The partnership principle and the European Code of Conduct on

Partnership

Why is partnership necessary?

• Mobilisation• Pooling of resources through cooperation

• Knowledge• Different viewpoints, more expertise

• Transparency• Coordination

• Capacity gaps between different levels of government• Policy fragmentation

Why does it need strengthening?

• Its application is different in Member States• Depends largely on institutional background and

political culture• Large potential to increase the efficiency of the

programmes

European Code of Conduct on Partnership

• Minimum requirements• To ensure the quality of partnerships• Through criteria in 5 main areas of partnership

• More details than in the regulation• But flexibility for MSs

The five main areas

1. Identification of relevant partners2. Involvement of partners in the preparation of PAs

and OPs3. Membership and internal procedures of MCs4. Involvement of partners in calls for proposals,

progress reports, monitoring and evaluation5. Capacity building of relevant partners and

dissemination of good practices by COM

1. Introductory elements

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Horizontal elements:

•- MS to apply the partnership principle in the ECCP in a transparent manner

•- Partners to respect obligations laid down by MS and Managing Authorities (MA) related to

• transparency• data protection, confidentiality • and conflict of interest

2. identification of relevant partners

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• the possibility to create and use platforms or umbrella organisation;

• a number of indicative criteria for the nomination by the partners of their representative;

• specifications concerning the three categories of partners.

•a transparent and efficient consultation of partners on the process and timetable of the preparation;•the respect of the multi-level governance agreements where they exist;•good practices in terms of timely disclosure and easy access to adequate information, sufficient time given to partners to analyse and comment key preparatory documents or drafts;•the information to be provided within the PA and the programmes on the involvement of partners;•the key areas of involvement of partners, knowing that MS should determine the most appropriate procedures and timing to ensure this involvement.

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3. Involvement of partners in the preparation of the PA and programmes

Establishment of clear and transparent arrangements concerning membership, taking into account best practices:Concerning membership:•Ensure continuity in the partnership between the preparation and the implementation of the programmes•Aim to promote gender equality and equal opportunities•Make public the list of members of the monitoring committees and other working groups•Ask the members to sign a statement acknowledging their obligations related to data protection, confidentiality and conflict of interest

Concerning the rules of internal procedure such as:•the members' voting rights•the time period for invitations to the meetings and transmission of documents•the arrangements for publication and accessibility of the preparatory documents

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4. Membership and internal procedures of the MC

• Where the partners are involved in the selection of operations, need to set up in advance procedures to prevent conflict of interest

• Involvement of partners in the preparation of progress reports in 2017 and 2019

• Role of partners in the monitoring and evaluation through the monitoring committees and their working groups

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5. Involvement in the calls for proposals, progress reports, monitoring and evaluation

6. Strengthening the institutional capacity of partners

To lay down indicative areas, themes and good practice for the use the ESI Funds to strengthen the institutional capacity of partners.

Managing authorities could allocate part of their technical assistance to small local authorities, economic and social partners and non-governmental organisations.

Support could take the form of workshops, training sessions, coordination and networking structures, contributions to partners’ costs incurred for the participation in meetings.

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7. Role of the Commission in the dissemination of good practices

- The Commission will monitor the partnership principle to support capacity building, exchange experience and for the dissemination of good practice.

- Community of Practice on Partnership will provide a common platform for the ESI Funds. Open to all interested MS, Mas and organisations representing the partners at Union level.

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8. Member States' assessment of the implementation of partnership and its added value

• Propose that the Managing Authorities carry out an evaluation of the performance and the effectiveness of the partnership during the programming period.

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Will the ECCP add value?

The challenge•Difference in power of different stakeholders•Large opportunity cost of discussions which do not take place or which are of low qualityTherefore•Stronger partnerships are necessary•Can ECCP enhance effective partnerships?•What are the criteria of quality in partnerships?