Supporting the Programme Monitoring Committees in EU Structural Funds

Target Group
The seminar is aimed at all Structural Funds actors involved in Programme Monitoring Committees, including national, regional and local officials and representatives; social partners; agencies with an economic and social development role; educational and training establishments; and other local partners, including NGOs, community associations and chambers of commerce. It is also relevant for actors managing agricultural and rural development funds, fisheries and other EU programmes.

Description
The aim of this seminar is to examine the functioning of Programme Monitoring Committees and to valorise their crucial role in ensuring delivery of the 2007-2013 Structural Funds. Their tasks are set out in Article 65 of General Regulation 1083/2006. Key elements of the seminar include: how to ensure the quality and efficiency of Operational Programmes; how to improve decision making on project approval, and on project selection criteria in particular; how to enhance assessment, monitoring and remedial actions; how to link up with regional and thematic sub-committees; and how to improve the Programme Monitoring Committees’ general functioning and composition as well as the partnership with socio-economic actors and civil society.

Method
The seminar will consist of a series of illustrated presentations given by European Commission officials, regional practitioners and expert consultants. Ample time will be left for question and answer sessions, discussions and the sharing of experiences.

Objectives
By the end of the seminar, participants should have a clear understanding of how Programme Monitoring Committees can effectively deliver Structural Funds programmes.

Programme
The programme will commence on Thursday 25 March at 09.00 and finish on Friday 26 March at 18.00.

Seminar venue
The seminar will take place at the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA), O.L. Vrouweplein 22, NL-6211 HE Maastricht, tel.: +31.43.3296.222, fax: +31.43.3296.296.

Working language
The seminar will be conducted in English.

Fee
The participation fee is € 825 and includes participation in the seminar, documentation, two lunches, one reception and refreshments. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration. EIPA offers its members a reduction of 10% of the registration fee. This reduction is available to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s member countries (i.e. AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LU, MT, NL, PL, PT, ES, SE, UK) as well as civil servants working for an EU institution or agency. If you are eligible for a discount, please tick the box in the registration form. Please note that reductions cannot be accumulated. For more information, please visit check under FAQ special discounts.

Hotel reservations
The European Institute of Public Administration will be pleased to make reservations for you at a hotel in Maastricht. We have made a block booking at two hotels in Maastricht: Hotel Beaumont (www.beaumont.nl), at a rate of €101,75-. (incl. breakfast and tourist tax) and Townhouse Hotel (www.townhousehotels.nl), at a rate of € 81,63. (incl. breakfast and tourist tax). Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please indicate the name of the hotel and the dates of arrival and departure on the registration form. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel on checking out. Please note that if you register after the closing date, hotel reservations cannot be guaranteed.

Meals
All meals will be served at the Institute’s restaurant. Should you require a special menu (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic), please inform the Programme Organiser so that this can be arranged.

Registration
Kindly complete the registration form and return it before 5 March 2010 to Ms Brechtje Adriaanse, Programme Organiser, European Institute of Public Administration, P.O. Box 1229,NL-6201 BE Maastricht, tel.: +31.43.3296.235, fax: +31.43.3296.296, e-mail: b.adriaanse@eipa.eu.
Your name and address will be part of EIPA’s database for our mailing purpose only. If you do not want to be included in our mailing database, please tick the box on the registration form.

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation. Please indicate the method of payment on the registration form. In any case, the participant or his/her administration will receive an invoice for the payment of the registration fee. For administrative reasons you will be charged € 150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants.