Delivering the European Social Fund (ESF) 2007-2013

Project Leader

Target Group
This seminar is intended for practitioners from national and sub-national authorities and from other public bodies of the EU Member States and associated countries working with ESF. The seminar is also open to economic and social partners involved in developing ESF, such as NGOs, higher education establishments, and employers’ representatives.

Description
The new 3-day format will consist of illustrated presentations, group discussions and workshops. It will provide a complete overview of ESF implementation, from the point of view of both programme managers and project sponsors. We will learn about developing good ESF structures and monitoring systems, achieving better results within ESF programmes, improving your financial management and control, using global grants or vouchers and simplifying the rules for project promoters, innovating through transnationality, as well as learning the different reactions to the economic crisis in Europe. We will also have a focus on implementation of the new capacity building priority for public administrations and social partners.

Method
There will be a series of presentations by regional practitioners, expert consultants and EU officials. Each presentation will leave time for a question and answer session; discussions and exchanges of experience will be encouraged. Mini-workshops and exercises will be used to develop simulations of essential elements and to generate a clear view of good practice in the key disciplines involved.

Objectives
By the end of the seminar participants should have a clear understanding of how to improve delivery of ESF programmes and projects, and of how to simplify ESF to speed up implementation and concentrate on quality projects that provide good results.

The seminar will be conducted in English.

Programme
The programme will commence on Wednesday 29 September at 09.00 and finish on Friday 1 October at 15.30.

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 € 915 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 EIPA’s website: www.eipa.eu (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 € 101,82 p.p.p.n. (incl. breakfast and tourist tax) and Townhouse Hotel (www.townhousehotels.nl), at a rate of € 81.82 p.p.p.n. (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
Please complete the registration form and submit it before 7 September 2010. 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 in 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.

Cancellation policy
EIPA reserves the right to cancel the seminar up to 2 weeks before the starting date. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, hotel, etc.). For EIPA’s cancellation policy, please visit our website www.eipa.eu (legal notice).