Implementing the Structural Funds Regulations

Project Leader

Target Group
The seminar is aimed at all economic actors in the Structural Funds policy-making and implementation process, including national, regional and local officials or representatives, agencies with an economic development role (such as regional development agencies), educational and training establishments, and other local partners, including NGOs and community associations.

Description
This seminar is a two-day event and will be dedicated to issues relating to the current operational programmes. It will include detailed sessions on the present programme and financial rules, highlighting developments in programme management tasks, financial management, financial control and audit procedures, changes to the evaluation and monitoring requirements, and the current state aid rules for regional assistance. It will also consider the task of measuring progress and success at the priority level (programme indicators).

Method
The seminar will consist of a series of illustrated presentations given by EIPA experts, European Commission officials, regional practitioners and expert consultants. Ample time will be left for question and answer sessions, discussions and exchanges of experience. There will be a special round-table discussion with experts on the new financial management architecture, and a practical workshop on project and programme indicators.

Objectives
At the end of the seminar, participants should have a clear understanding of how to implement the current regulations, including detailed management procedures and best practices for implementation, as well as the use of tools to measure the effects of interventions.

Programme
The programme will commence on Thursday, 21 October at 09.15 hrs and finish on Friday, 22 October at 17.00 hrs.

Seminar venue
The seminar will take place in the Green Conference Room (1.45) at the European Institute of Public Administration, O.L. Vrouweplein 22, NL-6211 HE Maastricht, tel.: +31.43.3296222, fax: +31.43.3296296.

Working language
The seminar will be conducted in English

Fee
The participation fee is € 855 and includes documentation, 2 lunches, 1 reception, refreshments and the guided walking tour. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

The registration fee also includes a copy of the publication “Managing Structural Funds: A Step-by-Step Practical Handbook” (retail price € 70) published by EIPA in 2008.

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, 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 2 hotels in Maastricht:

Hotel Mabi **** www.hotelmabi.nl € 99,00 p.p.p.n.
Hotel Beaumont **** www.beaumont.nl € 102,00 p.p.p.n.

These prices include 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
The lunches and the reception 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 29 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 cancellations received after the date indicated on the registration form we will have to charge an administration fee of € 150 unless a replacement participant is found.

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).