P8_TA(2019)0310 Common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and financial rules for those ***I European Parliament legislative resolution of 27 March 2019 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum and Migration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Border Management and Visa Instrument (COM(2018)0375 — C8-0230/2018 — 2018/0196(COD)) P8_TC1-COD(2018)0196 Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 27 March 2019 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum and Migration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Border Management and Visa Instrument [Am. 1]
Date: 2019-03-27
Institutions: Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Committee on Budgetary Control, Committee on Budgets, Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Committee on Fisheries, Committee on Regional Development, Committee on Transport and Tourism, Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, European Parliament
Subjects: Cohesion Fund, EU migration policy, EU visa policy, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, European security, distribution of EU funding, external border of the EU, right of asylum




C_2021108EN.01063801.xml










26.3.2021   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 108/638






P8_TA(2019)0310
Common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and financial rules for those ***I
European Parliament legislative resolution of 27 March 2019 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum and Migration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Border Management and Visa Instrument (COM(2018)0375 — C8-0230/2018 — 2018/0196(COD))
(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)
(2021/C 108/47)

The European Parliament,






—


having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2018)0375),










—


having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 177, 322(1)(a) and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C8-0230/2018),










—


having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,










—


having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 17 October 2018 (1),










—


having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 5 December 2018 (2),










—


having regard to the opinion of the Court of Auditors of 25 October 2018 (3),










—


having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,










—


having regard to the report of the Committee on Regional Development and also the opinion of the Committee on Budgets, the position in the form of amendments of the Committee on Budgetary Control, the opinion of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the Committee on Transport and Tourism, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the position in the form of amendments of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (A8-0043/2019),












1.


Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out (4);












2.


Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;












3.


Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.






(1)  OJ C 62, 15.2.2019, p. 83.

(2)  OJ C 86, 7.3.2019, p. 41.

(3)  OJ C 17, 14.1.2019, p. 1.

(4)  This position corresponds to the amendments adopted on 13 February 2019 (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2019)0096).




P8_TC1-COD(2018)0196
Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 27 March 2019 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum and Migration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Border Management and Visa Instrument [Am. 1]
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 177, 322(1)(a) and 349 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Court of Auditors (3),
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (4),
Whereas:






(1)


Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’) provides that, in order to strengthen its economic, social and territorial cohesion, the Union is to aim at reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions or islands, and that particular attention is to be paid to rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps. 
These regions particularly benefit from cohesion policy
. Article 175 of the TFEU requires that the Union is to support the achievement of these objectives by the action it takes through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, Guidance Section, the European Social Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Investment Bank and other instruments. Article 322 of the TFEU provides the basis for adopting financial rules determining the procedure to be adopted for establishing and implementing the budget and for presenting and auditing accounts, as well as for checks on the responsibility of financial actors. [Am. 2]













(1a)






It is important for the future of the European Union and its citizens that cohesion policy remains the main investment policy of the Union, keeping its funding in the 2021-2027 period at least at the level of the 2014-2020 programming period. New funding for other areas of activity or programmes of the Union should not be to the detriment of the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus or the Cohesion Fund. [Am. 3]











(2)


In order to further develop a coordinated and harmonised implementation of Union Funds implemented under shared management namely the European Regional Development Fund (‘ERDF’), the European Social Fund Plus (‘ESF+’), the Cohesion Fund, measures financed under shared management in the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (‘EMFF’), the Asylum and Migration Fund (‘AMIF’), Internal Security Fund (‘ISF’) and Integrated Border Management Fund (‘BMVI’), financial rules based on Article 322 of the TFEU should be established for all these Funds (‘the Funds’), clearly specifying the scope of application of the relevant provisions. In addition, common provisions based on Article 177 of the TFEU should be established to cover policy specific rules for the ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund and the EMFF 
and to a specific extent the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
. [Am. 430]











(3)


Due to the specificities of each Fund, specific rules applicable to each Fund and to the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) under the ERDF should be laid down in separate Regulations (‘Fund-specific Regulations’) to complement the provisions of this Regulation.










(4)


The outermost regions and the northern sparsely populated regions should benefit from specific measures and from additional funding pursuant to Article 349 of the TFEU and Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession 
in order to address their specific disadvantages related to their geographic location
. [Am. 5]











(5)


Horizontal principles as set out in Article 3 of the Treaty on the European Union (‘TEU’) and in Article 10 of the TFEU, including principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set out in Article 5 of the TEU should be respected in the implementation of the Funds, taking into account the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Member States should also respect the obligations of the UN Convention on the Rights of 
the Child and of the UN Convention on the Rights of
 Persons with Disabilities and ensure accessibility in line with its article 9 and in accordance with the Union law harmonising accessibility requirements for products and services. 
In that context, the Funds should be implemented in a way which promotes deinstitutionalisation and community-based care
. Member States and the Commission should aim at eliminating inequalities and at promoting equality between men and women and integrating the gender perspective, as well as at combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Funds should not support actions that contribute to any form of segregation 
or exclusion, or support infrastructure which is inaccessible to persons with a disability
. The objectives of the Funds should be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and the Union's promotion of the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment as set out in Article 11 and Article 191(1) of the TFEU, taking into account the polluter pays principle 
and taking into account the commitments agreed under the Paris Agreement
. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market, operations benefitting undertakings shall comply with Union State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU. 
Poverty is one of the greatest challenges of the EU. The Funds should therefore contribute to the elimination of poverty. They should also contribute to fulfilling the commitment of the Union and its Member States to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. [Am. 6]











(6)


Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of Article 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union apply to this Regulation. These rules are laid down in the Financial Regulation and determine in particular the procedure for establishing and implementing the budget through grants, procurement, prizes, indirect implementation, and provide for checks on the responsibility of financial actors. Rules adopted on the basis of Article 322 TFEU also concern the protection of the Union’s budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States, as the respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for sound financial management and effective EU funding.










(7)


Where a time limit is set for the Commission to take any action towards Member States, the Commission should take account of all necessary information and documents in a timely and efficient manner. Where submissions from Member States are incomplete or non-compliant with the requirements of this Regulation and of Fund-specific Regulations, thus not enabling the Commission to take fully-informed action, that time limit should be suspended until the Member States comply with the regulatory requirements.










(8)


In order to contribute to Union priorities, the Funds should focus their support on a limited number of policy objectives in line with their Fund-specific missions pursuant to their Treaty-based objectives. The policy objectives for the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI should be set out in the respective Funds-specific regulations.










(9)


Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Funds will contribute to mainstream

mainstreaming
 climate actions and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 %

30 %
 of the EU budget expenditure supporting climate objectives. 
Climate proofing mechanisms should be an integral part of programming and implementation. [Am. 7]













(9a)






Given the impact of migration flows from third countries, cohesion policy should contribute to integration processes, in particular by providing infrastructure support to towns and cities and local and regional authorities on the front line, which are more involved in implementing integration policies. [Am. 8]











(10)


Part of the budget of the Union allocated to the Funds should be implemented by the Commission under shared management with Member States within the meaning of Regulation (EU, Euratom) [number of the new Financial Regulation] of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) (the ‘Financial Regulation’). Therefore, when implementing the Funds under shared management, the Commission and the Member States should respect the principles referred to in the Financial Regulation, such as sound financial management, transparency and non-discrimination. 
Member States should be responsible for preparing and implementing programmes. This should take place at the appropriate territorial level, in accordance with their institutional, legal and financial framework, and by the bodies designated by them for that purpose. Member States should refrain from adding rules that complicate the use of the funds for beneficiaries. [Am. 9]











(11)


The principle of partnership is a key feature in the implementation of the Funds, building on the multi-level governance approach and ensuring the involvement of 
regional, local, and other public authorities,
 civil society and social partners. In order to provide continuity in the organisation of partnership, 
the Commission should be empowered to amend and adapt
 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014 (6)
should continue to apply. [Am. 10]












(12)




At Union level, the European Semester of economic policy coordination is the framework to identify national reform priorities and monitor their implementation. Member States develop their own national multiannual investment strategies in support of these reform priorities. These strategies should be presented alongside the yearly National Reform Programmes as a way to outline and coordinate priority investment projects to be supported by national and Union funding. They should also serve to use Union funding in a coherent manner and to maximise the added value of the financial support to be received notably from the Funds, the European Investment Stabilisation Function and InvestEU.
[Am. 11]











(13)


Member States should determine how

take into account
 relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) of the TFEU and relevant Council recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 148(4) of the TFEU (‘CSR's’) are taken into account in the preparation of programming documents
, where they are consistent with the programme’s objectives
. During the 2021–2027 programming period (‘programming period’), Member States should regularly present to the monitoring committee and to the Commission the progress in implementing the programmes in support of the CSRs
, as well as of the European Pillar of Social Rights
. During a mid-term review, Member States should, among other elements, consider the need for programme modifications to accommodate relevant CSRs adopted or modified since the start of the programming period. [Am. 12]











(14)


Member States should take account of the contents of their draft National Energy and Climate Plan, to be developed under the Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union (7), and the outcome of the process resulting in Union recommendations regarding these plans, for their programmes, 
including during the mid-term review,
 as well as for the financial needs allocated for low-carbon investments. [Am. 13]











(15)


The Partnership Agreement, prepared by each Member State, should be a strategic document guiding the negotiations between the Commission and the Member State concerned on the design of programmes. In order to reduce the administrative burden, it should not be necessary to amend Partnership Agreements during the programming period. To facilitate the programming and avoid overlapping content in programming documents, 
it should be possible for
 Partnership Agreements can

to
 be included as part of a programme. [Am. 14]











(16)


Each Member State should have the flexibility to contribute to InvestEU for the provision of budgetary guarantees for investments in that Member State
, under certain conditions specified in Article 10 of this Regulation
. [Am. 15]











(17)


To ensure the necessary prerequisites for the 
inclusive, non-discriminatory,
 effective and efficient use of Union support granted by the Funds, a limited list of enabling conditions as well as a concise and exhaustive set of objective criteria for their assessment should be established. Each enabling condition should be linked to a specific objective and should be automatically applicable where the specific objective is selected for support. Where those conditions are not fulfilled, expenditure related to operations under the related specific objectives should not be included in payment applications.. In order to maintain a favourable investment framework, the continued fulfilment of the enabling conditions should be monitored regularly. It is also important to ensure that operations selected for support are implemented consistently with the strategies and planning documents in place underlying the fulfilled enabling conditions, thus ensuring that all co-financed operations are in line with the Union policy framework. [Am. 16]











(18)


Member States should establish a performance framework for each programme covering all indicators, milestones and targets to monitor, report on and evaluate programme performance. 
This should allow project selection and evaluation to be result-driven. [Am. 17]











(19)


The Member State should carry out a mid-term review of each programme supported by the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund. That review should provide a fully-fledged adjustment of programmes based on programme performance, while also providing an opportunity to take account of new challenges and relevant CSRs issued in 2024
, as well as progress with the National Energy and Climate Plans and the European Pillar of Social Rights. Demographic challenges should also be taken into account
. In parallel, in 2024 the Commission should, together with the technical adjustment for the year 2025, review all Member States’ total allocations under the Investment for jobs and growth goal of cohesion policy for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027, applying the allocation method set out in the relevant basic act. That review together with the outcome of the mid-term review should result in programme amendments modifying the financial allocations for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027. [Am. 18]












(20)




Mechanisms to ensure a link between Union funding policies and the economic governance of the Union should be further refined, allowing the Commission to make a proposal to the Council to suspend all or part of the commitments for one or more of the programmes of the Member State concerned where that Member State fails to take effective action in the context of the economic governance process. In order to ensure uniform implementation and in view of the importance of the financial effects of measures being imposed, implementing powers should be conferred on the Council which should act on the basis of a Commission proposal. To facilitate the adoption of decisions which are required to ensure effective action in the context of the economic governance process, reversed qualified majority voting should be used.
[Ams 425rev, 444rev, 448 and 469]













(20a)






Member States could make in duly justified cases a request for flexibility within the current framework of the Stability and Growth Pact for the public or equivalent structural expenditure, supported by the public administration by way of co-financing of investments activated as part of European Structural and Investment Funds (‘ESI Funds’). The Commission should carefully assess the respective request, when defining the fiscal adjustment under either the preventive or the corrective arm of the Stability and Growth Pact. [Am. 20]











(21)


It is necessary to set out common requirements as regards the content of the programmes taking into account the specific nature of each Fund. Those common requirements can be complemented by Fund-specific rules. Regulation (EU) [XXX] of the European Parliament and of the Council (8) (the ‘ETC Regulation’) should set out specific provisions on the content of programmes under the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg).










(22)


In order to allow for flexibility in programme implementation and reduce administrative burden, limited financial transfers should be allowed between priorities of the same programme without requiring a Commission decision amending the programme. The revised financial tables should be submitted to the Commission in order to ensure up-to-date information on financial allocations for each priority.












(22a)






Major projects represent a substantial share of Union spending and are frequently of strategic importance with respect to the achievement of the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It is therefore justified that operations above certain thresholds continue to be subject to specific approval procedures under this Regulation. The threshold should be established in relation to total eligible cost after taking account of expected net revenues. To ensure clarity, it is appropriate to define the content of a major project application for such a purpose. The application should contain the necessary information to provide assurance that the financial contribution from the Funds does not result in a substantial loss of jobs in existing locations within the Union. The Member State should submit all required information and the Commission should appraise the major project to determine whether the requested financial contribution is justified. [Am. 21]











(23)


To strengthen the integrated territorial development approach, investments in the form of territorial tools such as integrated territorial investments (‘ITI’), community-led local development (‘CLLD’)
, known as
‘
LEADER’ under the EAFRD,
 or any other territorial tool under policy objective ‘a Europe closer to citizens’ supporting initiatives designed by the Member State for investments programmed for the ERDF should be based on territorial and local development strategies
. The same should apply to related initiatives such as the Smart Villages
. For the purposes of ITIs and territorial tools designed by Member States, minimum requirements should be set out for the content of territorial strategies. Those territorial strategies should be developed and endorsed under the responsibility of relevant authorities or bodies. To ensure the involvement of relevant authorities or bodies in implementing territorial strategies, those authorities or bodies should be responsible for the selection of operations to be supported, or involved in that selection. [Am. 22]











(24)


To better mobilise potential at the local level, it is necessary to strengthen and facilitate CLLD. It should take into account local needs and potential, as well as relevant socio-cultural characteristics, and should provide for structural changes, build community 
and administrative
 capacity and stimulate innovation. The close cooperation and integrated use of the Funds to deliver local development strategies should be strengthened. Local action groups, representing the interests of the community, should be, as an essential principle responsible for the design and implementation of CLLD strategies. In order to facilitate coordinated support from different Funds to CLLD strategies and to facilitate their implementation, the use of a ‘Lead Fund’ approach should be facilitated. [Am. 23]











(25)


In order to reduce the administrative burden, technical assistance at the initiative of the Member State should be implemented through a flat rate based on progress in programme implementation. That technical assistance may be complemented with targeted administrative capacity building measures
, such as the evaluation of the skills set of human resources,
 using reimbursement methods that are not linked to costs. Actions and deliverables as well as corresponding Union payments can be agreed in a roadmap and can lead to payments for results on the ground. [Am. 24]











(26)


It is opportune to clarify that, where a Member State proposes to the Commission that a priority of a programme or part thereof is supported through a financing scheme not linked to costs, the actions, deliverables and conditions agreed should be related to concrete investments undertaken under the shared management programmes in that Member State or region.










(27)


In order to examine the performance of the programmes, the Member State should set up monitoring committees
, consisting also of representatives of civil society and social partners
. For the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund, annual implementation reports should be replaced by an annual structured policy dialogue based on the latest information and data on programme implementation made available by the Member State. [Am. 25]











(28)


Pursuant to paragraphs 22 and 23 of the Inter-institutional agreement for Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016 (9), there is a need to evaluate the Funds on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burden, in particular on Member States. These requirements, where appropriate, can include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Funds on the ground. 
Indicators should be developed in a gender sensitive manner when possible. [Am. 26]











(29)


To ensure availability of comprehensive up-to-date information on programme implementation, more frequent

effective and timely
 electronic reporting on quantitative data should be required. [Am. 27]











(30)


In order to support the preparation of related programmes and activities of the next programming period, the Commission should carry out a mid-term assessment of the Funds. At the end of the programming period, the Commission should carry out retrospective evaluations of the Funds, which should focus on the impact of the Funds. 
The results of these evaluations should be made public. [Am. 28]











(31)


Programme authorities, beneficiaries and stakeholders in Member States should raise awareness of the achievements of Union funding and inform the general public accordingly. Transparency, communication and visibility activities are essential in making Union action visible on the ground and should be based on true, accurate and updated information. In order for these requirements to be enforceable, programme authorities and the Commission should be able to apply remedial measures in case of non-compliance.










(32)


Managing authorities should publish structured information on selected operations and beneficiaries on the website of the programme providing support to the operation, while taking account of requirements for data protection of personal data in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (10) of the European Parliament and of the Council.










(33)


With a view to simplifying the use of the Funds and reducing the risk of error, it is appropriate to define both the forms of Union contribution to Member States and the forms of support provided by Member States to beneficiaries.










(34)


As regards grants provided to beneficiaries, Member States should increasingly make use of simplified cost options. The threshold linked to the obligatory use of simplified cost options should be linked to the total costs of the operation in order to ensure the same treatment of all operations below the threshold, regardless of whether the support is public or private. 
Where a Member State intends to propose the use of a simplified cost option, it could consult the monitoring committee. [Am. 29]











(35)


To enable immediate implementation of flat-rates, any flat rate established by Member States in the 2014-2020 period based on a fair, equitable and verifiable calculation method should continue to be applied for similar operations supported under this Regulation without requiring a new calculation method.










(36)


In order to optimise the uptake of co-financed environmental investments, synergies should be ensured with the LIFE programme for Environmental and Climate Action, in particular through LIFE strategic integrated projects and strategic nature projects
, as well as with projects funded under Horizon Europe and other Union programmes
. [Am. 30]











(37)


In order to provide legal clarity, it is appropriate to specify the eligibility period for expenditure or costs linked to operations supported by the Funds under this Regulation and to restrict support for completed operations. The date from which expenditure becomes eligible for support from the Funds in case of adoption of new programmes or of changes in the programmes should also be clarified, including the exceptional possibility to extend the eligibility period to the start of a natural disaster in case there is urgent need to mobilise resources to respond to such disaster.










(38)


To ensure the 
inclusiveness,
 effectiveness, fairness and sustainable impact of the Funds, there should be provisions guaranteeing that investments in infrastructure or productive investment are 
non-discriminatory and
 long-lasting and prevent the Funds from being used to undue advantage. Managing authorities should pay particular attention not to support relocation when selecting operations and to treat sums unduly paid to operations not complying with the requirement of durability as irregularities. [Am. 31]











(39)


With a view to improving complementarities and simplifying implementation, it should be possible to combine support from the Cohesion Fund and the ERDF with support from the ESF+ in joint programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal.










(40)


In order to optimise the added value from investments funded wholly or in part through the budget of the Union, synergies should be sought in particular between the Funds and directly managed instruments, including the Reform Delivery Tool. 
This policy coordination should promote easy-to-use mechanisms and multi-level governance.
 Those synergies should be achieved through key mechanisms, namely the recognition of flat rates for eligible costs from Horizon Europe for a similar operation and the possibility of combining funding from different Union instruments in the same operation as long as double financing is avoided. This Regulation should therefore set out rules for complementary financing from the Funds. [Am. 32]











(41)


Financial instruments should not be used to support refinancing activities, such as replacing existing loan agreements or other forms of financing for investments which have already been physically completed or fully implemented at the date of the investment decision, but rather to support any type of new investments in line with the underlying policy objectives.










(42)


The decision to finance support measures through financial instruments should be determined on the basis of an ex ante assessment. This Regulation should lay down the minimum mandatory elements of ex ante assessments and should allow Member States to make use of the ex ante assessment carried out for the 2014-2020 period, updated where necessary, in order to avoid administrative burden and delays in setting up financial instruments.












(42a)






Managing authorities should have the possibility to implement financial instruments through a direct award of a contract to the EIB Group, national promotional banks and to international financial institutions (IFIs). [Am. 33]











(43)


In order to facilitate the implementation of certain types of financial instruments where ancillary grant support is envisaged, it is possible to apply the rules on financial instruments on such combination in one financial instrument operation. Specific conditions preventing double financing in such cases should be set out.










(44)


In full respect of the applicable State aid and public procurement rules already clarified during the 2014-2020 programming period, the managing authorities should have the possibility to decide on the most appropriate implementation options for financial instruments in order to address the specific needs of target regions. 
In this framework, the Commission should, in cooperation with the European Court of Auditors, give guidance to auditors, managing authorities and beneficiaries for assessing compliance with state aid and developing state aid schemes. [Am. 34]











(45)


In accordance with the principle and rules of shared management, Member States and the Commission should be responsible for the management and control of programmes and give assurance on the legal and regular use of the Funds. Since Member States should have the primary responsibility for such management and control and should ensure that operations supported by the Funds comply with applicable law, their obligations in that regard should be specified. The powers and responsibilities of the Commission in that context should also be laid down.












(45a)






In order to increase accountability and transparency, the Commission should provide for a complaints-handling system accessible to all citizens and stakeholders at all stages of preparation and implementation of programmes including monitoring and evaluation. [Am. 35]











(46)


In order to hasten the start of programme implementation, the roll-over of implementation arrangements
, including administrative and IT systems,
 from the previous programming period should be facilitated 
where possible
. The use of the computerised system already established for the previous programming period, adapted as required, should be maintained, unless a new technology is necessary. [Am. 36]











(47)


To streamline programme management functions, the integration of accounting functions with those of the managing authority should be maintained for the programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, and should be an option for the other Funds.










(48)


Since the managing authority bears the main responsibility for the effective and efficient implementation of the Funds and therefore fulfils a substantial number of functions, its functions in relation to the selection of projects, programme management and support for the monitoring committee should be set out in detail. Operations selected should be in line with the horizontal principles.












(48a)






To support the effective use of the Funds, the EIB support should be available to all Member States at their request. This could cover capacity building, support for project identification, preparation and implementation, as well as advice on financial instruments and investment platforms. [Am. 37]











(49)


In order to optimise synergies between the Funds and directly managed instruments, the provision of support for operations that have already received a Seal of Excellence certification should be facilitated.










(50)


To ensure an appropriate balance between the effective and efficient implementation of the Funds and the related administrative costs and burdens, the frequency, scope and coverage of management verifications should be based on a risk assessment that takes account of factors such as the type of operations implemented, the 
complexity and number of operations, the
 beneficiaries as well as the level of risk identified by previous management verifications and audits. 
Management and control measures for the Funds should be proportionate to the level of risk to the Union budget. [Am. 38]











(51)


The audit authority should carry out audits and ensure that the audit opinion provided to the Commission is reliable. That audit opinion should provide assurance to the Commission on three points, namely the legality and regularity of the declared expenditure, the effective functioning of the management and control systems and the completeness, accuracy and veracity of the accounts.










(52)


A reduction of verifications and audit requirements should be possible where there is assurance that the programme has functioned effectively for the latest two consecutive years since this demonstrates that the Funds are being implemented effectively and efficiently over a prolonged period of time.










(53)


To reduce administrative burden on beneficiaries and administrative costs, the concrete application of the single audit principle should be specified for the Funds.










(54)


In order to improve financial management, a simplified pre-financing scheme should be provided for. The pre-financing scheme should ensure that a Member State has the means to provide support to beneficiaries from the start of the implementation of the programme.










(55)


To reduce the administrative burden for Member States as well as for the Commission, a compulsory schedule of quarterly payment applications should be established. Commission payments should continue to be subject to a 10 % retention until the payment of the annual balance of accounts when the Commission is able to conclude that the accounts are complete, accurate and true.










(56)


In order to reduce the administrative burden, the procedure for the annual acceptance of accounts should be simplified by providing simpler modalities for payments and recoveries where there is no disagreement between the Commission and the Member State.










(57)


In order to safeguard the financial interests and the budget of the Union proportionate measures should be established and implemented at the level of Member States and of the Commission. The Commission should be able to interrupt payments deadlines, suspend interim payments and apply financial corrections where the respective conditions are fulfilled. The Commission should respect the principle of proportionality by taking into account the nature, gravity and frequency of irregularities and their financial implications for the budget of the Union.










(58)


Member States should also prevent, detect and deal effectively with any irregularities including fraud committed by beneficiaries. Moreover, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 (11), and Regulations (Euratom, EC) No 2988/95 (12) and No 2185/96 (13) the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out administrative investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 (14), the European Public Prosecutor’s Office may investigate and prosecute fraud and other criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the Union as provided for in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 (15) on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law. Member States should take the necessary measures so that any person or entity receiving Union funds fully cooperates in the protection of the Union’s financial interests, grants the necessary rights and access to the Commission, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and ensures that any third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds grant equivalent rights. Member States should 
provide a detailed
 report to the Commission on detected irregularities including fraud, and on their follow-up as well as on the follow-up of OLAF investigations. 
Member States that do not participate in the enhanced cooperation with the EPPO should report to the Commission on decisions taken by national prosecution authorities in relation to cases of irregularities affecting the Union budget. [Am. 39]











(59)


In order to encourage financial discipline, it is appropriate to define the arrangements for decommitment of budgetary commitments at programme level.










(60)


In order to promote the objectives of the TFEU related to economic, social and territorial cohesion, the Investment for jobs and growth goal should support all regions. To provide balanced and gradual support and reflect the level of economic and social development, resources under that goal should be allocated from the ERDF and the ESF+ on the basis of an allocation key which is predominantly based on GDP per capita. Member States whose per capita gross national income (‘GNI’) is less than 90 % of that of the Union average should benefit under the Investment for jobs and growth goal from the Cohesion Fund.










(61)


Objective criteria should be established for designating eligible regions and areas for support from the Funds. To this end, the identification of the regions and areas at Union level should be based on the common system of classification of the regions established by Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and the Council (16), as 
most recently
 amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No 868/2014

No 2016/2066
 (17). [Am. 40]











(62)


In order to set out an appropriate financial framework for the ERDF, the ESF+
, the EMFF
 and the Cohesion Fund, the Commission should set out the annual breakdown of available allocations per Member State under the Investment for jobs and growth goal together with the list of eligible regions, as well as the allocations for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg). Taking into account that the national allocations of Member States should be established on the basis of the statistical data and forecasts available in 2018 and given the forecasting uncertainties, the Commission should review the total allocations of all Member States in 2024 on the basis of the most recent statistics available at the time and, where there is a cumulative divergence of more than +/- 5 %, it should adjust those allocations for the years 2025 to 2027 in order for the outcomes of the mid-term review and the technical adjustment exercise to be reflected in programme amendments at the same time. [Am. 41]











(63)


Trans-European transport networks projects in accordance with Regulation (EU) No [new CEF Regulation] (18) will continue to be financed from the Cohesion Fund via both shared management and the direct implementation mode under the Connecting Europe Facility (‘CEF’). Building on the successful approach of the 2014-2020 programming period, EUR 10 000 000 000

4 000 000 000
 of the Cohesion Fund should be transferred to the CEF for this purpose. [Am. 42]











(64)


A certain amount of the resources from ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund should be allocated to the European Urban Initiative which should be implemented through direct or indirect management by the Commission. 
Further reflection should be carried out in future on the specific support which is provided for disadvantaged regions and communities. [Am. 43]











(65)


With a view to ensuring an appropriate allocation to categories of regions, as a principle, the total allocations to Member States in respect of less developed, transitional and more developed regions should not be transferable between the categories. Nevertheless, to accommodate Member State’s needs to tackle specific challenges, Member States should be able to request a transfer from their allocations for more developed regions or for transition regions to less developed regions and should justify that choice. In order to ensure sufficient financial resources for less developed regions, a ceiling should be established for transfers to more developed regions or to transition regions. Transferability of resources between goals should not be possible.












(65a)






With a view to tackling the challenges faced by middle income regions, as described in the 7th cohesion report
 (19)

(low growth compared to more developed regions but also compared to less developed regions, this issue being faced especially by regions with a GDP per capita between 90 % and 100 % of the average GDP of the EU-27), ‘transition regions’ should receive adequate support and be defined as regions whose GDP per capita is between 75 % and 100 % of the average GDP of the EU-27. [Am. 44]











(66)


Within the context of the unique and specific circumstances on the island of Ireland, and with a view to supporting North-South cooperation under the Good Friday Agreement, a new ‘PEACE PLUS’ cross-border programme should continue and build on the work of previous programmes, Peace and INTERREG, between the border counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Taking into account its practical importance, this programme should be supported with a specific allocation to continue support for peace and reconciliation actions, and that an appropriate share of the Irish allocation under the European Territorial Cooperation goal (Interreg) should also be allocated to the programme.












