ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT 2016 · the projects received within the 1st deadline for submission....

ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT

2016

Cooperation programme

Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria

in the programme period 2014–2020

1

Annual Implementation Report 2016

Content 1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE ANNUAL/FINAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT ...................................... 2

2. OVERVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (ARTICLE 50(2) OF

REGULATION (EU) NO 1303/2013 AND ARTICLE 14(3)(A) OF REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013) ......... 2

3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRIORITY AXIS (ARTICLE 50(2) OF REGULATION (EU) NO 1303/2013)

4

4. SYNTHESIS OF THE EVALUATIONS (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) .............. 16

5. ISSUES AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAMME AND MEASURES TAKEN

(ARTICLE 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) ............................................................................... 16

6. CITIZEN'S SUMMARY (Article 50(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) ................................... 17

7. REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Article 46 of Regulation

(EU) No 1303/2013) .............................................................................................................................. 17

8. WHERE APPROPRIATE, PROGRESS IN PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF MAJOR

PROJECTS AND JOINT ACTION PLANS (Article 101(h) and Article 111(3) of Regulation (EU) No

1303/2013 and Article 14(3)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013) .................................................... 18

9. ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (Article 50(4) of

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013) ......................... 21

10. OBLIGATORY INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 14(4), Subparagraph

1 (a) and (b), of REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013 ............................................................................... 26

11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WHICH MAY BE ADDED DEPENDING ON THE CONTENT AND

OBJECTIVES OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (Article 14(4), subparagraph 2 (a), (b), (c) and (f), of

REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013) ........................................................................................................ 28

12. Financial information at priority axis and programme level (Articles 21(2) and 22(7) of Regulation

(EU) No 1303/2013) .............................................................................................................................. 29

13. SMART, SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH .......................................................................... 31

14. ISSUES AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAMME AND MEASURES TAKEN –

PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) ................................ 31

2


1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE ANNUAL/FINAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT

CCI 2014TC16RFCB054

Title Cooperation programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria

Version 1.0

Reporting year 2016

Date of approval of the report by the Monitoring Committee

23 May 2017

Date of approval of the report by the European Commission

2. OVERVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (ARTICLE 50(2) OF REGULATION (EU) NO 1303/2013 AND ARTICLE 14(3)(A) OF REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013)

Key information on the implementation of the cooperation programme for the year concerned, including

on financial instruments, with relation to the financial and indicator data.

This is the second Annual Implementation Report (AIR) for the Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A

Slovenia-Austria for the period 2014-2020. It reports on the implementation of the programme during the

calendar year 2016. The report was prepared by the Government Office for Development and European

Cohesion Policy, acting as the Managing Authority (MA) of the programme in cooperation with the Joint

secretariat (JS) and the programme partners. The Monitoring Committee discussed and approved the AIR

2016 at the 4th Monitoring Committee Meeting, which was held on 23 May 2017.

2016 was very active in terms of programme's implementation with the implementation of the Open Call

activities and aproval of 13 projects. The MA and JS met twice with the programme partners

(National/Regional Authorities (NAs/RAs), CA, First Level Control (FLC)) at the Bilateral working group (BWG)

meetings, namely on 7 April 2016 in Gamlitz and 24 October 2016 in Zreče to discuss topics related to the

programme implementation. The evaluation plan was prepared and approved by the MC in the frame of the

2nd MC meeting.

Within the first deadline for the submission of project proposals, which was on 12 February 2016, two

workshops intended for potential applicants in the frame of the Open Call were carried out. The first

workshop for applicants took place on 12 January 2016 in the congress center Brdo pri Kranju. The second

and content wise same workshop was carried out on 14 January 2016 in Seggau castle in Styria. In the frame

of the workshops, the Managing Authority and the Joint Secretariat briefly presented the participants the

Cooperation Programme, information concerning the Open Call, presented the Rules on the eligibility of the

expenditure, the requirements concerning information and communication, the annexes to the application

form and the electronic Monitoring System (eMS), in which applicants will enter and submit their project

applications.

Within the 2nd deadline for the submission of project proposals, which was 27 July 2016, additional two

workshops intended for potential applicants in the frame of the Open Call were carried out. The first

workshop took place on 9 June 2016 in the hotel Radin in Radenci, Slovenia. The second and content wise

same workshop was carried out on 13 June 2016 in the premises of Seeparkhotel in Klagenfurt/Celovec,

Austria. Both workshops were attended by more than 140 participants, which shows that there was still a

great interest of potential applicants.

3


On 2 and 3 June 2016, the Monitoring Committee members met at their 2nd meeting in order to decide on

the projects received within the 1st deadline for submission. 13 projects (5 projects in the frame of priority

axis 1, 5 projects in the frame of priority axis 2, and 3 projects in the frame of priority axis 3) in the amount

of 12,612,114.81 EUR ERDF funds were approved in 2016 for co-financing. On 28 July 2016, the first Subsidy

contracts for the co-financing with funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) were

signed in the frame of the Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria for the programme period

2014-2020. For the beneficiaries of these projects, the workshop on reporting for the projects approved in

the frame of the first deadline was held on 14 November 2016. The workshop, which was held in Ptuj in

Slovenia was attended by more than 160 participants.

Designation process

During the reporting year 2016, several programme manuals were prepared by the Joint Secretariat in

cooperation with the Managing Authority and relevant programme bodies. Those Manuals describe in detail

the procedures needed for the management and control system of the programme, as well as the guidelines

for project applicants/beneficiaries when preparing or implementing their projects. Some

documents/manuals are aimed for the public and are therefore published on the website www.si-at.eu

(Manual for Beneficiaries including the Part for Reporting, Eligibility of expenditure etc.) others are covering

the procedures for programme bodies and are therefore available on the programme’s intranet (Manual on

verification and validation of expenditure, Guidelines for using TA funds, Guidelines on State-Aid

Identification and Monitoring etc.).

Other information and publicity measures

For the fifth consecutive year, also in 2016 events were held throughout Europe in the frame of the

European Cooperation Day 2016 under the auspices of the EC and the INTERACT programme. Slovenia and

Austria have in the frame of their cooperation already implemented a number of successful cross-border

projects in the field of entrepreneurship, tourism, culture, regional development, natural heritage,

environment, energy, etc., which constitute the identity of the border region. The participants of the hike

have visited some of them to the three-corners border in the cross-border region of Slovenia, Austria and

Hungary, which was on 21 September 2016 organized by the cross-border cooperation programmes

between Slovenia and Austria and between Slovenia and Hungary in the programme period 2014-2020. The

group of a bit more than 100 participants went by bus from Maribor to visit the castle in Grad in Goričko.

The route led the participants to Trdkova where they walked to the “tromejnik” the border stone between

Slovenia, Austria and Hungary. The participants also visited the Apple House in Gornji Senik/Oberzemming,

the museum of Slovenians from the Porabje region in Monošter/St. Gotthard and the castle Tabor in the

nature park Raab, where the project 321 go, which is being implemented in the frame of the cross-border

Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria, was presented.

