly it is a result of the liberalization of

the visa process in the East, but also facilitate the entry procedure for obtaining visas for Polish.

However, issues of limiting and eliminating of weaknesses gaps in services and infrastructure for third-country nationals who enter the Polish, and thus to the

Schengen area, are the subject of support under the European Refugee Fund (ERF) and the European Fund for the Integration of Third Country Nationals (EIF)

and European Return Fund (RF). ERF supports, among other activities of reception conditions and asylum procedures, integration of the target group of the ERF,

which stay in the territory of a Member State shall be permanent and durable. While, EIF helps to facilitate the development and implementation of admission

procedures that are important for the integration of third country nationals and supports the integration process of newly arrived third-country nationals in the

Member States. An important element is the sharing of best practices and cooperation within Member States and between them in the development,

implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and measures for the integration of third country nationals.

RF co-finances actions to achieve the objective of introducing and improving the organization and implementation of integrated management of migrants returns

by Member States

4.1.14. What other effects did the implementation of the Fund bring at national level; different from what was initially expected or estimated? When

applicable, please illustrate by referring to specific actions and/or projects.

During the evaluation, a quantitative research was performed with the use of a “face to face” survey. As mentioned before, 23 persons, responsible for

implementing 37 projects from the 2007-2010 allocation were involved in the research.

Respondents indicated numerous additional positive effects, apart from those, which were initially expected. These were, among others:

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Realisation of the EBF project began a series of actions aiming at building a centre of mining and pyrotechnical training in the Training Centre of

the Border Guard in Kętrzyn. Since the beginning of its realisation up until now, extensive works have been carried out. At the moment the school

in Kętrzyn has a permission from the Voivode for such an activity and systematically conducts courses on that topic.

As a result of training offered within implemented projects, BG officers, became active in other EU undertakings.

Tighter co-operation between the BG and the Police.

A possibility to expand the project, to implement additional actions, and to stimulate another investments.

Interest of other Offices in realising similar projects and exchanging good practice in this matter.

Increasing professional qualifications of people involved in project implementation, and users being beneficiaries of project results.

Creating a permanent unit for acquiring and settling EU funds.

Continuation of training from budget funds.

Becoming acquainted with new procedures, gaining new experience.

Improving qualifications of the personnel regarding project management.

An increase of experience of project technical staff, involved in realisation of projects.

Moreover, among additional profits achieved by representatives of Institutions that implemented projects, who were directly involved in their realisation, it is

worth to mention:

a increase of qualification of the personnel with regard to the project management – (21 indications);

an increase of experience of the personnel with regard to implementation of foreign financial support (20 indications);

stimulating following investments regarding protecting the border (6 indications).

Only one respondent answered that additional benefits, apart from those expected, are not visible.

During the survey, the BG officers answered that implemented projects significantly improved the comfort of their work too (modern equipment, new uniforms

and dresses, modernised infrastructure).

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Chart 11


Taking all aforementioned information into account, it is clear that the added value of the EBF with regard to existing national programmes and to the state budget

is very high.

4.1.15. Please indicate to what extent the activities co-financed by the Fund would not have taken place without the financial support of the EU and

explain:

they could not have been carried out

they could have been carried out to a limited extent

they could have been carried out to a significant extent

part of the activities carried out by public authorities (namely…) could not have been carried out

the co-financing of the Fund, activities by other organisations could not have been carried out (namely, if applicable)

105

other

Process effects:

As mentioned before, results of the “face to face” survey indicated explicitly that the majority of implemented projects, without the support of the EBF,

would not be implemented or would be implemented but later and to a limited extent.

Almost 48% of respondents think that in a situation of no funding from the EBF, the implementation of projects would not be possible. The rest of

respondents answered that it would be possible, but added that it would be much more difficult. The main reason for that is lack of appropriate funds and

that the budget of the Beneficiaries of the EBF hinders the realisation of many important and urgent investments.

Respondents answered:

the realisation of the project would be possible in the same scope and in the same time – 1 indication, which makes 4.35% of respondents;

the realisation of the project would be possible in the same scope but later – 2 indications, which makes 8.70% of respondents;

the realisation of the project would be possible in a smaller scope and in the same time– 1 indication, which makes 4.35% of respondents;

the realisation of the project would be possible in a smaller scope and later – 8 indications, which makes 34.78% of respondents;

the project would not be realised – 11, indications, which makes 47.83 % of respondents.

106

Chart 12


4.1.16. To what extent did the Fund contribute to an efficient management of passenger flows at border crossing points? When applicable, please

illustrate by referring to specific actions and/or projects.

The analysis of projects implemented within the EBF proved that there are positive results in a form of more efficient management of passenger flows at border

crossings. There are several reasons for that.

First of all, several projects concerning extending and modernising border crossings were realised.

BG officers obtained appropriate and modern equipment, which allowed for prompt and smooth clearance of passengers. They also attended trainings, which

proved to be very useful in performing day-to-day duties concerning clearance and control of passengers at border crossings.

107

There were also many projects, implemented within the Annual Programmes 2007-2010, concerning extending and modernising telecommunication systems used

for round-the-clock clearance of travellers that covers, among others, checking reservations against persons crossing the border in available national data bases.

The CBD SG system, for instance, allows for performing every control or visa operation from any (adequately equipped) workstation connected to the BG

network. The only condition is having appropriate personal authorisation, verified with the PKI mechanism. Control procedures can be also carried out from

mobile units – both portable and wearable ones.