(66a)






Within the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the Union, several regions and Member States will be more exposed to the consequences of this withdrawal than the others, due to their geography, nature and / or the extent of their trading links. It is therefore important to identify practical solutions for support also within the framework of cohesion policy to address the challenges for the concerned regions and Member States once the UK’s withdrawal has taken place. Furthermore, a continuous cooperation, involving exchanges of information and good practices at the level of the most impacted local and regional authorities and Member States will need to be established. [Am. 45]











(67)


It is necessary to establish the maximum rates of co-financing in the area of cohesion policy by category of region in order to ensure that the principle of co-financing is respected through an appropriate level of public or private national support. Those rates should reflect the level of economic development of regions in terms of GDP per capita in relation to the EU-27 average
, while safeguarding no less favourable treatment due to shifts in their categorisation
. [Am. 46]











(68)


In order to supplement and amend certain non-essential elements of this Regulation, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the amendment of the elements contained in certain Annexes to this Regulation, i.e. for the dimensions and codes for the types of intervention, the templates for partnership agreements and programmes, the templates for the transmission of data, the use of the emblem of the Union, the elements for funding agreements and strategy documents, , the audit trail, electronic data exchange systems, the templates for the description of the management and control system, for the management declaration, for the audit opinion, for the annual control report, for the audit strategy, for the payment applications, for the accounts as well as for the determination of the level of financial corrections.










(69)


In addition the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of 
the amendment of the European code of conduct on partnership in order to adapt the code to this Regulation,
 the establishment of the criteria for determining the cases of irregularities to be reported, the definition of unit costs, lump sums, flat rates and financing not linked to costs applicable to all Member States as well as the establishment of standardised off-the-shelf sampling methodologies. [Am. 47]











(70)


It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate
, transparent
 consultations 
with all interested parties
 during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States’ experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. [Am. 48]











(71)


In order to ensure uniform conditions for the adoption of Partnership Agreements, the adoption or amendment of programmes as well as the application of financial corrections, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. The implementing powers relating to the format to be used for reporting on irregularities, the electronic data to be recorded and stored and for the template for the final performance report should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (20). Although these acts are of a general nature, the advisory procedure should be used given that they only set out technical aspects, forms and templates. The implementing powers in relation to the establishment of the breakdown of financial allocations for the ERDF, ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund. should be adopted without comitology procedures given that they merely reflect the application of a pre-defined calculation methodology.










(72)


Since Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (21) or any act applicable to the 2014–2020 programming period should continue to apply to programmes and operations supported by the Funds covered under the 2014–2020 programming period. Since the implementation period of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 is expected to extend over to the programming period covered by this Regulation and in order to ensure continuity of implementation of certain operations approved by that Regulation, phasing provisions should be established. Each individual phase of the phased operation, which serves the same overall objective, should be implemented in accordance with the rules of the programming period under which it receives funding.










(73)


The objectives of this Regulation, namely to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion and to lay down common financial rules for part of the budget of the Union implemented under shared management, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States by reason on the one hand due to the extent of the disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of

specific challenges faced by
 the least favoured regions, as well as the limit on the financial resources of the Member States and regions and on the other hand due to the need for a coherent implementation framework covering several Union funds under shared management. Since those objectives can therefore rather be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the TEU. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives. [Am. 49]











(74)


This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,




HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
TITLE I
OBJECTIVES AND GENERAL RULES ON SUPPORT
CHAPTER I
Subject-matter and definitions


Article 1


Subject-matter and scope


1.   This Regulation lays down:






(a)


financial rules for the European Regional Development Fund (‘ERDF’), the European Social Fund Plus (‘ESF+’), the Cohesion Fund, 
the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (‘EAFRD’),
 the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (‘EMFF’), the Asylum and Migration Fund (‘AMIF’), the Internal Security Fund (‘ISF’) and the Border Management and Visa Instrument (‘BMVI’) (‘the Funds’); [Am. 50]











(b)


common provisions applicable to the ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund and the EMFF
, and to the EAFRD as prescribed in paragraph 1a of this Article
. [Am. 431]









1a.
   
Title I, Chapter I — Article 2- paragraph 4 a, Chapter II — Article 5, Title III, Chapter II — Articles 22 to 28 and Title IV — Chapter III — Section I- Articles 41 to 43 shall apply to aid measures financed by the EAFRD and Title I- Chapter 1 — Article 2- paragraphs 15 to 25 , as well as Title V- Chapter II — Section II — Articles 52 to 56 shall apply to financial instruments provided for in Article 74 of Regulation (EU) …/… [CAP Strategic Plans Regulation] and supported under the EAFRD. [Am. 432]



2.   This Regulation shall not apply to the Employment and Social Innovation and the Health strands of the ESF+ and to the direct or indirect management components of the EMFF, the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, except for technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission.


3.   Articles 4 and 10, Chapter III of Title II, Chapter II of Title III, and Title VIII shall not apply to the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI.


4.   Title VIII shall not apply to the EMFF.


5.   Article 11 of Chapter II and Article 15 of Chapter III of Title II, Chapter I of Title III, Articles 33 to 36 and Article 38(1) to (4) of Chapter I, Article 39 of Chapter II, Article 45 of Chapter III of Title IV, Articles 67, 71, 73 and 74 of Chapter II and Chapter III of Title VI shall not apply to Interreg programmes.


6.   The Fund-specific Regulations listed below may establish complementary rules to this Regulation which shall not be in contradiction with this Regulation. In case of doubt about the application between this Regulation and Fund-specific Regulations, this Regulation shall prevail:






(a)


Regulation (EU) […] (the ‘ERDF and CF Regulation’) (22);










(b)


Regulation (EU) […] (the ‘ESF+ Regulation’) (23);










(c)


Regulation (EU) […] (the ‘ETC Regulation’) (24);










(d)


Regulation (EU) […] (the ‘EMFF Regulation’) (25);










(e)


Regulation (EU) […] (the ‘AMIF Regulation’) (26);










(f)


Regulation (EU) […] (the ‘ISF Regulation’) (27);










(g)


Regulation (EU) […] (the ‘BMVI Regulation’) (28) .








Article 2


Definitions

For the purpose of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:






(1)


‘relevant country specific recommendations’ mean Council recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2)

Articles 121(2) and (4)
 and Article 148(4) of the TFEU relating to structural challenges which it is appropriate to address through multiannual investments that fall within the scope of the Funds as set out in Fund-specific Regulations, and relevant recommendations adopted in accordance with Article [XX] of Regulation (EU) [number of the new Energy Union Governance Regulation] of the European Parliament and of the Council; [Am. 54]













(1a)






‘enabling condition’ means a concrete and precisely defined condition which has a genuine link to a direct impact on the effective and efficient achievement of a specific objective of the programme; [Am. 55]











(2)


‘applicable law’ means Union law and the national law relating to its application;










(3)


‘operation’ means:






(a)


a project, contract, action or group of projects selected under the programmes concerned;










(b)


in the context of financial instruments, a programme contribution to a financial instrument and the subsequent financial support provided to final recipients by that financial instrument;














(4)


‘operation of strategic importance’ means an operation which provides a key contribution to the achievement of the objectives of a programme and which are subject to particular monitoring and communication measures;












(4a)






‘programme’ in the context of the EAFRD means the CAP Strategic Plans as referred to in Regulation (EU) […] (the ‘CAP Strategic Plans Regulation’); [Am. 56]











(5)


‘priority’ in the context of the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, means a specific objective; in the context of the EMFF it means a ‘type of areas of support’ as referred to in the nomenclature laid down in Annex III of the EMFF Regulation;










(6)


‘specific objective’ in the context of the EMFF, shall be understood as ‘areas of support’ as referred to in Annex III of the EMFF Regulation;










(7)


‘intermediate body’ means any public or private law body which acts under the responsibility of a managing authority, or which carries out functions or tasks on behalf of such an authority;










(8)


‘beneficiary’ means:






(a)


a public or private law body, an entity with or without legal personality or a natural person, responsible for initiating or both initiating and implementing operations;










(b)


in the context of public-private partnerships (‘PPP’), the public law body initiating a PPP operation or the private partner selected for its implementation;










(c)


in the context of State aid schemes, the 
body or the
 undertaking
, as appropriate,
 which receives the aid
, except where the aid per undertaking is less than EUR 200 000, in which case the Member State concerned may decide that the beneficiary is the body granting the aid, without prejudice to Commission Regulations (EU) No 1407/2013
 (29)

, (EU) No 1408/2013
 (30)

and (EU) No 717/2014
 (31); [Am. 57]











(d)


in the context of financial instruments, the body that implements the holding fund or, where there is no holding fund structure, the body that implements the specific fund or, where the managing authority manages the financial instrument, the managing authority;














(9)


‘mall project fund’ means an operation in an Interreg programme aimed at the selection and implementation of 
projects, including people-to-people
 projects of limited financial volume; [Am. 58]











(10)


‘target’ means a pre-agreed value to be achieved at the end of the programming period in relation to an indicator included under a specific objective;










(11)


‘milestone’ means an intermediate value to be achieved at a given point in time during the programming period in relation to an indicator included under a specific objective;










(12)


‘output indicator’ means an indicator to measure the specific deliverables of the intervention;










(13)


‘result indicator’ means an indicator to measure the short term effects of the interventions supported, with particular reference to the direct addressees, population targeted or users of infrastructure;










(14)


‘PPP operation’ means an operation which is implemented under a partnership between public bodies and the private sector in line with a PPP agreement, and which aims to provide public services through risk sharing, pooling of private sector expertise or additional sources of capital;










(15)


‘financial instrument’ means a structure through which financial products are provided;










(16)


‘financial product’ means equity or quasi equity investments, loans and guarantees as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) […] (‘the Financial Regulation’);










(17)


‘final recipient’ means a legal or natural person receiving support from the Funds through a beneficiary of a small project fund or from a financial instrument;










(18)


‘programme contribution’ means the support from the Funds and the national public and private, if any, co-financing, to a financial instrument;










(19)


‘body implementing a financial instrument’ means a body, governed by public or private law, carrying out tasks of a holding fund or of a specific fund;










(20)


‘holding fund’ means a fund set up by a managing authority under one or more programmes, to implement financial instruments through one or more specific funds;










(21)


‘specific fund’ means a fund, set-up

set up
 by a managing authority or a holding fund, to

through which they
 provide financial products to final recipients; [Am. 59]











(22)


‘leverage effect’ means the amount of reimbursable financing provided to final recipients divided by the amount of the contribution from the Funds;










(23)


‘multiplier ratio’ in the context of guarantee instruments, means a ratio between the value of the underlying disbursed new loans, equity or quasi-equity investments, and the amount of the programme contribution set aside as agreed in guarantee contracts to cover expected and unexpected losses from those new loans, equity or quasi-equity investments;










(24)


‘management costs’ means direct or indirect costs reimbursed against evidence of expenditure incurred in the implementation of financial instruments;










(25)


‘management fees’ means a price for services rendered, as determined in the funding agreement between the managing authority and the body implementing a holding fund or a specific fund; and, where applicable, between the body implementing a holding fund and the body implementing a specific fund;










(26)


‘relocation’ means a transfer of the same or similar activity or part thereof within the meaning of Article 2(61a) of Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 (32) declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU;










(27)


‘public contribution’ means any contribution to the financing of operations the source of which is the budget of national, regional or local public authorities or of any European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC) established in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (33), the budget of the Union made available to the Funds, the budget of public law bodies or the budget of associations of public authorities or of public law bodies and, for the purpose of determining the co-financing rate for ESF+ programmes or priorities, may include any financial resources collectively contributed by employers and workers;










(28)


‘accounting year’ means the period from 1 July to 30 June of the following year, except for the first accounting year of the programming period, in respect of which it means the period from the start date for eligibility of expenditure until 30 June 2022; for the final accounting year, it means the period from 1 July 2029 to 30 June 2030;










(29)


‘irregularity’ means any breach of applicable law, resulting from an act or omission by an economic operator involved in the implementation of the Funds, which has, or would have, the effect of prejudicing the budget of the Union by charging unjustified expenditure to that budget;










(30)


‘serious deficiency’ means a deficiency in the effective functioning of the management and control system of a programme for which significant improvements in the management and control systems are required and where any of the key requirements 2, 4, 5, 9, 12, 13 and 15 referred to in Annex X, or two or more of the other key requirements are assessed into categories 3 and 4 of that Annex;










(31)


‘total error rate’ means the sum of the projected random errors and, if applicable, systemic errors and uncorrected anomalous errors, divided by the population;










(32)


‘residual error rate’ means the total error rate less the financial corrections applied by the Member State which intend to reduce the risks identified by the audit authority in its audits of operations;










(33)


‘completed operation’ means an operation that has been physically completed or fully implemented and in respect of which all related payments have been made by beneficiaries and the corresponding public contribution has been paid to the beneficiaries;










(34)


‘sampling unit’ means one of the units, which may be an operation, a project within an operation or a payment claim by a beneficiary, into which a population is divided for the purpose of sampling;










(35)


‘escrow account’ means, in the case of a PPP operation a bank account covered by a written agreement between a public body beneficiary and the private partner approved by the managing authority or an intermediate body used for payments during and/or after the eligibility period;










(36)


‘participant’ means a natural person benefiting from an operation but not receiving financial support from the Funds;












(36a)






‘energy efficiency first principle’ means the prioritisation, in energy planning, policy and investment decisions, of measures that make the demand and supply of energy more efficient; [Am. 60]











(37)


‘climate proofing’ means a process to ensure that infrastructure is resilient to the adverse impacts of the climate in accordance with 
internationally recognised standards or
 national rules and guidance, where available, or internationally recognised standards

that the energy efficiency first principle is respected and that specific emission reduction and decarbonisation pathways are chosen
; [Am. 61]













(37a)






‘EIB’ means the European Investment Bank, the European Investment Fund or any subsidiary of the European Investment Bank. [Am. 62]








Article 3


Calculation of time limits for Commission actions

Where a time limit is set for an action by the Commission, that time limit shall start when all information in accordance with the requirements laid down in this Regulation or in Fund-specific Regulations have been submitted by the Member State.
That time limit shall be suspended from the day following the date on which the Commission sends its observations or a request for revised documents to the Member State and until the Member State responds to the Commission.

CHAPTER II
Policy objectives and principles for the support of the Funds


Article 4


Policy objectives


1.   The ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund and the EMFF shall support the following policy objectives:






(a)


a 
more competitive and
 smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation 
and strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises
; [Am. 63]











(b)


a greener, low-carbon 
transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient
 Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate 
change mitigation and
 adaptation and risk prevention and management; [Am. 64]











(c)


a more connected Europe by enhancing mobility
, including smart and sustainable mobility,
 and regional ICT connectivity; [Am. 65]











(d)


a more social 
and inclusive
 Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights; [Am. 66]











(e)


a Europe closer to citizens by fostering the sustainable and integrated development of urban, rural and coastal

all regions,
 areas and local initiatives. [Am. 67]







2.   The ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund shall contribute to the actions of the Union leading to strengthening of its economic, social and territorial cohesion in accordance with Article 174 of the TFEU by pursuing the following goals:






(a)


Investment for jobs and growth in Member States and regions, to be supported by the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund; and










(b)


European territorial cooperation (Interreg), to be supported by the ERDF.






3.   Member States 
shall ensure climate proofing for relevant operations through the entire planning and implementation process and
 shall provide information on the support for environment and climate objectives using a methodology based on types of intervention for each of the Funds. That methodology shall consist of assigning a specific weighting to the support provided at a level which reflects the extent to which such support makes a contribution to environmental objectives and to climate objectives. In the case of the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund weightings shall be attached to dimensions and codes for the types of intervention established in Annex I. [Am. 68]



4   
In accordance with their respective responsibilities and in line with the principles of subsidiarity and multilevel governance,
 Member States and the Commission shall ensure the coordination, complementarity and coherence between the Funds and other Union instruments such as the Reform Support Programme, including the Reform Delivery Tool and the Technical Support Instrument. They shall optimise mechanisms for coordination between those responsible 
in order
 to avoid duplication during planning and implementation. [Am. 69]





4a.
   
Member States and the Commission shall ensure compliance with relevant State aid rules. [Am. 70]





Article 5


Shared management


1.   The Member States
, in accordance with their institutional and legal framework,
 and the Commission shall implement the budget of the Union allocated to the Funds under shared management in accordance with Article [63] of Regulation (EU, Euratom) [number of the new financial regulation] (the ‘Financial Regulation’). [Am. 71]



2.   However,

Without prejudice to Article 1(2)
, the Commission shall implement the amount of support from the Cohesion Fund transferred to the Connecting Europe Facility (‘CEF’), the European Urban Initiative, Interregional Innovative Investments, the amount of support transferred from the ESF+ to transnational cooperation, the amounts contributed to InvestEU (34) and technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission under direct or indirect management in accordance with [points (a) and (c) of Article 62(1)] of the Financial Regulation. [Am. 72]



3.   The Commission may
, with the agreement of the Member State and the region concerned,
 implement outermost regions’ cooperation under the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) under indirect management. [Am. 73]





Article 6


Partnership and multi-level governance


1.   
For the Partnership Agreement and each programme,
 each Member State shall 
, in accordance with its institutional and legal framework,
 organise a 
fully -fledged, effective
 partnership with the competent regional and local authorities. That partnership shall include at least the following partners: [Am. 74]







(a)




regional, local,
 urban and other public authorities; [Am. 75]











(b)


economic and social partners;










(c)


relevant bodies representing civil society, 
such as
 environmental partners
, non-governmental organisations
, and bodies responsible for promoting social inclusion, fundamental rights, rights of persons with disabilities, gender equality and non-discrimination; [Am. 76]













(ca)






research institutions and universities, where appropriate. [Am. 77]







2.   In accordance with the multi-level governance principle 
and following a bottom-up approach
, the Member State shall involve those partners in the preparation of Partnership Agreements and throughout the preparation, and

and evaluation
 implementation of programmes including through participation in monitoring committees in accordance with Article 34. 
In that context, Member States shall allocate an appropriate percentage of the resources coming from the Funds for the administrative capacity building of social partners and civil society organisations. For cross-border programmes, the Member States concerned shall include partners from all participating Member States. [Ams. 78 and 459]



3.   The organisation and implementation of partnership shall be carried out in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014 (35). 
The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 107, concerning amendments to Delegated Regulation (EU) 240/2014 in order to adapt that Delegated Regulation to this Regulation. [Am. 79]



4.   At least once a year, the Commission shall consult the organisations which represent the partners at Union level on the implementation of programmes
, and shall report to the European Parliament and Council on the outcome
. [Am. 80]






Article 6a




Horizontal Principles





1.
   
Member States and the Commission shall ensure respect for fundamental rights and compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in the implementation of the Funds.






2.
   
Member States and the Commission shall ensure that equality between men and women, gender mainstreaming and the integration of gender perspective are taken into account and promoted throughout the preparation and implementation of programmes, including in relation to monitoring, reporting and evaluation.






3.
   
Member States and the Commission shall take appropriate steps to prevent any discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation during the preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of programmes. In particular, accessibility for persons with disabilities shall be taken into account throughout the preparation and implementation of programmes.






4.
   
The objectives of the Funds shall be pursued in line with the principle of sustainable development, taking into account the UN Sustainable Development Goals and with the Union’s promotion of the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of environment and combating climate change, taking into account the polluter pays principle, as set out in Article 191(1) and (2) TFEU.




Member States and the Commission shall ensure that environmental protection requirements, resource efficiency, energy efficiency first-principle, socially just energy transition, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, disaster resilience, and risk prevention and management are promoted in the preparation and implementation of programmes. They shall aim at avoiding investments related to production, processing, distribution, storage or combustion of fossil fuels. [Am. 81]



TITLE II
STRATEGIC APPROACH
CHAPTER I
Partnership Agreement


Article 7


Preparation and submission of the Partnership Agreement


1.   Each Member State shall prepare a Partnership Agreement which sets out arrangements for using the Funds in an effective and efficient way for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027. 
Such Partnership Agreement shall be prepared in accordance with the code of conduct established by the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014. [Am. 82]



2.   The Member State shall submit the Partnership Agreement to the Commission before or at the same time as the submission of the first programme
, but not later than 30 April 2021
. [Am. 83]



3.   The Partnership Agreement may be submitted together with the relevant annual National Reform Programme 
and the National Energy and Climate Plan
. [Am. 84]



4.   The Member State shall draw up the Partnership Agreement in accordance with the template set out in Annex II. It may include the Partnership Agreement in one of its programmes.


5.   Interreg programmes may be submitted to the Commission before the submission of the Partnership Agreement.




Article 8


Content of the Partnership Agreement

The Partnership Agreement shall contain the following elements:






(a)


the selected policy objectives indicating by which of the Funds and programmes they will be pursued and a justification thereto, and where relevant, a justification for using the delivery mode of the InvestEU, taking into account 
and listing
 relevant country-specific recommendations
, as well as regional challenges
; [Am. 85]











(b)


for each of the selected policy objectives referred to in point (a):






(i)


a summary of the policy choices and the main results expected for each of the Funds, including where relevant, through the use of InvestEU; [Am. 86]











(ii)


coordination, demarcation and complementarities between the Funds and, where appropriate, coordination between national and regional programmes
, in particular with regard to CAP Strategic Plans referred to in Regulation (EU) […] (the ‘CAP Strategic Plans Regulation’)
; [Am. 87]











(iii)


complementarities 
and synergies
 between the Funds and other Union instruments, including LIFE strategic integrated projects and strategic nature projects
, and, where appropriate, projects funded under Horizon Europe; [Am. 88]













(iiia)






delivery on targets, policies and measures under the National Energy and Climate Plans; [Am. 89]















(c)


the preliminary financial allocation from each of the Funds by policy objective at national 
and where appropriate at regional
 level, respecting Fund-specific rules on thematic concentration; [Am. 90]











(d)



where relevant, the breakdown of financial resources by category of regions drawn up in accordance with Article 102(2) and the amounts of allocations proposed to be transferred between categories of regions pursuant to Article 105; [Am. 91]












(e)




the amounts to be contributed to InvestEU by Fund and by category of regions;
[Am. 92]











(f)


the list of planned programmes under the Funds with the respective preliminary financial allocations by fund and the corresponding national contribution by category of regions;










(g)


a summary of the actions which the Member State concerned shall take to reinforce its administrative capacity of the implementation of the Funds 
and its management and control system; [Am. 93]













(ga)






where appropriate, an integrated approach to address the demographic challenges and/ or specific needs of regions and areas; [Am. 94]













(gb)






a communication and visibility strategy. [Am. 95]







The EIB may, at the request of Member States, participate in the preparation of the Partnership Agreement, as well as in activities relating to the preparation of operations, financial instruments and PPPs. [Am. 96]

With regard to the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg), the Partnership Agreement shall only contain the list of planned programmes 
and the cross-border investment needs in the concerned Member State
. [Am. 97]




Article 9


Approval of the Partnership Agreement


1.   The Commission shall assess the Partnership Agreement and its compliance with this Regulation and with the Fund-specific rules. In its assessment, the Commission shall, in particular, take into account 
the provisions of Article 4 and 6, the
 relevant country-specific recommendations
, as well as the measures linked to integrated national energy and climate plans and the way they are addressed
. [Am. 98]



2.   The Commission may make observations within three

two
 months of the date of submission by the Member State of the Partnership Agreement. [Am. 99]



3.   The Member State shall review the Partnership Agreement taking into account the observations made by the Commission 
within one month of the date of their submission
. [Am. 100]



4.   The Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act approving the Partnership Agreement no later than four months after the date of 
the first
 submission of that Partnership Agreement by the Member State concerned. The Partnership Agreement shall not be amended. [Am. 101]



5.   If, pursuant to Article 7(4), the Partnership Agreement is included in a programme, the Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act approving that programme no later than six months after the date of submission of that programme by the Member State concerned.



Article 10

Use of the ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund and the EMFF delivered through InvestEU


1.   
As of 1 January 2023,
 Member States
, with the agreement of the managing authorities concerned,
 may allocate, in the Partnership Agreement or in the request for an amendment of a programme, the amount

up to 2 %
 of ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund and the EMFF to be contributed to InvestEU and delivered through budgetary guarantees. The amount to be contributed to InvestEU shall not exceed 5 %

Up to 3 %
 of the total allocation of each Fund, except in duly justified cases

may be further allocated to InvestEU under the mid-term review
. Such contributions shall not constitute transfers of

be available for investments in line with cohesion policy objectives and in the same category of regions targeted by the Funds of origin. Whenever an amount of ERDF, ESF+, Cohesion Fund is contributed to Invest EU, the enabling conditions as described in Article 11 and in Annexes III and IV to this Regulation shall apply. Only
 resources under Article 21

of future calendar years may be allocated
. [Am. 428]




2.   For the Partnership Agreement, resources of the current and future calendar years may be allocated. For the request for an amendment of a programme, only resources of future calendar years may be allocated.
[Am. 103]



3.   The amount referred to in paragraph 1 shall be used for the provisioning of the part of the EU guarantee under the 
respective
 Member State compartment. [Am. 104]



4.   Where a contribution agreement, as set out in Article [9] of the [InvestEU Regulation], has not been concluded by 31 December 2021

2023
 for an amount referred to in paragraph 1 allocated in the Partnership Agreement, the Member State shall submit a request for amendment of a programme or programmes to use the corresponding amount. [Am. 105]

The contribution agreement for an amount referred to in paragraph 1 allocated in the request of the amendment of a programme shall be concluded
, or amended as the case may be,
 simultaneously with the adoption of the decision amending the programme. [Am. 106]



5.   Where a guarantee agreement, as set out in Article [9] of the [InvestEU Regulation], has not been concluded within nine months from the approval of the contribution agreement, the respective amounts paid into the common provisioning fund as a provisioning shall be transferred back to a

the original
 programme or programmes and the Member State shall submit a corresponding request for a programme amendment. 
In this particular case, resources of past calendar years may be modified, as long as the commitments are not yet implemented. [Am. 107]



6.   Where a guarantee agreement, as set out in Article [9] of the [InvestEU Regulation], has not been fully implemented within four years from the signature of the guarantee agreement, the Member State may request that amounts committed in the guarantee agreement but not covering underlying loans or other risk bearing instruments shall be treated in accordance with paragraph 5.


7.   Resources generated by or attributable to the amounts contributed to InvestEU and delivered through budgetary guarantees shall be made available to the Member State and 
the local or regional authority concerned by the contribution and
 shall be used for support under the same objective or objectives in the form of financial instruments. [Am. 108]



8.   The Commission shall re-budget contributed amounts which have not been used for InvestEU for the year in which the corresponding programme amendment is approved. Such re-budgetisation may not go beyond the year 2027.
The decommitment time limit for the re-budgeted amount in accordance with Article 99 shall start from the year in which the contribution has been re-budgeted.


CHAPTER II
Enabling conditions and performance framework


Article 11


Enabling conditions


1.   For each specific objective, prerequisite conditions for its effective and efficient implementation (‘enabling conditions’) are laid down in this Regulation. 
Enabling conditions shall apply to the extent to which they contribute to the achievement of the specific objectives of the programme. [Am. 109]

Annex III lays down horizontal enabling conditions applicable to all specific objectives and the criteria necessary for the assessment of their fulfilment.
Annex IV lays down thematic enabling conditions for the ERDF, the Cohesion Fund and the ESF+ and the criteria necessary for the assessment of their fulfilment.


2.   When preparing a programme or introducing a new specific objective as part of a programme amendment, the Member State shall assess whether the enabling conditions linked to the selected specific objective are fulfilled. An enabling condition is fulfilled where all the related criteria are met. The Member State shall identify in each programme or in the programme amendment the fulfilled and non-fulfilled enabling conditions and where it considers that an enabling condition is fulfilled, it shall provide justification. 
On the request of a Member State, the EIB may contribute to the assessments of actions needed to fulfil the relevant enabling conditions. [Am. 110]



3.   Where an enabling condition is not fulfilled at the time of approval of the programme or the programme amendment, the Member State shall report to the Commission as soon as it considers the enabling condition fulfilled with justification.


4.   The Commission shall, within three

two
 months of receipt of the information referred to in paragraph 3, perform an assessment and inform the Member State where it agrees with the fulfilment. [Am. 111]

Where the Commission disagrees with the assessment of the Member State, it shall inform the Member State accordingly and give it the opportunity to present its observations within one month

maximum two months
. [Am. 112]



5.   Expenditure related to operations linked to the specific objective cannot

may
 be included in payment applications until

before
 the Commission has informed the Member State of the fulfilment of the enabling condition pursuant to paragraph 4
, without prejudice to the suspension of the reimbursement itself until such time as the condition is fulfilled
. [Am. 113]

The first sub-paragraph shall not apply to operations that contribute to the fulfilment of the corresponding enabling condition.