On 21 October 2016, the conference “The Karawanks and the Alpine Convention – a chance for regional

development” took place in Tinje/Tainach in the frame of which also the programme was presented at a

promotional stand. Through the programme website 33 e-newsletter were sent and also published on the

Facebook. Both media are used to reach the wider public. The programme uses the e-monitoring system

(eMS) developed by Plot in cooperation with Interact. The eMS and its functionalities fully comply with the

e-Cohesion regulatory requirements (according to the audit opinion).

Reimbursement of funds

In the previous years (2014-2016) the initial pre-financing payments were transferred from the European

Commission (EC) to the Certifying Authority (CA) in the amount of 2,399,417.75 EUR. In 2016 the programme

http://www.si-at.eu/

4


received 1,439,650.65 EUR ERDF funds for pre-financing. During the reporting period no expenditure were

certified to the EC and no irregularities detected.

All approved projects and projects of technical assistance are in implementation phase, where the pre-

financing of activites cone from own budget of institutions cooperating in the projects. No advance

payments have been made from ERDF funds.

In relation to the indicator data, the progress can be measured only on the level of the selected projects

(see table 2). No projects fully implemented the activities by the end of 2016.

3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRIORITY AXIS (ARTICLE 50(2) OF REGULATION (EU) NO 1303/2013)

3.1. Overview of the implementation

ID Priority axis Key information on the implementation of the priority axis with reference to key developments, significant problems and steps taken to address these problems

A.1 1. Strengthening cross- border Competitiveness, Research and Innovation

Within the 1st deadline of the Open Call, five projects were approved and started with the implementation under this priority axis, covering the Investment priority 1b. The contracted ERDF amount for those five projects is 4,624,644.38 EUR. Out of 52 received project applications 28 were submitted under the 1st Priority axis, which shows the high interest on projects covering the cross-border competitiveness, research and innovation content.

A.2 2. Protecting the Environment and Promoting Resource Efficiency

Within the 1st deadline of the Open Call, five projects were approved and started with the implementation under this priority axis, covering the Investment priority 6c. The contracted ERDF amount for those five projects is 5,698,277.82 EUR. There are no projects approved yet covering the programme indicator of joint CB flood determination, protection and control measures (Investment priority 6f). To promote this investment priority and to further support the applicants when preparing projects being in line with the programme requirements, we have emphasized this within the workshops for applicants and individual advisory meetings.

A.3 3. Enhancing Institutional Capacity and an Efficient Public Administration

Within the 1st deadline of the Open Call, three projects were approved and started with the implementation under this priority axis, covering the Investment priority 11b. The contracted ERDF amount for those three projects is 2,289,192.61 EUR.

A.4 4. Technical assistance

The Technical Assistance has been approved on the 1st Monitoring Committee meeting on 27 November 2015. The total co-financing funds available for the TA activities amounts to 3,000.000 EUR. The allocation of the TA funds aims to ensure the efficient and smooth implementation of the cooperation programme and a proficient operation of all bodies which are needed for the frictionless and successful programme implementation; Managing Authority (MA), Joint Secretariat (JS), First Level Control (FLC), Certifying Authority (CA), Audit Authority (AA) in Slovenia/Audit Body in Austria (AB), National Authority (NA) in Slovenia and Regional Authorities (RA) in Austria. Members of MC agreed that the TA will be divided into 7 Technical Assistance projects: TA1 – MA and JS, TA2 – CA, TA3 – NA Slovenia, TA3 – RA Carinthia, TA3 – RA Styria, TA3 – RA Burgenland, TA4 – AA /AB

5

3.2. Common and programme specific indicators (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

Data for common and programme-specific indicators by investment priority transmitted using the tables 1 to 2 below.TABLE 1: Result indicators (by priority axis and specific

objective); applies also to technical assistance priority axis

Automatic from SFC ANNUAL VALUE

ID Indicator Measurement Unit

Baseline Value

Baseline Year

Target Value (2023) 2

01

4

20

15

20

16

1

20

17

20

18

20

19

20

20

20

21

20

22

20

23

Observations (if necessary)

1b.1 R&D Intensity percentage 3.1% 2011 3.3% / 3.1 3.1 Frequency of reporting 2018, 2020, 2023

1b.2 Enterprises with innovation cooperation with cooperation partners from Europe

Number 860

2012 903 / 860 860 Frequency of reporting 2018, 2020, 2023

1b.3 Number of exporting companies

Number 17,695 2012 18,220 / 17,695

17,695

Frequency of reporting 2018, 2020, 2023

6c Overnight stays Number 33,127,302

2013 36,124,869

/ 33,127,302

33,127,302


6f Length of the cross-border river bodies with

Kilometres

22.5 2014 15 / 22.5

22.5


1 No date is available for the year 2016 because the first reporting will be done in 2018.

6

unsatisfactory water quality status

11b.1 Level of sustainable institutional cooperation in the field of energy and risk management or health and social cohesion in the programme area

Scale 3,54 2015 3,89 / 3.54

3.54


11b.2 Level of cross-border cooperation among municipalities and citizens in the programme area

Scale 2,41 2015 2,65 / 2.41

2.41


7

TABLE 2: Common and programme specific output indicators (by priority axis, investment priority); applies also to technical assistance priority axes).

S – Selected operations F – Fully implemented operations*

ID Indicator (name of indicator)

Measurement unit

Target value (2023)

CUMULATIVE VALUE

Observations

(if necessary)

20

14

20

15

20

16

20

17

20

18

20

19

20

20

20

21

20

22

20

23

S CO01

Number of enterprises receiving support

Enterprises 15 0 0 6

F

S CO02

Number of enterprises receiving grants


F

S CO04

Number of enterprises receiving non-financial support


The target value set in the CP is already reached and even exeeded due to the high number of enterprices receiving non-financial support being directly affected by the project activities.

F

S CO26

Number of enterprises cooperating with research institutions


F

S

CO29

Number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the firm products

Enterprises

5 0 0 4

F

S 1b.1

Number of joint CB R&D projects

Number 5 0 0 1

F

S 1b.3

Number of joint CB internationalization projects involving SMEs

Number 8 0 0 2

F

8

S

6c.1

Number of newly developed and/or improved joint CB tourist products2

Number

16 0 0 15

F

S 6c.2

Number of projects targeting geodiversity or biodiversity

Number 3 0 0 0

There were no projects targeting geo- or biodiversity approved within the 1st deadline for submission.