Examples of actions that had the greatest impact on managing passenger flows at border crossings:

Extending and modernising the border crossing infrastructure

An example project: FGZ-07-3113 Construction of a building for clearance for travellers on the Road Border Crossing Medyka – Szeginie

As part of the project, a border clearance building for persons travelling on foot was constructed at the border with Ukraine. Realising this project

contributed to a successful control at the external UE border, including tasks concerning both clearance and security and, on the other hand,

facilitating traffic at the external border, according to Schengen rules. The main goal of these activities was to improve border control of persons

travelling on foot. The realisation of this project led to an effective control of the external border as well as improved the safety of travellers..

Project’s results:

- shortening the waiting time for the border check-in;

- improving security on the external EU border.

Extending and modernising IT and radio communication systems

An example project: FGZ-07-3121 Development and maintenance of the teleinformation platform for the Border Guard – designing and

launching WLAN

The goal of the project was to design and implement an array of WLAN networks in the area of border crossings. A WLAN network enables a

safe, wireless access to central databases’ resources or wireless telephone communication on the premises. Setting up wireless WLAN networks in

the area of border crossings allowed to use wireless terminals designed to read travel documents with biometric data.


108

- improving the effectiveness of the border traffic control;

- improving possibilities and effectiveness of existing and implemented IT systems;

- an improvement in accessing database resources, including SIS;

- strengthening the reliability and effectiveness of the BG through new methods of accessing data;

- improving the coordination of actions in the area of border crossings.

Equipping officers with IT and system-wide communication equipment

An example project: FGZ-07-3411 Development and maintenance of legal stay control systems

As a result of the implementation of the project, the BG was equipped with devices to take fingerprints from persons controlled at the border or on

borderlands, as well as persons receiving visas. As part of the project, stationary scanners, mobile radio terminals, fingerprint readers and passport

scanners were purchased. Stationary scanners are used for check-ins at the air and naval border, as well as at the land border at stationary control

and biometric data-gathering stands for travellers receiving visas .

Mobile radio terminals with fingerprint readers are used for border traffic where stationary terminals cannot be used (e.g. railway border crossings)

and for controlling foreigners in the border area.


- equipping BG units with equipment enabling to verify biometric data, especially biometric data of persons owning short-term visas (Schengen and

identifying persons in the VIS system);

- the ability to control foreigners outside the border crossing area through verifying their data in the VIS system, including biometric data, or

identifying a person not having any documents, including a visa;

- equipping BG units with devices allowing to gather biometric data and sending them to the VIS to issue a visa at the border.

Language courses concerning international migration, for Border Guard officers

An example project: FGZ-07-3511 Language training for employees of the Border Guard

A good command of foreign languages facilitates communication between officers and travellers crossing the Polish border. The main result of these

courses is breaking the language barrier by BG officers, who are involved in cooperating with EU offices and establishing contact with proper services

109

from other countries, which enables a constant and direct exchange of information and best practices. A good command of foreign languages will

improve the work held by officers servicing directly at the border, especially officers in the border using the data contained in the Schengen

Information System.


- gaining fluency in a language (English, Russian, Ukrainian, German);

- facilitating activities of officers working directly on border crossings;

- raising the standard of the border control.

Chart 13


As the above graph shows, representatives of institutions being partners of the EBF see a lot of positive effects of realised projects in terms of successful

management of external border’s traffic to provide a high level of security. Almost 74% of respondents concur, only 6 persons (being 26%) do not see any such

110

influence of projects, as it mainly results from the specificity and scope of these projects. It is important to remember that an objective evaluation only covers

Annual Programmes 2007-2010 (and in the case of Annual Programme 2010, only four projects). As part of Annual Programmes 2010-2013, numerous of project

are still implemented. Only after the EBF support ends, an attempt to evaluate its actual and end results will be possible.

4.1.17. To what extent did the Fund make a difference in the overall development of your national border management system and/or strategies? When

applicable, please illustrate by referring to specific actions and/or projects that changed the set-up and/or approach of your public

administration.

A successful system of protecting external EU borders directly translates into a need to continue modernising and expanding border infrastructure. A constant

increase of the border traffic, especially on external borders, requires specific premises, including a proper number of border crossings and further modernisation

and improvement of border premises, so that it is possible to keep undisturbed and precise border control as well as improve security at the external border.

On the current realisation step of the Multiannual Programme, it is hard to show specific changes in the attitude of the public administration towards the border

management system. Nonetheless it is important to mention that funds available as part of the EBF enabled Poland to guarantee safety of other EU Member States

from the danger of unwanted persons, after the country joined the Schengen Zone.

It is important to point out that the impact of the Fund on the public administration’s attitude towards the border management system was also due to financing

training projects (8 training projects for 37 projects being subjects of a survey) for BG officers.

A project no. FGZ-09-3516 „ Conducting trainings for the officers and employees of the Customs Service and Border Guard” is an example of such a task.

Realising this project resulted in raising qualifications of 1850 Customs and Border Guard officers/employees as services that realise tasks concerning the safety of

the border as well as the whole Schengen area.

As part of the project, such courses took place:

courses concerning difficult situations with a client;

improving change management for the managing personnel;

111

managing crisis situations, for the managing personnel;

language courses for officers/employees.

The goal of the project was a more effective and efficient use of legal instruments by officers, in terms of protecting external borders of the Schengen Zone and the

whole area of the EU. Training courses led to improving the level of interpersonal skills and reducing conflict situations. These courses also improved the image of

both services, as well as communication between officers/employees of aforementioned services and improving customer service during everyday tasks.

Another example is the project no. FGZ-09-3515 „Training concerning international migrations for Border Guard”, during which postgraduate studies entitled

“Contemporary international migrations” for 40 officers. The topic of these studies concerned, among others, legal and social aspects of illegal migration,

ethnicity identification, crisis management in situations concerning the border, integration problems, legal and social procedures regarding entry and stay of

foreigners as well as finding work by them in Poland. The curriculum of the program also contains EU migration policies concerning the external border.

