We must find the right balance between maximising creative use of resources, and minimising waste or misuse of funds. To do so, we need to find new and smarter ways to operate the partnership process between the Commission, Member States, regions, and the other key actors concerned. We need a stronger focus on policy development. And we need a new definition of management and financial responsibilities, with the Commission concentrating on the strategic targets. This implies greater delegation of operational and financial responsibility to Member States.
Partnership becomes even more important under such a system.
All of this requires a more flexible framework, to respond to local, dynamic, conditions. Local ownership is essential to making these strategies work.