PRE-ACCESSION FUNDS AND HOW TO ACCESS

THEM,...

Ptuj, july 2008

EU STRUCTURAL POLICY OBJECTIVES

Structural policy is oriented towards social, economic and cultural development of European Union and all it’s member states. The goal of structural policy is also reduction of disparities.

Structural policy reflects Union’s solidarity and objectives to improve competitive position of all the countries.

STRUCTUAL POLICY PROGRAMMES

European Regional Development Fund European Social Fund European Cohesion Fund

Rural Development Programme

PRE-ACCESSION ASSISTANCE

is provided to beneficiary countries to assimilate and implement reforms and to attain basic infrastructure

Fullfilment of requirements before becoming a Member State in EU

STRUCTURAL POLICY AND PRE-ACCESSION ASSISTANCE FUNCTIONING

Activities Structural policy Pre-Accession Assistance

Documents National strategic reference framework, Operational programmes

Multi annual indicative financial agreement

Commisions role Negotiations and OP ratification

Main priorities determination with the candidate country, Supervision over implementation

Countries role Programme implementation, management

Technical implementation, CFCU unit or Commission delegation

STRUCTURAL POLICY AND PRE-ACCESSION ASSISTANCE FUNCTIONING

Activities Structural policy Pre-Accession Assistance

Funding Based on already paid eligible costs

Sometimes funding in advance, co-funding

Activities European Union determines eligible activities within the Directives, Member State determines activities in OP

Reforms, competitive position, quality of life improvement, market economy, implementation of acquis communautiare, cross-border cooperation, regional and rural development, development of social resources

PRE-ACCESSION ASSISTANCE FUNDS TO DATE

CARDS INTERREG III PHARE ISPA SAPARD

PHARE POLOGNE ET HNGRIE – AIDE A RESTRUCTURATION ECONOMIQUE

PHARE – realisation of required reforms to assist the applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe in their preparations for joining the European Union, preparation for further consumptions of EU structural funds after becoming a Member country.

What? one of the three pre-accession instruments financed by the European Union to assist the applicant countries.

Why? assisting the applicant countries in their preparations for joining the European Union.

When? Open until 2006

PHARE programme objectives : To strengthen public administrations and institutions to

function effectively inside the European Union. Promote convergence with the European Union’s extensive

legislation and reduce the need for transition periods. Promote Economic and Social Cohesion. Preparation for further access to EU structural funds after

becoming a Member country.

PHARE – DOCUMENTS AND BENEFICIARIES

Institutions development

(European partnership, National programme for acession to EU)

Central government

Investments in acquis(European partnership,

National programme for acession to EU)

Regional and local autonomy,

NVOs, SME’s

Investments in economic and social cohesion

(European partnership,Regional operational plan,

National development plan)

Central government

PHARE- PRIORITIES

Minimum 30% of funds – technical help for strengthening country's administration and institutions which can function in EU frames

Maximum 70% of funds Improving regulation’s frame for

implementing acquisAcceleration of economic and social

cohesion

CARDS (2000-2006) Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and

Stabilisation Designed for south-eastern European countries

Types of expenditure: Technical assistance Investments Allocation of un-refundable means

Collaborating areas: Democratic stabilisation, Economic and social development, Judicial and internal affairs, Strengthening of administration abilities, Protecting environment and natural resources, Preparation of infrastructural strategies.

ISPAInstrument for structural policies for Accession Financial instrument for investment projects

in environmental protection and transport area (in 50:50% ratio)

Preparation for EU Cohesions fund.

Co-funding of EU investment projects up to 75 % (in some cases 85%) in minimal value of 5 mio euro.

Co-funding projects in 25% from national governments.

SAPARD- Special Accession Programme for

Agriculture and Rural Development

Financial help for agriculture (using acquis which determines Common agricultural policy) and rural development

Preparation for implementation of EU agricultural and fisheries guidance funds (EAGGF - European Agriculture Guarantees and Guidance Fund, FIFG- Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance)

Local autonomy projects – co-funding of projects up to 75 % from EU funds and public investments for separate measures (rural infrastructures) up to 100 %.

PRE-ACCESSION ASSISTANCE FUNDS IN FUTURE

In final stages Basically open Prepared

Community programmes

- CARDS(2001-2004)

-TEMPUS(2002-2004)

-INTERREG

-ISPA(2005-2007)

-PHARE (2006-2007)

-SAPARD(2006-2007)

-IPA(2007 – 2013)

-IPARD(2007-2013)

-EU Programmes(2007-2013)

IPA AND IPARD

IPA and IPARD priorities are similar for all countries

Negotiations between a specific country and Comission determines specific national priorities based on the accession agenda and the country’s needs.

On the national level individual priorities are implemented (in cooperation with EU Comission delegation in the country).

CENTRAL PROGRAMMES

These are all the other programmes which can be accessed by the Member states and candidate countries

For example: 7 framework programme, Leonardo da Vinci, Erasmus, Life+.

There are at least 100 different tenders within different programmes open at any time.

EUROPEAN PROGRAMMES

Ways of implementing common programmes are very different.

Tenders are always posted on European Commissions web pages.

Applications must be sent directly to address given in public tender,

Applications are competing with all other received applications.

CONCLUSIONS

There are several possibilities to fund your project

Ready to go project is the first step in funding

The projects will compete among each other