Theoretical and practical knowledge shared with participants resulted in an improvement in their effectiveness during realising their tasks on the external border,

regarding: using best practices, especially the Schengen Borders Code and the EU Visa Code, controlling border traffic, undertaking administrative tasks regarding

foreigners as well as controlling the border to prevent illegal migration and human trafficking.

The project achieved results in the form of increased professionalism of the officers of the BG, by increasing their competence to perform their tasks. Such support

also has a direct impact on improving the efficiency of the officers serving directly at the border crossings.

Results of implemented projects have a major impact on providing a significantly higher level of safety without stopping legal border traffic and international

trade. The ability to finalise projects, which are key in this regard, results in progressing development in terms of the national system of managing borders. It is

worth mentioning that an assessment of final effects in this case will only be possible after finalising co-operation with the EBF.

112

4.2. RELEVANCE OF THE PROGRAMMES' PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS TO THE NATIONAL SITUATION

4.2.1. Building on the results in the excel sheets and on the analysis under PART III of this questionnaire, please describe, in general terms, how

relevant the programme's objectives are to the problems and needs initially identified in the field of borders management. Has there been an

evolution which required a reshaping of the intervention?

The results of analyses carried out as part of the evaluation study confirm that at this stage of the implementation of the EBF, the objectives of the Multiannual

Programme in the area of the border management remain adequate in relation to the previously identified needs.

As previously mentioned, both the objectives and priorities of the Multiannual Program as well as the actions of each Annual Programme are consistent with

national needs set out in the Integrated Border Management Programme for 2007-2013. I should add that at the stage of development of the Multiannual

Programme for the External Borders Fund for the period 2007-2013 identified and analysed in detail the situation in Poland and the existing needs in the area of

the border management. Among the critical needs identified are:

Modernisation and development of border infrastructure;

Extension of IT systems necessary to control border traffic;

Extension of IT systems necessary for the protection of the EU's external border;

Expansion of surveillance systems of the EU external border;

Training services carry out tasks related to the protection of the border and the Schengen area;

aviation personnel training for effective protection of the external borders of the EU.

In view of the above-mentioned needs in the area of the border management, the operational objectives have been identified to ensure that they meet:

Operational objective 1 - Adjusting border infrastructure facilities to the European Union standards

Operational objective 2 - Maintenance of a high standard of control and effective protection of the European Union external border and ensuring safety in

the Schengen Zone

113

Operational objective 3 - Development of surveillance systems at the European Union external border

Operational objective 7 - Support for the establishment of IT and communication systems required for full implementation of the Community legal

instruments in the field of external borders’ security

Operational objective 8 - Increasing the qualifications of the services performing tasks in connection with the protection of the border, Schengen Zone, as

well as of the consular services in the field of external borders and visas, in particular the Schengen Border Code and the European visa code

With reliable analysis and correct formulation abovementioned needs, and above all by maintaining logical consistency between the existing needs of the

operational objectives formulated Multiannual Programme, up to now it was not necessary or remodelling priorities or objectives of the EBF, to take account of

new or unforeseen needs.

4.3. EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAMME

4.3.1. Building on the results in the excel sheets and on the analysis under PART III of this questionnaire, please highlight the key results of the

programme overall and the extent to which the desired results and objectives (as set out in the multiannual programme) have been attained. Are

the effects resulting from the intervention consistent with its objectives?

Taking into account the assessment of the effectiveness of the EBF in the context of the achievement of the Multiannual Program results and objectives, it must be

taken into account that the implementation of the program has not been completed, and the final evaluation of the effectiveness of the intervention will be possible

only after completion of all Annual Programs.

However, the results of the evaluation study analyses show that at the present stage of implementation of the intervention can be expected to achieve fully specific

results, thus fulfilling the objectives set in the Multiannual Programme.

The program shows 8 Long-term operational objectives for which there were established indicators and tools for measuring, broken down by key activities. It

should be noted, however, that it does not specify the assumed targets. Expected results indicate only an expected trend lines, such as:

Increased number of border-crossing; facilities suitable for modern equipment installation;

114

Increased number of border-crossing facilities meeting the European Union standards;

Less time spent waiting for checks;

Increased security at external border.

By analysing the statistical data presented in Annex 1 should be noticed that the degree of implementation of some of the assumed indicators are very high. An

example of such an indicator is, for example: Number of operating equipment for border surveillance acquired or upgraded, where The base value was "0" (as the

unit did not have the right equipment), and achieved at this stage is the value of the equipment purchased 1,365 units, of which 1,068 units (or 78%) was obtained

as a result of the projects subsidized by the EU under the EBF.

You should also look at the effectiveness of equipment or modernization of consular posts in the appropriate equipment. Index of the number of acquired or

upgraded equipment to reach the value of 241 units, of which 72% thanks to the intervention of the Fund (174 units).

The analysis made at this stage of indicators confirms that the programs implemented under the 2007-2010 Annual Programmes contribute greatly to achieve the

objectives of the Multiannual Programme. In addition, the analysis of each Annual Programme under study confirms that the effects of the program are consistent

with its objectives.