F

S 6c.3

Number of sustainable tourism related services

Number 6 0 0 9

F

S CO42

Research institutions participating in CB research projects

Organisations

4 0 0 2

F

S

6f.1

Number of jointly developed water management strategies

Number

1 0 0 1

F

S

6f.2

Number of joint modelling, monitoring and forecasting studies and research works

Number

1 0 0 7

F

S 6f.3 Number of joint CB flood determination,

Number 1 0 0 0 There were no projects targeting

2 A tourist product can be defined as an individual service and/or good, which is used by a tourist on the way and the stay outside his permanent place of residence. A set of such set products can be named as an integral tourist

product. For the purposes of the Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria the definition can be specified in terms of sustainable tourism and defined as: ‘Tourism that takes full account of its current and future

economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities’. Thus, sustainable tourism should: 1. Make optimal use of environmental resources that

constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage. 2. Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living

cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance. 3. Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly

distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation. Reference: Making Tourism More Sustainable - A Guide for Policy

Makers, UNEP and UNWTO, 2005, p.11-12. Natural heritage comprises bio- and geo-diversity.

9

protection and control measures

flood determination, protection and control measures approved within the 1st deadline for submission.

F

S

11b.1

Number of institutions and/or organizations participating in joint CB initiatives

Number

100 0 0 35

F

S

11b.2

Number of people participating in joint training schemes and programmes

Number

200 0 0 222

F

S

11b.3

Number of joint CB pilot and demonstration projects

Number

5 0 0 7

F

S 11b.4

Population covered by improved public services

Number 200,000 0 0 0

There were no projects reaching the indicator covering the improved public services approved within the 1st deadline for submission.

F

S

TH.1

Number of joint CB projects successfully implemented and concluded

Number

4 0 7 7

F

S TH.2 Number 10 0 10 10

10

F Number of joint CB informational and publicity events

1 2 3

S

TH.3

Number of employees (FTEs) whose salaries are co-financed by the Technical Assistance

Number

10 0 10 10

F 0 7.7 11.1

The number of FTEs already employed and co-financed by the Technical Assistance.

S

TH.4

Information, consultation and training measures for applicants and beneficiaries on the project generation

Number

8 0 8 8

F 0 0 4

The value reported in 2015 was a typing error and was corrected (from 6 to 0 in 2015) in this report. The value of this indicator in 2016 is 4.

S TH.5

Number of trainings for the beneficiaries, programme structures

Number 10 0 10 10

F 0 0 2

S

TH.6 The number of visitors of the programme website

Number

10,000 10,000

10,000

10,000

F 0 2,384

19,625

* S - Selected operations [forecast provided by beneficiaries]

F - Fully implemented operations [actual achievement]

3.3 Milestones and targets defined in the performance framework (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) – submitted in annual implementation reports from 2017 onwards

Reporting on financial indicators, key implementation steps, output and result indicators to act as milestones and targets for the performance framework (submitted starting

with the report in 2017).

11

TABLE 3: Information on the milestones and targets defined in the performance framework

Pri

ori

ty A

xis

Ind

icat

or

Typ

e

(Ke

y

imp

lem

en

tati

on

ste

p, f

inan

cia

l,

ou

tpu

t o

r, w

he

re

app

rop

riat

e

resu

lt in

dic

ato

r)

ID

Ind

icat

or

or

key

imp

lem

en

tati

on

ste

p

Me

asu

rem

en

t

un

it, w

he

re

app

rop

riat

e

Mile

sto

ne

fo

r

20

18

Fin

al t

arge

t

(20

23

)

20

14

20

15

20

16

20

17

20

18

20

19

20

20

20

21

20

22

20

23

Ob

serv

atio

ns

(if

ne

cess

ary)

1 Financial indicator

A.1.1

Payments: Certified and declared to the EC

Number 2,121,008.40

17,675,070.00

0 0 0

The first projects started with the implementation in mid of 2016, therefore no reports of the LPs were received by the end of the year, consequently also no payments were certified and declared to the EC.

1 Output CO01

Number of enterprises receiving support (CI)

Enterprises

2 15

0 0 0

Within the projects approved in 2016 there are 6 enterprises receiving support. The value will be reported after the projects will be completed.


A.2.1


Number 2,686,299.07

20,663,839.00

0 0 0


2 Output indicator A.2.2

Number of jointly developed water management strategies

Number 0 1

0 0 0

The value will be reported after the projects covering this indicator will be completed.

2 Key implementation step

A.2.3

Number of operations developing water management

Number 1 1

0 0 1

12

strategies (approved operations)


Number of newly developed and/or improved joint CB tourist products

Number 0 16

0 0 0

The value will be reported after the projects covering this indicator will be completed.

2 Key implementation step

A.2.5

Number of operations developing newly and/or jointly approved CB tourist products (approved operations)

Number 2 4

0 0 4


A.3.1


Number 1,750,628.28

14,588,569.00

0 0 0



Number of institutions and/or organizations participating in joint CB initiatives

Number 5 100

0 0 0

Within the projects approved in 2016 there are 35 institutions and/or organisations participating in joint CB initiatives. The value will be reported after the projects covering this indicator will be completed.

13

3.4. Financial data (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

TABLE 4: Financial information at priority axis and programme level as set out in Table 1 of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1011/20143 [Model

for transmission of financial data]4 and table 16 of model for cooperation programmes under the European territorial cooperation goal

Where applicable, the use of any contribution from third countries participating in the cooperation programme should be provided (for example IPA and ENI, Norway,

Switzerland)

/

Priority Axis

Fund Calculation basis

Total funding Co-financing rate

Total eligible cost of operations selected for support

Proportion of the total allocation covered with selected operations

Public eligible cost of operations selected for support

Total eligible expenditure declared by beneficiaries to the managing authority

Proportion of the total allocation covered by eligible expenditure declared by beneficiaries N

um

be

r o

f

op

era

tio

ns

sele

cte

d

A.1 ERDF Total 17,675,070.00 85.00% 5,481,353.99 31.01% 5,481,353.99 0.00 0.00% 5

A.2 ERDF Total 20,663,839.00 85.00% 6,703,856.23 32.44% 6,703,856.23 0.00 0.00% 5

A.3 ERDF Total 14,588,569.00 85.00% 2,693,167.79 18.46% 2,693,167.79 0.00 0.00% 3

B.1 ERDF Total 4,285,715.00 70.00% 4,666,967.16 108.90% 4,666,967.16 0.00 0.00% 7

Total ERDF 57,213,193.00 83.88% 19,545,345.17 34.16% 19,545,345.17 0.00 0.00% 20

3 OJ L 286, 30.9.2014, p. 1. 4 Structured data required for the report on YEI which is to be submitted in April 2015 in accordance with Article 19(3) and Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013.

