Guidance note on major projects spanning over two programming periods

In the programming period 2007-13, the managing authorities and Commission services have in many instances observed slippages in the implementation timetable of major projects approved by the Commission. Other major projects have a completion target set in 2014 or even 2015 and thus risk not to be completed on time. In some cases major project applications have been submitted to the Commission with unrealistic timetables raising doubts on the capacity of the beneficiaries to complete the investment within the envisaged deadlines.

Member States requested from the Commission clarification on how to apply the rules for major projects which may not be completed on time by the end of the 2007-13 programming period. The note recalls the current framework and basic principles and sets out the steps to follow in order to handle the risks arising from uncompleted projects at the end of the programming period 2007-13.