4.4. EFFICIENCY OF THE PROGRAMME

4.4.1. What were the programme management costs according to the categories below for the programme years 2007 to 2010?

Table n° 21

Calendar year TA contribution (EUR) National contribution

(EUR)

National contribution in-kind

(offices, IT tools) - (EUR estimate)

Total (EUR)

2007 0,00

2008 0,00 21.337,86 12,74 21.350,60

115

2009 424.696,00 55.617,86 50,94 480.364,80

2010 693.671,40 58.103,86 693,98 752.469,24

2011 542.844,57 67,817,53 2.211,92 612.874,02

First six month

2012

183.746,36 22.274,14 1.247,19 207.267,69

4.4.2. Breakdown by different categories of the national contribution in-kind (from point 4.4.1. above)

Table n° 22

Calendar year Staff within

the RA, CA,

AA

IT and

equipment

(EUR)

Office/consumables

(EUR)

Travelling/events Total (EUR)

2007

2008 21.337,86 0 12,74 0 21.350,60

2009 55.617,86 0 50,94 0 55.668,80

2010 58.103,86 426,03 267,95 0 58.797,84

2011 67.817,53 334,78 1.877,14 0 70.029,45

First six

month 2012

22.274,14 245,25 1.001,94 0 23.521,33

Calendar year Staff within the RA, CA,

AA

IT and equipment

(EUR)

Office/consumables

(EUR)

Travelling/events Total (EUR)

2007

2008 21.337,86 0 12,74 0 21.350,60

2009 55.617,86 0 50,94 0 55.668,80

2010 58.103,86 426,03 267,95 0 58.797,84

2011 67.817,53 334,78 1.877,14 0 70.029,45

First six month

2012

22.274,14 245,25 1.001,94 0 23.521,33

116

4.4.3. What is your opinion on the overall efficiency of the programme implementation?

Effects of projects realised as part of 2007-2010 Annual Programmes, and being subject of an evaluation (37 projects) show that planned results (illustrated by

corresponding gauges) were achieved. Naturally, on the current step of the Multiannual Programme, it is only possible to relate to visible effects that were reached

so far. A full evaluation of the effectiveness of the EBF will only be possible after finalising the support.

Actions, concerning goals of the Fund, which are taken by national institutions are mainly financed from the national budged. All persons participating in the

evaluation stressed that funds available for this goal are mostly insufficient. That is why actions realised as part of the EBF are, in their opinion, a major support

for Poland in terms of realising tasks concerning the development of an integrated, European system of border management.

Projects implemented as part of the EBF, help enable freedom and fluidity of legal traffic of people and goods through the Polish border, while retaining a proper

level of border safety.

Financial support, received so far from the EBF became a bridge between it and previous EU financial support (Phare, Transition Facility), and one can clearly see

a synergy effect with actions supported by both the national budget and other funds. Projects, which are co-financed as part of the EBF are a continuation of

broader undertakings and complement them.

It is crucial to say that support given by the EBF is effective and well-directed, as on one hand, it is based on a long-term programming that takes the situation and

needs of Poland into account and, on the other hand, individual projects are realised, based on Annual Programmes, which are modified, should such a need arise.

Owing to that, important project are possible to be realised. Such a way of implementing also gives a possibility of an effective use of growing savings.

Undoubtedly, assumptions of both the Multiannual Programme as well as individual Annual Programmes agree with national needs, described in the Integrated

Border Management Programme 2007-2013, approved by the Polish government on the 11th of September, 2007. All projects realised so far, as part of Annual

Programmes 2007-2010, also being subject to evaluation are very important in this matter. After Poland entered the Schengen Zone, protecting external borders

117

became a very responsible task for Polish border services. Projects realised as part of the EBF not only support target groups, identified on the national level, but

also all EU Member States.

While performing a general evaluation of the effectiveness of implementing the programme, one cannot omit an assessment of the existing programme

implementation system by direct recipients of the EBF support.

An assessment of preparing programmes for realisation

Projects financed from the EBF are chosen according to rules set in the Control and Management System for the External Borders Fund, European Refugee Fund

as well as the European Return Fund.

While preparing the Multiannual Programme, the RA issued a call for interest in realising projects, to a closed group of potential partners. Based on submitted

proposals, a Multiannual Programme was built and later on, individual Annual Programmes. Annual Programme indicate projects which will be realised as a part

of a given allocation.

Then, after a positive assessment of Annual Programme’s by the Interdisciplinary Team for the Schengen Fund, Norwegian Financial Mechanism, European

Refugee Fund, External Borders Fund and Return Fund, and submitting it to the European Commission, the RA submits documents to partners, reminding about

the beginning of the project selection procedure, at the same time defining the form, time and place of their submission. Projects are selected through closed

selection, omitting the procedure of publishing an official announcement in the press and on RA and DA websites.

Project applications prepared by partners, are send to the DA where a formal verification is held. After a formal verification, the DA submits project cards along

with check letters to the RA.

During a survey, partners were asked, how they assess the process of preparing projects for realisation, and which aspects of preparing a project card proved to be

the most difficult ones.

118

Chart 14


As above charts show, the majority of respondents (13 persons) stated that preparing projects for realisation is a neither difficult nor easy task. Only 5 respondents

described the process as being difficult. As for aspects of preparing a project card which proved to be difficult, respondents listed, among others, preparing a

logical matrix of the project (11), risk analysis (6) as well as technical analysis (5). Only 6 persons did not have any difficulties in this process.

A logical matrix of the project contains a set of gauges divided into results and products. It also lists base and target values of gauges. Respondents stressed that

they have problems with a proper preparation of measurable gauges and distinguishing between product and target gauges.

It has to be said that a desk research analysis showed that gauges included in project cards and Annual Programmes are not fully coherent with gauges determined

by the European Commission (in the form of Annex I), which leads to issues regarding preparing the report.