14

TABLE 5: Breakdown of the cumulative financial data by category of intervention (Article 112(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 5

of Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013) as set out in Table 2 of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1011/2014 [Model for transmission of financial data] and

tables 6-9 of Model for cooperation programmes

Priority axis

Fund Intervention field

Form of finance

Territorial dimension

Territorial delivery mechanism

Thematic objective dimension

ESF secondary themes

Economic dimension

Location dimension

Total eligible cost of operations selected for support

Public eligible cost of operations selected for support

Total eligible expenditure declared by beneficiaries to the managing authority

Number of operations selected

A.1 ERDF 060 01 01 07 01 08 06 SI013 1,151,814.84 1,151,814.84 0.00 1

A.1 ERDF 062 01 02 07 01 08 24 AT224 852,058.55 852,058.55 0.00 1

A.1 ERDF 063 01 02 07 01 08 14 AT226 1,229,369.20 1,229,369.20 0.00 1

A.1 ERDF 067 01 01 07 01 08 14 AT221 850,755.00 850,755.00 0.00 1

A.1 ERDF 067 01 03 07 01 08 24 SI011 1,397,356.40 1,397,356.40 0.00 1

A.2 ERDF 021 01 03 07 06 08 11 AT221 1,791,158.08 1,791,158.08 0.00 1

A.2 ERDF 085 01 03 07 06 08 15 AT221 1,320,853.13 1,320,853.13 0.00 1

A.2 ERDF 091 01 03 07 06 08 15 AT224 1,883,654.99 1,883,654.99 0.00 1

A.2 ERDF 093 01 03 07 06 08 15 SI021 823,446.29 823,446.29 0.00 1

A.2 ERDF 094 01 02 07 06 08 15 AT113 884,743.74 884,743.74 0.00 1

A.3 ERDF 096 01 03 07 11 08 24 AT213 723,486.64 723,486.64 0.00 1

A.3 ERDF 112 01 01 07 11 08 21 AT225 1,183,400.00 1,183,400.00 0.00 1

A.3 ERDF 118 01 02 07 11 08 19 AT224 786,281.15 786,281.15 0.00 1

B.1 ERDF 121 01 07 07 08 18 AT112 110,875.76 110,875.76 0.00 1

B.1 ERDF 121 01 07 07 08 18 AT211 313,632.61 313,632.61 0.00 1

B.1 ERDF 121 01 07 07 08 18 AT221 554,378.82 554,378.82 0.00 1

B.1 ERDF 121 01 07 07 08 18 SI012 2,240,000.00 2,240,000.00 0.00 1

B.1 ERDF 121 01 07 07 08 18 SI017 350,378.00 350,378.00 0.00 1

B.1 ERDF 121 01 07 07 08 18 SI021 669,130.54 669,130.54 0.00 1

B.1 ERDF 121 01 07 07 08 24 SI021 428,571.43 428,571.43 0.00 1

15

TABLE 6: Cumulative cost of all or part of an operation implemented outside the Union part of the programme area

1 2 3 4 5

The amount of ERDF support* envisaged to be used for all or part of an operation implemented outside the Union part of the programme area based on selected operations (EUR)

Share of the total financial allocation to all or part of an operation located outside the Union part of the programme area (%) (column 2/total amount allocated to the support from the ERDF at programme level *100)

Eligible expenditure of ERDF support incurred in all or part of an operation implemented outside the Union part of the programme area declared by the beneficiary to the managing authority (EUR)

Share of the total financial allocation to all or part of an operation located outside the Union part of the programme area (%) (column 4/total amount allocated to the support from the ERDF at programme level *100)

All or part of an operation outside the Union part of the programme area5

Not applicable for CP Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria.




* ERDF support is fixed in the Commission decision on the respective cooperation programme.

5 In accordance with and subject to ceilings set out Article 20 of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013.


16

4. SYNTHESIS OF THE EVALUATIONS (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) Synthesis of the findings of all evaluations of the programme that have become available during the

previous financial year, including the name and reference period of the evaluation reports used.

The evaluation plan of the Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria was approved at the 2nd

Monitoring Committee meeting on 2 June 2016. According to the evaluation plan, four evaluations feeding

into the respective Annual Implementation Reports are foreseen; two implementation evaluations and two

impact evaluations.

The first implementation evaluation started in the second half of 2016 and was according to the timing

foreseen in the evaluation plan carried on in the first half of 2017. The focus of the evaluation was on

programme management and implementation, the project application and selection procedures and the

communication strategy. The results of this evaluation are only partly presented in this report; the final

results will be presented in AIR 2017.

5. ISSUES AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAMME AND MEASURES TAKEN (ARTICLE 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) a) Issues which affect the performance of the programme and the measures taken

In 2016 there were no specific direct problems, which would endanger the performance of the programme,

however the programme has faced some wider policy issuses which have indirectly affected the

programme's implementation. In 2016, the first projects were prepared by the project partners and

submitted for decision. This is also the time when the temporary measures for strickter border controles

between Slovenia and Austria have been carried out to stern the flow of migrants, which affected not only

the dayly mobility of the people leaving or working in the border area but also the perception of the

cooperation between the partners implementing the project activities.

The year 2016 was also challanging for all programme structures, due to the overlapping of both financial

periods, by closing the programme period 2007-2013 and preparing all the neccessary documents/

procedures for designation of the programme 2014-2020. Despite the limited human resources involved in

the activities covering both programme periods, the programme authorities managed to approve 13

projects and to implement activities related to two deadlines for submission, assessment and selection

process.

While the projects financial reporting has been simplified by using the simplified cost options (flate rate

option for staff costs and office and administrative expenditure), the requirements for the programme

management remained challenging. The designation process was complex and challenging due to many

documents which had to be prepared, processes set up and described, understanding of new requirements

(e.g. concerning the annual closure of accounts) setting up the monitoring system (eMS) to be available in

time for the applicants and beneficiaries etc.

b) OPTIONAL FOR LIGHT REPORTS, otherwise it will be included in point 9.1 (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

An assessment of whether progress made towards targets is sufficient to ensure their fulfilment,

indicating any remedial actions taken or planned, where appropriate

/


17

6. CITIZEN'S SUMMARY (Article 50(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

A citizen's summary of the contents of the annual and the final implementation reports shall be made

public and uploaded as a separate file in the form of annex to the annual and the final implementation

report

7. REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Article 46 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) Where the managing authority decided to use financial instruments it must send to the Commission a

specific report covering the financial instruments operations as an annex to the annual implementation

report


18

8. WHERE APPROPRIATE, PROGRESS IN PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF MAJOR PROJECTS AND JOINT ACTION PLANS (Article 101(h) and Article 111(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(3)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)


8.1. Major projects


TABLE 7: Major projects

Project CCI Status of MP

1.

completed

2. approved

3. submitted

4. planned

for

notification/

submission

to

Commission

Total

inves

tmen

ts

Total

eligible

costs

Planned

notification/

submission

date

(if

applicable)

(year,

quarter)

Date of

tacit

agreement

/ approval

by

Commissio

n

(if

applicable)

Planned

start

of

impleme

ntation

(year,

quarter)

Planned

completion

date

(year.

quarter)

Priority

Axis/Inv

estment

priorities

Current

state of

realisatio

n –

financial

progress

(% of

expendit

ure

certified

to

Commiss

ion

compare

d to total

Current state of

realisation -

physical progress

Main

implementation

stage of the

project

1.completed/in

operation;

2.advanced

construction;

3. construction;

4. procurement;

5. design

Main

output

s

Date of

signatur

e of first

works

contract6

(if

applicabl

e)

Obse

rvatio

ns (if

neces

sary

6 In the case of operations implemented under PPP structures the signing of the PPP contract between the public body and the private sector body (Article 102(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013).

