Target Group
Programme officers and managers, project managers and project developers and other officials from central, regional and local government and involved in the implementation of Structural Funds projects and programmes. The seminar is also open to economic and social partners involved in developing Structural Funds projects, such as NGOs, higher education establishments, and employers’ representatives.
Description
The 3-day seminar will provide a step-by-step guide to the pipeline, both from the point of view of Programme managers and of project sponsors. We look at how to develop projects, starting from the determination of project priorities, planning and procedural issues, generating project ideas and establishing partnerships, putting financial packages and applications together, project development steps, ex-ante project appraisal techniques (including an introduction to cost-benefit analysis), developing project and programme indicators, and how to get your project selected. We will also consider the key responsibilities and tasks required to manage and deliver projects successfully, and look at some management tools. The particular challenges facing the ESF pipeline are also considered.
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
At the end of the seminar the participants should have - from the point of view of Managing authorities - a clear idea of how to create a strong project pipeline and a steady flow of quality projects. Participants should also have a clear understanding of how to generate good projects, how to maximise the probability of getting projects selected, and the essentials of good programme management.
Wednesday 9 May 2012
Introduction to the seminar
Marco Lopriore, Senior Lecturer, EIPA
The project pipeline model and new developments
• 12 stages in the project pipeline model, including:
-identifying needs and opportunitie
-stimulating activity through publicity and information initiatives
-developing ideas; building successful partnerships
-good planning, budgets and financial packages
-project proposals, the application, getting selected
-the role of evaluation
• two perspectives: the Managing Authority vs. the project applicant
• issues in the pipeline for ERDF and ESF - discussion
Robin Smail, Visiting Expert EIPA and former national expert with DG REGIO, Consultant, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Challenges for the Project Pipeline in Poland
• legislation, planning, major projects and feasibility
• public procurement and state aid
• the environmental impact assessment
• management issues
Pascal Boijmans, Deputy Head of Unit, Poland Unit, DG Regio, European Commission
Lunch
Guided tour of old Maastricht
What projects? A method for determining and reviewing programme and project priorities
Indicators for quantifying projects and programmes - and a wealth creation test (cost-effectiveness).
• what projects? – setting and reviewing priorities for programmes
• indicators for measuring progress and success at project and priority level
• generating cost-effectiveness indicators
Robin Smail
Exercise with benchmarks for assessing projects and setting activity targets and budgets
Robin Smail
Buffet meal at EIPA’s restaurant
Thursday 10 May 2012
Project development steps and ex-ante project appraisal techniques
• project rationale and the concept of market failure
• feasibility, options, risk assessment, sensitivity analysis
• financial and economic appraisal: calculating the costs, the benefits and the rates of return
• major project application forms
• ESF objectives
• calculating the grant for revenue generating projects
Robin Smail, EIPA
Workshop on project appraisal
Robin Smail
Lunch at EIPA’s restaurant
Managing the Project Pipeline – Lessons from the UK and Romania
• the importance of strategic planning and institutional structures
• key project issues for ERDF, ESF and the Cohesion Fund
• financial packages and eligibility of expenditure
• project selection methodologies
• project and programme management challenges
Sheila Maxwell, former Director, Welsh European Funding Office, Welsh Assembly Government, UK, and Resident Twinning Advisor, Poland and Romania
Workshop on eligibility of projects and expenditures
Sheila Maxwell
Reception at EIPA’s restaurant
Friday 11 May 2012
Issues and challenges for the European Social Fund, illustrated by case studies from Italy and across the EU
• supporting SME development
• developing synergies between ESF and ERDF
• a result-based approach to project development and execution
• simplified cost options
Marco Lopriore, EIPA
Maintaining a strong Pipeline: the essentials of Programme and Project Management and Monitoring
• management bodies, systems, procedures, tools & templates
• managing spend, n+2, spending profiles
• financial management rules, advances, payment claims
• the grant letter and execution contract
• monitoring systems, risk analysis, file keeping
• financial control and audit
• corrections and recoveries
• using technical assistance
Robin Smail
Lunch
Workshop on outstanding Pipeline Issues – drawing conclusions
Seminar Feedback, Evaluation, Conclusion
Programme
The programme will commence on 9 May at 09.15 and will finish on 11 May at 16.00.
Registration of participants on 9 May starts at 8.45.
Language
The training will be conducted in English.
Seminar venue
The seminar will take place at the Green Conference Room of the European Institute of Public Administration, O.L. Vrouweplein 22, NL-6211 HE, Maastricht, tel.: +31 (0)43 32 96 222, fax: +31 (0)43 32 96296.
Fee
The participation fee is € 950 and includes documentation, 3 lunches, 1 buffet, 1 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. For details, please click here.
Hotel
The European Institute of Public Administration will be pleased to make hotel reservations for you. We have made a block booking at the:
* Townhouse Hotel (www.townhousehotels.nl ), at the rate of € 85,91 p.p.p.n. (incl. breakfast and incl. tourist tax).
* Hotel Beaumont (www.beaumont.nl), at the rate of 99,99 p.p.p.n. (incl. breakfast and incl. tourist tax).
If you wish to make use of this possibility, please indicate the choice of your hotel and the date 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
Lunches, buffet and reception will take place at the Institute’s restaurant. Should you require a special menu (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic, gluten free), please inform the Programme Organiser so this can be arranged.
Registration
Kindly complete the online registration form before the closing dat
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 closing date of registration 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 two 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.
eipa.eu
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