It is also worth mentioning that over 39% of respondents pointed at the process of approving a project card as one of problematic aspects in preparing projects for

realisation. It was said multiple times that this procedure is too time-consuming which leads to delays in implementing projects, which then leads to shortening of

119

implementation deadlines. Least problematic seemed to be preparing documentation of tender (2 respondents) as well as completing the procedure of tender (1

respondent), also including selecting contractors (2 respondents).

Chart 15


Evaluation of the project realisation process

Among all aspects of project realisation that proved most difficult, over 43% of respondents chose project appraisal. According to respondents, the reason behind it

is a too big number of documents serving as attachments required to submit along with an expenditure confirmation application. Sometimes, lack of experience in

120

realising projects co-financed from EU or other funds. It is important to mention that models of existing forms were not assessed as difficult. Another significant

obstacle, chosen by over 26% of respondents was providing financial fluidity.

Chart 16


Among financial aspects of project realisation which proved to be problematic for Partners, almost 48% of respondents chose the procedure of applying for funds

from the state budget reserve. During the survey, respondents often mentioned this to evaluators. Problems with the procedure of applying for funds cause

significant delays in its realisation.

121

Chart 17


To sum up the evaluation of the financial accounting-for system, respondents were asked whether in their opinion, the system was in favour of efficient realisation

of their projects. Following answers were received:

„definitely yes” – 3 persons;

„rather yes” – 12 persons;

„no opinion” – 1 person;

„rather not” – 7 persons;

„definitely no” – no indications.

122

Evaluation of the monitoring system

The survey shows that partners praise the current monitoring system. The DA is a subject that is generally responsible for monitoring, which is a result of signing a

contract with the RA.

Almost 61% of respondents think that the current monitoring system allows for prompt reaction to problems that occur during realisation of projects. Other persons

say that they have no opinion.

At the same time, respondents say that recommendations given by the DA during monitoring visits are helpful (12 indications), legitimate (7 indications) and

support proper implementation of a project (9 indications).

Almost 83% of respondents think that support given by representatives of the DA during monitoring visits met their expectations. Four persons did not have any

opinion as monitoring visits took place after their projects were realised and had no impact on their realisation.

Chart 18


123

As the qabove graph shows, the majority of respondents (13 persons) stated that current reporting responsibilities are neither difficult, nor easy. Only 3

persons think that reporting responsibilities are very easy, while 7 persons indicated otherwise. As in the project accounting-for process, respondents think

that the number of documents being attachments to reports is too big. Sometimes, respondents mentioned the lack of previous experience in realising projects

co-financed by EU and other funds, which initially caused problems. It was also mentioned that there is a need to correct reports many times due to numerous

suggestions. Often changing of report documents’ forms was also indicated as an inconvenience.

Chart 19


One element of the quantitative research was also the evaluation of the cooperation partners of the RA and the DA. As it is apparent from these diagrams EBF

beneficiaries have a positive attitude to the issue of cooperation with the RA and DA, evaluating it positively, at the same time stressed that the aid highly fulfilled

their expectations.

124

Chart 20


125

4.5. COMPLEMENTARITY

4.5.1. Please indicate any issues you have had with establishing the complementarity and/or synergies with other programmes and/or EU financial

instruments.

As it was mentioned before, actions taken by state institutions concerning fund goals, i.e. concerning protecting external borders, persons, migration and visas are

financed, first of all, from the state budget.

In the years 2007 – 2009, apart from own budgets, institutions being partners of the EBF could use special resources from the state budget, provided as part of the

“Police, Border Guard, State Fire Service and Government Protection Bureau modernisation programme for 2007 – 2009”. The goal of this programme was to

create conditions for full realisation statutory tasks through improving safety and public order, which resulted in an improvement in the safety of the state and

citizens.

Financial support received from other EU funds, like the Phare Programme, Transition Facility, Schengen Fund, and Norwegian Financial Mechanism had a

significant influence on the preparation of services realising tasks concerning protecting the border and the Schengen Zone. It is important to stress that actions that

were and are taken as part of the EBF are a continuation and supplement of actions taken as part of aforementioned EU aid programmes and Norwegian Financial

Mechanism.

4.5.2. Please indicate, for the period 2007-2010, any complementary funding available in the area (besides national sources mentioned already at point

1.1.2.)

There also was a possibility to receive support from the Schengen Fund and Norwegian Financial Mechanism.

End of the report

☻

126

* * *

Overall list of outputs and results indicators

ANNEX 1

Category Indicators

OUTPUT RESULTS

1. Means of

transport

Number of means of

transport acquired or

upgraded

Number of patrol

missions performed

% of the fleet


total


time (time between


on the spot)

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010


through the Fund

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Over

all at

natio

nal

level

2007

-

2010

Total 190 85,54 1211 11,77%

1.1.

Motorbikes

1.2. Cars

(including

SUVs, vans,

trucks, but

excluding

mobile

surveillance

units)

190 85,54 1211 FGZ-

08-

3131

11,77%

1.3. Planes

1.4.

127

Helicopters

1.4. Boats

2. Border

surveillance

systems

Number of systems


Number of

stakeholders

connected

Length of the

external borders

covered (km)


time (time between


on the spot)

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Achi

eved

thro

ugh

APs

2007

-

2010

Overal

l at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010

Achieve

d

through

APs

2007-

2010

Bas

elin

e

Overa

ll at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

3. Operating

equipment

for border

surveillance

Number of equipment


% of equipment

renewed out of the

total equipment


time (time between


on the spot)

Length of the external

borders covered (km)

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010

Achieve

d

through

APs

2007-

2010

Bas

elin

e

Overa

ll at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Over

all at

natio

nal

level

2007

-

2010

1 068 0.115 1 365 55,7

5%

25% 59,17

%

1250 0 1279 FGZ-

09-

27% 0 35%

128

3151;

FGZ-

07-

3121

21 0 30 FGZ-

09-

3151

22% 0 32%

23 0 33 FGZ-

09-

3211

100

%

0 69,7

%

17 0,46 23 FGZ-

09-

3132

74% 100

%

100%

4. Operating

equipment

for border

checks

Number of equipment


% of Border

Crossing Points

covered with

modernised

equipment

Average time spent


a traveller's entry

Actual

ly

achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010

Achieve

d

through

APs

2007-

2010

Bas

elin

e

Overa

ll at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

Total 908 9,65 1631 18,5

2%

11,7

8%

25,62

%

4.1. ABC

gates

129

4.2.

