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.
Registration is now open for the training under Module 4 (State aid) on 17-18 September 2019.
The training material used is available under each module.
Additional tools
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 |
17-18 September 2019 |
English, Brussels DG REGIO |
Registration is open |
The training is provided free of charge to participants from ERDF, CF and ESF Managing Authorities, Intermediate Bodies and Audit Authorities. Participants have to cover their travel and accommodation costs.
Programme
Day 1
Concept of State Aid: the principles
Case study on the notion of State aid - Test
ESI funds in compliance with State aid rules
De Minimis Aid (Regulation 1407/2013)
Workshop
Day 2
General Block Exemption Regulation 651/2014 (GBER) Amended by regulation 2017/1084
GBER Aid to SME and SMEs definition & RDI
General Block Exemption Regulation Regional Investment Aid
Workshop on the GBER
Financing of infrastructures
Workshop on infrastructures
Simplified Cost Options and state aid: example
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) |
25-26 June 2019 |
English, |
Registration is closed (fully booked) |
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. Participants have to cover their own travel and accommodation costs.
Programme
Key changes in the new Procurement Directive 2014/24/EU
Innovative and socially responsible procurement
Green Public Procurement: legislation and practice
Green Public Procurement and the Circular Economy
Procurement, innovation & sustainability
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 |
12-13 February 2019 |
English, |
Registration is now closed (fully booked). |
14-15 May 2019 |
English, |
Registration is now closed (fully booked). |
|
10-11 September 2019 |
Registration is not open yet. |
Programme
Fraud prevention: Audit and control systems; Reporting fraud; Fraud indicators
Fraud Prevention & the Annual Assurance Process
Model for assessing risk of fraud
Role of Member State auditors in fraud prevention and detection
Building antifraud measures
Fighting corruption
Identifying and preventing
Remaining issues
Practical case 1
Practical case 2