6.   The Member State shall ensure that enabling conditions are fulfilled and applied throughout the programming period. It shall inform the Commission of any modification impacting the fulfilment of enabling conditions.
Where the Commission considers that an enabling condition is no longer fulfilled, it shall inform the Member State and give it the opportunity to present its observations within one month. Where the Commission concludes that the non-fulfilment of the enabling condition persists, expenditure related to the specific objective concerned cannot be included in payment applications as from the date the Commission informs the Member State accordingly.


7.   Annex IV shall not apply to programmes supported by the EMFF.




Article 12


Performance framework


1.   The Member State
, where appropriate, in cooperation with local and regional authorities,
 shall establish a performance framework which shall allow monitoring, reporting on and evaluating programme performance during its implementation, and contribute to measuring the overall performance of the Funds. [Am. 115]

The performance framework shall consist of:






(a)


the output and result indicators linked to specific objectives set in the Fund-specific Regulations;










(b)


milestones to be achieved by the end of the year 2024 for output indicators; and










(c)


targets to be achieved by the end of the year 2029 for output and result indicators.






2.   Milestones and targets shall be established in relation to each specific objective within a programme, with the exception of technical assistance and of the specific objective addressing material deprivation set out in Article [4(c)(vii)]

[4(1)
(
xi
)] of the ESF+ Regulation. [Am. 116]



3.   Milestones and targets shall allow the Commission and the Member State to measure progress towards the achievement of the specific objectives. They shall meet the requirements set out in Article [33(3)] of the Financial Regulation.




Article 13


Methodologies for the establishment of the performance framework


1.   The methodologies to establish the performance framework shall include:






(a)


the criteria applied by the Member State to select indicators;










(b)


data or evidence used, data quality assurance and the calculation method;










(c)


factors that may influence the achievement of the milestones and targets and how they were taken into account.






2.   The Member State shall make those methodologies available upon request by the Commission.




Article 14


Mid-term review


1.   For programmes supported by the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund, the Member State 
and relevant managing authorities
 shall review each programme, taking into account the following elements: [Am. 117]







(a)



the

new
 challenges identified in relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in 2024 
and the targets identified in the implementation of the integrated national climate and energy plans, if relevant
; [Am. 118]











(b)


the socio-economic situation of the Member State or region concerned
, including the state of implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and territorial needs with a view to reducing disparities, as well as economic and social inequalities
; [Am. 119]











(c)


the progress in achieving the milestones;










(d)


the outcome of the technical adjustment as set out in Article 104(2), where applicable;












(da)






any major negative financial, economic or social developments which require an adjustment of the programmes, including as a consequence of symmetric or asymmetric shocks in the Member States and their regions. [Am. 120]







2.   
In accordance with the outcome of the review,
 the Member State shall submit to the Commission by 31 March 2025 a request for the amendment of each programme in accordance with Article 19(1) 
or state that no amendment is requested
. The Member State shall justify the amendment on the basis of the elements set out in paragraph 1 
or, as appropriate, give reasons for not requesting the amendment of a programme
. [Am. 121]

The revised programme shall include:






(a)


the 
revised initial
 allocations of the financial resources by priority including the amounts for the years 2026 and 2027; [Am. 122]











(b)


revised or new targets;












(ba)






the amounts to be contributed to InvestEU per Fund and per category of region, where appropriate; [Am. 123]











(c)


the revised allocations of the financial resources resulting from the technical adjustment set out in Article 104(2) including the amounts for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027, where applicable.






3.   Where as a result of the review a new programme is submitted, the financing plan under point (ii) of Article 17(3)(f) shall cover the total financial appropriation for each of the Funds as of the year of the programme approval.




3a.
   
The Commission shall, by 31 March 2026, adopt a report summarising the results of the review referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2. The Commission shall communicate the report to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. [Am. 124]



CHAPTER III
Measures linked to sound economic governance



Article 15




Measures linking effectiveness of Funds to sound economic governance




1.   The Commission may request a Member State to review and propose amendments to relevant programmes, where this is necessary to support the implementation of relevant Council Recommendations.


Such a request may be made for the following purposes:








(a)




to support the implementation of a relevant country-specific recommendation adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU and of a relevant Council recommendation adopted in accordance with Article 148(4) TFEU, addressed to the Member State concerned;












(b)




to support the implementation of relevant Council Recommendations addressed to the Member State concerned and adopted in accordance with Articles 7(2) or 8(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 (36)
of the European Parliament and of the Council provided that these amendments are deemed necessary to help correct the macro-economic imbalances.








2.   A request by the Commission to a Member State in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be justified, with reference to the need to support the implementation of the relevant recommendations and shall indicate the programmes or priorities which it considers are concerned and the nature of the amendments expected.




3.   The Member State shall submit its response to the request referred to in paragraph 1 within two months of its receipt, setting out the amendments it considers necessary in the relevant programmes, the reasons for such amendments, identifying the programmes concerned and outlining the nature of the amendments proposed and their expected effects on the implementation of recommendations and on the implementation of the Funds. If necessary, the Commission shall make observations within one month of the receipt of that response.




4.   The Member State shall submit a proposal to amend the relevant programmes within two months of the date of submission of the response referred to in paragraph 3.




5.   Where the Commission has not submitted observations or where it is satisfied that any observations submitted have been duly taken into account, it shall adopt a decision approving the amendments to the relevant programmes in accordance with the time limit set out in Article [19(4)].




6.   Where the Member State fails to take effective action in response to a request made in accordance with paragraph 1, within the deadlines set out in paragraphs 3 and 4, the Commission may suspend all or part of the payments for the programmes or priorities concerned in accordance with Article 91.




7.   The Commission shall make a proposal to the Council to suspend all or part of the commitments or payments for one or more of the programmes of a Member State in the following cases:








(a)




where the Council decides in accordance with Article 126(8) or Article 126(11) TFEU that a Member State has not taken effective action to correct its excessive deficit;












(b)




where the Council adopts two successive recommendations in the same imbalance procedure, in accordance with Article 8(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (37)
on the grounds that a Member State has submitted an insufficient corrective action plan;












(c)




where the Council adopts two successive decisions in the same imbalance procedure in accordance with Article 10(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 establishing non-compliance by a Member State on the grounds that it has not taken the recommended corrective action;












(d)




where the Commission concludes that a Member State has not taken measures as referred to in Council Regulation (EC) No 332/2002 (38)
and as a consequence decides not to authorise the disbursement of the financial assistance granted to that Member State;












(e)




where the Council decides that a Member State does not comply with the macro-economic adjustment programme referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 472/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (39)
, or with the measures requested by a Council decision adopted in accordance with Article 136(1) TFEU.






Priority shall be given to the suspension of commitments; payments shall be suspended only when immediate action is sought and in the case of significant non-compliance. The suspension of payments shall apply to payment applications submitted for the programmes concerned after the date of the decision to suspend.


The Commission may, on grounds of exceptional economic circumstances or following a reasoned request by the Member State concerned addressed to the Commission within 10 days of adoption of the decision or recommendation referred to in the previous sub-paragraph, recommend that the Council cancel the suspension referred to in the same sub-paragraph.




8.   A proposal by the Commission for the suspension of commitments shall be deemed adopted by the Council unless the Council decides, by means of an implementing act, to reject such a proposal by qualified majority within one month of the submission of the Commission proposal.


The suspension of commitments shall apply to the commitments from the Funds for the Member State concerned from 1 January of the year following the decision to suspend.


The Council shall adopt a decision, by means of an implementing act, on a proposal by the Commission referred to in paragraph 7 in relation to the suspension of payments.




9.   The scope and level of the suspension of commitments or payments to be imposed shall be proportionate, shall respect the equality of treatment between Member States and shall take into account the economic and social circumstances of the Member State concerned, in particular the level of unemployment, the level of poverty or social exclusion of the Member State concerned in relation to the Union average and the impact of the suspension on the economy of the Member State concerned. The impact of suspensions on programmes of critical importance to address adverse economic or social conditions shall be a specific factor to be taken into account.




10.   The suspension of commitments shall be subject to a maximum of 25 % of the commitments relating to the next calendar year for the Funds or 0,25 % of nominal GDP whichever is lower, in any of the following cases:








(a)




in the first case of non-compliance with an excessive deficit procedure as referred to under point (a) of paragraph 7;;












(b)




in the first case of non- compliance relating to a corrective action plan under an excessive imbalance procedure as referred to under point b of paragraph 7;












(c)




in case of non-compliance with the recommended corrective action pursuant to an excessive imbalance procedure as referred to under point (c) of paragraph 7;












(d)




in the first case of non-compliance as referred to under points (d) and (e) of paragraph 7.






In case of persistent non-compliance, the suspension of commitments may exceed the maximum percentages set out in the first sub-paragraph.




11.   The Council shall lift the suspension of commitments on a proposal from the Commission, in accordance with the procedure set out in paragraph 8, in the following cases:








(a)




where the excessive deficit procedure is held in abeyance in accordance with Article 9 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 (40)
or the Council has decided in accordance with Article 126(12) TFEU to abrogate the decision on the existence of an excessive deficit;












(b)




where the Council has endorsed the corrective action plan submitted by the Member State concerned in accordance with Article 8(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 or the excessive imbalance procedure is placed in a position of abeyance in accordance with Article 10(5) of that Regulation or the Council has closed the excessive imbalance procedure in accordance with Article 11 of that Regulation;












(c)




where the Commission has concluded that a Member State has taken appropriate measures as referred to in Regulation (EC) No 332/2002;












(d)




where the Commission has concluded that the Member State concerned has taken appropriate measures to implement the adjustment programme referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 472/2013 or the measures requested by a decision of the Council in accordance with Article 136(1) TFEU.






After the Council has lifted the suspension of commitments, the Commission shall re-budget the suspended commitments in accordance with Article [8] of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) [

[…] (MFF regulation)
].

Suspended commitments may not be re-budgeted beyond the year 2027.


The decommitment time limit for the re-budgeted amount in accordance with Article 99 shall start from the year in which the suspended commitment has been re-budgeted.


A decision concerning the lifting of the suspension of payments shall be taken by the Council on a proposal by the Commission where the applicable conditions set out in in the first sub-paragraph are fulfilled.




12.   The Commission shall keep the European Parliament informed of the implementation of this Article. In particular, the Commission shall, when one of the conditions set out in paragraph 7 is fulfilled for a Member State, immediately inform the European Parliament and provide details of the Funds and programmes which could be subject to a suspension of commitments.


The European Parliament may invite the Commission for a structured dialogue on the application of this Article, having regard to the transmission of the information referred to in the first sub-paragraph.


The Commission shall transmit the proposal for suspension of commitments or the proposal to lift such a suspension, to the European Parliament and to the Council.




13.   Paragraphs 1 to 12 shall not apply to priorities or programmes under Article [4(c)(v)(ii)] of ESF+ Regulation.
[Am. 425/rev, 444/rev, 448 and 469]



TITLE III
PROGRAMMING
CHAPTER I
General provisions on the Funds


Article 16


Preparation and submission of programmes


1.   Member States 
in cooperation with the partners referred to in Article 6
 shall prepare programmes to implement the Funds for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027. [Am. 140]



2.   Member States shall submit programmes to the Commission no later than 3 months after the submission of the Partnership Agreement.


3.   Member States shall prepare programmes in accordance with the programme template set out in Annex V.
For the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, the Member State shall prepare programmes in accordance with the programme template set out in Annex VI.




Article 17


Content of programmes


1.   Each programme shall set out a strategy for the programme’s contribution to the policy objectives and the communication of its results.


2.   A programme shall consist of priorities. Each priority shall correspond to a single

one or several
 policy objective

objectives
 or to technical assistance. A priority corresponding to a policy objective shall consist of one or more specific objectives. More than one priority may correspond to the same policy objective. [Am. 141]

For programmes supported by the EMFF, each priority may correspond to one or more policy objectives. Specific objectives correspond to areas of support as defined in Annex [III] to the EMFF Regulation.
For programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, a programme shall consist of specific objectives.


3.   Each programme shall set out:






(a)


a summary of the main challenges, taking into account:






(i)


economic, social and territorial disparities 
as well as inequalities
, except for programmes supported by the EMFF; [Am. 142]











(ii)


market failures, investment needs and complementarity 
and synergies
 with other forms of support; [Am. 143]











(iii)


challenges identified in 
the
 relevant country-specific recommendations and other relevant Union recommendations addressed to the Member State; [Am. 144]











(iv)


challenges in administrative capacity and governance 
and simplification measures
; [Am. 145]













(iva)






an integrated approach to address demographic challenges, where relevant; [Am. 146]











(v)


lessons learnt from past experience;










(vi)


macro-regional strategies and sea-basin strategies where Member States and regions participate in such strategies;












(via)






challenges and related objectives identified within National Energy and Climate Plans and in the European Pillar of Social Rights; [Am. 147]











(vii)


for programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, progress in implementing the relevant Union acquis and action plans
, as well as identified shortcomings
; [Am. 148]















(b)


a justification for the selected policy objectives, corresponding priorities, specific objectives and the forms of support;










(c)


for each priority, except for technical assistance, specific objectives;










(d)


for each specific objective:






(i)


the related types of actions, including a

an indicative
 list 
and timetable
 of planned operations of strategic importance, and their expected contribution to those specific objectives and to macro-regional strategies and sea-basin strategies, where appropriate; [Am. 149]











(ii)


output indicators and result indicators with the corresponding milestones and targets;










(iii)


the main target groups;












(iiia)






actions safeguarding equality, inclusion and non-discrimination; [Am. 150]











(iv)


specific territories targeted, including the planned use of integrated territorial investment, community-led local development or other territorial tools;










(v)


the interregional 
, cross-border
 and transnational actions with beneficiaries located in at least one other Member State; [Am. 151]













(va)






sustainability of investments; [Am. 152]











(vi)


the planned use of financial instruments;










(vii)


the types of intervention and an indicative breakdown of the programmed resources by type of intervention or area of support;












(viia)






a description of how complementarities and synergies with other Funds and instruments are to be pursued; [Am. 153]















(e)


the planned use of technical assistance in accordance with Articles 30 to 32 and relevant types of intervention;










(f)


a financing plan containing:






(i)


a table specifying the total financial allocations for each of the Funds and for each category of region for the whole programming period and by year, including any amounts transferred pursuant to Article 21;










(ii)


a table specifying the total financial allocations for each priority by Fund and by category of region and the national contribution and whether it is made up of public and private contribution;










(iii)


for programmes supported by the EMFF, a table specifying for each type of area of support, the amount of the total financial allocations of the support from the Fund and the national contribution;










(iv)


for programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, a table specifying, by specific objective, the total financial allocations by type of action, the national contribution and whether it is made up of public and private contribution;














(g)


the actions taken to involve the relevant partners referred to in Article 6 in the preparation of the programme, and the role of those partners in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programme;










(h)


for each enabling condition, established in accordance with Article 11, Annex III and Annex IV, an assessment of whether the enabling condition is fulfilled at the date of submission of the programme;










(i)


the envisaged approach to communication and visibility for the programme through defining its objectives, target audiences, communication channels, 
where appropriate
 social media outreach, 
as well as
 planned budget and relevant indicators for monitoring and evaluation; [Am. 154]











(j)


the managing authority, the audit authority
, the body responsible for the accounting function under Article 70,
 and the body which receives payments from the Commission. [Am. 155]





Points (c) and (d) of this paragraph shall not apply to the specific objective set out in Article [4(c)(vii)]

[4(1)(xi)]
 of the ESF+Regulation. [Am. 156]



An environmental report containing relevant information on the effects on the environment in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC shall be annexed to the programme, taking into account climate change mitigation needs. [Am. 157]



4.   By way of derogation from point (d) of paragraph 3, for each specific objective of programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI the following shall be provided:






(a)


a description of the initial situation, challenges and responses supported by the Fund;










(b)


indication of the operational objectives;










(c)


an indicative list of actions and their expected contribution to the specific and operational objectives;










(d)


where applicable, a justification for the operating support, specific actions, emergency assistance, and actions as referred to in Articles [16 and 17] of the AMIF regulation;










(e)


output and result indicators with the corresponding milestones and targets;










(f)


an indicative breakdown of the programmed resources by type of intervention.






5.   Types of intervention shall be based on a nomenclature set out in Annex I. For programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, types of intervention shall be based on a nomenclature set out in the Fund-specific Regulations.


6.   For ERDF, ESF+ and Cohesion Fund programmes submitted in accordance with Article 16, the table referred to in paragraph (3)(f)(ii) shall include the amounts for the years 2021 to 2025 only

2027
. [Am. 158]



7.   The Member State shall communicate to the Commission any changes in the information referred to in paragraph (3)(j) without requiring a programme amendment.




Article 18


Approval of programmes


1.   The Commission shall assess the programme and its compliance with this Regulation and with the Fund-specific Regulations, as well as its consistency with the Partnership Agreement. In its assessment, the Commission shall, in particular, take into account relevant country-specific recommendations
, as well as relevant challenges identified in the implementation of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans and in the European Pillar of Social Rights and the way they are addressed
. [Am. 160]



2.   The Commission may make observations within three

two
 months of the date of submission of the programme by the Member State. [Am. 161]



3.   The Member State shall review the programme taking into account the observations made by the Commission 
within two months of their submission
. [Am. 162]



4.   The Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act approving the programme no later than six

five
 months after the date of 
the first
 submission of the programme by the Member State. [Am. 163]





Article 19


Amendment of programmes


1.   The Member State may submit a motivated request for an amendment of a programme together with the amended programme setting out the expected impact of that amendment on the achievement of the objectives.


2.   The Commission shall assess the amendment and its compliance with this Regulation and with the Fund-specific Regulations, including requirements at national level, and may make observations within three

two
 months of the submission of the amended programme. [Am. 164]



3.   The Member State shall review the amended programme and take into account the observations made by the Commission 
within two months of their submission
. [Am. 165]



4.   The Commission shall approve the amendment of a programme no later than six

three
 months after its submission by the Member State. [Am. 166]



5.   The Member State may transfer during the programming period an amount of up to 5 %

7 %
 of the initial allocation of a priority and no more than 3 %

5 %
 of the programme budget to another priority of the same Fund of the same programme. 
In doing so the Member State shall respect the code of conduct established by the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014.
 For the programmes supported by the ERDF and ESF+, the transfer shall only concern allocations for the same category of region. [Am. 167]

Such transfers shall not affect previous years. They shall be considered to be not substantial and shall not require a decision of the Commission amending the programme. They shall however, comply with all regulatory requirements. The Member State shall submit to the Commission the revised table referred to under points (f)(ii), (f)(iii) or (f)(iv) of Article 17(3) as applicable.


6.   The approval of the Commission shall not be required for corrections of a purely clerical
, technical
 or editorial nature that do not affect the implementation of the programme. Member States shall inform the Commission of such corrections. [Am. 168]



7.   For programmes supported by the EMFF, amendments to the programmes relating to the introduction of indicators shall not require the approval of the Commission.




Article 20


Joint support from the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund


1.   The ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund may jointly provide support for programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal.


2.   The ERDF and the ESF+ may finance, in a complementary manner and subject to a limit of 10 %

15 %
 of support from those Funds for each priority of a programme, all or part of an operation for which the costs are eligible for support from the other Fund on the basis of eligibility rules applied to that Fund, provided that such costs are necessary for the implementation. [Am. 169]





Article 21


Transfer of resources


1.   
For the purpose of ensuring flexibility,
 Member States may request
, if agreed by the monitoring committee of the programme,
 the transfer of up to 5 % of programme financial allocations from any of the Funds to any other Fund under shared management or to any instrument under direct or indirect management

the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, or the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
. [Am. 170]



2.   Transferred resources shall be implemented in accordance with the rules of the Fund or the instrument to which the resources are transferred and, in the case of transfers to instruments under direct or indirect management, for the benefit of the Member State concerned. [Ams 171 and 434]



3.   Requests under paragraph 1 shall set out the total amount transferred for each year by Fund and by category of region, where relevant, shall be duly justified 
with a view to the complementarities and impact to be achieved,
 and shall be accompanied by the revised programme or programmes, from which the resources are to be transferred in accordance with Article 19 indicating to which other Fund or instrument the amounts are transferred. [Ams 172, 433 and 434]



4.   The Commission may object to a request for transfer in the related programme amendment where this would undermine the achievement of the objectives of the programme from which the resources are to be transferred.


5.   Only resources of future calendar years may be transferred.




CHAPTER Ia




Major projects [Am. 173]




Article 21a




Content




As part of a programme or programmes, the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund may support an operation comprising a series of works, activities or services intended in itself to accomplish an indivisible task of a precise economic or technical nature which has clearly identified goals and for which the total eligible cost exceeds EUR 100 000 000 (the ‘major project’). Financial instruments shall not be considered to be major projects. [Am. 174]





Article 21b




Information necessary for the approval of a major project




Before a major project is approved, the managing authority shall submit to the Commission the following information:










(a)






details concerning the body to be responsible for implementation of the major project, and its capacity;














(b)






a description of the investment and its location;














(c)






the total cost and total eligible cost;














(d)






feasibility studies carried out, including the options analysis, and the results;














(e)






a cost-benefit analysis, including an economic and a financial analysis, and a risk assessment;














(f)






an analysis of the environmental impact, taking into account climate change adaptation and mitigation needs, and disaster resilience;














(g)






an explanation as to how the major project is consistent with the relevant priorities of the programme or programmes concerned, and its expected contribution to achieving the specific objectives of those priorities and the expected contribution to socio-economic development;














(h)






the financing plan showing the total planned financial resources and the planned support from the Funds, the EIB, and all other sources of financing, together with physical and financial indicators for monitoring progress, taking account of the identified risks;














(i)






the timetable for implementing the major project and, where the implementation period is expected to be longer than the programming period, the phases for which support from the Funds is requested during the programming period. [Am. 175]









Article 21c




Decision on a major project





1.
   
The Commission shall appraise the major project on the basis of the information referred to in Article 21b in order to determine whether the requested financial contribution for the major project selected by the managing authority is justified. The Commission shall adopt a decision on the approval of the financial contribution to the selected major project, by means of an implementing act, no later than three months after the date of submission of the information referred to in Article 21b.






2.
   
The approval by the Commission under paragraph 1 shall be conditional on the first works contract being concluded, or, in the case of operations implemented under PPP structures, on the signing of the PPP agreement between the public body and the private sector body, within three years of the date of the approval.






3.
   
Where the Commission does not approve the financial contribution to the selected major project, it shall give in its decision the reasons for its refusal.






4.
   
Major projects submitted for approval under paragraph 1 shall be contained in the list of major projects in a programme.






5.
   
Expenditure relating to a major project may be included in a payment application after the submission for approval referred to in paragraph 1. Where the Commission does not approve the major project selected by the managing authority, the declaration of expenditure following the withdrawal of the application by the Member State or the adoption of the Commission decision shall be rectified accordingly. [Am. 176]



CHAPTER II
Territorial development


Article 22


Integrated territorial development

The Member State shall support integrated territorial development through territorial and local development strategies in any of the following forms:






(a)


integrated territorial investments;










(b)


community-led local development;










(c)


another territorial tool supporting initiatives designed by the Member State for investments programmed for the ERDF under the policy objective referred in Article 4(1)(e). [Am. 177]







The Member State shall ensure coherence and coordination when local development strategies are financed by more than one Fund. [Am. 178]




Article 23


Territorial strategies


1.   Territorial strategies implemented pursuant to points (a) or (c) of Article 22 shall contain the following elements:






(a)


the geographical area covered by the strategy 
including economic, social and environmental interlinkages
; [Am. 179]











(b)


an analysis of the development needs and the potential of the area;










(c)


a description of an integrated approach to address the identified development needs and the potential;










(d)


a description of the involvement of partners in accordance with

under
 Article 6 in the preparation and in the implementation of the strategy. [Am. 180]





They may also contain a list of operations to be supported.


2.   Territorial strategies shall be drawn up

prepared and endorsed
 under the responsibility of the relevant urban

regional
, local or

and
 other 
public authorities. Pre-existing strategic documents concerning the covered areas may be updated and used for
 territorial authorities or bodies

strategies
. [Am. 181]



3.   Where the list of operations to be supported has not been included in the territorial strategy, the relevant urban

regional
, local or other territorial authorities or bodies shall select or shall be involved in the selection of operations. [Am. 182]

Selected operations shall comply with the territorial strategy.




3a.
   
When preparing territorial strategies, the authorities referred to in paragraph 2 shall cooperate with relevant managing authorities, in order to determine the scope of operations to be supported under the relevant programme. [Am. 183]



4.   Where an urban

a regional
, local or other territorial

public
 authority or 
other
 body carries out tasks falling under the responsibility of the managing authority other than the selection of operations, the authority shall be identified by the managing authority as an intermediate body. [Am. 184]



The selected operations may be supported under more than one priority of the same programme. [Am. 185]



5.   Support may be provided for the preparation and design of territorial strategies.




Article 24


Integrated territorial investment


1.   Where a strategy implemented in accordance with Article 23 involves investments that receive support from one or more Funds

than one Fund
, from more than one programme or from more than one priority of the same programme, actions may be carried out as an integrated territorial investment (‘ITI’). 
Where appropriate, each ITI may be complemented by financial support from the EAFRD. [Am. 186]



2.   The managing authority shall ensure that the electronic system for the programme or programmes provides for the identification of operations and outputs and results contributing to an ITI.




2a.
   
Where the list of operations to be supported has not been included in the territorial strategy, the relevant regional, local, other public authorities or bodies shall be involved in the selection of operations. [Am. 187]





Article 25


Community-led local development


1.   The ERDF, the ESF+, and the EMFF may

and the EAFRD shall
 support community-led local development. 
In the context of the EAFRD, such development shall be designated as LEADER local development. [Am. 188]



2.   The Member State shall ensure that community-led local development is:






(a)


focused on subregional areas;










(b)


led by local action groups composed of representatives of public and private local socio-economic interests, in which no single interest group
, including the public sector,
 controls the decision-making; [Am. 189]











(c)


carried out through integrated strategies in accordance with Article 26;










(d)


supportive of networking
, bottom-up approaches, accessibility
, innovative features in the local context and, where appropriate, cooperation with other territorial actors. [Am. 190]







3.   Where support to strategies referred to in paragraph 2(c) is available from more than one Fund, the relevant managing authorities shall organise a joint call for selection of those strategies and establish a joint committee for all the Funds concerned to monitor the implementation of those strategies. The relevant managing authorities may choose one of the Funds concerned to support all preparatory, management and animation costs referred to in points (a) and (c) of Article 28(1) related to those strategies.


4.   Where the implementation of such a strategy involves support from more than one Fund, the relevant managing authorities may choose one of the Funds concerned as the Lead Fund. 
The type of measures and operations to be financed by each affected Fund may also be specified. [Am. 191]



5.   The rules of the Lead Fund shall apply to that strategy. The authorities of other funds shall rely on decisions and management verifications made by the competent Lead Fund authority.


6.   The authorities of the Lead Fund shall provide the authorities of other Funds with information necessary to monitor and make payments in accordance with the rules set out in the Fund-specific Regulation.




Article 26


Community-led local development strategies


1.   The relevant managing authorities shall ensure that each strategy referred to in Article 25(2)(c) sets out the following elements:






(a)


the geographical area and population covered by that strategy;










(b)


the community involvement process in the development of that strategy;










(c)


an analysis of the development needs and potential of the area;










(d)


the objectives of that strategy, including measurable targets for results, and related planned actions 
in response to local needs as identified by the local community
; [Am. 192]











(e)


the management, monitoring and evaluation arrangements, demonstrating the capacity of the local action group to implement that strategy;










(f)


a financial plan, including the planned allocation from each Fund
, including where appropriate the EAFRD,
 and 
each
 programme concerned. [Am. 193]







2.   The relevant managing authorities shall define criteria for the selection of those strategies, set up a committee to carry out this selection and approve the strategies selected by that committee.


3.   The relevant managing authorities shall complete the first round of selection of strategies and ensure the local action groups selected can fulfil their tasks set out in Article 27(3) within 12 months of the date of the approval of the relevant programme or, in the case of strategies supported by more than one Fund, within 12 months of the date of the approval of the last programme concerned.