Documents

verification

20 4,8 24 FGZ-

07-

3112

14% 8,8

%

28%

5 0 1 FGZ-

07-

3114

14% 2,2

%

14%

17 7,7 56 FGZ-

08-

3111;

FGZ-

09-

3121

57% 8,8

%

28%

180 0 b/d FGZ-

07-

3411

4.3. Other

1

0 1 FGZ-

07-

3111

14% 11% 43%

2 0 1 FGZ-

07-

3111

14% 4,3

%

28%

1 0 1 FGZ-

07-

3111

14% 8,8

%

14%

1 0 1 FGZ-

07-

3111

14% 8,8

%

28%

1 0 1 FGZ-

07-

14% 0% 14%

130

3111

1 0 1 FGZ-

07-

3111

14% 8,8

%

14%

2 16,3 2 FGZ-

07-

3112

14% 8,8

%

14%

2 0,3 2 FGZ-

07-

3112

14% 8,8

%

14%

2 0,1 2 FGZ-

07-

3112

14% 8,8

%

14%

1 0,1 2 FGZ-

07-

3112

14% 8,8

%

28%

1 9,2 60 FGZ-

07-

3112

14% 8,8

%

14%

2 0,15 3 FGZ-

07-

3113

28% 6,6

%

28%

1 0 1 FGZ-

07-

3114

43% 8,8

%

43%

4 1,5 14 FGZ-

08-

3111

14% 8,8

%

14%

16 4,6 46 FGZ-

08-

3111

14% 8,8

%

14%

131

2 2,3 17 FGZ-

08-

3111

14% 8,8

%

14%

22 0 34 F GZ-

09-

3161

20% 0% 30%

470 0 b/d FGZ-

07-

3411

153 175 1361 FGZ-

09-

3123

17% 100

%

100%

1 b/d b/d FGZ-

07-

3114

5. Border

infrastructu

re

Number of Border

Crossing Points

developed or upgraded

Number of places in

detention facilities at

external borders

Number of other

infrastructures

developed or

upgraded

Number of staff

working in

new/upgraded

infrastructures


Points's modernised

out of the total number

of Border Crossing

Points


for travellers at

borders

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Base

line

Overal

l at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

Ac

hie

ved

thr

ou

gh

AP

s

20

07-

20

Bas

elin

e

Ove

rall

at

nati

onal

level

200

7-

201

0

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010

Achieve

d

through

APs

2007-

2010

Base

line

Over

all at

natio

nal

level

2007

-

2010

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Over

all at

natio

nal

level

2007

-

2010

132

10

1 0 1 FGZ-

09-

3121

14% 2,2% 14%

1 0,3 3 FGZ-

07-

3112

28% 8,8% 43%

1 0 1 FGZ-

07-

3113

14% 4,4% 14%

1 0 2 FGZ-

07-

3114

14% 0% 43%

1 0,15 3 FGZ-

08-

3111

28% 8,8% 43%

1 6 7 FGZ-

09-

3124

9% 55% 64%

FGZ-

09-

3111

1 113 124 50 1598 3809

1 5 3 FGZ-

09-

3122

17% 81% 54%

1 5 3 FGZ-

07-

3116

17% 81% 54%

Total 8 2,06 23 1 113 124 50 1598 3809 5% 1% 7%

6. SIS % of EBF contribution to

total investment

% of successful

connection tests

Compliance Test

Extended (where

Number of institutional

stakeholders involved

133


development of SIS

applicable)

YES NO NA

10 171

742 zł

2,17% FGZ-07-3421 3

1 554

585 zł

0,33 % FGZ-08-3141 2

492 25

0 zł

0,11% FGZ-08-3422 2

636 32

9 zł

0,14% FGZ-09-3411 3

total 0,69% 10

7. VIS

% of EBF contribution

to total investment


development of VIS

Number of

consulates

connected to VIS

Number of border

crossing points

connected to VIS

Number of other

stakeholders

connected

9 569

103 zł

39,04

%

FGZ-

07-

3311;

FGZ-

07-

3341;

FGZ-

08-

3341;

FGZ-

07-

3321

MS

Z

7

106 92

4 zł

0,44

%

FGZ-

09-

1

134

3431

457

840 zł

1,87

%

FGZ-

09-

3432

1

total 13,78

%

7

8. Other

ICT systems

Number of other ICT

systems developed or

upgraded

Number of

institutional

stakeholders

involved

Improvement in

average time


of consultations

(Yes/No)

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Bas

elin

e

Overa

ll at

nation

al

Level

2007-

2010

Total 3 0,36

%

3 22 5,67

%

22

8.1. API

8.2. FADO

8.3.Other

(i.e. national

systems)

1 0 1 FGZ-

07-

3121

1 0 1

1 0 1 FGZ-

08-

3121

4 0 4

1 1,08 1 FGZ- 17 17 17

135

09-

3421

9. Consular

cooperation

and ILOs

Number of joint

consular practices

developed

Number of Member

States with whom

such practices were

developed

Number of ILOs

deployed

% of consular posts

affected


for visa issuance (days)

