Glossary
Managing authority
Under the auspices of the EU's cohesion policy for 2014-20, a managing authority is responsible for the efficient management and implementation of an operational programme.
A managing authority may be a national ministry, a regional authority, a local council, or another public or private body that has been nominated and approved by a Member State. Managing authorities are expected to conduct their work in line with the principles of sound financial management.
For each operational programme, a managing authority must provide the Commission with an annual implementation report by 31 May each year. Other key tasks for a managing authority include:
• ensuring that activities selected for funding match the operational programme's criteria
• checking that co-financed products and services are delivered efficiently according to EU and national rules
• recording and storing accounts, and ensuring that a rigorous audit trail exists
• ensuring that an operational programme's performance is properly evaluated