How will you prepare the next generation of Operational Programmes for Structural Funds? What are the details of the draft new Regulations for 2021-2027? Have the many implementation concerns of the current period — and the many advances — been taken into account in the New Regulations proposal?

This seminar will address these questions and compare details of the 2014-2020 and 2021-2027 regulations. We can split the new regulations into three broad sections: 1) Programming, Programme Management and Performance; 2) Programme Finance and Financial Management; 3) Financial Control and Audit. We will see how the draft regulations attempt to simplify and add flexibility to future rules and operations, generate synergies between policies and instruments, and maximise the impact of funding.

We will refer extensively to Member State experiences and cases of good practice which are being developed. There will be keynote interventions from senior managers from Member State and Interreg Managing Authorities, assessing the challenges and lessons learnt for programme implementation. This will include reference to financial planning, enabling conditions, targeting and sectors, engaging stakeholders, achieving results and targets, and financial control – including the simplified cost options which are being developed and used.

 How will it help you?

 Besides our guest speakers, you will enjoy comprehensive sessions with Robin Smail and Marco Lopriore, experienced Structural Funds experts who have worked across the EU, and gathered numerous case studies and examples of good practice. You will meet with other national and regional practitioners and have the opportunity to exchange experience and put new ideas into practice.

The seminar provides ample time for question and answer sessions and discussions. There will be practical workshops and exercises on simplified cost options, horizontal priorities, indicators and the Performance Framework, evaluation questions.

Who will benefit most?

 This seminar is aimed principally at practitioners from Member State national, regional and local authorities working with ESI Funds, but it is also open to the full range of economic and social partners working with the Funds – including universities, NGOs, employers’ associations, consultants.