EUROPEAN COMMISSIONEUROPEAN COMMISSION

Objective 3 Objective 3 Territorial Co-operationTerritorial Co-operation

2007-20132007-2013

Workshop 1: Cross-border co- Workshop 1: Cross-border co-operationoperation

DG Regional PolicyDG Regional Policy

Brussels, 21 February 2005Brussels, 21 February 2005

The new Objective 3: The new Objective 3: European Territorial Co-European Territorial Co-operationoperation

Objective in its own right

Considerably increased funding2.5% in the current period 2.5% in the current period → 3.9% of → 3.9% of

total Structural Fundstotal Structural Funds

€ € 5.8 billion → € 14.3 billion5.8 billion → € 14.3 billion

Improved legal basis for co-Improved legal basis for co-operationoperation

Regulations will simplify joint implementation

General Structural Funds regulationGeneral Structural Funds regulation

ERDF regulationERDF regulation

European Grouping of Cross-border European Grouping of Cross-border

CooperationCooperation

Main questions put by Member Main questions put by Member StatesStates

Financial frameworkFinancial framework Geographical scope and eligible areasGeographical scope and eligible areas Programme areasProgramme areas Content and topicsContent and topics Programme management bodiesProgramme management bodies Project managementProject management Eligibility rulesEligibility rules Financial management and controlFinancial management and control

The new Objective 3The new Objective 3

Cross border co-operation 47.7% of which 12.1% to be transferred to the European Neighbourhood and of which 12.1% to be transferred to the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) and the Instrument for Pre-Acession Partnership Instrument (ENPI) and the Instrument for Pre-Acession (IPA)(IPA)

Transnational co-operation 47.7 %

Interregional co-operation and network programmes 4.5%

In addition, interregional co-operation with at least one In addition, interregional co-operation with at least one region in another Member State will be encouraged in region in another Member State will be encouraged in Objective 1 and 2 programmesObjective 1 and 2 programmes

Flexibility for Member States of 10% between Strands

Co-financing rate of 75% in all Objective 3 co-operation programmes

ERDF-funding

2000-2006 2007-2013

Cross-border co-operation

programmes

€ 4 bn (69%) € 6.8 bn (47.73%) of which:- € 5.1 bn (35.61%) for mostly

internal borders € 1.7 bn (12.12%) for external

borders

Transnationalco-operation

programmes

€ 1.4 bn (24%) € 6.8 bn (47.73%)

Interregional co-operation

and network programmes

€ 370 mio (6%) € 650 mio (4.54%)

Total € 5.75 bn(100%) € 14.25 bn (100%)

Cross-border co-operation

Population in eligible NUTS III areasPopulation in eligible NUTS III areas

Transfer of ERDF-funds to ENPI and IPA means that Transfer of ERDF-funds to ENPI and IPA means that

the external borders are not eligible for cross-border the external borders are not eligible for cross-border

programmes under Objective 3 but under ENPI/IPAprogrammes under Objective 3 but under ENPI/IPA

Allocation principlesAllocation principles

Similar to present cross-border areas: Geographic eligibility defined at NUTS III level 20% may be used in adjacent NUTS III region

Novelties: Definition of maritime borders eligible for cross-

border co-operation (up to 150 km)

Maritime border regions further apart are encouraged to co-operate under the priority for bilateral co-operation in Transnational programmes

Most external EU borders will not be covered by the cross-border programmes under Objective 3

Most external borders will be eligible for ENPI or IPA programmes

Cross-border co-operationCross-border co-operation Geographical scope and eligible Geographical scope and eligible areasareas

Flexibility concerning the location Flexibility concerning the location of operations outside the EUof operations outside the EU

Expenditure paid for the implementation of Expenditure paid for the implementation of operations located on the territory of third operations located on the territory of third countries:countries:

o for cross-border and transnational co-operationfor cross-border and transnational co-operation

o on condition that the operations are of benefit to on condition that the operations are of benefit to EU RegionsEU Regions

o ceiling: 10% of the ERDF contribution to the ceiling: 10% of the ERDF contribution to the programmeprogramme

o the responsibility for this expenditure lies on the the responsibility for this expenditure lies on the EU lead beneficiary and the certifying authorityEU lead beneficiary and the certifying authority

Programme for each border or group of bordersProgramme for each border or group of borders Small programmes to be merged in order to diminish

bureaucracy and administrative burden, possibly with subprogrammes where necessary.Subprogrammes may wish to set up separate Steering committees.

Trilateral/quadrilateral programmes?Trilateral/quadrilateral programmes? Some new Member States have set up trilateral

programmes. Are they working in a satisfactory manner and should they continue?

Some of the earlier Member States may also wish to try new models. One programme for "la Grande Région" for example?

Cross border co-operation Programme areasProgramme areas

Co-operation programmesCo-operation programmesContentContent

Cross-border programmes: improving the economic and social

situation of those living on either side of the border

recognising the particular challenges of border regions: geography, language, legal aspects, administration

essentially local in nature

Cross-border programmesCross-border programmesAvailable topics similar to Available topics similar to present cross-border co-present cross-border co-

operation topicsoperation topics Entrepreneurship and SMEs, universities,

tourism and cross-border trade Protection and joint management of the

environment Better access to transport Information and communication

networks Water, waste management and energy

management systems Health, culture and education

Should cross-border programmes be more focussed?