4.   The decision approving a strategy shall set out the allocation of each Fund and programme concerned and set out the responsibilities for the management and control tasks under the programme or programmes. 
Corresponding national public contributions shall be guaranteed upfront for the whole period. [Am. 194]





Article 27


Local action groups


1.   Local action groups shall design and implement the strategies referred to in Article 25(2)(c).


2.   The managing authorities shall ensure that the local action groups 
are inclusive, and that they
 either select one partner within the group as a lead partner in administrative and financial matters, or come together in a legally constituted common structure
, in order to implement tasks relating to the community-led local development strategy
. [Am. 195]



3.   The local action groups, exclusively, shall carry out all of the following tasks:






(a)


building the 
administrative
 capacity of local actors to develop and implement operations; [Am. 196]











(b)


drawing up a non-discriminatory and transparent selection procedure and criteria, which avoids conflicts of interest and ensures that no single interest group controls selection decisions;










(c)


preparing and publishing calls for proposals;










(d)


selecting operations and fixing the amount of support and presenting the proposals to the body responsible for final verification of eligibility before approval;










(e)


monitoring progress towards the achievement of objectives of the strategy;










(f)


evaluating the implementation of the strategy.






4.   Where local action groups carry out tasks not covered by paragraph 3 that fall under the responsibility of the managing authority or of the paying agency, those local action groups shall be identified by the managing authority as intermediate bodies in accordance with the Fund-specific rules.


5.   The local action group may be a beneficiary and may implement operations in accordance with the strategy
, encouraging the separation of functions inside the local action group
. [Am. 197]





Article 28


Support from Funds for community-led local development


1.   
With a view to ensuring complementarities and synergies,
 the Member State shall ensure that support from the Funds for community-led local development covers: [Am. 198]







(a)




administrative
 capacity building and preparatory actions supporting the design and future implementation of the strategies; [Am. 199]











(b)


the implementation of operations, including cooperation activities and their preparation, selected under the local development strategy;












(ba)






animation of the community-led local development strategy in order to facilitate exchange between stakeholders, to provide them with information and to support potential beneficiaries in their preparation of applications; [Am. 200]











(c)


the management, monitoring and evaluation of the strategy and its animation.






2.   The support referred to under point (a) of paragraph 1 shall be eligible regardless of whether the strategy is subsequently selected for funding.
The support referred to under point (c) of paragraph 1 shall not exceed 25 % of the total public contribution to the strategy.


CHAPTER III
Technical assistance


Article 29

Technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission

1.   At the initiative of the Commission, the Funds may support preparatory, monitoring, control, audit, evaluation, communication including corporate communication on the political priorities of the Union, visibility and all administrative and technical assistance actions necessary for the implementation of this Regulation and, where appropriate with third countries.




1a.
   
The actions referred to in the first subparagraph may include in particular:










(a)






assistance for project preparation and appraisal;














(b)






support for institutional strengthening and administrative capacity-building for the effective management of the Funds;














(c)






studies linked to the Commission’s reporting on the Funds and the cohesion report;














(d)






measures related to the analysis, management, monitoring, information exchange and implementation of the Funds, as well as measures relating to the implementation of control systems and technical and administrative assistance;














(e)






evaluations, expert reports, statistics and studies, including those of a general nature, concerning the current and future operation of the Funds;














(f)






actions to disseminate information, support networking where appropriate, carry out communication activities with particular attention to the results and added value of support from the Funds, and to raise awareness and promote cooperation and exchange of experience, including with third countries;














(g)






the installation, operation and interconnection of computerised systems for management, monitoring, audit, control and evaluation;














(h)






actions to improve evaluation methods and the exchange of information on evaluation practices;














(i)






actions related to auditing;














(j)






the strengthening of national and regional capacity regarding investment planning, funding needs, preparation, design and implementation of financial instruments, joint action plans and major projects;














(k)






the dissemination of good practices in order to assist Member States to strengthen the capacity of the relevant partners referred to in Article 6(1) and their umbrella organisations. [Am. 201]









1b.
   
The Commission shall dedicate at least 15 % of the resources for technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission to bring about greater efficiency in communication to the public and stronger synergies between the communication activities undertaken at the initiative of the Commission, by extending the knowledge base on results, in particular through more effective data collection and dissemination, evaluations and reporting, and especially by highlighting the contribution of the Funds to improving the lives of citizens, and by increasing the visibility of support from the Funds as well as by raising awareness about the results and the added value of such support. Information, communication and visibility measures on results and added value of support from the Funds, with particular focus on operations, shall be continued after the closure of the programmes, where appropriate. Such measures shall also contribute to the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union as far as they are related to the general objectives of this Regulation. [Am. 202]



2.   Such actions may cover future and previous 
and future
 programming periods. [Am. 203]





2a.
   
In order to avoid situations where payments are suspended, the Commission shall ensure that Member States and regions which face compliance concerns due to a lack of administrative capacity receive adequate technical assistance to improve that administrative capacity. [Am. 204]



3.   The Commission shall set out its plans when a contribution from the Funds is envisaged in accordance with Article [110] of the Financial Regulation.


4.   Depending on the purpose, the actions referred to in this Article can be financed either as operational or administrative expenditure.




Article 30


Technical assistance of Member States


1.   At the initiative of a Member State, the Funds may support actions, which may concern previous and subsequent programming periods, necessary for the effective administration and use of those Funds
, for the capacity building of the partners referred to in Article 6, as well as to ensure functions such as preparation, training, management, monitoring, evaluation, visibility and communication
. [Am. 205]



2.   Each Fund may support technical assistance actions eligible under any of the other Funds.


3.   Within each programme, technical assistance shall take the form of a priority relating to 
either
 one single Fund 
or several Funds
. [Am. 206]





Article 31


Flat-rate financing for technical assistance of Member States


1.   Technical assistance to each programme shall be reimbursed as a flat-rate by applying the percentages set out in paragraph 2 to the eligible expenditure included in each payment application pursuant to Article 85(3)(a) or (c) as appropriate.


2.   
On the basis of an agreement between the Commission and the Member States and taking into account the programme financial plan,
 the percentage of the Funds reimbursed for technical assistance shall be the following

may be up to
: [Am. 207]







(a)


for the ERDF support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, and for the Cohesion Fund support: 2,5 %

3 %
; [Am. 208]











(b)


for the ESF+ support: 4 %

5 %
 and for programmes under Article 4(1)(c)(vii)

4(1)
(
xi
) of the ESF+ Regulation: 5 %

6 %
; [Am. 209]











(c)


for the EMFF support: 6 %;










(d)


for the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI support: 6 %

7 %
. [Am. 210]







For the outermost regions, for (a), (b), (c) the percentage shall be up to 1 % higher. [Am. 211]



3.   Specific rules for technical assistance for Interreg programmes shall be set out in the ETC Regulation .




Article 32


Financing not linked to costs for technical assistance of Member States

In addition to Article 31, the Member State may propose to undertake additional technical assistance actions to reinforce the 
institutional
 capacity of Member State

and efficiency of public
 authorities 
and services
, beneficiaries and relevant partners necessary for the effective administration and use of the Funds. [Am. 212]

Support for such actions shall be implemented by financing not linked to costs in accordance with Article 89. 
Technical assistance in the form of an optional specific programme may be implemented either through financing not linked to costs for technical assistance or through reimbursement of direct costs
. [Am. 213]


TITLE IV
MONITORING, EVALUATION, COMMUNICATION AND VISIBILITY
CHAPTER I
Monitoring


Article 33


Monitoring committee


1.   The Member State shall set up a committee to monitor the implementation of the programme (‘monitoring committee’)
, after consultation with the managing authority,
 within three months of the date of notification to the Member State concerned of the decision approving the programme. [Am. 214]

The Member State may set up a single monitoring committee to cover more than one programme.


2.   Each monitoring committee shall adopt its rules of procedure
, taking into account the need for full transparency
. [Am. 215]



3.   The monitoring committee shall meet at least once a year and shall review all issues that affect the programme’s progress towards achieving its objectives.


4.   The Member State shall publish the rules of procedures of the monitoring committee and all the data and information shared with the monitoring committee on the website referred to in Article 44(1).


5.   Paragraphs 1 to 4 shall not apply to programmes under Article [4(c)(vi)]

[4(1)(xi)]
 of the ESF+ Regulation and related technical assistance. [Am. 216]





Article 34


Composition of the monitoring committee


1.   The Member State shall determine the composition of the monitoring committee and shall ensure a balanced representation of the relevant Member State authorities and intermediate bodies and of representatives of the partners referred to in Article 6 
through a transparent process
. [Am. 217]

Each member of the monitoring committee shall have a vote.
The Member State shall publish the list of the members of the monitoring committee on the website referred to in Article 44(1).


2.   Representatives of the Commission shall participate in the work of the monitoring committee in 
a monitoring and
 an advisory capacity. 
Representatives of the EIB may be invited to participate in the work of the monitoring committee, in an advisory capacity, where appropriate. [Am. 218]





2a.
   
For the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, relevant decentralised agencies shall participate in the work of the monitoring committee in an advisory capacity. [Am. 219]





Article 35


Functions of the monitoring committee


1.   The monitoring committee shall examine:






(a)


the progress in programme implementation and in achieving the milestones and targets;












(aa)






proposals for possible simplification measures for beneficiaries; [Am. 220]











(b)


any issues that affect the performance of the programme and the measures taken to address those issues
, including also any irregularities, where appropriate
; [Am. 221]











(c)


the contribution of the programme to tackling the challenges identified in the relevant country-specific recommendations;










(d)


the elements of the ex ante assessment listed in Article 52(3) and the strategy document referred to in Article 53(2);










(e)


the progress made in carrying out evaluations, syntheses of evaluations and any follow-up given to findings;










(f)


the implementation of communication and visibility actions;










(g)


the progress in implementing operations of strategic importance, where relevant;










(h)


the fulfilment of enabling conditions and their application throughout the programming period;










(i)


the progress in administrative capacity building for public institutions
, partners
 and beneficiaries, where relevant. [Am. 222]







2.   The monitoring committee shall approve:






(a)


the methodology and criteria used for the selection of operations, including any changes thereto, after consultation with the Commission pursuant to Article 67(2), without prejudice to points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 27(3);










(b)


the annual performance reports for programmes supported by the EMFF, the AMF

AMIF
, the ISF and the BMVI, and the final performance report for programmes supported by the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund; [Am. 224]











(c)


the evaluation plan and any amendment thereto;










(d)


any proposal by the managing authority for the amendment of a programme including for transfers in accordance with Article 19(5) and Article 21;












(da)






changes to the list of planned operations of strategic importance referred to in point (d) of Article 17(3). [Am. 225]









2a.
   
The monitoring committee may propose to the managing authority further functions of intervention. [Am. 226]





Article 36


Annual performance review


1.   An annual review meeting shall be organised between the Commission and each Member State to examine the performance of each programme. 
Managing authorities shall be duly involved in this process. [Am. 227]

The annual review meeting shall be chaired by the Commission or, if the Member State so requests, co-chaired by the Member State and the Commission.


2.   For programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, the review meeting shall be organised at least twice during the programming period.


3.   For programmes supported by the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund, the Member State shall no later than one month before the annual review meeting provide the Commission with the information on the elements listed in Article 35(1).
For programmes under Article [4(1)(c)(vii)] of the ESF+ Regulation, the information to be provided shall be limited to points (a), (b), (e), (f) and (h) of Article 35(1).


4.   The outcome of the annual review meeting shall be recorded in agreed minutes.


5.   The Member State shall follow up issues raised by the Commission and inform the Commission within three months of the measures taken.


6.   For programmes supported by the EMFF, the AMF

AMIF
, the ISF and the BMVI, the Member State shall submit an annual performance report in accordance with the Fund-specific Regulations. [Am. 228]





Article 37


Transmission of data


1.   The managing authority shall electronically transmit to the Commission cumulative data for each programme by 31 January, 31 March, 31 May, 31 July, 30 September and 30 November of each year in accordance with the template set out in Annex VII.
The first transmission shall be due by 31 January

28 February
 2022 and the last one by 31 January

28 February
 2030. [Am. 229]

For programmes under Article 4(1)(c)(vii)

4(1)
(
xi
) of the ESF+ Regulation, data shall be transmitted annually by 30 November. [Am. 230]



2.   The data shall be broken down for each priority by specific objective and by category of regions, and shall refer to:






(a)




in the data transmissions due by 31 January, 31 March, 31 May, 31 July, 30 September and 30 November of each year,
 the number of selected operations, their total eligible cost, the contribution from the Funds and the total eligible expenditure declared by the beneficiaries to the managing authority, all broken down by types of intervention; [Am. 231]











(b)




in the data transmissions due by 31 May and 30 November of each year only,
 the values of output and result indicators for selected operations and values achieved by operations. [Am. 232]







3.   For financial instruments data shall also be provided on the following:






(a)


eligible expenditure by type of financial product;










(b)


amount of management costs and fees declared as eligible expenditure;










(c)


the amount, by type of financial product, of private and public resources mobilised in addition to the Funds;










(d)


interest and other gains generated by support from the Funds to financial instruments referred to in Article 54 and resources returned attributable to support from the Funds as referred to in Article 56.






4.   The data submitted in accordance with this Article shall be reliable and up-to-date as of the end of the month preceding the month of submission.


5.   The managing authority shall publish all the data transmitted to the Commission on the website referred to in Article 44(1).


6.   For programmes supported by the EMFF, the Commission shall adopt an implementing act in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 109(2) in order to establish the template to be used for the implementation of this Article.




Article 38


Final performance report


1.   For programmes supported by the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund, each managing authority shall submit to the Commission a final performance report of the programme by 15 February 2031.


2.   The final performance report shall assess the achievement of programme objectives based on the elements listed in Article 35(1) with the exception of the information provided under Article 35(1)(d).


3.   The Commission shall examine the final performance report and inform the managing authority of any observations within five months of the date of receipt of the final performance report. Where such observations are made, the managing authority shall provide all necessary information with regard to those observations and, where appropriate, inform the Commission, within three months, of measures taken. The Commission shall inform the Member State of the acceptance of the report.


4.   The managing authority shall publish final performance reports on the website referred to in Article 44(1).


5.   The Commission shall, in order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Article, adopt an implementing act establishing the template for the final performance report. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 108.


CHAPTER II
Evaluation


Article 39


Evaluations by the Member State


1.   The managing authority shall carry out evaluations of the programme. Each evaluation shall assess the programme’s 
inclusiveness, non-discriminatory nature,
 effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence
, visibility
 and EU added value with the aim to improve the quality of the design and implementation of programmes. [Am. 233]



2.   In addition, the managing authority shall carry out an evaluation for each programme to assess its impact by 30 June 2029.


3.   The managing authority shall entrust evaluations to functionally independent experts.


4.   The managing authority or the Member State shall ensure the necessary procedures to produce and collect the data necessary for evaluations.


5.   The managing authority or the Member State shall draw up an evaluation plan. That evaluation plan may cover more than one programme. For the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, that plan shall include a mid-term evaluation to be completed by 31 March 2024.


6.   The managing authority shall submit the evaluation plan to the monitoring committee no later than one year after the approval of the programme.


7.   The managing authority shall publish all evaluations on the website referred to in Article 44(1).




Article 40


Evaluation by the Commission


1.   The Commission shall carry out a mid-term evaluation to examine the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value of each Fund by the end of 2024. The Commission may make use of all relevant information already available in accordance with Article [128] of the Financial Regulation.


2.   The Commission shall carry out a retrospective evaluation to examine the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value of each Fund by 31 December 2031.




2a.
   
The evaluation referred to in paragraph 2 shall include an evaluation of the socio-economic impact and the funding needs under the policy objectives referred to in Article 4(1), within and among the programmes with a focus on a more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and a more connected Europe by enhancing mobility, including smart and sustainable mobility and regional ICT connectivity. The Commission shall publish the results of the evaluation on its website and communicate those results to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. [Am. 234]



CHAPTER III
Visibility, transparency and communication
SECTION I
VISIBILITY OF SUPPORT FROM THE FUNDS


Article 41


Visibility

Each Member State shall ensure:






(a)


the visibility of support in all activities relating to operations supported by the Funds with particular attention to operations of strategic importance;










(b)


communication to Union citizens of the role and achievements of the Funds through a single website portal providing access to all programmes involving that Member State.







Article 42


Emblem of the Union

Member States, managing authorities and beneficiaries shall use the emblem of the European Union in accordance with Annex VIII when carrying out visibility, transparency and communication activities.



Article 43


Communication officers and networks


1.   Each Member State shall identify a communication coordinator for visibility, transparency and communication activities in relation to the support from the Funds, including programmes under the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) where that Member State hosts the managing authority. The communication coordinator shall coordinate communication and visibility measures across programmes.
The communication coordinator shall involve in the visibility, transparency and communication activities the following bodies:






(a)


European Commission Representations and European Parliament Liaison Offices in the Member States; as well as Europe Direct Information Centres and other networks; educational and research institutions;










(b)


other relevant partners and bodies
, including regional, local and other public authorities, and economic and social partners
. [Am. 235]







2.   Each managing authority shall identify a communication officer for each programme (‘programme communication officer’).


3.   The Commission shall run a network comprising communication coordinators, programme communication officers and Commission representatives to exchange information on visibility, transparency and communication activities.


SECTION II
TRANSPARENCY OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FUNDS AND COMMUNICATION ON PROGRAMMES


Article 44


Responsibilities of the managing authority


1.   The managing authority shall ensure that, within six months of the programme’s approval, there is a website where information on programmes under its responsibility is available, covering the programme’s objectives, activities, 
indicative timetable for calls for proposals,
 available funding opportunities and achievements. [Am. 236]



2.   The managing authority shall publish on the website referred to in paragraph 1, at the latest one month before the opening of a call for proposal, a short summary of planned and published calls for proposals with the following data:






(a)


geographical area covered by the call for proposal;










(b)


policy objective or specific objective concerned;










(c)


type of eligible applicants;










(d)


total amount of support for the call;










(e)


start and end date of the call.






3.   The managing authority shall make the list of operations selected for support by the Funds publicly available on the website in at least one of the official languages of the Union and shall update that list at least every three months. Each operation shall have a unique code. The list shall contain the following data:






(a)


in the case of legal entities, the beneficiary’s 
and the contractor’s
 name; [Am. 237]











(b)


where the beneficiary is a natural person the first name and the surname;










(c)


for EMFF operations linked to a fishing vessel, the Union fishing fleet register identification number as referred to in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/218 (41);










(d)


name of the operation;










(e)


the purpose of the operation and its achievements;










(f)


start date of the operation;










(g)


expected or actual date of completion of the operation;










(h)


total cost of the operation;










(i)


Fund concerned;










(j)


specific objective concerned;










(k)


Union co-financing rate;










(l)


location indicator or geolocation for the operation and country concerned;










(m)


for mobile operations or operations covering several locations the location of the beneficiary where the beneficiary is a legal entity; or the region on NUTS 2 level where the beneficiary is a natural person;










(n)


type of intervention for the operation in accordance with Article 67(3)(g);




For data referred to in points (b), (c) and (k) of the first sub-paragraph, the data shall be removed after two years from the date of the initial publication on the website.
For programmes supported by the EMFF, the data referred to in points (b) and (c) of the first sub-paragraph shall only be published if such publication is in line with national law on the protection of personal data.


4.   The data referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall be published on the website in open, machine-readable formats, as set out in Article 5(1) of the Directive 2003/98/EC (42) of the European Parliament and of the Council, which allows data to be sorted, searched, extracted, compared and reused.


5.   The managing authority shall inform the beneficiaries that the data will be made public before the publication takes place in accordance with this Article.


6.   The managing authority shall ensure that all communication and visibility material including at the level of beneficiaries is made available upon request to Union Institutions, bodies or agencies and that a royalty-free, non-exclusive and irrevocable licence to use such material and any pre-existing rights attached to it is granted to the Union in accordance with Annex VIII.




Article 45


Responsibilities of beneficiaries


1.   Beneficiaries and bodies implementing financial instruments shall acknowledge support from the Funds, including resources reused in accordance with Article 56, to the operation by:






(a)


providing on the beneficiary’s professional website or

and
 social media sites, where such sites exist, a short description of the operation, proportionate to the level of support, including its aims and results, and highlighting the financial support from the Union; [Am. 240]











(b)


providing a statement highlighting the support from the Funds in a visible manner on documents and communication material relating to the implementation of the operation, used for the public or for participants;










(c)



publicly displaying 
permanent
 plaques or billboards 
clearly visible to the public
 as soon as the physical implementation of operations involving physical investment or the purchase of equipment starts, with regard to the following: [Am. 241]







(i)


operations supported by the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund the total cost of which exceeds EUR 500 000;










(ii)


operations supported by the ESF+, the EMFF, the ISF, the AMIF and the BMVI the total cost of which exceeds EUR 100 000.














(d)


for operations not falling under point (c), publicly displaying 
at a location clearly visible to the public
 at least one printed or electronic display of a minimum size A3 with information about the operation highlighting the support from the Funds; [Am. 243]











(e)


for operations of strategic importance and operations whose total cost exceed EUR 10 000 000 organising a communication event and involving the Commission and the responsible managing authority in a timely manner;












(ea)






publicly and permanently displaying, as of the moment of the physical implementation, the Union emblem in a way that is clearly visible to the public and in accordance with the technical characteristics laid down in Annex VIII. [Am. 244]

For operations supported under the specific objective set out in Article 4(1)(c)(vii)

4(1)
(
xi
) of the ESF+ Regulation, this requirement shall not apply. [Am. 245]







2.   For small project funds, the beneficiary shall ensure that final recipients comply with the requirements set out in paragraph 1.
For financial instruments, the beneficiary shall ensure that final recipients comply with the requirements set out in point (c) of paragraph 1.


3.   Where the beneficiary does not comply with its obligations under Article 42 or paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the Member State shall apply a financial correction by cancelling up to 5 % of the support from the Funds to the operation concerned.


TITLE V
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE FUNDS
CHAPTER I
Forms of Union contribution


Article 46


Forms of Union contribution to programmes

The Union contribution may take any of the following forms:






(a)


financing not linked to costs of the relevant operations in accordance with Article 89 and based on either of the following:






(i)


the fulfilment of conditions;










(ii)


the achievement of results;














(b)


reimbursement of eligible costs actually incurred by beneficiaries or the private partner of PPP operations and paid in implementing operations;










(c)


unit costs in accordance with Article 88, which cover all or certain specific categories of eligible costs, clearly identified in advance by reference to an amount per unit;










(d)


lump sums in accordance with Article 88, which cover in global terms all or certain specific categories of eligible costs, clearly identified in advance;










(e)


flat-rate financing in accordance with Article 88, which covers specific categories of eligible costs, clearly identified in advance, by applying a percentage;










(f)


a combination of the forms referred to in points (a) to (e).





CHAPTER II
Forms of support by Member States


Article 47


Forms of support

Member States shall use the contribution from the Funds to provide support to beneficiaries in the form of grants, 
limited use of
 financial instruments or prizes or a combination thereof. [Am. 246]


SECTION I
FORMS OF GRANTS


Article 48


Forms of grants


1.   Grants provided by Member States to beneficiaries may take any of the following forms:






(a)


reimbursement of eligible costs actually incurred by a beneficiary or the private partner of PPP operations and paid in implementing operations, including contributions in kind and depreciation;










(b)


unit costs;










(c)


lump sums;










(d)


flat-rate financing;










(e)


a combination of the forms referred to in points (a) to (d), provided that each form covers different categories of costs or where they are used for different projects forming a part of an operation or for successive phases of an operation.




Where the total cost of an operation does not exceed EUR 200 000, the contribution provided to the beneficiary from the ERDF, the ESF+, the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI shall take the form of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates, except for operations for which the support constitutes State aid. Where flat-rate financing is used, only the categories of costs to which the flat-rate applies may be reimbursed in accordance with point (a) of the first sub-paragraph.
In addition, allowances and salaries paid to participants may be reimbursed in accordance with point (a) of the first sub-paragraph.


2.   The amounts for the forms of grants referred to under point (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 1, shall be established in one of the following ways:






(a)


a fair, equitable and verifiable calculation method based on:






(i)


statistical data, other objective information or an expert judgement;










(ii)


the verified historical data of individual beneficiaries;










(iii)


the application of the usual cost accounting practices of individual beneficiaries;














(b)


draft budget established on a case-by-case basis and agreed ex ante by the body selecting the operation, where the total cost of the operation does not exceed EUR 200 000;










(c)


in accordance with the rules for application of corresponding unit costs, lump sums and flat rates applicable in Union policies for a similar type of operation;










(d)


in accordance with the rules for application of corresponding unit costs, lump sums and flat rates applied under schemes for grants funded entirely by the Member State for a similar type of operation;










(e)


flat rates and specific methods established by this Regulation or the Fund-specific Regulations.








Article 49


Flat-rate financing for indirect costs concerning grants

Where a flat rate is used to cover indirect costs of an operation, it shall be based on one of the following:






(a)


a flat rate of up to 7 % of eligible direct costs, in which case the Member State shall not be required to perform a calculation to determine the applicable rate;










(b)


a flat rate of up to 15 % of eligible direct staff costs in which case the Member State shall not be required to perform a calculation to determine the applicable rate;










(c)


a flat rate of up to 25 % of eligible direct costs, provided that the rate is calculated in accordance with Article 48(2)(a) 
or 48(2)(c)
. [Am. 247]





In addition, where a Member State has calculated a flat rate in accordance with Article 67(5)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, that flat rate may be used for a similar operation for the purposes of point (c).



Article 50


Direct staff costs concerning grants


1.   Direct staff costs of an operation may be calculated at a flat rate of up to 20 % of the direct costs other than the direct staff costs of that operation, without there being a requirement for the Member State to perform a calculation to determine the applicable rate, provided that the direct costs of the operation do not include public works contracts or supply or service contracts which exceed in value the thresholds set out in Article 4 of Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (43) or in Article 15 of Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (44).
For the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, any costs subject to public procurement and the direct staff costs of that operation shall be excluded from the basis for calculation of the flat rate.


2.   For the purposes of determining direct staff costs, an hourly rate may be calculated in one of the following ways:






(a)


by dividing the latest documented annual gross employment costs
, with expected additional costs in order to take account of factors such as increases in tariffs or staff promotions,
 by 1 720 hours for persons working full time, or by a corresponding pro-rata of 1 720 hours, for persons working part-time; [Am. 248]











(b)


by dividing the latest documented monthly gross employment costs
, with expected additional costs in order to take account of factors such as increases in tariffs or staff promotions,
 by the monthly working time of the person concerned in accordance with applicable national legislation referred to in the contract for employment. [Am. 249]







3.   When applying the hourly rate calculated in accordance with paragraph 2, the total number of hours declared per person for a given year or month shall not exceed the number of hours used for the calculation of that hourly rate.


4.   Where annual gross employment costs are not available, they may be derived from the available documented gross employment costs or from the contract for employment, duly adjusted for a 12 month period.


5.   Staff costs related to individuals who work on part-time assignment on the operation may be calculated as a fixed percentage of the gross employment costs, in line with a fixed percentage of time worked on the operation per month, with no obligation to establish a separate working time registration system. The employer shall issue a document for employees setting out that fixed percentage.




Article 51


Flat rate financing for eligible costs other than direct staff costs concerning grants


1.   A flat rate of up to 40 % of eligible direct staff costs may be used in order to cover the remaining eligible costs of an operation. The Member State shall not be required to perform a calculation to determine the applicable rate.


2.   For operations supported by the AMIF, the ISF, the BMVI, the ESF+ and the ERDF, salaries and allowances paid to participants shall be considered additional eligible costs not included in the flat rate.


3.   The flat rate referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall not be applied to staff costs calculated on the basis of a flat rate as referred to in Article 50(1).


SECTION II
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS


Article 52


Financial instruments


1.   Managing authorities may provide a programme contribution, under one or more programmes, to financial instruments set up at national, regional, transnational or cross border level and managed by, or under the responsibility of, the managing authority which contribute to achieving specific objectives.


2.   Financial instruments shall provide support to final recipients only for new investments expected to be financially viable, such as generating revenues or savings, and which do not find sufficient funding from market sources. 
Such support may target investments in both tangible and intangible assets as well as working capital, in compliance with applicable Union State aid rules. [Am. 250]



3.   Support from the Funds through financial instruments shall be based on an ex ante assessment drawn up under the responsibility of the managing authority. The ex ante assessment shall be completed before managing authorities decide to make programme contributions to financial instruments.
The ex ante assessment shall include at least the following elements:






(a)


the proposed amount of programme contribution to a financial instrument and the expected leverage effect
, accompanied by the relevant assessments
; [Am. 251]











(b)


the proposed financial products to be offered, including the possible need for differentiated treatment of investors;










(c)


the proposed target group of final recipients;










(d)


the expected contribution of the financial instrument to the achievement of specific objectives.




