This seminar will examine live issues of Programme and Financial Management, Financial Control and Audit for Operational Programmes in the 2014-2020 period and look forward at how the proposed Regulations will change and have an impact on these areas for 2021-2027. There will be a special focus on financial planning for programmes, extending the use of simplified cost options, and the most frequent audit issues – in particular – eligibility of expenditure and public procurement.

What you will learn?

Practical issues to be discussed will include:

• new programme structures and priorities
• programme finance, financial tables and flexibility proposed for 2021-2027
• co-finance ceilings, the risks of automatic de-commitment
• changes to the annual accounting process and the calculation of the annual balance

• key issues for the eligibility of expenditure
• the new OMNIBUS regulation, simplification and the extended use of simplified cost options
• changes to the audit of accounts, systems and operations
• risk assessment, protecting the audit trail
• irregularities, corrections, withdrawals
• public procurement rules and good practice
• the link between finance and performance, using the Performance Framework

How we work

Participants will work with live issues and practical solutions for challenges in the fields of financial management, financial control and audit. They will enjoy quality speakers from Member States and the European Commission, as well as highly experienced EIPA experts and consultants.

The seminar will include numerous workshops and exercise sessions where examples and case studies will be presented. Participants will be encouraged to exchange practical examples, experiences and good practice in managing EU Structural Funds.

Participants are invited to send us their problems, issues and questions before the seminar, if they wish.  We will do our best to address the problems / answer the questions during the seminar!

Who will benefit most?

This seminar is intended for:

• practitioners from national, regional and local authorities and from other public bodies of EU Member States (and associated countries) working with ESI Funds
• economic and social partners working with the Structural and Investment Funds, such as universities, NGOs, employers’ associations, consultants.

• 

  Marco Lopriore (IT)

• 

  Robin Smail (External Expert)

• 

  Dermot Byrne (External Expert)

• 

  Rafael López Sánchez (External Expert)

Course venue
European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)
O.L. Vrouweplein 22
6211 HE, Maastricht
the Netherlands

Programme Organiser
Ms Winny Curfs
Tel: + 31 43 3296320
w.curfs@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation and refreshments. Lunches, a reception or dinner are included if mentioned in the programme. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Discounts
EIPA offers a 10% 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, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Meals
Lunches, the reception or dinner will be served at a restaurant in town. Special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic) can be indicated once you receive the confirmation of the seminar.

Hotel reservations
EIPA has special price arrangements with a number of hotels. All hotels are within 10 minutes walking distance from EIPA. Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please book directly via the links below. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel upon checking out. At the time of booking, please mention in the requested field the EIPA project number for your course.

• Townhouse Hotel
• Hotel Derlon
• Designhotel Maastricht 
• Bastion Hotel

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.).