More emphasis on genuine co-More emphasis on genuine co-operation projects in all Objective 3 operation projects in all Objective 3 programmesprogrammes

Cross-border co-operation: Partners from at least two countries Fulfill at least 2 of the following 4

co-operation criteria:joint project development joint project development joint implementationjoint implementationjoint project staffjoint project staffjoint financingjoint financing

Programme management Programme management bodiesbodies

Managing AuthorityManaging Authority (MA) (MA)

Normal responsibilities (except checking Normal responsibilities (except checking regularity of operations and expenditure – regularity of operations and expenditure – done by approved controllers)done by approved controllers)

Joint Technical SecretariatJoint Technical Secretariat (JTS) (JTS)

Located Located close toclose to the MA the MA

Monitoring CommitteeMonitoring Committee

Normally also responsible for project Normally also responsible for project selectionselection

Project management: the Project management: the role of the Lead Beneficiaryrole of the Lead Beneficiary

Lead BeneficiaryLead Beneficiary: Concludes agreement with MA Concludes agreement with the

beneficiaries participating in the operation (project partners)

Is responsible for implementing the whole project

Ensures that expenditure corresponds to activities agreed

Project management: the Project management: the role of the Lead Beneficiaryrole of the Lead Beneficiary

Lead BeneficiaryLead Beneficiary: Checks that expenditure presented by the

beneficiaries participating in the operation has been validated by the agreed controllers

Is responsible for transferring the ERDF contribution to the beneficiaries participating in an operation

In case of irregularities, recovers funds from the project partner in accordance with the partnership agreement

Management of co-Management of co-operation programmes and operation programmes and projectsprojects

Joint eligibility rules for all Objective 3 for all Objective 3 programmes toprogrammes to be proposed by the Commission in a Commission implementing regulation

Normal n+2 rule applies

Financial management and Financial management and control 1/4control 1/4

Group of auditors Group of auditors (Art. 14 (2) ERDF)(Art. 14 (2) ERDF) Is chaired by the Audit Authority of the programme

(Art. 14 (2) ERDF). Assists the Audit Authority (Art. 61 Gen. Reg.) e.g.

carrying out directly or outsourcing: systems auditsample check of expenditure

Approves the final report (Art. 61 (1) g)) and assists for the compliance assessment report (Art. 70 Gen. Reg.)

Financial management and Financial management and control 2/4control 2/4

Financial responsibilityFinancial responsibility Certifying Authority (Art. 60 Gen. Reg. +Art.21 ERDF)(Art. 60 Gen. Reg. +Art.21 ERDF)

recovers from the lead partner any amount unduly paid (Art. 17 (2) ERDF)

The lead beneficiary shall lay down the arrangements The lead beneficiary shall lay down the arrangements for recovering amounts unduly paid (Art 20 (1 a) for recovering amounts unduly paid (Art 20 (1 a) ERDF).ERDF).

The beneficiaries shall repay the lead beneficiary the The beneficiaries shall repay the lead beneficiary the amounts paid in error in accordance with the amounts paid in error in accordance with the agreement existing between them (Art 17 (2) ERDF). agreement existing between them (Art 17 (2) ERDF).

In case of failure, the Member States on whose In case of failure, the Member States on whose territory the relevant beneficiary is located shall territory the relevant beneficiary is located shall reimburse the certification authority (Art 17 (2) ERDF).reimburse the certification authority (Art 17 (2) ERDF).

Financial management and Financial management and control 3/4control 3/4

Financial responsibilityFinancial responsibility Improved legal security for the Lead Beneficiary as Improved legal security for the Lead Beneficiary as

compared to 2000-06:compared to 2000-06: The responsibility of the LB is limited to The responsibility of the LB is limited to

checking that implementation of operation and checking that implementation of operation and expenditure corresponds to agreed activities.expenditure corresponds to agreed activities.

checking that declared expenditure is validated by checking that declared expenditure is validated by approved controller (especially compliance with approved controller (especially compliance with national and Community rules)national and Community rules)

The Lead Beneficiary is not responsible for irregularities The Lead Beneficiary is not responsible for irregularities of other Beneficiaries for non-compliance with national of other Beneficiaries for non-compliance with national and Community rules.and Community rules.

Financial management and Financial management and control 4/4control 4/4

Financial responsibilityFinancial responsibility Improved legal security for the Managing Authority as Improved legal security for the Managing Authority as

compared to 2000-06:compared to 2000-06: The responsibility of the MA is limited to The responsibility of the MA is limited to

check that implementation of operation and expenditure check that implementation of operation and expenditure corresponds to agreed activities.corresponds to agreed activities.

check that declared expenditure is validated by approved check that declared expenditure is validated by approved controllercontroller

The Managing Authority is not responsible for irregularities of The Managing Authority is not responsible for irregularities of Beneficiaries for non-compliance with national and Community Beneficiaries for non-compliance with national and Community rules.rules.

Improved legal security for the Member State: not responsible Improved legal security for the Member State: not responsible for irregularities of Beneficiaries in other Member States (Art. for irregularities of Beneficiaries in other Member States (Art. 17 (2) ERDF)17 (2) ERDF)