The ex ante assessment may be reviewed or updated and may cover part or the entire territory of the Member State and may be based on existing or updated ex ante assessments.


4.   Support to final recipients may be combined with any form of Union contribution, including from the same Fund and may cover the same expenditure item. In that case, the Funds’ financial instrument support, which is part of a financial instrument operation, shall not be declared to the Commission for support under another form, another Fund or another Union instrument.


5.   Financial instruments may be combined with ancillary programme support in the form of grants as a single financial instrument operation, within a single funding agreement, where both distinct forms of support shall be provided by the body implementing the financial instrument. In such case

Where the amount of the programme support in the form of grant is less than the amount of programme support in the form of a financial instrument,
 the rules applicable to financial instruments shall apply to that single financial instrument operation. [Am. 252]



6.   In the case of combined support under paragraphs 4 and 5, separate records shall be kept for each source of support.


7.   The sum of all forms of combined support shall not exceed the total amount of the expenditure item concerned. Grants shall not be used to reimburse support received from financial instruments. Financial instruments shall not be used to pre-finance grants.




Article 53


Implementation of financial instruments


1.   Financial instruments managed by the managing authority may only provide loans or guarantees. The managing authority shall set out the terms and conditions of the programme contribution to the financial instrument in a strategy document including all the elements set outin Annex IX.


2.   Financial instruments managed under the responsibility of the managing authority may be set up as either of the following:






(a)


an investment of programme resources into the capital of a legal entity;










(b)


separate blocks of finance or fiduciary accounts within an institution.




The managing authority shall select the body implementing a financial instrument 
either through direct or indirect award of a contract
. [Am. 253]



The managing authority may entrust implementation tasks through a direct award to:










(a)






the EIB;














(b)






an international financial institution in which a Member State is a shareholder;














(c)






a publicly-owned bank or institution, established as a legal entity and carrying out financial activities on a professional basis. [Am. 254]





When the body selected by the managing authority implements a holding fund, that body may further select other bodies to implement a specific fund.


3.   The terms and conditions of programme contributions to financial instruments implemented in accordance with paragraph 2, shall be set out in funding agreements between:






(a)


the duly mandated representatives of the managing authority and the body implementing a holding fund, where applicable;










(b)


the duly mandated representatives of the managing authority, or, where applicable, the body implementing a holding fund and the body implementing a specific fund.




Those funding agreements shall include all the elements set out in Annex IX.


4.   The financial liability of the managing authority shall not exceed the amount committed by the managing authority to the financial instrument under the relevant funding agreements.


5.   The bodies implementing the financial instruments concerned, or in the context of guarantees, the body providing the underlying loans, shall select final recipients, taking due account of the programme objectives and the potential for the financial viability of the investment as justified in the business plan or an equivalent document. The selection process of final recipients shall be transparent, justified by the nature of the action and shall not give rise to a conflict of interest.


6.   National co-financing of a programme may be provided either by the managing authority or at the level of holding funds, or at the level of specific funds, or at the level of investments in final recipients, in accordance with the Fund-specific rules. When the national co-financing is provided at the level of investments in final recipients, the body implementing financial instruments shall keep documentary evidence demonstrating the eligibility of the underlying expenditure.


7.   The managing authority, in managing the financial instrument pursuant to paragraph 2, or the body implementing the financial instrument, in managing the financial instrument pursuant to paragraph 3, shall keep separate accounts or maintain an accounting code per priority and per each category of region
, or by type of intervention for the EAFRD,
 for each programme contribution and separately for resources referred to in Articles 54 and 56 respectively. [Am. 255]





7a.
   
Reporting requirements on the financial instrument’s use for the intended purposes shall be limited to the managing authorities and to financial intermediaries. [Am. 256]





Article 54


Interest and other gains generated by support from the Funds to financial instruments


1.   Support from the Funds paid to financial instruments shall be placed in interest-bearing accounts in financial institutions domiciled within Member States and shall be managed in line with active treasury management and sound financial management.


2.   Interest and other gains attributable to support from the Funds paid to financial instruments shall be used under the same objective or objectives as the initial support from the Funds, either within the same financial instrument; or, following the winding up of the financial instrument, in other financial instruments or other forms of support 
for further investments in final recipients; or
, 
where applicable, to cover the losses in the nominal amount of the Funds contribution to the financial instrument that result from negative interest, if such losses occur despite active treasury management by the bodies implementing financial instruments
, until the end of the eligibility period. [Am. 257]



3.   Interest and other gains referred to in paragraph 2 not used in accordance with that provision shall be deducted from the eligible expenditure.




Article 55


Differentiated treatment of investors


1.   Support from the Funds to financial instruments invested in final recipients as well as any type of income generated by those investments, which are attributable to the support from the Funds, may be used for differentiated treatment of investors operating under the market economy principle
, or for other forms of Union support,
 through an appropriate sharing of risks and profits profits 
taking into account the principle of sound financial management
. [Am. 258]



2.   The level of such differentiated treatment shall not exceed what is necessary to create incentives for attracting private resources, established by either a competitive process or an independent

the ex ante
 assessment 
performed in line with Article 52 of this Regulation
. [Am. 259]





Article 56


Re-use of resources attributable to the support from the Funds


1.   Resources paid back, before the end of the eligibility period, to financial instruments from investments in final recipients or from the release of resources set aside as agreed in guarantee contracts, including capital repayments and any type of generated income that is attributable to the support from the Funds, shall be re-used in the same or other financial instruments for further investments in final recipients, under the same specific objective or objectives and for any management costs and fees associated to such further investments
, taking into account the principle of sound financial management
. [Am. 260]



Savings through more efficient operations shall not be considered to constitute generated income for the purposes of the first subparagraph. In particular, cost savings resulting from energy efficiency measures shall not result in a corresponding reduction in operating subsidies. [Am. 261]



2.   Member States shall adopt the necessary measures to ensure that the resources referred to in paragraph 1 and paid back to financial instruments during a period of at least eight years after the end of the eligibility period, are re-used in accordance with the policy objectives of the programme or programmes under which they were set up, either within the same financial instrument or, following the exit of those resources from the financial instrument, in other financial instruments or in other forms of support.


CHAPTER III
Eligibility rules


Article 57


Eligibility


1.   The eligibility of expenditure shall be determined on the basis of national rules, except where specific rules are laid down in, or on the basis of, this Regulation or the Fund-specific Regulations.


2.   Expenditure shall be eligible for a contribution from the Funds if it has been incurred by a beneficiary or the private partner of a PPP operation and paid in implementing operations, between the date of submission of the programme to the Commission or from 1 January 2021, whichever date is earlier, and 31 December 2029

2030
. [Am. 262]

For costs reimbursed pursuant to points (b) and (c) of Article 48(1), the actions constituting the basis for reimbursement shall be carried out between the date of submission of the programme to the Commission or from 1 January 2021, whichever is earlier, and 31 December 2029.


3.   For the ERDF, expenditure related to operations covering more than one category of region as set out in Article 102(2) within a Member State shall be allocated to the categories of regions concerned on a pro rata basis, based on objective criteria.
For the ESF+, expenditure related to operations shall contribute to the achievement of the specific objectives of the programme.


4.   All or part of an operation 
under the ERDF, the ESF+ or the Cohesion Fund
 may be implemented outside of a Member State, including outside the Union, provided that the operation 
falls under one of the five components of the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) as defined in Article 3 of the Regulation (EU) […] (‘the ETC Regulation’) and
 contributes to the objectives of the programme. [Am. 263]



5.   For grants taking the forms of points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 48(1), the expenditure which shall be eligible for a contribution from the Funds shall equal the amounts calculated in accordance with Article 48(2).


6.   Operations shall not be selected for support by the Funds where they have been physically completed or fully implemented before the application for funding under the programme is submitted to the managing authority, irrespective of whether all related payments have been made. 
This paragraph shall not apply to EMFF compensation for additional costs in outermost regions or expenditure financed by specific supplementary ERDF and ESF+ allocations for outermost regions. [Am. 264]



7.   Expenditure which becomes eligible as a result of a programme amendment shall be eligible from the date of the submission of the corresponding request to the Commission.
For the ERDF, the Cohesion Fund, that shall be the case where a new type of intervention referred to in Table 1 of Annex I or, for the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, in the Fund-specific Regulations is added in the programme.
Where a programme is amended in order to provide a response to natural disasters, the programme may provide that the eligibility of expenditure relating to such amendment starts from the date when the natural disaster occurred.


8.   Where a new programme is approved in the context of the mid-term review in accordance with Article 14, expenditure shall be eligible from the date of submission of the corresponding request to the Commission.


9.   An operation may receive support from one or more Funds or from one or more programmes and from other Union instruments. In such cases expenditure declared in a payment application for one of the Funds shall not be declared for either of the following:






(a)


support from another Fund or Union instrument;










(b)


support from the same Fund under another programme.




The amount of expenditure to be entered into a payment application of a Fund may be calculated for each Fund and for the programme or programmes concerned on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the document setting out the conditions for support.




Article 58


Non eligible costs


1.   The following costs shall not be eligible for a contribution from the Funds:






(a)


interest on debt, except in relation to grants given in the form of an interest rate subsidy or guarantee fee subsidy 
or in relation to a contribution to financial instruments that results from negative interest
; [Am. 265]











(b)


the purchase of land for an amount exceeding 10 % of the total eligible expenditure for the operation concerned; for derelict sites and for those formerly in industrial use which comprise buildings, that limit shall be increased to 15 %; for guarantees those percentages shall apply to the amount of the underlying loan.











(c)




value added tax (‘VAT’), except for operations the total cost of which is below EUR 5 000 000.
[Am. 266]





For point (b), the limits shall not apply to operations concerning environmental conservation.


The eligibility for value added tax (‘VAT’) operations shall be determined on a case-by-case approach, except for operations the total cost of which is below EUR 5 000 000, and for investments and expenditure by final recipients. [Am. 267]



2.   The Fund-specific Regulations may identify additional costs that are not eligible for a contribution from each Fund.




Article 59


Durability of operations


1.   The Member State shall repay the contribution from the Funds to an operation comprising investment in infrastructure or productive investment, if within five years of the final payment to the beneficiary or within the period of time set out in State aid rules, where applicable, that operation is subject to any of the following:






(a)


a cessation or transfer of a productive activity;










(b)


a change in ownership of an item of infrastructure which gives to a firm or a public body an undue advantage;










(c)


a substantial change affecting its nature, objectives or implementation conditions which would result in undermining its original objectives.




The Member State may reduce the time limit set out in the first subparagraph to three years in 
the duly justified
 cases 
referred to in points (a), (b) and (c)
 concerning the maintenance of investments or jobs created by SMEs. [Am. 268]



2.   Operations supported by the ESF+ shall repay the support from the ESF+ only when they are subject to an obligation for maintenance of investment under State aid rules.


3.   Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to 
programme contributions to or from financial instruments and
 any operation which undergoes cessation of a productive activity due to a non-fraudulent bankruptcy. [Am. 269]





Article 60


Relocation


1.   Expenditure supporting relocation as defined in Article 2(26) shall not be eligible for a contribution from the Funds.


2.   Where a contribution from the Funds constitutes State aid, the managing authority shall satisfy itself that the contribution does not support relocation in accordance with Article 14(16) of Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014.




Article 61


Specific eligibility rules for grants


1.   Contributions in kind in the form of provision of works, goods, services, land and real estate for which no payment supported by invoices, or documents of equivalent probative value, has been made, may be eligible where the following conditions are fulfilled:






(a)


the public support paid to the operation which includes contributions in kind does not exceed the total eligible expenditure, excluding contributions in kind, at the end of the operation;










(b)


the value attributed to contributions in kind does not exceed the costs generally accepted on the market in question;










(c)


the value and the delivery of the contribution in kind can be independently assessed and verified;










(d)


in the case of provision of land or real estate, a payment, for the purposes of a lease agreement of a nominal amount per annum not exceeding a single unit of the currency of the Member State, may be made;










(e)


in the case of contributions in kind in the form of unpaid work, the value of that work is determined by taking into account the verified time spent and the rate of remuneration for equivalent work.




The value of the land or real estate referred to in point (d) of the first subparagraph of this Article shall be certified by an independent qualified expert or duly authorised official body and shall not exceed the limit laid down in Article 58(1)(b).


2.   Depreciation costs for which no payment supported by invoices has been made, may be considered as eligible where the following conditions are fulfilled:






(a)


the eligibility rules of the programme allow for it;










(b)


the amount of the expenditure is duly justified by supporting documents having equivalent probative value to invoices for eligible costs where those costs were reimbursed in the form referred to in Article 48(1)(a);










(c)


the costs relate exclusively to the period of support for the operation;










(d)


public grants have not contributed towards the acquisition of the depreciated assets.








Article 62


Specific eligibility rules for financial instruments


1.   Eligible expenditure of a financial instrument shall be the total amount of programme contribution paid to, or, in the case of guarantees, set aside as agreed in guarantee contracts, by, the financial instrument within the eligibility period, where that amount corresponds to:






(a)


payments to final recipients, in the case of loans, equity and quasi-equity investments;










(b)


resources set aside as agreed in guarantee contracts, whether outstanding or having already come to maturity, in order to honour possible guarantee calls for losses, calculated based on a multiplier ratio covering a multiple amount of underlying disbursed new loans, equity or quasi-equity investments in final recipients;










(c)


payments to, or for the benefit of, final recipients where financial instruments are combined with other Union contribution in a single financial instrument operation in accordance with Article 52(5);










(d)


payments of management fees and reimbursements of management costs incurred by the bodies implementing the financial instrument.






2.   For point (b) of paragraph 1, the multiplier ratio shall be established in a prudent ex ante risk assessment and agreed in the relevant funding agreement. The multiplier ratio may be reviewed, where justified by subsequent changes in market conditions. Such a review shall not have retroactive effect.


3.   For point (d) of paragraph 1, management fees shall be performance based
. For the first twelve months of implementation of the financial instrument, base remuneration for management costs and fees shall be eligible
. Where bodies implementing a holding fund and/or specific funds, pursuant to Article 53(3)

53(2)
, are selected through a direct award of contract, the amount of management cost and fees paid to those bodies that can be declared as eligible expenditure shall be subject to a threshold of up to 5 % of the total amount of programme contributions disbursed to final recipients in loans, equity or quasi-equity investments or set aside as agreed in guarantee contracts. [Am. 270]


That threshold is not applicable Where the selection of bodies implementing financial instruments is made through a competitive tender in accordance with the applicable law and the competitive tender establishes the need for a higher level of management costs and fees 
which shall be performance-based
. [Am. 271]



4.   Where arrangement fees, or any part thereof, are charged to final recipients, they shall not be declared as eligible expenditure.


5.   The eligible expenditure declared in accordance with paragraph 1 shall not exceed the sum of the total amount of support from the Funds paid for the purposes of that paragraph and the corresponding national co-financing.


TITLE VI
MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL
CHAPTER I
General rules on management and control


Article 63


Responsibilities of Member States


1.   Member States shall have management and control systems for their programmes in accordance with this Title and ensure their functioning in accordance with sound financial management and the key requirements listed in Annex X.


2.   Member States shall ensure the legality and regularity of expenditure included in the accounts submitted to the Commission and shall take all required actions to prevent, detect and correct and report on irregularities including fraud. 
Member States shall fully cooperate with OLAF. [Am. 272]



3.   Member States shall, upon request of the Commission, take the actions necessary to ensure the effective functioning of their management and control systems and the legality and regularity of expenditure submitted to the Commission. Where that action is an audit, the Commission officials or their authorised representatives may take part.


4.   Member States shall ensure the quality
, independence
 and reliability of the monitoring system and of data on indicators. [Am. 273]



5.   Member States shall have systems and procedures to ensure that all documents required for the audit trail asset out in Annex XI are kept in accordance with the requirements set out in Article 76.


6.   Member Stated shall make arrangements for ensuring the effective examination of complaints concerning the Funds. 
The scope, rules and procedures concerning those arrangements shall be the responsibility of Member States in accordance with their institutional and legal framework.
 They shall, upon request by the Commission 
in accordance with Article 64(4a)
, examine complaints submitted to the Commission falling within the scope of their programmes and shall inform the Commission of the results of those examinations. [Am. 274]

For the purposes of this Article, complaints cover any dispute between potential and selected beneficiaries with regard to the proposed or selected operation and any disputes with third parties on the implementation of the programme or operations thereunder, irrespective of the qualification of means of legal redress established under national law.


7.   Member States shall ensure that all exchanges of information between beneficiaries and the programme authorities are carried out by means of 
user-friendly
 electronic data exchange systems in accordance with Annex XII. [Am. 275]

For programmes supported by the EMFF, the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, the first sub-paragraph shall apply as from 1 January 2023

2022
. [Am. 276]

The first sub-paragraph shall not apply to programmes under Article [4(1)(c)(vii)]

[4(1)
(
xi)]
 of the ESF+ Regulation. [Am. 277]



8.   Member States shall ensure that all official exchanges of information with the Commission are carried out by means of an electronic data exchange system in accordance with Annex XIII.


9.   Each Member State shall draw up, after the approval of the programme and at the latest by the time of submission of the final payment application for the first accounting year and no later than 30 June 2023, a description of the management and control system in accordance with the template set out in Annex XIV. It shall keep that description updated to reflect any subsequent modifications.


10.   The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 107 to supplement paragraph 2 of this Article by setting out the criteria for determining the cases of irregularity to be reported and the data to be provided.


11.   The Commission shall adopt an implementing act setting out the format to be used for reporting of irregularities in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 109(2) in order to ensure uniform conditions 
and rules
 for the implementation of this Article. [Am. 278]





Article 64


Commission powers and responsibilities


1.   The Commission shall satisfy itself that Member States have management and control systems that comply with this Regulation and that those systems function effectively 
and efficiently
 during the implementation of the programmes. The Commission shall draw up 
for Member States
 an audit strategy and an audit plan which shall be based on a risk-assessment. [Am. 279]

The Commission and the audit authorities shall coordinate their audit plans.


2.   Commission audits shall be carried out up to three

two
 calendar years following the acceptance of the accounts in which the expenditure concerned was included. This period shall not apply to operations where there is a suspicion of fraud. [Am. 280]



3.   For the purpose of their audits, Commission officials or their authorised representatives shall have access to all necessary records, documents and metadata, irrespective of the medium in which they are stored, relating to operations supported by the Funds or to management and control systems and shall receive copies in the specific format requested.


4.   For on-the-spot audits, the following shall also apply:






(a)


the Commission shall give at least 12

15
 working days’ notice for the audit to the competent programme authority, except in urgent cases. Officials or authorised representatives of the Member State may take part in such audits. [Am. 281]











(b)


where the application of national provisions reserves certain acts for agents specifically designated by national legislation, Commission officials and authorised representatives shall have access to the information thus obtained without prejudice to the competences of national courts and in full respect of the fundamental rights of the legal subjects concerned.










(c)


the Commission shall transmit the preliminary audit findings, in at least one of the official languages of the Union, no later than 3

2
 months after the last day of the audit, to the competent Member State authority. [Am. 282]











(d)


the Commission shall transmit the audit report, in at least one of the official languages of the Union, no later than 3

2
 months from the date of receiving a complete reply from the competent Member State authority to the preliminary audit findings. 
The Member State’s reply shall be considered complete if the Commission has not reported on the existence of outstanding documentation within 2 months. [Am. 283]





The Commission may 
in duly justified cases
 extend the time limits referred in points (c) and (d) by an additional three

two
 months. [Am. 284]





4a.
   
Without prejudice to paragraph 6 of Article 63, the Commission shall provide for a complaints handling system which shall be accessible to citizens and stakeholders. [Am. 285]





Article 65


Programme authorities


1.   For the purposes of Article [63(3)] of the Financial Regulation, the Member State shall identify for each programme a managing authority and an audit authority. Where a Member State makes use of the option referred to in Article 66(2), the body concerned shall be identified as a programme authority. Those same authorities may be responsible for more than one programme.


2.   The audit authority shall be a public 
or private
 authority, functionally independent from the auditees

Management Authority and the bodies or entities to which functions have been entrusted or delegated
. [Am. 286]



3.   The managing authority may identify one or more intermediate bodies to carry out certain tasks under its responsibility. Arrangements between the managing authority and intermediate bodies shall be recorded in writing.


4.   Member States shall ensure that the principle of separation of functions between and within the programme authorities is respected.


5.   The body implementing the programme co-fund as referred to in Article [11] of Regulation EU (…) [Horizon Europe Rules for Participation] shall be identified as an intermediate body by the managing authority of the relevant programme, in line with paragraph 3.


CHAPTER II
Standard management and control systems


Article 66


Functions of the managing authority


1.   The managing authority shall be responsible for managing the programme with a view to delivering the objectives of the programme. In particular, it shall have the following functions:






(a)


select operations in accordance with Article 67;










(b)


carry out programme management tasks in accordance with Article 68;










(c)


support the work of the monitoring committee in accordance with Article 69;










(d)


supervise intermediate bodies;










(e)


record and store in an electronic system

systems
 the data on each operation necessary for monitoring, evaluation, financial management, verifications and audits, and shall ensure the security, integrity and confidentiality of data and the authentication of the users. [Am. 287]







2.   The Member State may entrust the accounting function referred to in Article 70 to the managing authority or to another body.


3.   For programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, the accounting function shall be carried out by the managing authority or under its responsibility.


4.   The Commission shall adopt an implementing act in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 109(2) in order to ensure uniform conditions for the electronic data to be recorded and stored referred to in point (e) of paragraph 1. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 109(2).




Article 67


Selection of operations by the managing authority


1.   For the selection of operations, the managing authority shall establish and apply criteria and procedures which are non-discriminatory, transparent, ensure 
accessibility to persons with disabilities,
 gender equality and take account of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the principle of sustainable development and of the Union policy on the environment in accordance with Articles 11 and 191(1) of the TFEU. [Am. 288]

The criteria and procedures shall ensure the prioritisation of operations to be selected with a view to maximise the contribution of Union funding to the achievement of the objectives of the programme.


2.   Upon request of the Commission, the managing authority shall consult the Commission and take its comments into account prior to the initial submission of the selection criteria to the monitoring committee and before any subsequent changes to those criteria.


3.   In selecting operations, the managing authority shall:






(a)


ensure that selected operations 
are sustainable,
 comply with the programme
, as well as territorial strategies,
 and provide an effective contribution to the achievement of its specific objectives; [Am. 289]











(b)


ensure that selected operations are consistent with the corresponding strategies and planning documents established for the fulfilment of enabling conditions;










(c)


ensure that selected operations present the best

an appropriate
 relationship between the amount of support, the activities undertaken and the achievement of objectives; [Am. 290]











(d)


verify that the beneficiary has the necessary financial resources and mechanisms to cover operation and maintenance costs;










(e)


ensure that selected operations which fall under the scope of Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (45) are subject to an environmental impact assessment or a screening procedure 
and that the assessment of alternative solutions as well as a comprehensive public consultation has been taken in due account
, on the basis of the requirements of that Directive as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (46); [Am. 291]











(f)



verify

ensure
 that where the operations have started before the submission of an application for funding to the managing authority, applicable law has been complied with; [Am. 292]











(g)


ensure that selected operations fall within the scope of the Fund concerned and are attributed to a type of intervention or area of support for the EMFF;










(h)


ensure that operations do not include activities which were part of an operation subject to relocation in accordance with Article 60 or which would constitute a transfer of a productive activity in accordance with Article 59(1)(a);










(i)


ensure that selected operations are not affected by a reasoned opinion by the Commission in respect of an infringement under Article 258 of the TFEU that puts at risk the legality and regularity of expenditure or the performance of operations;










(j)


ensure
, before taking investment decisions,
 the climate proofing of investments in infrastructure with an expected lifespan of at least five years
, as well as the application of the Energy Efficiency First principle
. [Am. 293]







4.   The managing authority shall ensure that the beneficiary is provided with a document setting out all the conditions for support for each operation including the specific requirements concerning the products or services to be delivered, the financing plan, the time-limit for its execution and where applicable, the method to be applied for determining the costs of the operation and the conditions for payment of the grant.


5.   For operations awarded a Seal of Excellence certification, or selected under the programme co-fund under Horizon Europe, the managing authority may decide to grant support from the ERDF or the ESF+ directly, provided that such operations are consistent with the objectives of the programme.
The co-financing rate of the instrument providing the Seal of Excellence certification or the programme co-fund shall apply and shall be set out in the document referred in paragraph 4.




5a.
   
The managing authority may also decide, in duly justified cases, to contribute up to 5 % of a programme’s financial allocation under the ERDF and ESF+ to specific projects within the Member State eligible under Horizon Europe, including those selected in the second phase, provided that those specific projects contribute to the programme’s objectives in that Member State. [Am. 294]



6.   When the managing authority selects an operation of strategic importance, it shall inform the Commission immediately

within one month
 and shall provide all relevant information to the Commission about that operation
, including a cost-benefit analysis
. [Am. 295]





Article 68


Programme management by the managing authority


1.   The managing authority shall:






(a)


carry out management verifications to verify that the co-financed products and services have been delivered, that the operation complies with applicable law, the programme and the conditions for support of the operation, and:






(i)


where costs are to be reimbursed pursuant to Article 48(1)(a), that the amount of expenditure claimed by the beneficiaries in relation to those costs has been paid and that beneficiaries maintain separate accounting records for all transactions relating to the operation;










(ii)


where costs are to be reimbursed pursuant to points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 48(1), that the conditions for reimbursement of expenditure to the beneficiary have been met;














(b)


ensure, subject to the availability of funding,

for pre-financing and interim payments
 that a beneficiary receives the amount due in full 
for verified expenditure
 and no later than 90

60
 days from the date of submission of the payment claim by the beneficiary; [Am. 296]











(c)


have effective and proportionate anti-fraud measures and procedures in place, taking into account the risks identified;










(d)


prevent, detect and correct irregularities;










(e)


confirm that the expenditure entered into the accounts is legal and regular;










(f)


draw up the management declaration in accordance with the template set out in Annex XV;










(g)


provide forecasts of the amount for payment applications to be submitted for the current and subsequent calendar years by 31 January and 31 July, in accordance with Annex VII.




For point (b) of the first sub-paragraph, no amount shall be deducted or withheld and no specific charge or other charge with equivalent effect shall be levied that would reduce amounts due to beneficiaries.
For PPP operations, the managing authority shall carry out payments to an escrow account set up for that purpose in the name of the beneficiary for use in accordance with the PPP agreement.


2.   Management verifications referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 shall be risk-based and proportionate to the risks identified as defined in a risk management strategy.
Management verifications shall include administrative verifications in respect of payment claims by beneficiaries and on-the-spot verifications of operations. They shall be carried out at the latest before preparation of the accounts in accordance with Article 92.


3.   Where the managing authority is also a beneficiary under the programme, arrangements for the management verifications shall ensure separation of functions.


4.   By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the ETC Regulation may establish specific rules on management verifications applicable to Interreg programmes.




Article 69


Support of the work of the monitoring committee by the managing authority

The managing authority shall:






(a)


provide the monitoring committee in a timely manner with all information necessary to carry out its tasks;










(b)


ensure the follow-up of the decisions and recommendations of the monitoring committee.







Article 70


The accounting function


1.   The accounting function shall consist of the following tasks:






(a)


drawing up and submitting payment applications to the Commission in accordance with Articles 85 and 86 
and taking account of the audits carried out by, or under the responsibility of the audit authority
; [Am. 297]











(b)


drawing up 
and presenting
 the accounts
, confirming the completeness, accuracy and correctness
 in accordance with Article 92 and keeping records of all the elements of the accounts in an electronic system; [Am. 298]











(c)


converting the amounts of expenditure incurred in another currency into euro by using the monthly accounting exchange rate of the Commission in the month during which the expenditure is registered in the accounting systems of the body responsible for carrying out the tasks set out in this Article.






2.   The accounting function shall not comprise verifications at the level of beneficiaries.


3.   By way of derogation from point (c) of paragraph 1, the ETC Regulation may establish a different method to convert the amounts of expenditure incurred in another currency into euro.




Article 71


Functions of the audit authority


1.   The audit authority shall be responsible for carrying out system audits, audits on operations and audits of accounts in order to provide independent assurance to the Commission regarding the effective functioning of the management and control systems and the legality and regularity of the expenditure included in the accounts submitted to the Commission.


