Implementing Structural Funds Programmes 2021-2027: The New Amending Regulations, Programme Progress, Good Practice

The new Amending Regulations for Structural and Cohesion Funds will give Member States more time to complete their 2025 Mid-Term Review process. They will also give programmes increased flexibilities to help ensure that all Funds are absorbed. A series of critical new investment categories (under new specific objectives) can be added to Programmes – designed to reflect the urgent new priorities of the EU. These include defence production and infrastructure, energy networks, affordable housing, security of water supplies, and upskilling and reskilling related to these key areas and other strategic technologies.

Around 400 Structural and Cohesion Fund programmes (as well as JTF programmes) will be affected by the changes. All programmes will have to complete their mid-term review process soon after the new Regulation is adopted, and well before the end of 2025 – so that Programme Amendments can be made and changes implemented.

Do you know what the 2021-2027 programmes look like – before the new amendments – and how they have been progressing? After delays to the start of programmes caused by COVID, what have the most common challenges been? Do you know all you need to know about the mainstream Structural Funds Regulations 2021-2027, and what impact the STEP regulation had on programmes?

This course will address these questions and examine the 2021-2027 regulations in detail. We will refer to a selection of new programmes as well as reporting and other templates. We will also see how Cohesion Policy programmes are being coordinated with the RRF and other EU instruments.

We will discuss:

• What were the key choices made by Member States for the 2021-2027 programmes? Are priorities, financial planning and financial management changing as a result of the mid-term review?
• How have the STEP and Amending Regulations modified programmes?
• Where have programmes been simplified most? And how are simplified cost options being developed and used?
• How does the 2021-2027 Performance framework work and how do we measure progress and success? How is real-time reporting working?
• How are programmes improving the selection of operations? How do you “ensure that selected operations present the best relationship between the amount of support, the activities undertaken and the achievement of objectives”? (Article 73, CPR)

You will be guided by Marco Lopriore and Robin Smail, experienced Structural Funds experts who have worked in Brussels and across the EU, gathering numerous case studies and examples of good practices. You will also hear from a senior official from an ETC programme, as well as from the European Commission, and have the opportunity to exchange experience and put new ideas into practice.

The course includes workshops and exercises and provides ample time for Question and Answer sessions and discussions.

This course is aimed principally at:

• Practitioners from Member State national, regional and local authorities working with ESI Funds
• The full range of economic and social partners working with the Funds – including universities, NGOs, employers’ associations, consultants.

Project number: 2530210

Hybrid course
Experience our course in a way that suits you best! This hybrid course offers the flexibility to join in-person or online through a live stream. In the registration form, you will have the opportunity to select your preferred option.

Face to Face venue
European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)
O.L. Vrouweplein 22
6211 HE, Maastricht
The Netherlands

Programme Organiser
Ms Rafaella Giussani
Tel: +31 43 32 96 372
r.giussani@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments, lunches, and a reception. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Discounts
EIPA member fee
EIPA offers a discount to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s supporting countries, and civil servants working for an EU institution, body or agency.

Who are the supporting countries?
Civil servants coming from the following EIPA supporting countries are entitled to get the reduced fee: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Early bird discount
The early bird discount is not cumulative with other discounts or promo codes, except for the EIPA member fee.

Loyalty coupon
As a token of appreciation we offer all our participants a loyalty coupon for one of our future courses. The offer can be shared with colleagues and relevant networks. The coupon will expire one year after its release. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts, except for the EIPA member fee.

Meals
Dietary preferences can be indicated on the registration form.

Hotel reservations
EIPA has special price arrangements with a number of hotels. The hotels are within walking distance from EIPA. If you wish to take advantage of this option, please click on the hotel name to book directly using the link. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel upon checking out.

• Eden Design Hotel
  designhotel@edenhotels.nl
  +31 (0)43 328 25 25
• Townhouse
  info@townhousehotels.nl
  +31 (0)43 323 30 90
• Mabi
  info@hotelmabi.nl
  +31 (0)43 351 44 44
• Derlon
  info@derlon.com
  +31 (0)43 321 67 70
• Kaboom Hotel
  info@kaboomhotel.nl
  +31 (0)43 325 33 40

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed online registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation.

Cancellation policy
For administrative reasons you will be charged €150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants. EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 2 weeks before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, accommodation, etc.).

A few days before the start of the course you will receive the log-in details for accessing the course materials. You can log in here.