%of visa applications

affected

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Base

line

Overal

l at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

Ac

hie

ved

thr

ou

gh

AP

s

20

07-

20

10

Bas

elin

e

Ove

rall

at

nati

onal

level

200

7-

201

0

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Basel

ine

Over

all at

natio

nal

level

Achie

ved

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Overa

ll at

nation

al

level

Achie

ved

throu

gh

APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Overa

ll at

nation

al

level

10. Consular

infrastructu

re

Number of visa sections

in consular posts new/

renovated

Number of equipment

acquired to enhance

the quality of the

consular service

(security doors,

bulletproof windows)

Number of visas

issued at new or

renovated premises


for visa issuance (days) Reduction of incidents

(Yes/No)

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

Base

line

Overal

l at

nation

al

Achi

eved

throu

gh

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

Achieve

d

through

APs

Baseline

136

2007-

2010

level

2007-

2010

2007-

2010

level

2007-

2010

APs

2007

-

2010

level

2007-

2010

2007-

2010

11.

Operating

equipment

for visa

issuing

Number of equipment


Number of

destinations of the

equipment acquired

or upgraded

Average waiting

time for visa issuing

Actual

ly

achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Achi

eved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Baseline

174

0 241

94 FG

Z-

07-

33

21

6 dni

(śred

ni

czas

od

mom

entu

złoże

nia

aplik

acji

wizo

wej

do

wyd

ania

wizy

8 dni (średni

czas od

momentu

złożenia

aplikacji

wizowej do

wydania

wizy)

137

)

174 0 241 94 6

days

8 days

12. Training

and risk

analysis

Number of persons

trained

Number of

practices/tools

developed or

upgraded (software,

statistics)

Number of reports

issued


(compared to total)

Number of

institutional

collaborations on risk

analysis developed

Actual

ly

achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Basel

ine

Overall

at

nationa

l

level

2007-

2010

Actual

ly

achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Base

line

Overal

l at

nation

al

level

2007-

2010

Actu

ally

achie

ved

throu

gh

APs

2007

-

2010

Base

line

Overa

ll at

natio

nal

level

2007-

2010


2007-2010

Achiev

ed

throug

h APs

2007-

2010

Baseli

ne

Over

all at

natio

nal

level

2007

-

2010

Total

3989

83,24

%

6032

2 9 90%

12.1. General

40 0 84 FGZ-

09-

3515

2 0 7

1704 363 3526

FGZ-

07-

3511

61%

365 131,6

9

666

FGZ-

09-

3516

20 20 120 FGZ- 2 0 2 100%

138

09-

3513

12.2.

Specialised

44 68 44 FGZ-

07-

3512

51,6%

458 0 458 FGZ-

07-

3514

1358 0 1134 FGZ-

07-

3513

148%

13. Info

campaigns

and

promotion

Number of events

organised Number of attendants

Number of medias

used

Legend:

Baseline – situation before the beginning of the intervention (it should be calculated as an average of the 6 and a half years before the

implementation of the programme; thus it would be a comparable reference with the duration of implementation for 2007-2010 programmes (1

January 2007- 30 June 2012).)

140

Annex 2

OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF THE ACTIONS IN THE APS 2007-2010

Leg

end

Questions:

1. Was the expected number of projects initially set finally achieved through the action?

2. Did you spend a higher amount than you initially programmed for this action?

3. Did you achieve the expected results for the projects?

4. Did you encounter issues with the management of this action?

5. Did you encounter issues with individual projects implementation?

6. Was this action subject to AP revision?

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4* Q5** Q6

Yes No (pls

explain)

Yes (why

?) No Yes

No

(Why)

Yes

(what?) No

Yes

(what

kind?)

No No Yes,

<10%

Yes,

>10%

AP 2007

141

Action 3.1.1

Yes

Yes, as a

result of

the

revision of

the AP the

value of

projects

increased

within

the action

Yes No

The

cumulative

answer was

given under

the table 35,35

Action 3.1.2 Yes No Yes No -18

Action 3.3.1

Yes

Yes, as a

result of

the

revision of

the AP the

value of

projects

increased

within

the action

Yes No 47,68

Action 3.3.2 Yes No Yes No -16,81

142

Action 3.3.3

No

- the project

no. 3.3.3.1

has been

removed

Not

applicable

No

- the

project has

been

removed

Not

applicable -100



Action 3.4.2

Yes

Yes, as a

result of

the

revision of

the AP the

value of

projects

increased

within

the action

Yes No 30,81

Action 3.5.1

No – project

no. 3.5.1.5

has been

removed

No Yes

No

- the

project has

been

removed

Not

applicable -30,32

143

Action 3.5.2

No – project

no. 3.5.2.1

has been

removed

Not

applicable

No

- the

project has

been

removed

Not

applicable -100

AP 2008

Action 3.1.1

Yes

Yes, as a

result of

the

revision of

the AP the

value of

projects

increased

within

the action

Yes No

The

cumulative

answer was

given under

the table 0,91

Action 3.1.2

Yes

Yes, as a

result of

the

revision of

the AP the

value of

projects

increased

Yes No 5,81

144

within

the action


Action 3.1.4

Yes

Yes, as the

result of

the

revision of

the AP

project no.

3.1.4.1

were

introduced

to the

action

100

Action 3.3.1

Yes

Yes, as a

result of

the

revision of

the AP the

value of

projects

increased

within

the action

Yes No 51,48

145

Action 3.3.2

Yes

Yes, as the

result of

the

revision of

the AP

project no.

