Training on Cohesion Policy 2014–2020 for EU Member State Experts
The new rules and legislation governing the EU Cohesion Policy investments for 2014-2020 were adopted in December 2013. The new legislative framework introduced a number of changes as compared to the previous round. In order to support the EU Member States in interpreting and applying the new regulatory requirements, the European Commission has been organising a series of training events targeting national and regional authorities responsible for the management of the Structural and Cohesion Funds.
The European Commission supports national and regional authorities managing EU funds in identifying and preventing fraud and corruption in ESI funds 2014-2020. Working against fraud and corruption in the ESI Funds is an obligation to Member States following art. 125 (4) (c) of the Common Provisions Regulation (Regulation EU No 1303/2013), but it is a challenging task that require a risk assessment and proportionate measures to address the identified risks. In order to support the EU Member States in strengthening their work to identify and prevent fraud and corruption in ESI funds, the European Commission is organising a series of hands-on trainings targeting national and regional authorities responsible for the management of the Structural and Cohesion Funds.
Training materials
Module 1: Programme implementation, ensuring greater focus on results
Programme 
Welcome - Podcast
Intervention logic - Podcast
Result orientation
Performance framework - Podcast
Partnership - Podcast
e-Cohesion - Podcast
Summary of first day et introduction to second day - Podcast
Ex-ante conditionality - Podcast
General ex-ante conditionality on public procurement - Podcast
Project Pipeline - Podcast -
Administrative capacity - Podcast
Useful references
Module 2: Management and control; management verifications
Programme
Management and control systems - Podcast
Annual assurance and irregularities - Podcast
Management verifications in structural funds and public procurement - Podcast
Audit activities - Podcast
Financial management - Podcast
Budgets and targets for the Performance Framework; Revenue generating projects, calculation of the grant - Podcast
Exercise
Eligibility of expenditure - Podcast
Simplified cost options - Podcast
Joint Action Plan - Podcast
Useful guidance documents and regulations
Module 3: Ensuring result-orientation in Operational Programmes 2014-2020: Programme management, Project Selection, Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation
Programme
Day 1
Intervention logic, specific objectives and result-orientation in 2014-2020
Result-orientation of projects and programmes: practical challenges for programme implementation
Presentation of Case Studies from Member States Part 1: Investment Priorities, Specific Objectives, Result Indicators, Actions and Outputs
Implementation Issues - Generating Successful Projects, Developing and Managing the Project Pipeline
Generating Good Project Proposals, How to Integrate Result-orientation into Project Selection
Day 2
Monitoring and reporting requirements for 2014-2020: structures, data collection, reports and the performance framework
Setting-up systems for measuring and reporting on project and programme progress
Open Data platform
Presentation of Case Studies from Member States Part 2: Investment Priorities, Specific Objectives, Result Indicators, Actions and Outputs
Evaluation Requirements for 2014-2020 and the Challenge of Measuring the Results and Impact of Operations and Programmes
Practical Challenges for the evaluation plan: planning, resources, data collection, timing
Useful Guidance Document
Module 4: State aid
Title |
Date |
Language, location |
Registration link |
State Aid in ESIF programmes and projects during 2014-2020 programming period |
18-19-25-26 March 2021 (half-days) |
English, Online platform |
Registration closed |
The training is provided free of charge to participants from ERDF, CF and ESF Managing Authorities, Intermediate Bodies and Audit Authorities. The trainings is targeted at practitioners who possess general knowledge of State Aid principles.
Programme
1.1 Concept of State Aid
1.2 Temporary Framework
1.3 Workshop on the notion of State Aid
2.1 State Aid and ESIF
2.2 De minimis aid
3.1 GBER 2020 part 1
3.2 GBER 2020 part 2
3.3 GBER workshop SME definition
3.4 GBER workshop SME Aid
4.1 Regional aid
4.2 Workshop on Infrastructure RDI
4.3 Simplified cost options
Module 5: Public Procurement
Title |
Date |
Language, location |
Registration link |
Module 5: Key changes in public procurement directives & strategic procurement (innovative, green & socially responsible procurement) |
21-22-24-25 September 2020 |
English, online platform |
|
|
16-17-18-20 November 2020 |
English, online platform |
Registration closed |
The training is designed for participants from ESI Funds managing authorities/ intermediate bodies/ audit authorities and is provided free of charge. Authorities in each Member State are kindly invited to nominate technical level experts, having at least 2 years of experience in ESI Funds, to participate in the training.
Programme
Key changes in Procurement Directive 2014/24/EU
Green Public Procurement
Dutch procurement approach for a more Sustainable Infrastructure
Workshop Green Public Procurement
Strategic procurement for Innovation
Innovative Procurement
Module 6: Identifying and preventing fraud and corruption in ESI funds 2014-2020
Title |
Date |
Language, location |
Registration link |
| Module 6: Identifying and preventing fraud and corruption in ESI funds 2014-2020 | 22-23-29-30 March 2021 (half-days) |
English, online platform |
Registration closed |
Programme
Day 1.1 Fraud prevention
Day 1.2 Building anti-fraud measures
Day 1.3 Annual assurance process
Day 1.4 Assistance OLAF and reporting irregularities
Day 2.1 Fraud risk assessment
Day 2.2 NAFS and corruption
Day 2.3 Role of MS auditors
Day 2.4 Eligibility, SCO and other issues
Day 2.5 Modus operandi and case study
Day 3 Workshops part 1
Day 4.1 Workshops part 2
Day 4.2 Key requirements guidance
Module 7: From the Toolkit to your own Roadmaps for Administrative Capacity Building: facilitating programme implementation
Title |
Date |
Language, location |
Registration link |
| From the Toolkit to your own Roadmaps for Administrative Capacity Building: facilitating programme implementation | 15 (PM) & 16 (AM) April 2021 (half-days) |
English, online platform |
Registration is closed |
| From the Toolkit to your own Roadmaps for Administrative Capacity Building: facilitating programme implementation | 26 (AM) & 27 (PM) May 2021 |
English, online platform |
Registration is now open |
The training will provide participants with an understanding of the rationale behind and method for developing roadmaps for administrative capacity building (ACB). It will also inform participants about how to measure performance and monitor implementation of the roadmap and measure the success of the actions it encompasses. The Greek and Croatian managing authorities will present their experiences gained during the Pilot project on frontloading administrative capacity building.
Programme
Day 1
Introduction
ACB roadmaps the concept
ACB roadmaps the process
Day 2
Introduction
ACB The case of the Greek MA
ACB The case of the Croatian MA
ACB Indicators of Success