National Information SeminarThe management of IPA funds and the role of the Thessaloniki Liaison Office

Zagreb, 21st February 2012 Kirill Dimanopoulos Thessaloniki Liaison Officer - JTS MED

Programme BodiesTo facilitate the participation of the IPA countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro) to the MED programme.To facilitate the capitalization and coordination between the other transnational cooperation programmes of the area and the MED programmeAudit Authority Managing Authority Certifying Authority Joint Technical SecretariatLiaison Office IPA Thessaloniki Liaison Office ENPI Valencia Monitoring Committee (Selection committee)

Mission of the Thessaloniki Liaison OfficeObjectives:

To facilitate the participation of the IPA countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro) to the MED programme.

To facilitate the capitalization and coordination between the other transnational cooperation programmes of the area and the MED programme

Tasks:

Providing information about the offered opportunities of the MED Programme to potential beneficiaries coming from IPA countries

Providing information about the modalities of participation in the MED Programme for potential beneficiaries coming from IPA countries

Serving as a liaison between the ERDF Lead partners and the IPA partners

Managing the matchmaking process of IPA partners to MED projects

Providing up to date information about the integrated way of managing the IPA funds

Coordinating between the MED authorities and the participating IPA countries and the respective EU Delegations Promoting the capitalization activities between the MED programme and the other transnational cooperation programmes of the area Promoting the exchange of experience and best practices between the MED programme and the other transnational cooperation programmes of the area Providing coordination between the MED programme and the other transnational cooperation programmes of the area Providing guidance to potential Lead Partners to which cooperation programme of the area is the most appropriate to implement their idea

Target area of the Thessaloniki LO

Main motivation for involving IPA PartnersBetter dissemination of results

Obtaining the special expertise of the IPA Partner

Thematic reasons

Better geographical coverage

What are the main activities of the IPA partnersThey are usually involved since the beginning (participation in the preparation meetings)They are carrying out visibility actionsThey are contributing to the thematic work:By analyzing the status quo in their territoryBy designing local action plansBy carrying out studiesBy organizing thematic workshops

IPA participation within the transitional management

Management of IPA funds 2010-2013 in MED programmeJoint IPA envelope for the 4 countries (2010-2013): 5,4MIPA partners can participate to strategic projects (2nd call) and to all future calls for proposals with this financingThey cannot be Lead PartnersAs partners, they participate to the application with the LP and sign the Partnership Agreement as any other partner of the projectIPA partners sign a separate Subsidy (Grant) contract with the MA but otherwise, work with the LP as any other partner in the cooperation project

IPA participation within the integrated management

Technical hintsIPA allocationThe whole IPA contribution for the period 2010 to 2013 is 5.4 MIPA financing rate 85%Neither IPA subsidy contract can be signed nor advanced payment can be carried out until the Financing Agreement (between the Commission, Managing Authority, IPA countries) is not signed The commitment letter of each partner must specify the precise amount of the national co-financing corresponding to the total IPA amount requested within the application form

Technical hintsSelection of projectsJTS-External Experts

Selection CommitteeContractingThe MA concludes a separate IPA subsidy contract with the IPA partner(s)ReportingThrough the LPReceiving direct payment from the CA

Advanced PaymentAccording to the result of the Monitoring Committees written procedure Advance payment for IPA partners is possible

Application processThe advanced payment is not automaticThe application should be done through the LP

Technical detailsMaximum 10% can be the size of the advanced payment at the beginning of the projectIPA partners receiving the advanced payment directly from the Certifying AuthorityIn each following reporting period 25% of the advanced payment will be reduced from the reimbursement

IPA First Level Control systems Each IPA country has set up a centralised First Level Control systemControl free of charge for IPA partnersEligibility and FLC guidelines will be prepared by each IPA country Deadlines, rules and procedures may not be identical for the 4 IPA countries

Each IPA partner must refer to the control system of the IPA country where it is located

Public procurementPractical Guide to Contract procedures for EU external actions (PraG) explains the contracting procedures applying to all EU external aid contractsNational rules on public procurement may be used if they are stricter than PraGProcurement procedures have to be applied for all services, supplies and works planned in the project budget (including the services allocated in the preparation costs)

Whats upcoming? Transnational IPA Seminar in Podgorica, Montenegro, 2nd of March 2012

Applicants Seminar on 6th of March 2012 in Marseille, France

Further information and assistance?

Contact the Liaison Office: kdimanopoulos@mou.gr

and find further information on www.programmemed.eu (e.g. LO section )

Thank you for your attention!

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