2.   Audit work shall be carried out in accordance with internationally accepted audit standards.


3.   The audit authority shall draw up and submit to the Commission:






(a)


an annual audit opinion in accordance with Article [63(7)] of the Financial Regulation and with the template set out in Annex XVI and based on all audit work carried out, covering the following distinct components:






(i)


the completeness, veracity and accuracy of the accounts;










(ii)


the legality and regularity of the expenditure included in the accounts submitted to the Commission;










(iii)


the effective functioning of the management and control system.














(b)


an annual control report fulfilling the requirements of Article [63(5)(b)] of the Financial Regulation, in accordance with the template set out in Annex XVII and, supporting the audit opinion referred to in point (a) and setting out a summary of the findings, including an analysis of the nature and extent of errors and deficiencies in the systems as well as the proposed and implemented corrective actions and the resulting total error rate and residual error rate for the expenditure entered in the accounts submitted to the Commission.






4.   Where programmes are grouped for the purpose of audits of operations pursuant to Article 73(2), the information required under paragraph (3)(b) may be grouped in a single report.
Where the audit authority makes use of this option for programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, the information required under paragraph (3)(b) shall be reported by Fund.


5.   The audit authority shall transmit to the Commission system audit reports as soon as the contradictory procedure with the relevant auditees is concluded.


6.   The Commission and the audit authorities shall meet on a regular basis and at least once a year, unless otherwise agreed, to examine the audit strategy, the annual control report, the audit opinion, to coordinate their audit plans and methods and to exchange views on issues relating to the improvement of management and control systems.




6a.
   
The audit shall be carried out with reference to the applicable standard at the time of the convention of the audited operation, except when new standards are more favourable to the beneficiary. [Am. 299]





6b.
   
The finding of an irregularity, as part of the audit of an operation leading to a financial penalty, cannot lead to extending the scope of the control or to financial corrections beyond the expenditure covered by the accounting year of the audited expenditure. [Am. 300]





Article 72


Audit strategy


1.   The audit authority shall
, after consulting the managing authority,
 prepare an audit strategy based on a risk assessment, taking account of the management and control system description provided for in Article 63(9), covering system audits and audits of operations. The audit strategy shall include system audits of newly identified managing authorities and authorities in charge of the accounting function
. The audit shall be performed
 within nine months following their first year of functioning. The audit strategy shall be prepared in accordance with the template set out in Annex XVIII and shall be updated annually following the first annual control report and audit opinion provided to the Commission. It may cover one or more programmes. 
In the audit strategy, the audit authority may determine a limit for single account audits. [Am. 301]



2.   The audit strategy shall be submitted to the Commission upon request.




Article 73


Audits of operations


1.   Audits of operations shall cover expenditure declared to the Commission in the accounting year on the basis of a sample. That sample shall be representative and based on statistical sampling methods.


2.   Where the population consists of less than 300 sampling units, a non-statistical sampling method may be used on the professional judgement of the audit authority. In such cases, the size of the sample shall be sufficient to enable the audit authority to draw up a valid audit opinion. The non-statistical sampling method shall cover a minimum of 10 % of the sampling units in the population of the accounting year, selected randomly.
The statistical sample may cover one or more programmes receiving support from the ERDF, the Cohesion Fund and the ESF+ and, subject to stratification where appropriate, one or more programming periods according to the professional judgement of the audit authority.
The sample of operations supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI and by the EMFF shall cover operations supported by each Fund separately.


3.   Audits of operations shall include on-the-spot verification of the physical implementation of the operation only where it is required by the type of operation concerned.


In case of a disagreement between the Commission and a Member State on audit findings, a settlement procedure shall be put in place. [Am. 302]

The ESF+ Regulation may set out specific provisions for programmes under Article [4(1)(c)(vii)] of the ESF+ Regulation.


4.   The Commission is empowered to adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 107 to supplement this Article by setting out standardised off-the-shelf sampling methodologies and modalities to cover one or more programming periods.




Article 74


Single audit arrangements


1.   When carrying out audits, the Commission and the audit authorities shall take due account of the principles of single audit and proportionality in relation to the level of risk to the budget of the Union. They shall avoid duplication of audits of the same expenditure declared to the Commission with the objective of minimising the cost of management verifications and audits and the administrative burden on beneficiaries.
The Commission and audit authorities shall first use all information and records available in the electronic system

systems
 referred to in Article 66(1)(e), including results of management verifications and only request and obtain additional documents and audit evidence from the beneficiaries concerned where, based on their professional judgement, this is required to support robust audit conclusions. [Am. 303]



2.   For programmes for which the Commission concludes that the opinion of the audit authority is reliable and the Member State concerned participates in the enhanced cooperation on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Commission’s own audits shall be limited to auditing the work of the audit authority.


3.   Operations for which the total eligible expenditure does not exceed EUR 400 000 for the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, EUR 300 000 for the ESF+, EUR 200 000 for the EMFF, the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI shall not be subject to more than one audit by either the audit authority or the Commission prior to the submission of the accounts for the accounting year in which the operation is completed.
Other operations shall not be subject to more than one audit per accounting year by either the audit authority or the Commission prior to the submission of the accounts for the accounting year in which the operation is completed. Operations shall not be subject to an audit by the Commission or the audit authority in any year where there has already been an audit in that year by the Court of Auditors, provided that the results of that Court of Auditors’ audit for such operations can be used by the audit authority or the Commission for the purpose of fulfilling their respective tasks.


4.   Nothwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 3, any operation may be subject to more than one audit, if the audit authority concludes based on its professional judgment, that it is not possible to draw up a valid audit opinion.


5.   Paragraphs 2 and 3 shall not apply where:






(a)


there is a specific risk of irregularity or an indication of fraud;










(b)


there is a need to re-perform the work of the audit authority for obtaining assurance as to its effective functioning;










(c)


there is evidence of a serious deficiency in the work of the audit authority.








Article 75


Management verifications and audits of financial instruments


1.   The managing authority shall carry out on-the-spot management verifications in accordance with Article 68(1) only at the level of bodies implementing the financial instrument and, in the context of guarantee funds, at the level of bodies delivering the underlying new loans. 
Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 127 of the Financial Regulation, if the financial instrument provides control reports supporting the payment application, the managing authority may decide not to carry out on-the-spot management verifications. [Am. 304]



2.   The managing authority shall not carry out on-the-spot verifications at the level of the European Investment Bank (‘EIB’) or other international financial institutions in which a Member State is a shareholder.
However, the EIB or other internationally

international
 financial institutions in which a Member State is a shareholder shall provide control reports supporting the payment applications to the managing authority. [Am. 305]



3.   The audit authority shall carry out system audits and audits of operations in accordance with Articles 71, 73 or 77 at the level of bodies implementing the financial instrument and, in the context of guarantee funds, at the level of bodies delivering the underlying new loans. 
Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 127 of the Financial Regulation, if the financial instrument provides the audit authority with an annual audit report drawn up by their external auditors by the end of each calendar year that covers the elements included in Annex XVII, the audit authority may decide not to carry out further audits. [Am. 306]





3a.
   
In the context of guarantee funds, the bodies responsible for the audit of programmes may conduct verifications or audits of the bodies providing new underlying loans only when one or more of the following situations occur:










(a)






supporting documents, providing evidence of the support from the financial instrument to final recipients, are not available at the level of the managing authority or at the level of the bodies that implement financial instruments;














(b)






there is evidence that the documents available at the level of the managing authority or at the level of the bodies that implement financial instruments do not represent a true and accurate record of the support provided. [Am. 307]







4.   The audit authority shall not carry out audits at the level of the EIB or other international financial institutions in which a Member State is a shareholder, for financial instruments implemented by them.
However, the EIB or other international financial institutions in which a Member State is a shareholder shall provide to the Commission and to the audit authority an annual audit report drawn up by their external auditors by the end of each calendar year. This report shall cover the elements included in Annex XVII.


5.   The EIB or other international financial institutions shall provide to the programme authorities all the necessary documents to enable them to fulfil their obligations.




Article 76


Availability of documents


1.   Without prejudice to the rules governing State aid, the managing authority shall ensure that all supporting documents related to an operation supported by the Funds are kept at the appropriate level for a five-year

three-year
 period from 31 December of the year in which the last payment by the managing authority to the beneficiary is made. [Am. 308]



2.   This time period shall be interrupted either in the case of legal proceedings or by a request of the Commission.




2a.
   
The document retention period may be reduced, proportionally to the risk profile and the size of beneficiaries, by decision of the managing authority. [Am. 309]



CHAPTER III
Reliance on national management systems


Article 77


Enhanced proportionate arrangements

The Member State may apply the following enhanced proportionate arrangements for the management and control system of a programme when the conditions set out in Article 78 are fulfilled:






(a)


by way of derogation from Article 68(1)(a) and 68(2), the managing authority may apply only national procedures to carry out management verifications;










(b)


by way of derogation from Article 73(1) and (3), the audit authority may limit its audit activity to a statistical sample of 30 sampling units for the programme or group of programmes concerned;










(c)


the Commission, shall limit its own audits to a review of the work of the audit authority through re-performance at its level only, unless available information suggests a serious deficiency in the work of the audit authority.




For point (b), where the population consists of less than 300 sampling units, the audit authority may apply a non-statistical sampling method in accordance with Article 73(2).



Article 78


Conditions for application of enhanced proportionate arrangements


1.   The Member State may apply the enhanced proportionate arrangements set out in Article 77 at any time during the programming period, where the Commission has confirmed in its published annual activity reports for the last two years preceding the Member State’s decision to apply the provisions of this Article, that the programme’s management and control system is functioning effectively and that the total error rate for each year is below 2 %. When assessing the effective functioning of the programme’s management and control system, the Commission shall take into account the participation of the Member State concerned in the enhanced cooperation on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Where a Member State decides to use this option, it shall notify the Commission on the application of the proportionate arrangements set out in Article 77 which shall apply from the start of the subsequent accounting year.


2.   At the start of the programming period, the Member State may apply the arrangements referred to in Article 77, provided that the conditions set out in paragraph 1 of this Article are met with respect to a similar programme implemented in 2014-2020 and where the management and control arrangements established for the 2021-2027 programme build largely on those for the previous programme. In such cases, the enhanced proportionate arrangements will apply from the start of the programme.


3.   The Member State shall establish or update accordingly the description of the management and control system and the audit strategy described in Articles 63(9) and 72.




Article 79


Adjustment during the programming period


1.   Where the Commission or the audit authority conclude, based on the audits carried out and the annual control report, that the conditions set out in Article 78 are no longer fulfilled, the Commission shall request the audit authority to carry out additional audit work in accordance with Article 63(3) and take remedial actions.


2.   Where the subsequent annual control report confirms that the conditions continue not to be fulfilled, thus limiting the assurance provided to the Commission on the effective functioning of the management and control systems and of the legality and regularity of expenditure, the Commission shall request the audit authority to carry out system audits.


3.   The Commission may, after having given to the Member State the opportunity to present its observations, inform the Member State that the enhanced proportionate arrangements set out in Article 77 shall no longer be applied.


TITLE VII
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, SUBMISSION AND EXAMINATION OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL CORRECTIONS
CHAPTER I
Financial management
SECTION I
GENERAL ACCOUNTING RULES


Article 80


Budgetary commitments


1.   The decision approving the programme in accordance with Article 18 shall constitute a financing decision within the meaning of [Article 110(3)] of the Financial Regulation and its notification to the Member State concerned shall constitute a legal commitment.
That decision shall specify the Union contribution per Fund and per year.


2.   The budgetary commitments of the Union in respect of each programme shall be made by the Commission in annual instalments for each Fund during the period between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2027.


3.   By way of derogation from Article 111(2) of the Financial Regulation, the budgetary commitments for the first instalment shall follow the adoption of the programme by the Commission.




Article 81


Use of the euro

Any amounts set out in programmes, reported or declared to the Commission by Member States shall be denominated in euro.



Article 82


Repayment


1.   Any repayment due to be made to the budget of the Union shall be effected before the due date indicated in the order for recovery drawn up in accordance with [Article 98 of the Financial Regulation]. The due date shall be the last day of the second month following the issuing of the order.


2.   Any delay in effecting repayment shall give rise to interest on account of late payment, starting on the due date and ending on the date of actual payment. The rate of such interest shall be one-and-a-half percentage points above the rate applied by the European Central Bank in its main refinancing operations on the first working day of the month in which the due date falls.


SECTION II
RULES FOR PAYMENTS TO MEMBER STATES


Article 83


Types of payments

Payments shall take the form of pre-financing, interim payments and payments of the balance of the accounts for the accounting year.



Article 84


Pre-financing


1.   The Commission shall pay pre-financing based on the total support from the Funds set out in the decision approving the programme pursuant to Article 17(3)(f)(i).


2.   The pre-financing for each Fund shall be paid in yearly instalments before 1 July of each year, subject to availability of funds, as follows: [Am. 310]







(a)


2021: 0,5 %;










(b)


2022: 0,5 %

0,7 %
; [Am. 311]











(c)


2023: 0,5 %

1 %
; [Am. 312]











(d)


2024: 0,5 %

1,5 %
; [Am. 313]











(e)


2025: 0,5 %

2 %
; [Am. 314]











(f)


2026: 0,5 %

2 %
; [Am. 315]





Where a programme is adopted after 1 July 2021, the earlier instalments shall be paid in the year of adoption.


3.   By way of derogation from paragraph 2, for Interreg programmes, specific rules on pre-financing shall be set out in the ETC Regulation.


4.   The amount paid as pre-financing shall be cleared from the Commission accounts no later than with the final accounting year.


5.   Any interest generated by the pre-financing shall be used for the programme concerned in the same way as the Funds and shall be included in the accounts for the final accounting year.




Article 85


Payment applications


1.   The Member State shall submit a maximum of four payment applications per programme, per Fund and per accounting year. Every year the time limit for each payment application shall be 30 April, 31 July, 31 October and 26 December.
The last payment application submitted by 31 July shall be deemed to be the final payment application for the accounting year that has ended 30 June.


2.   Payment applications shall not be admissible unless the latest assurance package due has been submitted.


3.   Payment applications shall be submitted to the Commission in accordance with the template set out in Annex XIX and include, for each priority and by category of region:






(a)


the total amount of eligible expenditure incurred by beneficiaries and paid in implementing operations, as entered in the system of the body carrying out the accounting function;










(b)


the amount for technical assistance calculated in accordance with Article 31(2); [Am. 316]











(c)


the total amount of public contribution paid or to be paid, as entered in the accounting systems of the body carrying out the accounting function;






4.   By way of derogation from point (a) of paragraph 3, the following shall apply:






(a)


where the Union contribution is made pursuant to point (a) of Article 46, the amounts included in a payment application shall be the amounts justified by the progress in the fulfilment of conditions, or achievement of results, in accordance with the decision referred to in Article 89(2);










(b)


where the Union contribution is made pursuant to points (c), (d) and (e) of Article 46, the amounts included in an payment application shall be the amounts determined in accordance with the decision referred to in Article 88(3);










(c)


for the forms of grants listed in points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 48(1), the amounts included in a payment application shall be the costs calculated on the applicable basis.












(ca)






in the case of state aid, the payment application may include advances paid to the beneficiary by the body granting the aid under the following cumulative conditions: they are subject to a bank or equivalent guarantee, they do not exceed 40 % of the total amount of the aid to be granted to a beneficiary for a given operation and are covered by expenditure paid by beneficiaries and supported by receipted invoices within 3 years. [Am. 317]







5.   By way of derogation from point (c) of paragraph 3, in the case of aid schemes under Article 107 of the TFEU, the public contribution corresponding to the expenditure included in a payment application shall have been paid to the beneficiaries by the body granting the aid.




Article 86


Specific elements for financial instruments in payment applications


1.   Where financial instruments are implemented in accordance with Article 53(2)

53(1)
, payment applications submitted in accordance with Annex XIX shall include the total amounts disbursed or, in the case of guarantees, the amounts set aside as agreed in guarantee contracts, by the managing authority to final recipients as referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) of Article 62(1). [Am. 318]



2.   Where financial instruments are implemented in accordance with Article 53(3)

53(2)
, payment applications that include expenditure for financial instruments shall be submitted in accordance with the following conditions: [Am. 319]







(a)


the amount included in the first payment application shall have been paid to the financial instruments and may be up to 25 % of the total amount of programme contributions committed to the financial instruments under the relevant funding agreement, in accordance with the relevant priority and category of region, if applicable;










(b)


the amount included in subsequent payment applications submitted during the eligibility period shall include the eligible expenditure as referred to in Article 62(1).






3.   The amount included in the first payment application, referred to in point (a) of paragraph 2, shall be cleared from Commission accounts no later than the final accounting year.
It shall be disclosed separately in payment applications.




Article 87


Common rules for payments


1.   Subject to available funding, The Commission shall make interim payments no later than 60 days after the date on which a payment application is received by the Commission. [Am. 320]



2.   Each payment shall be attributed to the earliest open budget commitment of the Fund and category of region concerned. The Commission shall reimburse as interim payments 90 % of the amounts included in the payment application, which results from applying the co-financing rate for each priority to the total eligible expenditure or to the public contribution as appropriate. The Commission shall determine the remaining amounts to be reimbursed or to be recovered when calculating the balance of the accounts in accordance with Article 94.


3.   The support from the Funds to a priority in interim payments shall not be higher than the amount of the support from the Funds for the priority laid down in the decision of the Commission approving the programme.


4.   Where the Union contribution takes the form of point (a) of Article 46 or where the grants take the form listed in points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 48(1) the Commission shall not pay more than the amount requested by the Member State.


5.   In addition, the support from the Funds to a priority in the payment of the balance of the final accounting year shall not exceed any of the following amounts:






(a)


the public contribution declared in payment applications;










(b)


support from the Funds paid to beneficiaries;










(c)


the amount requested by the Member State.






6.   On the request of a Member State, interim payments may be increased by 10 % above the co-financing rate applicable to each priority for the Funds, if a Member State meets one of the following conditions after [date of adoption of this Regulation]:






(a)


the Member State receives a loan from the Union under Council Regulation (EU) No 407/2010;










(b)


the Member State receives medium-term financial assistance under the ESM as established by the Treaty establishing the ESM of 2 February 2012 or as referred to in Council Regulation (EC) No 332/2002 (47) conditional on the implementation of a macro-economic adjustment programme;










(c)


financial assistance is made available to the Member State conditional on the implementation of a macroeconomic adjustment programme as specified in Regulation (EU) No 472/2013 (48) of the European Parliament and of the Council.




The increased rate, which may not exceed 100 %, shall apply to requests for payments until the end of the calendar year in which the related financial assistance comes to an end.


7.   Paragraph 6 shall not apply to Interreg programmes.




Article 88


Reimbursement of eligible expenditure based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates


1.   The Commission may reimburse the Union contribution to a programme on the basis of unit costs, lump sums and flat rates for reimbursement of the Union contribution to a programme.


2.   In order to make use of a Union contribution to the programme based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates as referred to in Article 46, Member States shall submit a proposal to the Commission in accordance with the templates set out in Annexes V and VI, as part of the programme or of a request for its amendment.
The amounts and rates proposed by the Member State shall be established on the basis of the delegated act referred to in paragraph 4 or on the basis of the following:






(a)


a fair, equitable and verifiable calculation method based on any of the following:






(i)


statistical data, other objective information or an expert judgement;










(ii)


verified historical data;










(iii)


the application of usual cost accounting practices;














(b)


draft budgets;










(c)


the rules on corresponding unit costs and lump sums applicable in Union policies for a similar type of operation;










(d)


the rules on corresponding unit costs and lump sums applied under schemes for grants funded entirely by the Member State for a similar type of operation.






3.   The Commission decision approving the programme or its amendment shall set out the types of operations covered by the reimbursement based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates, the definition and the amounts covered by unit costs, lump sums and flat rates and the methods for adjustment of the amounts.
Member States shall use one of the forms of grants as referred to in Article 48(1) to support operations for which expenditure is reimbursed by the Commission on the basis of this Article.
Commission or Member States audits shall exclusively aim at verifying that the conditions for reimbursement by the Commission have been fulfilled.


4.   The Commission is empowered to adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 107 to supplement this Article by defining unit costs, lump sums, flat rates, their amounts and adjustment methods in the ways referred to in the second sub-paragraph of paragraph 2.




Article 89


Financing not linked to costs


1.   In order to make use of a Union contribution to all or parts of a priority of programmes based on financing not linked to costs, the Member State shall submit a proposal to the Commission in accordance with the templates set out in Annexes V and VI, as part of the programme or of a request for its amendment. The proposal shall contain the following information:






(a)


identification of the priority concerned and the overall amount covered by the financing not linked to costs; a description of the part of the programme and the type of operations covered by the financing not linked to costs;










(b)


a description of the conditions to be fulfilled or of the results to be achieved and a timeline;










(c)


intermediate deliverables triggering reimbursement by the Commission;










(d)


measurement units;










(e)


the schedule for reimbursement by the Commission and related amounts linked to the progress in the fulfilment of conditions or achievement of results;










(f)


the arrangements for verification of the intermediate deliverables and of the fulfilment of conditions or achievement of results;










(g)


the methods for adjustment of the amounts, where applicable;










(h)


the arrangements to ensure the audit trail in accordance with Annex XI demonstrating the fulfilment of conditions or achievement of results.






2.   The Commission decision approving the programme or the request for its amendment shall set out all the elements listed in paragraph 1.


3.   Member States shall use one of the forms of grants as referred to in Article 48(1) to support operations for which expenditure is reimbursed by the Commission on the basis of this Article.
Commission or Member States audits shall exclusively aim at verifying that the conditions for reimbursement by the Commission have been fulfilled or the results have been achieved.


4.   The Commission is empowered to adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 107 to supplement this Article by establishing amounts for financing not linked to costs by type of operation, the methods for adjustment of the amounts and the conditions to be fulfilled or the results to be achieved.


SECTION III
INTERRUPTIONS AND SUSPENSIONS


Article 90


Interruption of the payment deadline


1.   The Commission may interrupt the payment deadline for payments, except for pre-financing, for a maximum period of six months where any of the following conditions is met:






(a)


there is evidence to suggest

of
 a serious deficiency and for which corrective measures have not been taken; [Am. 321]











(b)


the Commission has to carry out additional verifications following receipt of information that expenditure in a payment application may be linked to an irregularity.






2.   The Member State may agree to extend the interruption period by three months.


3.   The Commission shall limit the interruption to the part of the expenditure affected by the elements referred to in paragraph 1, unless it is not possible to identify the part of the expenditure affected. The Commission shall inform the Member State in writing of the reason for interruption and shall ask them to remedy the situation. The Commission shall end the interruption as soon as the measures remedying the elements referred to in paragraph 1 have been taken.


4.   The Fund-specific rules for the EMFF may lay down specific bases for interruption of payments linked to non-compliance with rules applicable under the Common Fisheries Policy.




Article 91


Suspension of payments


1.   The Commission may suspend all or part of payments after having given the Member State the opportunity to present its observations, if any of the following conditions is met:






(a)


the Member State has failed to take the necessary action to remedy the situation giving rise to an interruption under Article 90;










(b)


there is a serious deficiency;










(c)


the expenditure in payment applications is linked to an irregularity that has not been corrected;










(d)


there is a reasoned opinion by the Commission in respect of an infringement under Article 258 of the TFEU that puts at risk the legality and regularity of expenditure











(e)




the Member State has failed to take the necessary action in accordance with Article 15(6).
[Am. 322]







2.   The Commission shall end the suspension of all or part of payments when the Member State has taken the measures remedying the elements referred to in paragraph 1.


3.   The Fund-specific rules for the EMFF may lay down specific bases for suspension of payments linked to non-compliance with rules applicable under the Common Fisheries Policy.


CHAPTER II
Submission and examination of accounts


Article 92


Content and submission of accounts


1.   For each accounting year for which payment applications have been submitted, the Member State shall submit to the Commission by 15 February, the following documents (‘the assurance package’) which shall cover the preceding accounting year as defined in Article 2(28):






(a)


the accounts in accordance with the template set out in Annex XX;










(b)


the management declaration referred to in Article 68(1)(f) in accordance with the template set out in Annex XV;










(c)


the audit opinion referred to in Article 71(3)(a) in accordance with the template set out in Annex XVI;










(d)


the annual control report referred to in Article 71(3)(b) in accordance with the template set out in Annex XVII.






2.   The deadline referred to in paragraph 1 may exceptionally be extended by the Commission to 1 March, upon communication by the Member State concerned.


3.   The accounts shall include at the level of each priority and, where applicable, fund and category of region:






(a)


the total amount of eligible expenditure entered into the accounting systems of the body carrying out the accounting function which has been included in the final payment application for the accounting year and the total amount of the corresponding public contribution paid or to be paid;










(b)


the amounts withdrawn during the accounting year;










(c)


the amounts of public contribution paid to each financial instrument;










(d)


for each priority, an explanation on any differences between the amounts declared pursuant to point (a) and the amounts declared in payment applications for the same accounting year.






4.   The accounts shall not be admissible if Member States have not undertaken the necessary corrections to reduce the residual risk on the legality and regularity of the expenditure included in the accounts to less than 2 %.


5.   Member States shall in particular deduct from the accounts:






(a)


the irregular expenditure which has been subject to financial corrections in accordance with Article 97;










(b)


the expenditure which is subject to an ongoing assessment of its legality and regularity;










(c)


other amounts as necessary to reduce to 2 % the residual error rate of the expenditure declared in the accounts.




The Member State may include expenditure under point (b) of the first sub-paragraph in a payment application in subsequent accounting years once its legality and regularity is confirmed.


6.   The Member State may replace irregular amounts which it has detected after the submission of the accounts by making the corresponding adjustments in the accounts for the accounting year in which the irregularity is detected, without prejudice to Article 98.


7.   As part of the assurance package, the Member State shall submit for the last accounting year the final performance report referred to in Article 38 or the last annual implementation report for the EMFF, the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI.




Article 93


Examination of accounts

The Commission shall satisfy itself that the accounts are complete, accurate and true by 31 May of the year following the end of the accounting year unless Article 96 applies.



Article 94


Calculation of the balance


1.   When determining the amount chargeable to the Funds for the accounting year and the consequent adjustments in relation to the payments to the Member State, the Commission shall take into account:






(a)


the amounts in the accounts referred to in point (a) of Article 95(2) and to which the co-financing rate for each priority is to be applied;










(b)


the total amount of interim payments made by the Commission during that accounting year.






2.   Where there is an amount recoverable from the Member State, it shall be subject to a recovery order issued by the Commission which shall be executed, where possible, by offsetting against amounts due to the Member State in subsequent payments to the same programme. Such a recovery shall not constitute a financial correction and shall not reduce support from the Funds to the programme. The amount recovered shall constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article [177(3)] of the Financial Regulation.




Article 95


Procedure for the examination of accounts


1.   The procedure set out in Article 96 shall apply in either of the following cases:






(a)


the audit authority has provided a qualified or adverse audit opinion due to reasons linked to the completeness, accuracy and veracity of the accounts;










(b)


the Commission has evidence putting into question the reliability of an unqualified audit opinion.






2.   In all other cases, the Commission shall calculate the amounts chargeable to the Funds in accordance with Article 94 and make the respective payments or recoveries before 1 July. That payment or recovery shall constitute the acceptance of accounts.




Article 96


Contradictory procedure for the examination of accounts


1.   If the audit authority provides an audit opinion which is qualified due to reasons linked to the completeness, accuracy and veracity of the accounts, the Commission shall ask the Member State to revise the accounts and to resubmit the documents referred to in Article 92(1) within one month.
Where by the time limit set out in the first sub-paragraph:






(a)


the audit opinion is unqualified, Article 94 shall apply and the Commission shall pay any additional amount due or proceed to a recovery within two months;










(b)


the audit opinion is still qualified or documents have not been re-submitted by the Member State, paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 shall apply.






2.   If the audit opinion remains qualified due to reasons linked to the completeness, accuracy and veracity of the accounts or if the audit opinion remains unreliable, the Commission shall inform the Member State on the amount chargeable to the Funds for the accounting year.


3.   Where the Member State agrees with this amount within one month, the Commission shall pay any additional amount due or proceed to a recovery in accordance with Article 94 within two months.


4.   Where the Member State does not agree with the amount referred to in paragraph 2, the Commission shall establish the amount chargeable to the Funds for the accounting year. Such an act shall not constitute a financial correction and shall not reduce support from the Funds to the programme. The Commission shall pay any additional amount due or proceed to a recovery in accordance with Article 94 within two months.


5.   With regard to the final accounting year, the Commission shall pay or recover the annual balance of the accounts for programmes supported by the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund no later than two months after the date of acceptance of the final performance report as referred to in Article 38.


CHAPTER III
Financial corrections


Article 97


Financial corrections by Member States


1.   Member States shall protect the Union budget and apply financial corrections by cancelling all or part of the support from the Funds to an operation or programme when expenditure declared to the Commission is found to be irregular.


