Presentation WG 2

Managing EU Funds on the Regional Level

Republic of AlbaniaMinistry of European Integration (MEI)

Regional Conference

EU Perspectives and Current Standing of the Countries in the Region in the SAP

Belgrade, 7-8th December 2005

I. Neighbourhood Programmes

in Albania

(An Overview)

Cross-border programmes (strand A):•Greece – Albania• Italy – Adriatic (Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia &

Montenegro, Albania)

• Italy - Albania

Transnational programmes (strand B):•CADSES (Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Czech Republic,

Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Slovak Republic, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine,

Serbia & Montenegro, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)

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Greece-AlbaniaGreece-AlbaniaGreece-AlbaniaGreece-Albania

Funding (2000-2006)

EUR 90m ERDF

EUR 6,6m CARDS

EC approval of NP: 24 February 2005

Funding (2000-2006)

EUR 90m ERDF

EUR 6,6m CARDS

EC approval of NP: 24 February 2005

Greece-Albania Greece-Albania Cross-border ProgrammeCross-border Programme

PRIORITIES• Transport Infrastructure: road and port

infrastructure, customs facilities & border control and security installations

• Economic Development & Promotion of Employment: measures to encourage cooperation between SMEs, universities, protect and improve the natural environment, the quality of public health services and promotion of new employment opportunities by introducing new technologies

Italy-AdriaticItaly-AdriaticItaly-AdriaticItaly-Adriatic

Funding (2000-2006)

EUR 50,5m ERDF

EUR 6m CARDS

EC approval of NP: 22 December 2004

Funding (2000-2006)

EUR 50,5m ERDF

EUR 6m CARDS

EC approval of NP: 22 December 2004

Italy-Adriatic Italy-Adriatic Cross-border ProgrammeCross-border Programme

PRIORITIES• Protection, promotion and exploitation of

environment, culture & Infrastructure of the cross border territory

• Economic Integration of the cross-border Productive systems: interventions of predominantly private interest, competitiveness & strengthening of the SME industry, handicraft, tourism, agriculture and fishing

• Actions to strengthen cooperation: intervention of systems to strengthen the institutions, harmonisation of systems, promotion of democracy, employment, security, social integration & human resources

Italy-AlbaniaItaly-AlbaniaItaly-AlbaniaItaly-Albania

Funding (2000-2006)

EUR 33,2m ERDF

EUR 3m CARDS

NP not approved yet by EC

Funding (2000-2006)

EUR 33,2m ERDF

EUR 3m CARDS

NP not approved yet by EC

Italy-Albania Italy-Albania Cross-border ProgrammeCross-border Programme

PRIORITIES• Transport, Communication & Security: improvement

of infrastructures, security systems and social assistance services

• Environment & Health care: protection, and management of marine & aquatic sensitive ecosystems, sustainable development of natural protected areas

• Economic development & Employment: SMEs, cooperation between universities & research centres and in the agriculture sector

• Tourism, Cultural heritage & Institutional cooperation

CADSESCADSES

Funding (2000-2006)

EUR 161m ERDF

EUR 4,8m CARDS

EUR 5m TACIS

~8m PHARE

EC approval of NP: 17 December 2004

Funding (2000-2006)

EUR 161m ERDF

EUR 4,8m CARDS

EUR 5m TACIS

~8m PHARE

EC approval of NP: 17 December 2004

CADSES CADSES Transnational ProgrammeTransnational Programme

PRIORITIES• Promotion of Spatial Development approaches &

actions for Social & Economic cohesion • Efficient & sustainable Transport systems &

Access to the Information Society • Promotion & management of Landscape, Natural

& Cultural heritage • Environment protection, Resource management

& Risk prevention

II. Institutional aspects/ Management structures/

Programme Implementation

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Neighbourhood ProgrammesNeighbourhood ProgrammesINTERREG – CardsINTERREG – Cards

NP Responsible Authorities:

• EU Member States: Managing Authority (Greece and Italy)

• CARDS: Programme Co-ordination Unit (Ministry of European Integration), Contracting Authority (EC Delegation)

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Neighbourhood ProgrammesNeighbourhood ProgrammesINTERREG - CardsINTERREG - Cards

NP Management Structures:

Joint programmes, joint management structures

• Joint Monitoring Committee

• Joint Selection Committee

• Joint Technical Secretariat

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Neighbourhood ProgrammesINTERREG - Cards

Implementing Rules:

•Neighbourhood Programme 2004-06 Implementing Guidelines for INTERREG-CARDS/TACIS borders issued by the Commission on 11 June 2004

•Single call for projects, single application, single selection process, joint projects

•Formal contracting process remains separate for internal and external elements

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III. Managing EU Funds on the Regional Level in Albania

Problematic

Main Objective: Ensure widespread involvement at local level/ building of ownership

What has been done?• Set up of national structures in central level and TA

requested for strengthening this structure and supporting them in their role.

• Dissemination of information through Info-Days, web site in the Ministry of EI, materials in written etc.

• Establishment of a database on potential project partners

• Assistance upon request to the interested beneficiaries

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Problems faced• Lack of knowledge on project development in general

and specifically on these programmes procedures (complexity etc)

• Insufficient number of personnel working on national (coordination) and local level.

• Lack of necessary infrastructure for establishing networking and communication

• Lack of information during application phase• Lack of continuous exchange of information among

the national structures in the respective participant countries

Recommendations• More intensive assistance with regard to select

credible, effective, genuine cross-border and transnational co-operation projects

• Strengthening of the structures with regard to training, personnel, infrastructure etc.

• Establishment of an effective collaboration between the partner countries (management structures) on organisational, functioning and information on Programme implementation

• Better coordination between sources of financing (state budget and other donors)