19

eligible

cost)

<type='

S'

input='

G'>

<ty

pe='

S'

inp

ut='

G'>

<type='S'

input='S'>

<type

='N'

input

='M'>

<type='

N'

input='

M'>

<type='D'

input='G'>

<type='D'

input='G'>

<type='D'

input='G'

>

<type='D'

input='G'>

<type='S'

input='G'

>

<type='P'

input='M

'>

<type='S'

input='S'>

<type='

S'

maxlen

gth=87

5

input='

M'>

<type='D'

input='M

'>

<type

='S'

maxle

ngth=

875

input

='M'>

Significant problems encountered in implementing major projects and measures taken to overcome them.

<type='S' maxlength=3500 input='M'>

Any change planned in the list of major projects in the cooperation programme


20

8.2. Joint action plans

Progress in the implementation of different stages of joint action plans


TABLE 8: Joint action plans

Title of

the JAP

CCI Stage of

implementati

on of JAP

1. completed

2. > 50%

implemented

3. Started

4. approved

5. submitted

6. planned

Total

eligible

costs

Total

public

support

OP

contributi

on to JAP

Priority

axis

Type of

JAP

1. normal

2. pilot

3. YEI

[Planned]

submissio

n to the

Commissi

on

[Planned]

start of

implementati

on

[Planned]

completion

Main

outputs

and results

Total

eligible

expenditur

e certified

to the

Commissio

n

Observatio

ns (if

necessary)

<type='

S'

input='

G'>

<ty

pe=

'S'

inp

ut='

G'>

<type='S'

input='S'> <type='

N'

input='

M'>

<type='N

'

input='M

'>

<type='N'

input='M'

>

<type='S'

input='G'

>

<type='S'

input='S'> <type='D'

input='M'

>

<type='D'

input='M'> <type='D'

input='M'> <type='S'

maxlength

=875

input='M'>

<type='N'

input='M'> <type='S'

maxlength

=875

input='M'>

Significant problems encountered and measures taken to overcome them



21

PART B - REPORTING SUBMITTED IN YEARS 2017, 2019 AND FINAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)

9. ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)

9.1 Information in Part A and achieving the objectives of the programme (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

FOR EACH PRIORITY AXIS - Assessment of the information provided above and progress towards achieving

the objectives of the programme, including the contribution of the ERDF to changes in the value of result

indicators, when evidence is available from evaluations

20 projects were approved/contracted under all four Priority Axes of the Cooperation Programme SI-AT 2014-

2020 by end of December 2016: 5 projects under Priority Axis (PA) 1, 5 projects under PA 2, 3 projects under PA

3, all received under the 1st deadline of the open call for proposals, and 7 Technical Assistance projects.

The share of contracted Union funds (ERDF) allocated for projects under PA1, PA2 and PA3 was 28% and 100%

for TA projects, resulting in a total of 33% of the Union funds.

75 project partners cooperate in 13 projects approved under 1st deadline. Geographical distribution by project

partners' location shows that so far the implementation of the programme on the Slovene side has been taking

place in five out of eight eligible NUTS3 regions with a concentration of partners being highest in Pomurska (14),

Podravska (12) and Osrednjeslovenska (8) regions. From Gorenjska, Goriška and Zasavska regions project

partners have not yet been involved in approved projects. On the Austrian side, except Östliche Obersteiermark,

project partners from all other regions have been involved, with the highest number from regions Graz (10),

Oststeiermark (10) and West- und Südsteiermark (6).

Beneficiaries have not yet reported on the project progress by end of 2016.

The progress in achievement of the programme objectives was assessed on the basis of planned outcomes of the

projects approved until 31 December 2016, and their expected contributions to the programme output indicators

and specific objectives. The calculation of result indicators for priority axes is planned for 2018 and is thus not

addressed in this report.

PA1: Strengthening cross‐ border Competitiveness, Research and Innovation

The highest interest of potential beneficiaries was for PA1 under both deadlines. 28 applications representing

54% of all received to the 1st deadline were addressing this PA, of which 16 complied with administrative and

eligibility requirements and were assessed for their quality.

The five contracted projects, which account for 32,8% of ERDF funds allocated to PA1, address areas of all three

specific objectives:

Specific objective 1.1: Strengthening R&I in technological and economic fields of strength through CB cooperation

of relevant stakeholders

The expected results under this objective relate to reaching a critical mass by institutional cooperation, as this

will also have a positive impact on companies in the programme area.

The project MMO3D joins R&D centres, higher-level educational institutions and enterprises across the border

in the area of mechanical engineering and robotics who will join capacities in the development of a robot cell for

3D printing of composite, light and natural materials and strengthen institutional cooperation.


22

Specific objective 1.2: Broadening the basis of innovating enterprises in the programme area

Expected results under this objective include better understanding of R&D and innovation capacities in the

programme area, access to infrastructures and services for especially SMEs to implement RTI activities and get

support in the development and improvement of products (with a focus on the development of new and joint

products) and CB services.

Two projects (e-SME, SMART PRODUCTION) will contribute in strengthening of innovation and know-how

transfer, networking of innovation oriented SMEs in the area of e-mobility and in the area of smart specialisation

strategies (focusing on smart factories). The SME in the programme area will benefit through knowledge

exchange, development of pilot product/services models, promotion of e-mobility through CB electric rallies,

improved quality and production systems and support in establishing new technology companies, supported by

cross sectoral integration and inter-regional cooperation.

Specific objective 1.3: Increasing the level of internationalization of enterprises, especially

SMEs in the programme area

Measures oriented to the market growth (networking, clusters) and internationalisation, creating efficient and

stable business environment to allow companies to grow sustainably will be at the focus of this specific objective.

Two projects (IRIC, regioWIN) are expected to contribute by increasing the capacities of SMEs for

internationalisation through coaching schemes, development of specific support tools and services including

support to pilot entering of international markets, as well as capacity building actions and support to CB-

networking and promotion. RegioWin focuses specifically on women entrepreneurs in peripheral border areas.

Expected contribution of projects approved under first deadline to the programme output indicators:

- number of enterprises receiving support (CO01) and receiving grants (CO02) is 6, which is 40% of the planned

target value (15)

- Indicator CO04 - number of enterprises receiving non-financial support (CI) is expected to be exceeded

significantly (613%) as approved projects intend to address 184 enterprises, while only 30 were set as target for

2023

- number of enterprises cooperating with research institution (CO26) is expected to contribute with 15% to the

target value, while the number of joint CB R&D projects is achieved in 12.5% (3 of 20 targeted)

- 80% contribution is expected to indicator CO29 (number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the firm

products (CI)

- 2 projects contribute to indicator 1b.3 (number of joint CB internationalisation projects involving SMEs),

reaching 28.6% of the target value (7)

PA2: Protecting the Environment and Promoting Resource Efficiency

15 projects were received under PA2, which is 29% of all applications received to the first deadline. The majority

of projects (14) addressed specific objective 2.1 (6c) and only one the specific objective 2.2 (6f). Nine projects

passed administrative and eligibility check.