2.   Financial corrections shall be recorded in the accounts for the accounting year in which the cancellation is decided.


3.   The support from the Funds cancelled may be reused by the Member State within the programme concerned except for an operation that was subject of that correction or, where a financial correction is made for a systemic irregularity, for any operation affected by the systemic irregularity.


4.   The Fund-specific rules for the EMFF may lay down specific bases for financial corrections by the Member States linked to non-compliance with rules applicable under the Common Fisheries Policy.


5.   By way of derogation from paragraphs 1 to 3, in operations comprising financial instruments, a contribution cancelled in accordance with this Article, as a result of an individual irregularity, may be re-used within the same operation under the following conditions:






(a)


where the irregularity that gives rise to the cancellation of the contribution is detected at the level of the final recipient: only for other final recipients within the same financial instrument;










(b)


where the irregularity that gives rise to the cancellation of the contribution is detected at the level of the body implementing the specific fund, where a financial instrument is implemented through a structure with a holding fund, only for other bodies implementing specific funds.




Where that irregularity that gives rise to the cancellation of the contribution is detected at the level of the body implementing the holding fund, or at the level of the body implementing the specific fund where a financial instrument is implemented through a structure without a holding fund, the contribution cancelled shall not be reused within the same operation.
Where a financial correction is made for a systemic irregularity, the contribution cancelled shall not be reused for any operation affected by the systemic irregularity.


6.   The bodies implementing financial instrument shall reimburse to Member States programme contributions affected by irregularities, together with interest and any other gains generated by those contributions.
The bodies implementing financial instruments shall not reimburse to Member States the amounts referred to in the first subparagraph provided that those bodies demonstrate for a given irregularity that the following cumulative conditions are fulfilled:






(a)


the irregularity occurred at the level of final recipients or, in the case of a holding fund, at the level of bodies implementing specific funds or final recipients;










(b)


the bodies implementing financial instruments performed their obligations, in relation to the programme contributions affected by the irregularity, in accordance with applicable law and acted with the degree of professional care, transparency and diligence expected from a professional body experienced in implementing financial instruments;










(c)


the amounts affected by the irregularity could not be recovered notwithstanding that the bodies implementing financial instruments pursued all applicable contractual and legal measures with due diligence.








Article 98


Financial corrections by the Commission


1.   The Commission shall make financial corrections by reducing support from the Funds to a programme where it concludes that:






(a)


there is a serious deficiency which has put at risk the support from the Funds already paid to the programme;










(b)


expenditure contained in accepted accounts is irregular and was not detected and reported by the Member State;










(c)


the Member State has not complied with its obligations under Article 91 prior to the opening of the financial correction procedure by the Commission.




Where the Commission applies flat-rate or extrapolated financial corrections, this shall be carried out in accordance with Annex XXI.


2.   Before taking a decision on a financial correction, the Commission shall inform the Member State of its conclusions and give the Member State the opportunity to present its observations within two months.


3.   Where the Member State does not accept the conclusions of the Commission, the Member State shall be invited to a hearing by the Commission, in order to ensure that all relevant information and observations are available to form the basis for Commission conclusions on the application of the financial correction.


4.   The Commission shall decide on a financial correction by means of an implementing act within 12 months of the hearing or from submission of additional information as required by the Commission.
When deciding on a financial correction, the Commission shall take account of all information and observations submitted.
Where a Member States agrees to the financial correction for cases referred to in points (a) and (c) of paragraph 1 before the adoption of the decision referred to in paragraph 1, the Member State may reuse the amounts concerned. This possibility shall not apply to financial correction for cases referred to in (b) of paragraph 1.


5.   The Fund-specific rules for the EMFF may lay down specific bases for financial corrections by the Commission linked to non-compliance with rules applicable under the Common Fisheries Policy.


CHAPTER IV
Decommitment


Article 99


Decommitment principles and rules


1.   The Commission shall decommit any amount in a programme which has not been used for pre-financing in accordance with Article 84 or for which a payment application has not been submitted in accordance with Articles 85 and 86 by 26

31
 December of the second

third
 calendar year following the year of the budget commitments for the years 2021 to 2026. [Am. 323]




2.   The amount to be covered by pre-financing or payment applications by the time limit established in paragraph 1 concerning the budget commitment of 2021 shall be 60 % of that commitment. 10 % of the budget commitment of 2021 shall be added to each budget commitment for the years 2022 to 2025 for the purposes of calculating the amounts to be covered.
[Am. 324]



3.   The part of commitments still open on 31 December 2029

2030
 shall be decommitted if the assurance package and the final performance report for programmes supported by the ESF+, the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund have not been submitted to the Commission by the time limit set out in Article 38(1). [Am. 325]





Article 100


Exceptions to the decommitment rules


1.   The amount concerned by decommitment shall be reduced by the amounts equivalent to that part of the budget commitment for which:






(a)


the operations are suspended by a legal proceeding or by an administrative appeal having suspensory effect;










(b)


it has not been possible to make a payment application for reasons of force majeure seriously affecting implementation of all or part of the programme; or












(ba)






it has not been possible to make a timely payment application because of delays at Union level in setting up the legal and administrative framework for the funds for the 2021-2027 period. [Am. 326]





The national authorities claiming force majeure shall demonstrate the direct consequences of the force majeure on the implementation of all or part of the programme.


2.   By 31 January, the Member State shall send to the Commission information on the exceptions referred to in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 1 for the amount to be declared by 26 December.




Article 101


Procedure for decommitment


1.   On the basis of the information it has received as of 31 January, the Commission shall inform the Member State of the amount of the decommitment resulting from that information.


2.   The Member State shall have one month

two months
 to agree to the amount to be decommitted or to submit its observations. [Am. 327]



3.   By 30 June, the Member State shall submit to the Commission a revised financing plan reflecting, for the calendar year concerned, the reduced amount of support over one or more priorities of the programme. For programmes supported by more than one Fund, the amount of support shall be reduced by Fund proportionately to the amounts concerned by the decommitment that had not been used in the calendar year concerned.
In the absence of such submission, the Commission shall revise the financing plan by reducing the contribution from the Funds for the calendar year concerned. That reduction shall be allocated to each priority proportionately to the amounts concerned by the decommitment that had not been used in the calendar year concerned.


4.   The Commission shall amend the decision approving the programme no later than 31 October.


TITLE VIII
FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK


Article 102


Geographical coverage of support for the Investment for jobs and growth goal


1.   The ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund shall support the Investment for jobs and growth goal in all regions corresponding to level 2 of the common classification of territorial units for statistics (‘NUTS level 2 regions’) established by Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 868/2014

No 2016/2066
. [Am. 328]



2.   Resources from the ERDF and ESF+ for the Investment for jobs and growth goal shall be allocated among the following three categories of NUTS level 2 regions:






(a)


less developed regions, whose GDP per capita is less than 75 % of the average GDP of the EU-27 (‘less developed regions’);










(b)


transition regions, whose GDP per capita is between 75 % and 100 % of the average GDP of the EU-27 (‘transition regions’);










(c)


more developed regions, whose GDP per capita is above 100 % of the average GDP of the EU-27 (‘more developed regions’).




The classification of regions under one of the three categories of regions shall be determined on the basis of how the GDP per capita of each region, measured in purchasing power standards (‘PPS’) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2014-2016, relates to the average GDP of the EU-27 for the same reference period.


3.   The Cohesion Fund shall support those Member States whose GNI per capita, measured in PPS and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2014-2016, is less than 90 % of the average GNI per capita of the EU-27 for the same reference period.


4.   The Commission shall adopt a decision by means of implementing act setting out the list of regions fulfilling the criteria of one of the three categories of regions and of Member States fulfilling the criteria of paragraph 3. That list shall be valid from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027.




Article 103


Resources for economic, social and territorial cohesion


1.   The resources for economic, social and territorial cohesion available for budgetary commitment for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 330 624 388 630

378 097 000 000
 in 2018 prices. [Am. 329]

For the purposes of programming and subsequent inclusion in the budget of the Union, that amount shall be indexed at 2 % per year.


2.   The Commission shall adopt a decision, by means of implementing act, setting out the annual breakdown of the global resources per Member State under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, per category of regions, together with the list of eligible regions in accordance with the methodology set out in Annex XXII. 
The minimum overall allocation from the Funds, at national level, should be equal to 76 % of the budget allocated to each Member State or region over the 2014-2020 period. [Am. 330]

That decision shall also set out the annual breakdown of the global resources per Member State under the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg).


Without prejudice to the national allocations for the Member States, funding for regions, which are downgraded in category for the 2021-2027 period, shall be maintained at the level of 2014-2020 allocations. [Am. 429]



In view of the particular importance of cohesion funding for cross-border and transnational cooperation, and for the outermost regions, the eligibility criteria for such funding should be no less favourable than in the 2014-2020 period, and ensure maximum continuity with existing programmes. [Am. 331]



3.   0,35 % of the global resources after the deduction of the support to the CEF referred to in Article 104(4), shall be allocated to technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission.




Article 104


Resources for the Investment for jobs and growth goal and for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg)


1.   Resources for the Investment for jobs and growth goal shall amount to 97,5 %

97 %
 of the global resources (, i.e., a total of EUR 
366 754 000 000 (in 2018 prices). Out of this amount, EUR 5 900 000 000 shall be allocated to the Child Guarantee from the resources under the ESF+. The remaining envelope of EUR 360 854 000 000 (in 2018 prices)
 shall be allocated as follows: [Am. 332]







(a)


61,6 % (i.e a total of EUR 198 621 593 157

222 453 894 000
) for less developed regions; [Am. 333]











(b)


14,3 % (i.e a total of EUR 45 934 516 595

51 446 129 000
) for transition regions; [Am. 334]











(c)


10,8 % (i.e., a total of EUR 34 842 689 000

39 023 410 000
) for more developed regions; [Am. 335]











(d)


12,8 % (i.e., a total of EUR 41 348 556 877

46 309 907 000
) for Member States supported by the Cohesion Fund; [Am. 336]











(e)


0,4 % (i.e., a total of EUR 1 447 034 001

1 620 660 000
) as additional funding for the outermost regions identified in Article 349 of the TFEU and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession. [Am. 337]







2.   In 2024, the Commission shall, in its technical adjustment for the year 2025 in accordance with Article [6] of Regulation (EU, Euratom) [[…] (MFF Regulation)], review the total allocations under the Investment for jobs and growth goal of each Member State for 2025 to 2027.
The Commission shall in its review apply the allocation method set out in Annex XXII on the basis of the then available most recent statistics.
Following the technical adjustment, the Commission shall amend the implementing act setting out a revised annual breakdown referred to in Article 103(2).


3.   The amount of resources available for the ESF+ 
shall amount to 28,8 % of the resources
 under the Investment for jobs and growth goal shall be EUR 88 646 194 590

(i.e., EUR 105 686 000 000 in 2018 prices)
. 
That does not include the financial envelope for the Employment and Social Innovation strand or the Health strand
. [Am. 338]

The amount of additional funding for the outermost regions referred to in point (e) in paragraph 1 allocated to the ESF+ shall be EUR 376 928 934

correspond to 0,4 % of the resources referred to in the first subparagraph (i.e., EUR 424 296 054 in 2018 prices)
. [Am. 339]



4.   The amount of support from the Cohesion Fund to be transferred to the CEF shall be EUR 10 000 000 000

4 000 000 000 in 2018 prices
. It shall be spent for transport infrastructure projects
, taking into account the investment infrastructure needs of Member States and regions,
 by launching specific calls in accordance with Regulation (EU) [number of new CEF Regulation] exclusively in Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund. [Am. 340]

The Commission shall adopt an implementing act, setting out the amount to be transferred from each Member State’s Cohesion Fund allocation to the CEF, which amount shall be determined on a pro rata basis for the whole period.
The Cohesion Fund allocation of each Member State shall be reduced accordingly.
The annual appropriations corresponding to the support from the Cohesion Fund referred to in the first subparagraph shall be entered in the relevant budget lines of the CEF as of the 2021 budgetary exercise.

30 % of the resources transferred to the CEF shall be available immediately after the transfer to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with Regulation (EU) [

the new CEF Regulation
]. [Am. 341]

Rules applicable for the transport sector under Regulation (EU) [new CEF Regulation] shall apply to the specific calls referred to in the first subparagraph. Until 31 December 2023, the selection of projects eligible for financing shall respect the national allocations under the Cohesion Fund with regard to 70 % of the resources transferred to the CEF. [Am. 342]

As of 1 January 2024, resources transferred to the CEF which have not been committed to a transport infrastructure project shall be made available to all Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund to finance transport infrastructure projects in accordance with Regulation (EU) [the new CEF Regulation].


5.   EUR 500 000 000

560 000 000 in 2018 prices
 of the resources for the Investment for jobs and growth goal shall be allocated to the European Urban Initiative under direct or indirect management by the Commission. [Am. 343]



6.   EUR 175 000 000

196 000 000 in 2018 prices
 of the ESF+ resources for the Investment for jobs and growth goal shall be allocated for transnational cooperation supporting innovative solutions under direct or indirect management. [Am. 344]



7.   Resources for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) shall amount to 2.5 %

3 %
 of the global resources available for budgetary commitment from the Funds for the period 2021-2027 (i.e. a total of EUR 8 430 000 000

11 343 000 000 in 2018 prices
). [Am. 345]





Article 105


Transferability of resources


1.   The Commission may accept a proposal by a Member State in its submission of the Partnership Agreement or in the context of the mid-term review, for a transfer:






(a)


of not more than 15 %

5 %
 of the total allocations for less developed regions to transition regions or more developed regions and from transition regions to more developed regions; [Am. 346]











(b)


from the allocations for more developed regions or transition regions to less developed regions.






2.   The total allocations to each Member State in respect of the Investment for jobs and growth goal and the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) shall not be transferable between those goals.




Article 106


Determination of co-financing rates


1.   The Commission decision approving a programme shall fix the co-financing rate and the maximum amount of support from the Funds for each priority.


2.   For each priority, the Commission decision shall set out whether the co-financing rate for the priority is to be applied to either of the following:






(a)


total contribution, including public and private contribution;










(b)


public contribution.






3.   The co-financing rate for the Investment for jobs and growth goal at the level of each priority shall not be higher than:






(a)



70 %

85 %
 for the less developed regions; [Am. 347]











(b)



55 %

65 %
 for the transition regions; [Am. 348]











(c)



40 %

50 %
 for the more developed regions. [Ams. 349 and 447]





The co-financing rates set out under point (a), shall also apply to outermost regions 
and to the additional allocation for the outermost regions
. [Am. 350]

The co-financing rate for the Cohesion Fund at the level of each priority shall not be higher than 70 %

85 %
. [Am. 351]

The ESF+ Regulation may 
in duly justified cases
 establish higher co-financing rates 
of up to 90 %,
 for priorities supporting innovative actions in accordance with Article [14]

[13] and Article [4 (1) (x)] and [(xi)]
 of that Regulation
, as well as for programmes addressing material deprivation in accordance with Article [9], youth unemployment in accordance with Article [10], supporting the European Child Guarantee in accordance with Article [10a] and transnational cooperation in line with Article [11b]
. [Am. 352]



4.   The co-financing rate for Interreg programmes shall be no higher than 70 %

85 %
. [Am. 353]

The ETC Regulation may establish higher co-financing rates for external cross-border cooperation programmes under the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg).




4a.
   
Member States may make in a duly justified case a request for further flexibility within the current framework of Stability and Growth Pact for the public or equivalent structural expenditure, supported by the public administration by way of co-financing of investments as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds. The Commission shall carefully assess the respective request when defining the fiscal adjustment under either the preventive or the corrective arm of the Stability and Growth Pact in a manner reflecting the strategic importance of investments. [Am. 453]



5.   Technical assistance measures implemented at the initiative of, or on behalf of, the Commission may be financed at the rate of 100 %.


TITLE IX
DELEGATION OF POWER, IMPLEMENTING, TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER I
Delegation of power and implementing provisions


Article 107


Delegation of powers

The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 108 to amend the Annexes to this Regulation in order adapt to changes occuring during the programming period for non-essential elements of this Regulation, except for Annexes III, IV, X and XXII. 
The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 108 in order to amend and adapt Delegated Regulation (EU) 204/2014, referred to in Article 6(3), to this Regulation. [Am. 354]




Article 108


Exercise of the delegation


1.   The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.


2.   The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in 
Article 6(3),
 Article 63(10), Article 73(4), Article 88(4), Article 89(4) and Article 107 shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from 
the
 date of entry into force of this Regulation 
until 31 December 2027
. [Am. 355]



3.   The delegation of power referred to in Article 
6(3), Article
 63(10), Article 73(4), Article 88(4)
, Article 89(4)

and and Article 89(1)

107
 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. [Am. 356]



4.   Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016.


5.   As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.


6.   A delegated act adopted pursuant to 
Article 6(3),
 Article 63(10), Article 73(4), Article 88(4), Article 89(4) and 107 shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council. [Am. 357]





Article 109


Committee Procedure


1.   The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.


2.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.


CHAPTER II
Transitional and final provisions


Article 110


Transitional provisions

Regulation (EC) No 1303/2013 or any other act applicable to the 2014–2020 programming period shall continue to apply to programmes and operations supported by the ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund and the EMFF under that period.



Article 111


Conditions for operations subject to phased implementation


1.   The managing authority may proceed with the selection of an operation consisting of the second phase of an operation selected for support and started under Regulation (EC) No 1303/2013, provided that the following cumulative conditions are met:






(a)


the operation, as selected for support under Regulation (EC) No 1303/2013, has two phases identifiable from a financial point of view with separate audit trails;










(b)


the total cost of the operation exceeds EUR 10 million;










(c)


expenditure included in a payment application in relation to the first phase is not included under any payment applications in relation to the second phase;










(d)


the second phase of the operation complies with applicable law and is eligible for support from the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund under the provisions of this Regulation or the Fund-specific Regulations;










(e)


the Member State commits to complete during the programming period and render operational the second and final phase in the final implementation report submitted in accordance with Article 141 of Regulation (EC) No 1303/2013.






2.   The provisions of this Regulation shall apply to the second phase of the operation.




Article 112


Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.


This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in the Member States in accordance with the Treaties.
Done at …,


For the European Parliament


The President




For the Council


The President





(1)  OJ C 62, 15.2.2019, p. 83.

(2)  OJ C 86, 7.3.2019, p. 41.

(3)  OJ C 17, 14.1.2019, p. 1.

(4)  Position of the European Parliament of 27 March 2019.

(5)  OJ L […], […], p. […].

(6)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014 of 7 January 2014 on the European code of conduct on partnership in the framework of the European Structural and Investment Funds (OJ L 74, 14.3.2014, p. 1).

(7)  [Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union, amending Directive 94/22/EC, Directive 98/70/EC, Directive 2009/31/EC, Regulation (EC) No 663/2009, Regulation (EC) No 715/2009, Directive 2009/73/EC, Council Directive 2009/119/EC, Directive 2010/31/EU, Directive 2012/27/EU, Directive 2013/30/EU and Council Directive (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 (COM(2016)0759 — 2016/0375(COD)].

(8)  Regulation (EU) […] on specific provisions for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) supported by the European Regional Development Fund and external financing instruments (OJ L […], […], p. […]).

(9)  OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 13.

(10)  Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1.

(11)  Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 (OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1).

(12)  Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests (OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1).

(13)  Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2).

(14)  Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’) (OJ L 283, 31.10.2017, p. 1).

(15)  Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, p. 29).

(16)  Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) (OJ L 154, 21.6.2003, p. 1).

(17)  Commission Regulation (EU) No 868/2014 of 8 August 2014

No 2066/2016 of 21 November 2016
 amending the annexes to Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) (OJ L 241, 13.8.2014

322, 29.11.2016
, p. 1).

(18)  Regulation (EU) […] of the European Parliament and of the Council of […] on [CEF] (OJ L […], […], p. […])]

(19)  
The Commission’s 7th report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, entitled ‘My region, My Europe, Our future: The 7th report on economic, social and territorial cohesion’ (COM(2017)0583, 9 October 2017).



(20)  Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).

(21)  Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 320).

(22)  OJ L , , p. .

(23)  OJ L , , p. .

(24)  OJ L , , p. .

(25)  OJ L , , p. .

(26)  OJ L , , p. .

(27)  OJ L , , p. .

(28)  OJ L , , p. .

(29)  

OJ L 352, 24.12.2013, p. 1.



(30)  

OJ L 352, 24.12.2013, p. 9.



(31)  

OJ L 190, 28.6.2014, p. 45.



(32)  Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty (OJ L 187, 26.6.2014, p. 1).

(33)  Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on a European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC) (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 19).

(34)  [Regulation (EU) No […] on […] (OJ L […], […], p. […])].

(35)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014 of 7 January 2014 on the European code of conduct on partnership in the framework of the European Structural and Investment Funds (OJ L 74, 14.3.2014, p. 1).

(36)  Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances (OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25).

(37)  Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances (OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25).

(38)  Council Regulation (EC) No 332/2002 of 18 February 2002 establishing a facility providing medium-term financial assistance for Member States’ balances of payments (OJ L 53, 23.2.2002).

(39)  Regulation (EU) No 472/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on the strengthening of economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States in the euro area experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability (OJ L 140, 27.5.2013, p. 1).

(40)  Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 of 7 July 1997 on speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure (OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 6).


(41)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/218 of 6 February 2017 on the Union fishing fleet register (OJ L 34, 9.2.2017, p. 9).

(42)  Directive 2003/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 on the re-use of public sector information (OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p. 90).

(43)  Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 65).

(44)  Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and repealing Directive 2004/17/EC (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 243).

(45)  Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1).

(46)  Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 124, 25.4.2014, p. 1).

(47)  Council Regulation (EC) No 332/2002 of 18 February 2002 establishing a facility providing medium-term financial assistance for Member States’ balances of payments (OJ L 53, 23.2.2002, p. 1).

(48)  Regulation (EU) No 472/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on the strengthening of economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States in the euro area experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability (OJ L 140, 27.5.2013, p. 1).




ANNEX I


Dimensions and codes for the types of intervention for the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund — Article 17(5)


TABLE 1: CODES FOR THE INTERVENTION FIELD DIMENSION









 



INTERVENTION FIELD



Coefficient for the calculation of support to climate change objectives


Coefficient for the calculation of support to environmental objectives





POLICY OBJECTIVE 1: A SMARTER EUROPE BY PROMOTING INNOVATIVE AND SMART ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION





001


Investment in fixed assets in micro enterprises directly linked to research and innovation activities 
or linked to competitiveness [Am. 359]



0 %


0 %




002


Investment in fixed assets in small and medium-sized enterprises (including private research centres) directly linked to research and innovation activities 
or linked to competitiveness [Am. 360]



0 %


0 %




003


Investment in fixed assets in public research centres and higher education directly linked to research and innovation activities


0 %


0 %




004


Investment in intangible assets in micro enterprises directly linked to research and innovation activities 
or linked to competitiveness [Am. 361]



0 %


0 %




005


Investment in intangible assets in small and medium-sized enterprises (including private research centres) directly linked to research and innovation activities 
or linked to competitiveness [Am. 362]



0 %


0 %




006


Investment in intangible assets in public research centres and higher education directly linked to research and innovation activities


0 %


0 %




007


Research and innovation activities in micro enterprises including networking (industrial research, experimental development, feasibility studies)


0 %


0 %




008


Research and innovation activities in small and medium-sized enterprises, including networking


0 %


0 %




009


Research and innovation activities in public research centres, higher education and centres of competence including networking (industrial research, experimental development, feasibility studies)


0 %


0 %




010


Digitizing SMEs (including e-Commerce, e-Business and networked business processes, digital innovation hubs, living labs, web entrepreneurs and ICT start-ups, B2B)


0 %


0 %




011


Government ICT solutions, e-services, applications


0 %


0 %




012


IT services and applications for digital skills and digital inclusion


0 %


0 %




013


e-Health services and applications (including e-Care, Internet of Things for physical activity and ambient assisted living)


0 %


0 %




014


Business infrastructure for SMEs (including industrial parks and sites)


0 %


0 %




015


SME business development and internationalisation


0 %


0 %




016


Skills development for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship


0 %


0 %




017


Advanced support services for SMEs and groups of SMEs (including management, marketing and design services)


0 %


0 %




018


Incubation, support to spin offs and spin outs and start ups


0 %


0 %




019


Innovation cluster support and business networks primarily benefiting SMEs


0 %


0 %




020


Innovation processes in SMEs (process, organisational, marketing, co-creation, user and demand driven innovation)


0 %


0 %




021


Technology transfer and cooperation between enterprises, research centres and higher education sector


0 %


0 %




022


Research and innovation processes, technology transfer and cooperation between enterprises focusing on the low carbon economy, resilience and adaptation to climate change


100 %


40 %




023


Research and innovation processes, technology transfer and cooperation between enterprises focusing on circular economy


40 %


100 %





POLICY OBJECTIVE 2: A GREENER, LOW CARBON EUROPE BY PROMOTING CLEAN AND FAIR ENERGY TRANSITION, GREEN AND BLUE INVESTMENT, THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY, CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RISK PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT





024


Energy efficiency and demonstration projects in SMEs and supporting measures


100 %


40 %




025


Energy efficiency renovation of existing housing stock, demonstration projects and supporting measures


100 %


40 %




026


Energy efficiency renovation of public infrastructure, demonstration projects and supporting measures


100 %


40 %




027


Support to enterprises that provide services contributing to the low carbon economy and to resilience to climate change


100 %


40 %




028


Renewable energy: wind


100 %


40 %




029


Renewable energy: solar


100 %


40 %




030


Renewable energy: biomass


100 %


40 %




031


Renewable energy: marine


100 %


40 %




032


Other renewable energy (including geothermal energy)


100 %


40 %




033


Smart Energy Distribution Systems at medium and low voltage levels (including smart grids and ICT systems) and related storage


100 %


40 %




034


High efficiency co-generation, district heating and cooling


100 %


40 %




035


Adaptation to climate change measures and prevention and management of climate related risks: floods 
and landslides
 (including awareness raising, civil protection and disaster management systems and infrastructures) [Am. 363]



100 %


100 %




036


Adaptation to climate change measures and prevention and management of climate related risks: fires (including awareness raising, civil protection and disaster management systems and infrastructures)


100 %


100 %




037


Adaptation to climate change measures and prevention and management of climate related risks: others, e.g. storms and drought (including awareness raising, civil protection and disaster management systems and infrastructures)


100 %


100 %




038


Risk prevention and management of non-climate related natural risks (i.e. earthquakes) and risks linked to human activities (e.g. technological accidents), including awareness raising, civil protection and disaster management systems and infrastructures


0 %


100 %




039


Provision of water for human consumption (extraction, treatment, storage and distribution infrastructure, efficiency measures, drinking water supply)


0 %


100 %




040


Water management and water resource conservation (including river basin management, specific climate change adaptation measures, reuse, leakage reduction)


40 %


100 %




041


Waste water collection and treatment


0 %


100 %




042


Household waste management: prevention, minimisation, sorting, recycling measures


0 %


100 %





043




Household waste management: mechanical biological treatment, thermal treatment




0 %




100 %
[Am. 364]





044


Commercial, industrial or hazardous waste management


0 %


100 %




045


Promoting the use of recycled materials as raw materials


0 %


100 %




046


Rehabilitation of industrial sites and contaminated land


0 %


100 %




047


Support to environmentally-friendly production processes and resource efficiency in SMEs


40 %


40 %




048


Air quality and noise reduction measures


40 %


100 %




049


Protection, restoration and sustainable use of Natura 2000 sites


40 %


100 %




050


Nature and biodiversity protection, green infrastructure


40 %


100 %





POLICY OBJECTIVE 3: A MORE CONNECTED EUROPE BY ENHANCING MOBILITY AND REGIONAL ICT CONNECTIVITY





051


ICT: Very High-Capacity broadband network (backbone/backhaul network)


0 %


0 %




052


ICT: Very High-Capacity broadband network (access/local loop with a performance equivalent to an optical fibre installation up to the distribution point at the serving location for multi-dwelling premises)


0 %


0 %




053


ICT: Very High-Capacity broadband network (access/local loop with a performance equivalent to an optical fibre installation up to the distribution point at the serving location for homes and business premises)


0 %


0 %




054


ICT: Very High-Capacity broadband network (access/local loop with a performance equivalent to an optical fibre installation up to the base station for advanced wireless communication)


0 %


0 %




055


ICT: Other types of ICT infrastructure (including large-scale computer resources/equipment, data centres, sensors and other wireless equipment)


