Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 1 Technical Assistance Ilze Aleksandroviča Head of Control and Development Division EU Funds

Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 1

Technical Assistance

Ilze Aleksandroviča Head of Control and Development Division

EU Funds DepartmentMinistry of FinanceRepublic of Latvia

1 December 2005


Contents

Progress of Implementation

Use of the ESF and EAGGF funding of 2004

Implementation of the EU SF Monitoring and Evaluation Plan 2004-2008 [TA project “Evaluation”]

Implementation of the Human Resource Development Plan of Institutions Involved in the Management the EU SF 2004 – 2008 [TA project “Training”]


Long-term objectives of TA

To ensure efficient management of the Structural Funds through a high-quality implementation process;

To ensure publicity and information on the EU Structural Funds.


Contents







ProjectNumber of Contracts

(MA, 2nd LIB, final beneficiaries)

Structural Funds payment claims submitted for the

period by 30.06.2005., LVL

% of total contractual

amount 2004-2005

5.1.1. “Assistance” 19 511 280,70 15,01%

5.2.1. “Training” 1 29 527 26,36 %

5.2.2. “Information and Publicity” 20 93 009,21 18,42%

5.2.3. “Evaluation and Research” 1 0,00 0%

5.2.4. “Development of Management

Information System”10 47 351,46 7,26%

Total 51 681 168, 40 13,41%


Progress of ImplementationUpdating National Programmes

06.09.2005 – activity and financial plans for 2006 approved

Preparation of amendments to concluded contracts is currently underway.



ProjectTotal amount 2004-06,

LVL% of funding committed

(2004-2008)

5.1.1. “Assistance” 6 940 075 71,79%

5.2.1. “Training” 232 000 46,25%

5.2.2. “Information and Publicity”

882 498 78,38%

5.2.3. “Evaluation and Research”

380 000 52,54%

5.2.4. “Development of Information Management

System”1 665 294 85,41%

Total 10 099 867 72,31%


Objectively verifiable indicators

Approximately 330 employees and experts contracted;

1 thematic evaluation completed [SRDA]; 2 projects are currently being contracted

[3-phase evaluation and a study by the MoC]; 17 television and 43 radio programmes broadcasted; Information billboards ensured for all bodies

implementing ERDF projects.


Contents







Aid scheme “Technical Assistance for Capacity Building of NGOs and Municipalities to Implement ESF Measures” [LVL 600 000];

139 project applications submitted for the total amount of LVL 1 920 000, currently being evaluated.


Aid scheme “Technical Assistance for Capacity Building of NGOs and Municipalities to Implement ESF Measures”

1920000

600000

0

200000

400000

600000

800000

1000000

1200000

1400000

1600000

1800000

2000000

Project Proposals Available Funding



The ESF National Programme for 2006“Establishment and Operation of SF Regional Information Centres” developed

Proposals received from bodies involved in the implementation of the ESF and EAGGF on the following projects: Improving ethical competence in public administration

bodies for promoting professional ethics, including the prevention of corruption;

Developing manual for project applicants. Several project proposals are under development,

including those related to the preparation for the next programming period 2007-2013


Contents






Thematic evaluation of the SPD activity „Support to Investments in Development of Businesses in Areas Requiring Special Support”

Objective To establish whether guidelines developed for the aid scheme and

project selection process comply with the objectives of the SPD priority and measures.

Results Improvements made in the aid scheme documents.

Thematic evaluation of SF (concluded September 2005)


Thematic evaluation of SF (contracts under review)

Thematic evaluation of the EU Structural Funds Deadline – March 2006 Themes –

Evaluation of the system of monitoring indicators Evaluation of the implementation of the SPD activities The impact of the SF on regional development in Latvia

Study “The Importance of the Cultural Sector in the Economy of Latvia and the Use of SF for the Development thereof” Deadline – February 2006


Open calls for proposals launched Evaluation of the efficiency of the SPD implementation

system Evaluation of the development of the SF planning

documents 2004 –2006 and activities included in these documents

Open calls for proposals to be launched in January 2006 Evaluation of the correspondence of the SF and the

National Action Plan on Employment Evaluation of the implementation of horizontal priorities

Thematic evaluation of SF(planned themes)


Contents






Implementation: training courses organised in the 3rd and 4th quarter under the following topics:

Legal issues; Quality assurance system; EU Structural Funds, including:

“Technical and Quality Evaluation of Projects”; “Administrative Evaluation of Projects”; “Objectively Verifiable Results of the EU SF

Implementation” “Finance and Budget of the EU”, etc.


Statistics

37 seminars on 26 topics organised in 2005; of those 15 seminars on 14 topics organised during the 3rd and 4th quarter.

The total number or participants - 830, whereas during the 3rd and 4th quarter – 323.

29 participants have attended (will attend) training courses on the Structural Funds management organised by other institutions, (number in the 3rd and 4th quarter is 13).


Planned activities

Training will be provided in accordance with the HRD Plan of Institutions Involved in the Management the EU Structural Funds and the identified training needs.

The following topics are under development: An in-depth training course on “Risk Management”; “Assessment of Business Environment”; A training course on the application of the law “On

Procurement for State and Municipal Needs”.


Activities for the implementation of the HRD Plan funded from other sources:

Training courses: “Irregularities in the EU Structural Funds

management”; “Evaluation of the EU Structural Funds”; “Monitoring of the EU Structural Funds”.

Development of specific competencies of professionals involved in the management of the EU Structural Funds.


Thank you!

Documents

Structural Funds Managing Authority – Ministry of Finance 1 Technical Assistance Ilze Aleksandroviča Head of Control and Development Division EU Funds