Five contracted projects account for 30,9% of Union funds (ERDF) allocated to this Priority Axis.

Specific objective 2.1: Achieving sustainable development of natural and cultural heritage

The expected result is a sustainable and competitive tourist destination achieved by new/improved sustainable

tourist products/services, investment in nature interpretation infrastructure, capacity building and networking.

Contribution to economic growth is expected.

Four projects (321go, AS-IT-IC, Flagship Products, PaleoDiversiStyria) address exploration of common cultural

heritage, development of new products based on historical food supply, activation of the areas' arts potentials,

developing value chains around flagship products (thermal and mineral water, apples, pumpkin seeds) of the

cooperating areas, development of new IT solutions for improvement of user centred information services


23

promoting thematic offers of both sides. Capacity building and networking of tourist workers are well addressed.

The area will be enriched by new cultural touristic products for the families, people interested in cultural heritage

and authentic local products. New thematic paths, traditional trade markets, handicrafts workshops, e-heritage

products, new IT support services and info centre will be established. Four of five projects mainly concentrate on

the eastern part of the programme area.

Expected contribution of projects approved under 1st deadline to the programme output indicators:

- the projects are expected to deliver 15 newly developed and /or improved joint CB tourist products, reaching

94% of the set targets for indicator 6c.1 and developing 9 sustainable tourism related services, which exceed the

target value of indicator 6c.3 by 150%

- none of the projects specifically targets geodiversity and biodiversity, so the contribution to the target value of

the indicator 6c.2 so far is zero.

Specific objective 2.2: Innovation in sustainable management and utilization of water resources

Aimed results are infrastructure, joint studies and research work, innovative measures for improving the quality

of status of CB rivers, increase of the knowledge base for the decision-making in water policy.

The partnership of the SI-MUR-AT project is focused on preserving the quality of surface and groundwater on

both sides of the Mura/Mur river by integrating approaches to reduce discharge of nutrients from agriculture

using joint strategies, modelling and monitoring.

Expected contribution of projects approved under 1st deadline to the programme output indicators:

- the project will contribute to CO42 (research institutions participating in CB research projects) with 75% (3 out

of planned 4), 100% to indicators 6f.1 (1 joint water management strategy) while the indicator 6f.2 is expected

to be exceeded by seven times.

- no contribution to indicator 6f.3 (CB flood determination, protection, control measures)

PA3: Enhancing Institutional Capacity and an Efficient Public Administration

9 projects were received (17% of all) under 1st deadline and 5 passed the administrative and eligibility check.

The 3 contracted projects represent 18,7% of ERDF funds allocated to PA3.

Specific objective 3.1: Improving cooperation in the fields of risk management, energy, health and social cohesion

Possible results are strong networks at local/regional level aiming at building joint capacities, transfer and

exchange of know-how, skills, knowledge and practices, including small scale investments.

Two projects (L2P-2020Plus, Regio Help) address cooperation in qualification, social and health. They contribute

to increase of efficiency and management of resources in health and social sector by transferring data and

knowledge management technologies and creation of regional cooperation platforms. In the areas of

qualification, career prospects of the young in the industrial area close to the border will be addressed by

stimulating exchanges, training and linking of students and enterprises in a common cross-border labour market.

No projects addressing risk management or energy have been approved by the reporting period.

Specific objective 3.2: Improving interactions among municipalities and citizens within the CB region

The expected result is improved environment for cooperation among municipalities and citizens within the

programme area through supporting strong networks on local/regional level, joint strategies, processes and

services, exchange of know-how, skills, knowledge and practices, etc.

EufutuR project contributes through strengthening of the inter-municipal cooperation by joint actions for

establishing of the EGTC Geopark and increased involvement of the local population and improving the area in

the international community (Geopark festival, Alpe-Adria Geopark platform, UNESCO conference).

Overall assessment of the achievement of the programme objectives


24

Looking at the assessment and selection process, 30 (58%) of 52 received applications under 1st deadline passed

the administrative and eligibility check. Compared to 2007-2013 programme, the applicants were not asked for

clarifications or provision of missing documents during this step anymore. 73 applications were received under

2nd deadline and the share of administratively compliant and eligible applications increased to 67%.

In terms of financial commitments, the programme started relatively well under PA 1 and PA2, where close to

1/3 of funds were committed, while the share under PA3 was lower (18.7%).

PA1: The progress measured in expected contribution of approved projects to the programme specific output

indicators is relatively good for most indicators, the lowest values are in the number of joint CB R&D projects

(1b.1) and the number of enterprises cooperating with research institutions (CO26). The expected contributions

show that the target value for CO04 - enterprises receiving non-financial support (CI) was underestimated during

programming.

PA2: approved projects under SO2.1 (6c) are supposed to exceed the modestly set targets under 6c.1 and 6c.3.

None of the projects targets geodiversity or biodiversity.

Under both deadlines for submission, only 3 of total 125 received applications addressed Specific objective 2.2

(6f). None of the projects received to 2nd deadline entered quality assessment. Although only one project was

approved so far, the expected progress in achieving the planned targets is good, with exception of the indicator

6f.3 (protection and control measures).

PA 3: both specific objectives were relatively well addressed in terms of contribution to programme specific

output indicators. Target values of 11.2 and 11.3 seem to be set quite low compared to expected achievements

of projects supported under 1st deadline, while indicator 11.4 (population covered by improved services) has not

been addressed, although some contributions could be expected by Regio Help project.

PA4: Technical assistance

Achievement of targets for the TA projects is progressing well. The staff and teams have been set up and

operating. Information actions and support to applicants and beneficiaries is being implemented by all relevant

bodies. The website has already attracted twice the number of expected visitors.

9.2. Specific actions taken to promote equality between men and women and to promote non-discrimination, in particular accessibility for persons with disabilities, and the arrangements implemented to ensure the integration of the gender perspective in the cooperation programme and operations (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4), subparagraph 2, (d) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)

An assessment of the implementation of specific actions to take into account the principles set out in Article

7 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 on promotion of equality between men and women and non-

discrimination, including, where relevant, depending on the content and objectives of the cooperation

programme, an overview of specific actions taken to promote equality between men and women and to

promote non-discrimination, including accessibility for persons with disabilities, and the arrangements

implemented to ensure the integration of the gender perspective in the cooperation programme and

operations

The CP strives to promote equality between men and women throughout all stages of programme

implementation, including the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. As already stated in the

CP, all priority axes have potential to include actions promoting gender equality. The principles set out in the

Article 7 of the Regulation (EU) no 1303/2013 were respected in the programme implementation in the following

ways:


25

Respect of horizontal principles was included in the chapter 3.5 of the Implementation manual for beneficiaries

– Part 1 (about the programme). Applicants were requested to self-assess in the application form the

contribution of project proposal to these principles (positive, neutral or negative) and to describe/justify the

selection.

