The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

Annual Meeting of ISPA Partners 2003:

From ISPA to Cohesion Fund and Structural

Funds

Angela Martinez-SarasolaEuropean Commission

DG Regional Policy

The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

I. Existing rules and policy documents under the existing Cohesion Fund should be applied: Similar to ISPA

II. The need for coordination with the Structural Funds

III. Commission decision on each individual project

Introduction

The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

Strategic approach: projects consistent with a general

environment and transport strategy (Article B(2) of Regulation 1265/1999 modifying Annex II of

R 1164/94)

Financing Strategy Attention to the “polluter - pays principle” Taking into account private source of finance Modulation of the intervention rate

I. Cohesion Fund: the strategic approach (1)

The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

Definition of priorities for assistanceTransport

10 Pan-European Transport Corridors (future TEN-T)Encouraging rail and combined transport Intermodal platforms Improved traffic management

Environment (non-exclusive) Drinking water Waste water Solid waste

I. Cohesion Fund: the strategic approach (2)

The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

Coordination and consistency with other Community Funds and other financial instruments (Article 8 of R 1264/99 amending R 1164/94 and Article 10 of R 1260/99)

NDP and SPD of the Structural Funds: only one strategy for the development of the country coherent and integrated approach to both sectors

Indication of the planned use and form of all the financial contribution (Articles 16.1(c) and 19. 3 (c) of R 1260/99)

II. Cohesion Fund: The need for a co-ordinated approach with Structural Funds

The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

Reference Frameworkfor the Cohesion Fund

Plan/CSF/SPD a strategy common to : - Structural Funds

- Cohesion Fund (financial means)

Operational Programmefor the Structural Funds(Transport Infrastructure

and Environment)

Other Operational Programmes

The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

Analysis of the situation Analysis of the environment sector as a whole Analysis of the transport sector as a whole

Strategy and priorities Definition of Sectoral strategies and priorities per sector Rationale for the contribution of each financial instrument

Financial Plan Clear distinction of the contribution of each financial instrument Complementary use of other sources, EIB,...

Plan or CSF or SPD: Global view

The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

Operational Programmefor the Structural Funds

(Transport Infrastructure and Environment)

- Financial Plan

The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

“Reference Framework” : (focus on the Cohesion Fund)

• Analysis/Key problems• Strategic objectives• Priorities• Selection criteria• List of priority projects• Estimated cost including financial plan• The implementation timetable

The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

Definition of project Economically indivisible Technically and financially independent

Rationalised Management : significant impact

(10 million Euro) Group of projects

located in the same area or corridor overall plan supervised by a single body

III. Cohesion Fund: Project submissions (1)

The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

The quality of application forms Application form provided (similar to ISPA)

Eligibility:

Date of submission (retroactivity 1st January 2004) New Commission Regulation No 16/2003

Public contracts:

National law according to EC procurement rules Monitoring Table

Timing for project submissions

III. Cohesion Fund: Project submissions (2)

The Cohesion Fund:Programming and link to the

Structural Funds

The need for continuity: ISPA strategies

Global strategic view: Cohesion Fund and

Structural Funds

Reference Framework

Definition of project pipeline

Preparation of projects (Technical Assistance

ISPA) or other pre-accession funds: now!

Conclusions