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

Forthcoming amending regulations for Structural and Cohesion Funds will give Member States more time to complete their Mid-Term Reviews. They will also give Programmes increased flexibilities to help ensure that all Funds will be absorbed. A series of critical new investment categories (under new Specific Objectives) will 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 reviews well before the end of 2025 in order that Programme Amendments can be made before the changes are 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.

What you will learn

• What were the key choices made by Member States for the 2021-2027 programmes? Are priorities, financial planning and 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)

Course methodology

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 practice. You will also hear from two senior officials: at Member State level, a Catalunya regional programme manager, and at the EU level, a Head of Unit from the European Commission.

The course includes workshops and exercises which should help you to put new ideas into practice. There will be ample time for Q&A sessions and you will have the opportunity to exchange experience.

This course is aimed principally at:

• practitioners from Member State national, regional and local authorities working with Structural / Cohesion / Just Transition Funds
• the full range of economic and social partners working with the Funds – including universities, NGOs, employers’ associations, consultants.

Project number: 2530201

Course venue
Hotel Granvia
Gran Via de les Corst Catalanes,
678 08010 Barcelona (ES)

Senior Project Officer
Ms Rafaella Giussani
Tel: +31 43 32 96 372
r.giussani@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments and lunches. 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.

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.