The MC adopted the quality assessment criteria for the projects submitted to open call for proposals. The set of

strategic criteria examines positive contributions of the project to promotion of equality between men and

women and to equal opportunities and non-discrimination. The projects demonstrating positive contributions to

any of the two principles is assessed with 3 points. The maximum score of points under strategic set of criteria is

45.

Respect of horizontal principles was promoted on four informative workshops for potential applicants. Applicants

self-assessed contributions to promotion of equality between men and women and non-discrimination mainly

as positive in terms of respecting the principles.

Respect of equal opportunities and non-discrimination is basically demonstrated by enabling access to project

outputs and results to all interested parties. Some projects specifically tackle issues of the young unemployed in

border/rural areas through support to career advancement (project L2P 2020 plus), to increase involvement of

the elderly through intergenerational activities as well as through improving access to services in health& social

sphere (project REGIO HELP), whereby taking into account regional inequalities. All projects intend to provide for

equal opportunities for the men and women to be engaged in the projects, while specific attention is put to

supporting women entrepreneurs operating in peripheral areas in business internationalisation (project regio

WIN).

9.3. Sustainable development (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4), subparagraph 2, (e) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)

An assessment of the implementation of actions to take into account the principles set out in Article 8 of

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 on sustainable development, including, where relevant, depending on the

content and objectives of the cooperation programme, an overview of the actions taken to promote

sustainable development in accordance with that Article

The CP supports three priority axes of which one, namly priority axis 2 (investment priorities 6c and 6f), focuses

fully on sustainable development. The principles set out in Article 8 of the Regulation (EU) no 1303/2013 were

also taken into account in the programme implementation.

Sustainable development as horizontal principle was included in the Implementation manual for beneficiaries –

Part 1 (about the programme) in chapter 3.5 including concrete examples to be respected in all projects.

Applicants were requested to self-assess in the application form the contribution of project proposal to

sustainable development (positive, neutral or negative) and to describe/justify the selection.

The MC adopted the quality assessment criteria for the projects submitted to open call for proposals. The set of

strategic criteria examines positive contributions sustainable development. The projects demonstrating positive

contributions is assessed with 3 points. The maximum score of points under strategic set of criteria is 45.

Main contributions are expected from projects approved under PA2 by increasing the capacities for development

of sustainable tourism offers activating local knowledge, products and potentials, including paleo gene bank

(project PaleoDiversiStyria). Projects will through capacity building and promotion increase of awareness of the

population on sustainable aspects of natural and cultural heritage. Further contribution is expected in the field

of preserving the quality of surface and groundwater in the Mura/Mur river basin (project SI-MUR-AT). E-

mobility, resource efficiency models, use of sustainable technologies will be promoted under PA1 (project e-

SME).


26

9.4. Reporting on support used for climate change objectives (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

Figures calculated automatically by the SFC2014 based on categorisation data.

Priority axis Amount of support to be used for climate change objectives (EUR)

Proportion of total allocation of the programme (%)

A.2 1,058,083.80 6.02%

Total 1,058,083.80 2.20%

9.5 Role of partners in the implementation of the cooperation programme (Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 14(4), subparagraph 1, (c) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013)

Assessment of the implementation of actions to take into account the role of partners referred to in Article

5 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, including involvement of the partners in the implementation,

monitoring and evaluation of the cooperation programme

The Monitoring Committee has been formed in respect of Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. The process

of selection and nomination of MC members has been coordinated by the National Authority in Slovenia and

Regional Authorities in Austria. As such they are systematically involved and invited to all MC meetings.

The MC comprises members with voting rights and members in advisory capacity. The voting members are

representatives of the national/regional level, which were nominated with a view to provide representation of

all relevant sectors addressed by the Cooperation Programme.

The members in advisory capacity include representatives of the national and regional levels relevant for specific

areas of interventions foreseen in the programme, civil society, economic partners, EC ...

The functioning of the MC has been effective. MC is supported by Joint Secretariat. MC members have access to

relevant materials and information on the intranet. The names of the MC members and MC decisions are

published on the programme website.

MC members organise preparatory meetings where relevant topics are discussed and opinions aligned.

Preparation also allows for more efficient and effective discussion at MC meetings.

The programme partners are informed about all programme activities (workshops, meetings …) and are invited

to programme events organised by MA and JS.

10. OBLIGATORY INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 14(4), Subparagraph 1 (a) and (b), of REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013

10.1 Progress in implementation of the evaluation plan and the follow-up given to the findings of evaluations

The evaluation plan of the Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria was approved at the 2nd

Monitoring Committee meeting on 2 June 2016. According to the evaluation plan, four evaluations feeding into

the respective Annual Implementation Reports are foreseen; two implementation evaluations and two impact

evaluations.

The first implementation evaluation started in the second half of 2016 and was, in accordance to the timing

foreseen in the evaluation plan, carried on in the first half of 2017. The focus of the evaluation was on programme

management and implementation, the project application and selection procedures and the Communication

strategy.


27

The evaluation was carried out on the basis of desk research, by using an online survey for all Lead Partners of

the submitted projects in the frame of the first and second deadline of the Open Call and interviews of the

programme structures. The first results of the evaluation are included in this part of the AIR. The follow-up

measures based on findings of the evaluation will be included in the AIR 2017.

10.2 The results of the information and publicity measures of the Funds carried out under the communication strategy

The Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria was officially approved on 16 September 2015. On 2

December 2015, the official programme kick-off event took place and only a few days later, on 18 December

2015, the Open Call for the submission of project proposals was published.

In accordance with the Communication Strategy which was approved on 27 November 2015 in the frame of the

statutory meeting of the Monitoring Committee and in accordance with the Annual Communication Plan

2015/2016, several communication tools and channels were used in order to promote the Programme. Until the

end of 2016, the information and publicity measures carried out were in line with the foreseen measures and

activities of the Communication Strategy and the Communication Plan.

In the end of 2015, the programme entered the second communication phase foreseen in the Communication

Strategy (promoting funding opportunities in the frame of the CP Interreg SI-AT). In accordance to this, the Open

Call for the submission of project and the official Application Pack were published on the programme website,

which is at the same time the key communication channel of the programme, but of course other channels and

communication tools were used in order to contribute the implementation of the general and specific

communication objectives described in the Communication Strategy. The planned and implemented activities as

well as reached results based on the list of communication tools are:

On-line communication:

- the Programme website was designed, launched and ever since continuously updated with news, documents and other information in the available three language versions (the partner search module and an interactive map have been prepared in 2016, however were launched in 2017)

- 41 e-news were published and sent out as e-newsletters until the end of 2016 - 530 e-newsletter subscriptions - 150.738 visits of the website by 19.625 single users, - social media appearance through the official facebook page of the programme. All news were published as

posts on the facebook page which received 128 likes

Direct communication:

- Within the two deadlines (February and July 2016) for the submission of project proposals in the Open Call of the CP Interreg SI-AT in 2016 altogether 4 workshops intended for potential applicants were carried out where more than 600 people participated. In frame of the workshops, the CP, the Open Call and Application Pack, the eMS, lessons learned, most common mistakes and FAQs were presented.