3.3.2.1

were

introduced

to the

action

Yes No 100

Action 3.3.4

Yes

Yes, as the

result of

the

revision of

the AP

project no.

3.3.4.1

were

introduced

to the

action

Yes No 100

Action 3.4.1 Yes

Yes, as a

result of Yes No 6,09

146

the

revision of

the AP the

value of

projects

increased

within

the action

Action 3.4.2

Yes

Yes, as a

result of

the

revision of

the AP the

value of

project no.

3.4.2.1

increased

and

project no.

3.4.2.2

were

introduced

to the

action

Yes No 188,23

147

Action 3.4.3

No – project

no. 3.4.3.1

has been

removed

Not

applicable

No

- the

project has

been

removed

Not

applicable -100

Action 3.4.4

No – project

no. 3.4.4.1

has been

removed

Not

applicable

No

- the

project has

been

removed

Not

applicable -100

Action 3.4.5

No project

no. 3.4.5.1,

and project

no. 3.4.5.2

has been

removed

Not

applicable

No

- the

project has

been

removed

Not

applicable -100

Action 3.5.1

No – project

no. 3.5.1.5

has been

removed

Not

applicable Yes No -22,70

Action 3.5.2

No – project

no. 3.5.2.1

Not

applicable

No

- the

Not

applicable -100

148

has been

removed

project has

been

removed

AP 2009

Action 3.1.1

Yes No Yes No

The

cumulative

answer was

given under

the table

-86,72

Action 3.1.2

Yes

As the

result of

the

revision of

the AP 3

new

project

were

introduced

to the

action:

3.1.2.2,

3.1.2.3,

3.1.2.4

Yes No 73,66

149

Action 3.1.3

Yes

Yes, as a

result of

the

revision of

the AP the

value of

project no.

3.1.3.1

increased

and

project no.

3.1.3.2 i

were

introduced

to the

action

Yes No 58,40

Action 3.1.4

Yes

Yes, as a

result of

the

revision of

the AP the

value of

projects

increased

Yes No 22,18

150

within

the action

Action 3.1.5

Yes

Yes, as a

result of

the

revision of

the AP the

value of

projects

increased

within

the action

Yes No 699,46


Action 3.2.1

Yes

Yes, as the

result of

the

revision of

the AP

project no.

3.2.1.1

were

introduced

to the

action

Yes No 100

151


Action 3.3.2

No – project

no. 3.3.2.1

has been

removed

Not

applicable

No

- the

project has

been

removed

Not

applicable -100

Action 3.3.3

No – project

no. 3.3.3.1

has been

removed

Not

applicable

No

- the

project has

been

removed

Not

applicable -100

Action 3.4.1

Yes

Yes, as the

result of

the

revision of

the AP

project no.

3.4.1.2

were

introduced

to the

action

Yes No 85,32


Action 3.4.3 Yes Yes, as the No 716,54

152

result of

the

revision of

the AP

project no.

3.4.3.2

were

introduced

to the

action

Action 3.5.1

Yes

Yes, as the

result of

the

revision of

the AP

projects

no.

3.5.1.5,

3.5.1.6

were

introduced

to the

action

No 38,41

AP 2010

153

Action 3.1.2 Evaluation covers only 4

projects of AP 2010.

numerous of project are

still implemented

No Yes No The

cumulative

answer was

given under

the table

No

Action 3.3.1 No Yes No No



* Explanation concerning the answer to question 4, "Have there been problems with management of the action?”

Answer to each key action was given that, that there were no problems with management of the action. Such an answer was given, as partners did not have any

serious problems. However there were minor individual situations related with difficulties in project implementation, who were mainly result of a limited

experience of some beneficiaries of the Fund in the project realization of this kind. It should be noted that in case of such situation, a large role in their

eliminating was played by the RA and DA.

RA as well DA organized additional consultation and explanatory meetings and monitoring visits. It should also be emphasized that representatives of the

partners who had any problems with implementation or management of the project were invited to participate in all organized by DA trainings, in order to

overcome existing problems. The training focused mainly on issues that caused the greatest difficulties, including: financial clearing of projects, public

procurement and the preparation and settlement of project fiches. It should also be noted that the above-mentioned problems occurred mainly at the beginning of

implementation of the Programme. In subsequent years, there were fewer and fewer.

** Explanation concerning the answer to question 5 – “Did you encounter issues with individual projects implementation”?

In the course of the evaluation, quantitative study was conducted on a variety of issues including the problem that the partners have with implementation of

projects. The survey was anonymous and the results of the research may be given only aggregated. In terms of difficulties with preparation of projects to be

implemented, over 52% of respondents expressed the opinion that the preparation of projects for implementation is not easy, however, does not make too much

difficulty. Over 21% of persons identified this process as complicated. However, among the aspects of preparation of the project fiche, which caused the greatest

difficulties, the following issues were pointed out: preparation of logical matrix of the project (47.83%), risk analysis (26.09%) and the preparation of technical

analysis (21.74%).

http://kind.it/

154

Among the aspects of the project realization, which caused the greatest difficulties, over 43% of respondents indicated financial settlement of projects.

According to the respondents, the cause of this situation is a very large number of documents required to submit with the application for certification of

expenditures. Some respondents also pointed out the lack of personal experience in the implementation of projects co-financed from EU funds and other funds.

Among the financial aspects of the project, which caused the greatest difficulties Partners, almost 48% of respondents indicated the procedure to apply for

funds from the state budget. The majority of respondents (56.52% people) expressed the opinion that the existing reporting obligations are not very easy, but it

does not make too much difficulty. Only 13.04% of people think that reporting obligations are very easy, and 30.43% of people indicated the opposite response.