Master Class – EU Cohesion Policy and ESIF: Strategic Mid-Term Review and Post-2027 Outlook

This face-to-face course has been designed as a master class for senior officials with well-established professional track-records at EU Member State level in ESIF and EU-funds management in general. It presents a timely opportunity to engage in a structured discussion on the interim evaluation of the current programming period and on the forward projections for the next MFF.

The course unpacks the 2021-2027 mid-term review and examines the ESIF implementation status, as well as the remaining challenges, from the perspective of both the EC and national authority practitioners. It further zooms in on lessons learned specifically with regards to simplification, smart specialisation, I3, and performance-based funding.

Then the course offers a first review of the EC 2028-2034 MFF proposal, focusing on changes in overall structure, wallet distribution, horizontal rules, and performance framework. The programme includes dedicated sessions on Heading 1 (focus on cohesion instruments) and Heading 2 (focus on new Competitiveness Fund). Participants will further benefit from presentations on the European Court of Auditor’s perspective on the Commission’s proposal. At the end of the master class, participants will have the opportunity to test their acquired knowledge and understanding through a Multiple Choice Test.

Methodology

The master class will include substantive interventions by EIPA core experts, exchange of views and experiences with peers from selected EU Member States, strategic networking opportunities with EU policymakers, and contributions from the non-governmental sector.

The main objectives of the master class are threefold:

• To broaden the participants’ understanding, also from a comparative perspective, of the good practices and the remaining challenges at the midpoint of the 2021-2027 ESIF period;
• To engage them in the evolving debate on the post-2027 MFF, EU Cohesion Policy, and future funding instruments;
• To offer them “out-of-routine” insights into the latest EC strategic policy initiatives and their projected long-term impact.

Senior civil servants and public officials working in executive, managerial and policymaking functions at the ESIF National Authorities, i.e. executives and their deputies, (deputy) heads of directorates/units at Managing Authorities, Audit Authorities, Certifying Organs, Fund of Funds, etc.

The course targets in particular civil servants and officials from Less Developed Regions and from Transition Regions.

Project number: 2522701

Course venue – to be confirmed
Brussels (BE) and Maastricht (NL)

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

Fee
The fee includes documentation and refreshments. 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.

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.