- In order to help the project development, the JS carried out individual consultations with potential beneficiaries in the premises of the GOSP and a multitude of those via the phone.

- The programme organised one major event for the general public in 2015 (kick-off event) and another event together with the CP Interreg SI-HU in 2016 in the frame of the European Cooperation Day initiative, called “Hike to the triple border”. In the frame of the one-day-tour, 100 participants visited 4 interesting EU co-financed CBC projects in three different countries. In the frame of the event, another ERDF Subsidy contract in the frame of the programme was signed at the Tromejnik – Three corners border stone).

- On 28 July 2016, the first ERDF Subsidy contracts in the frame of the programme were signed. The media did not attend the event, however, the word was spread widely through the online communication tools.

- In the frame of the programme, also a project event was promoted (EUfutuR) which took place on 20 September 2016 and at which high-level political participation was ensured. In addition, the programme presented itself at the conference of the Alpine Convention which took place in Tinje/Tainach on 21 October 2016.

Communication with media and PR / Media communication – advertising:


28

- To all public events, the national and regional media from both sides of the border were invited so they had the opportunity to promote the Programme in the national and local media (RTV Slovenija, TV AS, ORF, etc.).

Publication activities (printed communication tools):

- a brochure with basic information on the programme was printed and distributed at all the events - the CP and the Citizen’s Summary were printed and distributed at the events (especially the kick-off event

and the workshops)

Other (additional) tools:

- On the occasions of the public events participants received the purchased promotional items (notepads, pens, etc.).

- Moreover in frame of the programme, the uniform visual identity was used for all programme documents (e.g. invitations, handouts, presentations), on the programme website and e-newsletters, on the promotional materials, publications, in frame of the events and other activities.

The implemented information and publicity measures in the year 2016 involved several activities described in

the chapter 6.2 Obligatory activities of the Communication strategy.

11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WHICH MAY BE ADDED DEPENDING ON THE CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (Article 14(4), subparagraph 2 (a), (b), (c) and (f), of REGULATION (EU) No 1299/2013)

11.1 Progress in implementation of the integrated approach to territorial development, including sustainable urban development, and community-led local development under the cooperation programme

/

11.2 Progress in implementation of actions to reinforce the capacity of authorities and beneficiaries to administer and to use the ERDF

For the purpose of reinforcing the capacity of authorities, Joint Secretariat (JS) members and the Managing

Authority (MA) attended several trainings in 2016 organised by Interact (Brainstorming on EC Day 2017,

Indicators and data collection, Communicaton etc). Also trainings regarding the eMS system were organised for

the programme authorities and throughout the year regular meetings with the authorities (JS/MA) from CP

Slovenia-Croatia and CP Slovenia-Hungary were organised to share the experience and to reinforce the

knowledge of programme management.

All the relevant guidelines for the beneficiaries were prepared and detailed information regarding the project

implementation, reporting process and the program rules in general were presented to the beneficiaries of the

approved projects on the face-to-face meetings and throughout the first implementation period the beneficiaries

received all the support needed from the JS. The implementation of the projects selected within the 1st deadline

of the Open Call started in May 2016. The first reporting workshop for the beneficiaries was organised by JS on

14 November 2016.

After the evaluation of the 1st deadline for submission and considering the high number of administratively

ineligible projects, the MA and JS performed several measures to reduce the administrative mistakes in the

application phase. Those measures were publishing the most common mistakes on the website, individual

consultation pointing out also this topic, additional workshops and several plug-ins were implemented in the

eMS.


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11.3 Contribution to macro-regional and sea basin strategies (where appropriate)

Within the application, the contribution to the relevant macro-regional strategies has to be described by the

project partners, however in this regard no additional points are allocated to the projects within the quality

check. The 13 projects approved within the 1st Open Call of the CP Interreg V-A Slovenia-Austria are contributing

to the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) and the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALPS). In

general all 13 projects contribute to one or more macro-regional strategies, however only those 8 projects, which

have a distinct impact on the targets and challenges set by the macro-regional framework are listed in the

following.

Priority areas of macro-regional strategies and projects contributing to their pillars and priority areas:

EUSDR (Slovenia, Austria)

- PA 03 - Culture and tourism (AS-IT-IC)

- PA 04 - Water Quality (SI-MUR-AT)

- PA 07 - Knowledge Society (REGIO HELP)

- PA 08 – Competitiveness (regioWIN, MMO3D, IRIC)

- PA 10 - Institutional capacity and cooperation (REGIO HELP, L2P-2020Plus)

EUSALP (Slovenia, Austria)

THEMATIC POLICY AREA 1: Economic Growth and Innovation

- Action 1: Research and innovation ecosystem (regioWIN, MMO3D, IRIC )

THEMATIC POLICY AREA 3: Environment and Energy

- Action 6: natural resources (incl. water and cultural resources) (EUfutuR)

One example of a project contributing to the EUSDR is the project SI-MUR-AT, which started in July 2016 and is

within the project activities safeguarding the long-term quality of bodies of groundwater on both sides of the

Mur (or Mura) River, which on the one hand are subject to intensive agricultural use and on the other hand

a reservoir for drinking water supply.The overall objective is to establish cross-border cooperation in order

to sustainably safeguard and improve the quality of the lower Mur River and the connected bodies of

groundwater to achieve a long-lasting good qualitative state of groundwater. This will also positively affect

the state of the surface water of a 67km long cross border section of the Mur River.

11.4 Progress in the implementation of actions in the field of social innovation

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12. Financial information at priority axis and programme level (Articles 21(2) and 22(7) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) For the purpose of assessing progress towards the achievement of milestones and targets set for financial

indicators in the years 2018 and 2023, table 4 of Part A of this Annex shall have the following two additional

columns:

13 14

Data for the purpose of the performance review and performance framework


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Only for report submitted in 2019:

Total eligible expenditure incurred and paid

by beneficiaries and certified to the

Commission by 31/12/2018

Article 21(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

Only for final implementation report: Total

eligible expenditure incurred and paid by

beneficiaries by 31/12/2023 and certified to the

Commission

Article 22(7) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013


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PART C - REPORTING SUBMITTED IN YEAR 2019 AND FINAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT (Article 50(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

13. SMART, SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH Information and assessment of the programme contribution to achieving the Union strategy for smart,

sustainable and inclusive growth.

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14. ISSUES AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAMME AND MEASURES TAKEN – PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK (Article 50(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) Where the assessment of progress made with regard to the milestones and targets set out in the

performance framework demonstrates that certain milestones and targets have not been achieved,

Member States should outline the underlying reasons for failure to achieve these milestones in the report

of 2019 (for milestones) and in the final implementation report (for targets).

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ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT 2016 · the projects received within the 1st deadline for submission....

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