0 %


0 %




056


Newly built motorways
, bridges
 and roads — TEN-T core network [Am. 365]



0 %


0 %




057


Newly built motorways
, bridges
 and roads — TEN-T comprehensive network [Am. 366]



0 %


0 %




058


Newly built secondary road links to TEN-T road network and nodes


0 %


0 %




059


Newly built other national, regional and local access roads


0 %


0 %




060


Reconstructed or improved motorways
, bridges
 and roads — TEN-T core network [Am. 367]



0 %


0 %




061


Reconstructed or improved motorways
, bridges
 and roads — TEN-T comprehensive network [Am. 368]



0 %


0 %




062


Other reconstructed or improved roads (motorway, national, regional or local)


0 %


0 %




063


Digitalisation of transport: road


40 %


0 %




064


Newly built railways — TEN-T core network


100 %


40 %




065


Newly built railways — TEN-T comprehensive network


100 %


40 %




066


Other newly built railways


100 %


40 %




067


Reconstructed or improved railways — TEN-T core network


0 %


40 %




068


Reconstructed or improved railways — TEN-T comprehensive network


0 %


40 %




069


Other reconstructed or improved railways


0 %


40 %




070


Digitalisation of transport: rail


40 %


0 %




071


European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS)


0 %


40 %




072


Mobile rail assets


40 %


40 %




073


Clean urban transport infrastructure


100 %


40 %




074


Clean urban transport rolling stock


100 %


40 %




075


Cycling infrastructure


100 %


100 %




076


Digitalisation of urban transport


40 %


0 %




077


Alternative fuels infrastructure


100 %


40 %




078


Multimodal transport (TEN-T)


40 %


40 %




079


Multimodal transport (not urban)


40 %


40 %




080


Seaports (TEN-T)


40 %


0 %




081


Other seaports


40 %


0 %




082


Inland waterways and ports (TEN-T)


40 %


0 %




083


Inland waterways and ports (regional and local)


40 %


0 %




084


Digitising transport: other transport modes


40 %


0 %





POLICY OBJECTIVE 4: A MORE SOCIAL EUROPE BY IMPLEMENTING THE EUROPEAN PILLAR OF SOCIAL RIGHTS





085


Infrastructure for early childhood education and care


0 %


0 %




086


Infrastructure for primary and secondary education


0 %


0 %




087


Infrastructure for tertiary education


0 %


0 %




088


Infrastructure for vocational education and training and adult learning


0 %


0 %




089


Housing infrastructure for migrants, refugees and persons under or applying for international protection


0 %


0 %




090


Housing infrastructure (other than for migrants, refugees and persons under or applying for international protection)


0 %


0 %




091


Other social infrastructure contributing to social inclusion in the community


0 %


0 %




092


Health infrastructure


0 %


0 %




093


Health equipment


0 %


0 %




094


Health mobile assets


0 %


0 %




095


Digitalisation in health care


0 %


0 %




096


Temporary reception infrastructure for migrants, refugees and persons under or applying for international protection


0 %


0 %




097


Measures to improve access to employment


0 %


0 %




098


Measures to promote access to employment of long-term unemployed


0 %


0 %




099


Specific support for youth employment and socio-economic integration of young people


0 %


0 %




100


Support for self-employment and business start-up


0 %


0 %




101


Support for social economy and social enterprises


0 %


0 %




102


Measures to modernise and strengthen labour market institutions and services to assess and anticipate skills needs and to ensure timely and tailor-made assistance


0 %


0 %




103


Support for labour market matching and transitions


0 %


0 %




104


Support for labour mobility


0 %


0 %




105


Measures to promote women’s labour market participation and reducing gender-based segregation in the labour market


0 %


0 %




106


Measures promoting work-life balance, including access to childcare and care for dependent persons


0 %


0 %




107


Measures for a healthy and well–adapted working environment addressing health risks, including promotion of physical activity


0 %


0 %




108


Support for the development of digital skills


0 %


0 %




109


Support for adaptation of workers, enterprises and entrepreneurs to change


0 %


0 %




110


Measures encouraging active and healthy ageing


0 %


0 %




111


Support for early childhood education and care (excluding infrastructure)


0 %


0 %




112


Support for primary to secondary education (excluding infrastructure)


0 %


0 %




113


Support for tertiary education (excluding infrastructure)


0 %


0 %




114


Support for adult education (excluding infrastructure)


0 %


0 %




115


Measures to promote equal opportunities and active participation in society


0 %


0 %




116


Pathways to integration and re-entry into employment for disadvantaged people


0 %


0 %




117


Measures to improve access of marginalised groups such as the Roma to education, employment and to promote their social inclusion


0 %


0 %




118


Support to the civil society working with marginalised communities such as the Roma


0 %


0 %




119


Specific actions to increase participation of third-country nationals in employment


0 %


0 %




120


Measures for the social integration of third-country nationals


0 %


0 %




121


Measures to enhancing the equal and timely access to quality, sustainable and affordable services


0 %


0 %




122


Measures to enhancing the delivery of family and community-based care services


0 %


0 %




123


Measures to improve the accessibility, effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems (excluding infrastructure)


0 %


0 %




124


Measures to improve access to long-term care (excluding infrastructure)


0 %


0 %




125


Measures to modernise social protection systems, including promoting access to social protection


0 %


0 %




126


Promoting social integration of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, including the most deprived and children


0 %


0 %




127


Addressing material deprivation through food and/or material assistance to the most deprived, including accompanying measures


0 %


0 %





POLICY OBJECTIVE 5: A EUROPE CLOSER TO CITIZENS BY FOSTERING THE SUSTAINABLE AND INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT OF URBAN, RURAL AND COASTAL AREAS AND LOCAL INITIATIVES
 (1)





128


Protection, development and promotion of public tourism assets and related tourism services [Am. 369]



0 %


0 %




129


Protection, development and promotion of cultural heritage and cultural services


0 %


0 %




130


Protection, development and promotion of natural heritage and eco-tourism 
other than Natura 2000 sites [Am. 370]



0 %


100 %




131


Physical regeneration and security of public spaces


0 %


0 %





OTHER CODES RELATED TO POLICY OBJECTIVES 1-5





132


Improve the capacity of programme authorities and bodies linked to the implementation of the Funds


0 %


0 %




133


Enhancing cooperation with partners both within and outside the Member State


0 %


0 %




134


Cross-financing under the ERDF (support to ESF-type actions necessary for the implementation of the ERDF part of the operation and directly linked to it)


0 %


0 %




135


Enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders to implement territorial cooperation projects and initiatives in a cross-border, transnational, maritime and inter-regional context


0 %


0 %




136


Outermost regions: compensation of any additional costs due to accessibility deficit and territorial fragmentation


0 %


0 %




137


Outermost regions: specific action to compensate additional costs due to size market factors


0 %


0 %




138


Outermost regions: support to compensate additional costs due to climate conditions and relief difficulties


40 %


40 %




139


Outermost regions: airports


0 %


0 %





TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE





140


Information and communication


0 %


0 %




141


Preparation, implementation, monitoring and control


0 %


0 %




142


Evaluation and studies, data collection


0 %


0 %




143


Reinforcement of the capacity of Member State authorities, beneficiaries and relevant partners


0 %


0 %








TABLE 2: CODES FOR THE FORM OF FINANCE DIMENSION








FORM OF FINANCE





01


Grant




02


Support through financial instruments: equity or quasi-equity




03


Support through financial instruments: loan




04


Support through financial instruments: guarantee




05


Support through financial instruments: ancillary support




06


Prize








TABLE 3: CODES FOR THE TERRITORIAL DELIVERY MECHANISM AND TERRITORIAL FOCUS DIMENSION









TERRITORIAL DELIVERY MECHANISM AND TERRITORIAL FOCUS






INTEGRATED TERRITORIAL INVESTMENT (ITI)



ITI focused on sustainable urban development




11


Urban neighbourhoods


x




12


Cities, towns, and suburbs 
and connected rural areas [Am. 371]



x




13


Functional urban areas


x




14


Mountainous areas


 




15


Islands and coastal areas


 




16




Rural and
 sparsely populated areas [Am. 372]



 




17


Other types of territories targeted


 





COMMUNITY LED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT (CLLD)



CLLD focused on sustainable urban development




21


Urban neighbourhoods


x




22


Cities, towns, and suburbs 
and connected rural areas [Am. 373]



x




23


Functional urban areas


x




24


Mountainous areas


 




25


Islands and coastal areas


 




26




Rural and
 sparsely populated areas [Am. 374]



 




27


Other types of territories targeted


 





OTHER TYPE OF TERRITORIAL TOOL UNDER POLICY OBJECTIVE 5



Other type of territorial tool focused on sustainable urban development




31


Urban neighbourhoods


x




32


Cities, towns, and suburbs 
and connected rural areas [Am. 375]



x




33


Functional urban areas


x




34


Mountainous areas


 




35


Islands and coastal areas


 




36




Rural and
 sparsely populated areas [Am. 376]



 




37


Other types of territories targeted


 





OTHER APPROACHES
 (2)





41


Urban neighbourhoods




42


Cities, towns and suburbs




43


Functional urban areas




44


Mountainous areas




45


Islands and coastal areas




46


Sparsely populated areas




47


Other types of territories targeted




48


No territorial targeting








TABLE 4: CODES FOR THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY DIMENSION








ECONOMIC ACTIVITY





01


Agriculture and forestry




02


Fisheries




03


Aquaculture




04


Other blue economy sectors




05


Manufacture of food products and beverages




06


Manufacture of textiles and textile products




07


Manufacture of transport equipment




08


Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products




09


Other unspecified manufacturing industries




10


Construction




11


Mining and quarrying




12


Electricity, gas, steam, hot water and air conditioning




13


Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation act




14


Transport and storage




15


Information and communication activities, including telecomm




16


Wholesale and retail trade




17




Tourism,
 accommodation and food service activities [Am. 377]





18


Financial and insurance activities




19


Real estate, renting and business services activities




20


Public administration




21


Education




22


Human health activities




23


Social work activities, community, social and personal services




24


Activities linked to the environment




25


Arts, entertainment, creative industries and recreation




26


Other unspecified services








TABLE 5: CODES FOR THE LOCATION DIMENSION








LOCATION





Code


Location




 


Code of region or area where operation is located/carried out, as set out in the Classification of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No 868/2014








TABLE 6: CODES FOR ESF SECONDARY THEMES









ESF SECONDARY THEME




Coefficient for the calculation of support to climate change objectives






01




Contributing to green skills and jobs and the green economy




100 %






02




Developing digital skills and jobs




0 %






03




Investing in research and innovation and smart specialisation




0 %






04




Investing in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)




0 %






05




Non-discrimination




0 %






06




Gender equality




0 %






07




Capacity building of social partners




0 %






08




Capacity building of the civil society organisations




0 %






09




Not applicable




0 %









TABLE 7: CODES FOR THE MACRO-REGIONAL AND SEA BASIN STRATEGIES








MACRO-REGIONAL AND SEA BASIN STRATEGIES





11


Adriatic & Ionian Region Strategy




12


Alpine Region Strategy




13


Baltic Sea Region Strategy




14


Danube Region Strategy




21


Arctic Ocean




22


Atlantic Strategy




23


Black Sea




24


Mediterranean Sea




25


North Sea




26


Western Mediterranean Strategy




30


No contribution to macro-regional or sea basin strategies






(1)  For policy objective 5 all dimension codes under policy objectives 1 to 4 may be chosen in addition to those listed under policy objective 5.

(2)  Other approaches undertaken under policy objectives other than policy objective 5 and not in a form of ITI, not in form of CLLD

(3)  Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) (OJ L 154, 21.6.2003, p. 1).






ANNEX II



Template for Partnership Agreement — Article 7(4)








CCI



[15 characters]





Title



[255]





Version



 





First year



[4]





Last year



[4]





Commission decision number



 





Commission decision date



 





1.   Selection of policy objectives


Reference: Article 8(a), CPR, Article 3 of the AMIF, the ISF, the BMVI Regulations


Table 1: Selection of policy objective with justification










Selected policy objective




Programme




Fund




Justification for selection of a policy objective





 


 


 


[3 500  per PO]





2.   Policy choices, coordination and complementarity


Reference: Article 8(b)(i)-(iii), CPR







Text field [60 000 ]






3.   Contribution to the budgetary guarantee under InvestEU with justification


Reference: Article 8(e) CPR; Article 10(a) CPR;


Table 2: Transfer to InvestEU













 



Category of regions*




Window 1




Window 2




Window 3




Window 4




Window 5




Amount





 


 


(a)


(b)


(c)


(d)


(e)


(f)=(a)+(b)+(c)+(d)+(e))




ERDF


More developed


 


 


 


 


 


 




Less developed


 


 


 


 


 


 




Transition


 


 


 


 


 


 




Outermost and northern sparsely populated


 


 


 


 


 


 




ESF+


More developed


 


 


 


 


 


 




Less developed


 


 


 


 


 


 




Transition


 


 


 


 


 


 




Outermost


 


 


 


 


 


 




CF


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




EMFF


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




AMIF


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




ISF


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




BMVI


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Total


 


 


 


 


 


 


 












Text field [3 500 ] (justification)





4.   Transfer between categories of region with justification


Reference: Article 8(d), Article 105 CPR;


Table 3. Transfer between categories of region












Category of region




Allocation by category of region
 (*1)




Transfer to:




Transfer amount




Share of the initial allocation transferred




Allocation by category of region after the transfer





(a)


(b)


(c)


(d)


(g)=(d)/(b)


(h)=(b)-(d)





Less developed



 



More developed



 


 


 





Transition



 


 


 





More developed



 



Less developed



 


 


 





Transition



 



Less developed



 


 


 












Text field [3 500 ] (justification)





5.   Preliminary financial allocation by policy objective


Reference: Article 8(c) CPR


Table 4: Preliminary financial allocation from ERDF, CF, ESF+, EMFF by policy objective
 (*2)












Policy objectives




ERDF




Cohesion Fund




ESF+




EMFF




Total





Policy objective 1


 


 


 


 


 




Policy objective 2


 


 


 


 


 




Policy objective 3


 


 


 


 


 




Policy objective 4


 


 


 


 


 




Policy objective 5


 


 


 


 


 




Technical assistance


 


 


 


 


 




Allocation for 2026-2027


 


 


 


 


 





Total



 


 


 


 


 












Text field [3 500 ] (justification)








Table 5: Preliminary financial allocation from AMIF, ISF and BMVI by policy objective
 (*3)








Policy objective




Allocation





Policy objective as referred to in Article 3 of the [AMIF Regulation]


 




Policy objective as referred to in Article 3 of the [ISF Regulation]


 




Policy objective as referred to in Article 3 of the [BMVI Regulation]


 




Technical assistance


 





Total



 





6.   List of programmes


Reference: Article 8(f), CPR; Article 104


Table 6: List of programmes with preliminary financial allocations
 (*4)












Title [255]



Fund




Category of regions




EU contrubution




National contribution (*5)





Total





Programme 1


ERDF


More developed


 


 


 




Transition


 


 


 




Less developed


 


 


 




Outermost and northern sparsely populated


 


 


 




Programme 1


CF


 


 


 


 




Programme 1


ESF+


More developed


 


 


 




Transition


 


 


 




Less developed


 


 


 




Outermost


 


 


 





Total




ERDF, CF, ESF+



 


 


 


 




Programme 2


EMFF


 


 


 


 




Programme 3


AMIF


 


 


 


 




Programme 4


ISF


 


 


 


 




Programme 5


BMVI


 


 


 


 





Total




All funds



 


 


 


 





Reference: Article 8 CPR


Table 7: List of Interreg programmes







Programme 1


Title 1 [255]




Programme 2


Title 1 [255]





7.   A summary of actions to be taken to reinforce administrative capacity


Reference: Article 8(g), CPR







Text field [4 500 ]







(*1)  Initial allocation by category of region as communicated by the Commission after transfers referred to in tables 2-4, applicable to ERDF and ESF+ only.


(*2)  Policy objectives according to Article 4(1), CPR. For ERDF, CF and ESF+ years 2021-2025; for EMFF for 2021-2027.

(*3)  Policy objectives according to fund-specific regulations for EMFF, AMIF, ISF and BMVI; allocation for years 2021-2027

(*4)  Policy objectives according to Article 4(1), CPR. For ERDF, CF and ESF+ years 2021-2025; for EMFF for 2021-2027.

(*5)  In line with Article 106(2) on determination of co-financing rates.






ANNEX III



Horizontal enabling conditions — Article 11(1)








Applicable to all specific objectives






Name of enabling conditions




Fulfilment criteria





Effective monitoring mechanisms of the public procurement market


Monitoring mechanisms are in place that cover all procedures under national procurement legislation which includes:






1.


Arrangements to ensure compilation of effective, reliable and exhaustive data and indicators within a single IT system or a network of interoperable systems, with a view to implementing the ‘once-only principle’ and facilitating reporting obligations under Article 83(3) of Directive 2014/24/EU, in accordance with the e-procurement requirements, as well as under Article 84 of Directive 2014/24/EU. The data and indicators cover at least the following elements:






a.


Quality and intensity of competition: names of winning as well as initial bidders, number of initial bidders, number of selected bidders, contractual price — against initial budgetary allocation and, whenever possible through contract registers, final price after completion;










b.


Participation of SMEs as direct bidders;










c.


Appeals launched against the decisions of the contracting authorities, including at least their number, the time needed to render a decision in the first instance, and number of decisions referred to the second instance;










d.


A list of all contracts awarded pursuant to rules on exclusions from the public procurement rules, with an indication of the specific provision used.














2.


Arrangements to ensure sufficient capacity for monitoring and analysis of the data by the dedicated competent national authorities.










3.


Arrangements to make the data and indicators as well as the result of the analysis available to the public through user friendly open data.










4.


Arrangements to ensure that all information pointing to suspected bid-rigging situations is systematically communicated to the competent national competition bodies.








Tools and capacity for effective application of State aid rules


Managing authorities have the tools and capacity to verify compliance with State aid rules through:






1.


Easy and comprehensive access to permanently updated information on undertakings in difficulty and under a recovery requirement.










2.


Access to expert advice and guidance on State aid matters, provided by local or national expert centre, under the coordination of national State aid authorities, with working arrangements to ensure that the expertise is effectively consulted with stakeholders.








Effective application and implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights


Effective mechanisms are in place to ensure compliance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights which include:






1.


Arrangements to ensure verification of compliance of operations supported by the Funds with the Charter of Fundamental Rights.










2.


Reporting arrangements to the monitoring committee on the compliance with the Charter of the operations supported by the Funds








Implementation and application of the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (UNCRPD) in accordance with Council Decision 2010/48/EC


A national framework for implementing the UNCRPD is in place that includes:






1.


Objectives with measurable goals, data collection and monitoring mechanism
, applicable across all policy objectives
.










2.


Arrangements to ensure that the accessibility policy, legislation and standards are properly reflected in the preparation and implementation of the programmes 
in line with the provisions of the UNCRPD and included in the project selection criteria and obligations
.












2a.






Reporting arrangements to the monitoring committee on the compliance of the operations supported. [Am. 378]











Implementation of the principles and rights of the European Pillar of Social Rights that contribute to real convergence and cohesion in the European Union.






Arrangements at national level to ensure the proper implementation of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights that contribute to upward social convergence and cohesion in the EU, especially the principles preventing unfair competition within the internal market. [Am. 379]







Effective application of the partnership principle






A framework is in place for all partners to play a fully-fledged role in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes, which includes








1.




Arrangements to ensure transparent procedures for the involvement of partners












2.




Arrangement for dissemination and disclosure of information relevant for partners to prepare and follow-up meetings












3.




Support for empowering partners and capacity building [Am. 380]















ANNEX IV



Thematic enabling conditions applicable to ERDF, ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund — Article 11(1)










Policy objective




Specific objective




Name of enabling condition




Fulfilment criteria for the enabling condition












1.



A smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation






ERDF:
All specific objectives under this policy objectives


Good governance of national or regional smart specialisation strategy


Smart specialisation strategy(ies) shall be supported by:






1.


Up-to-date analysis of bottlenecks for innovation diffusion, including digitalisation










2.


Existence of competent regional / national institution or body, responsible for the management of the smart specialisation strategy










3.


Monitoring and evaluation tools to measure performance towards the objectives of the strategy










4.


Effective functioning of entrepreneurial discovery process










5.


Actions necessary to improve national or regional research and innovation systems










6.


Actions to manage industrial transition










7.


Measures for international collaboration















2.



A greener, low carbon Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk prevention and management






ERDF and Cohesion Fund:






2.1


Promoting energy efficiency measures






Strategic policy framework to support energy efficiency renovation of residential and non-residential buildings








1.


A national long term renovation strategy to support renovation of the national stock of residential and non-residential buildings is adopted, in line with the requirements of the Directive 2010/31/ EU on energy performance of buildings, which:






a.


Entails indicative milestones for 2030, 2040 and targets for 2050










b.


Provides an indicative outline of budgetary resources to support the implementation of the strategy










c.


Defines effective mechanisms for promoting investments in building renovation














2.


Energy efficiency improvement measures to achieve required energy savings








ERDF and Cohesion Fund:






2.1


Promoting energy efficiency measures










2.2


Promoting renewable energy through investment in generation capacity






Governance of for the energy sector


National Energy and Climate Plan 
comply with the Paris Agreement objective of limiting global warming to 1,5  oC,
 are adopted and include:






1.


All elements required by the template in Annex I of the Regulation on Governance of the Energy Union (1)











2.


An indicative outline of envisaged financing resources and mechanisms for measures promoting low-carbon energy [Am. 381]









ERDF and Cohesion Fund:






2.2


Promoting renewable energy through investment in generation capacity






Effective promotion of the use of renewable energy across sectors and across the EU


Measures are in place which ensure:






1.


Compliance with the 2020 national renewables binding target and with this baseline up to 2030 in accordance with the recast of the Directive 2009/28/EC (2)











2.


An increase in the share of renewables in the heating and cooling sector by 1 percentage point per year up to 2030








ERDF and Cohesion Fund:






2.4


Promoting climate 
and structural
 change adaptation, risk prevention and disaster resilience [Am. 382]







Effective disaster risk management framework.


A national or regional disaster risk management plan, consistent with the existing climate adaptation strategies is in place and includes:






1.


A description of key risks, assessed in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 (a) of Decision No 1313/2013/EU, reflecting current and long term threats (25- 35 years). The assessment shall build, for climate related risks, on climate change projections and scenarios










2.


Description of the disaster prevention, preparedness and response measures to address the key risks identified. The measures shall be prioritized in proportion to the risks and their economic impact, capacity gaps (3), effectiveness and efficiency, taking into account possible alternatives










3.


Information on budgetary and financing resources and mechanisms available for covering the operation and maintenance costs related to prevention, preparedness and response








ERDF and Cohesion Fund:






2.5


Promoting water efficiency






Updated planning for required investments in water and wastewater sectors


A national investment plan is in place and includes:






1.


An assessment of the current state of implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) 91/271/EEC and of the Drinking Water Directive (DWD) 98/83/EC










2.


The identification and planning of any public investments, including an indicative financial estimation






a.


Required to achieve compliance with the UWWTD, including a prioritization with regard to the size of agglomerations and the environmental impact, with investments broken down for each wastewater agglomeration










b.


Required to implement the DWD Directive on drinking water 98/83/EC










c.


Required to match the needs stemming from the proposed recast (COM(2017)0753), regarding in particular the revised quality parameters detailed in annex I














3.


An estimate of investments needed to renew existing wastewater and water supply infrastructure, including networks, based on their age and depreciation plans










4.


An indication of potential sources of public financing, when needed to complement user charges








ERDF and Cohesion Fund:






2.6


Developing the (Transition to) circular economy, through investment in the waste sector and resource efficiency






Updated planning for waste management


Waste management plan(s) are in place in accordance with Article 28 of Directive 2008/98/EC as amended by Directive EU 2018/xxxx and covering the entire territory of the Member State and include:






1.


An analysis of the current waste management situation in the geographical entity concerned, including the type, quantity and source of waste generated and an evaluation of their future development taking into account the expected impacts of measures set out in the Waste Prevention Programme(s) developed in accordance with Article 29 of Directive 2008/98/EC as amended by Directive 2018/xx/EU










2.


An assessment of existing waste collection schemes, including the material and territorial coverage of separate collection and measures to improve its operation, as well as the need for new collection schemes










3.


An investment gap assessment justifying the need for additional or upgraded waste infrastructure, with an information of the sources of revenues available to meet operation and maintenance costs










4.


Information on the location criteria for site identification and on the capacity of future waste treatment installations








ERDF and Cohesion Fund:






2.6


Promoting green infrastructure in the urban environment and reducing pollution






Prioritised action framework for the necessary conservation measures involving Union co-financing


A priority action framework pursuant to Article 8 of Directive 92/43/EEC is in place and includes:






1.


All elements required by the template for the priority action framework for 2021-2027 agreed by the Commission and the Member States











2.




The identification of

including
 the priority measures and an estimate of financing needs [Am. 383]
















3.



A more connected Europe by enhancing mobility and regional ICT connectivity






ERDF:






3.1


Enhancing digital connectivity






National or regional broadband plan


A national or regional broadband plan is in place which includes:






1.


An assessment of the investment gap that needs to be addressed to reach the EU Gigabit connectivity objectives (4), based on:






—


a recent mapping (5) of existing private and public infrastructure and quality of service using standard broadband mapping indicators










—


a consultation on planned investments














2.


The justification of planned public intervention on the basis of sustainable investment models that:






—


enhance, affordability and access to open, quality and future-proof infrastructure and services










—


adjust the forms of financial assistance to the market failures identified










—


allow for a complementary use of different forms of financing from EU, national or regional sources














3.


Measures to support demand and use of Very High Capacity (VHC) networks, including actions to facilitate their roll-out, in particular through the effective implementation of the EU Broadband Cost-Reduction Directive (6)











4.


Technical assistance mechanisms, including Broadband Competence Offices to reinforce the capacity of local stakeholders and advise project promoters










5.


A monitoring mechanism based on standard broadband mapping indicators








ERDF and Cohesion Fund:






3.2


Developing a sustainable, climate resilient, intelligent, secure

safe
 and intermodal TEN-T [Am. 384]







Comprehensive transport planning at the appropriate level


Multimodal mapping of existing and planned infrastructures until 2030 is in place which:








-1a.






Requires social, economic and territorial cohesion to be ensured, and, to a greater extent, missing links to be completed and bottlenecks to be removed on the TEN-T network, which also means investment in hard infrastructure [Am. 385]











1.


Includes economic justification of the planned investments, underpinned by robust demand analysis and traffic modelling, which should take into account the anticipated impact of rail liberalisation

the opening of the rail services markets [Am. 386]











2.


Reflects air quality plans, taking into account in particular national decarbonisation plans

emission reduction strategies for the transport sector [Am. 387]











3.


Includes investments in core TEN-T network corridors, as defined by regulation (EU) 1316/2013, in line with the respective TEN-T work plans 
as well as pre-identified sections on the comprehensive network [Am. 388]











4.


For investments outside the core TEN-T, ensures complementarity by providing sufficient connectivity of the 
urban networks,
 regions and local communities to the core TEN-T and its nodes [Am. 389]











5.


Ensures interoperability of the rail network, through the deployment of baseline-3 compliant ERTMS covering at least the European Deployment Plan










6.


Promotes multimodality, identifying needs for multimodal or transhipment freight and passengers terminals and active modes










7.


Includes measures aiming at promoting alternative fuels, in line with the relevant national policy frameworks










8.


Includes assessment of road safety risks in line with existing national road safety strategies, together with a mapping of the affected roads and sections and providing with a prioritisation of the corresponding investments










9.


Provides information on budgetary and financing resources corresponding to the planned investments and required to cover operation and maintenance costs of the existing and planned infrastructures












9a.






Promotes sustainable regional and cross-border tourism initiatives that lead to win-win situations for both the tourists and the inhabitants, such as interconnecting the EuroVelo network with the TRAN European Railway network [Am. 390]















3.3


sustainable, climate resilient, intelligent and intermodal national, regional and local mobility, including improved access to TEN-T and cross-border mobility















4.



A more social Europe by implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights






ERDF:






4.1


enhancing the effectiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment trough developing infrastructure




ESF:






4.1.1


Improving access to employment of all jobseekers, including

in particular
 youth 
and long-term unemployed
, and of inactive people and promoting self-employment, and the social economy;










4.1.2


Modernising labour market institutions and services to 
assess and anticipate skills needs and
 ensure timely and tailor-made assistance and support to labour market matching, transitions and mobility; [Am. 391]







Strategic policy framework for active labour market policies


A strategic policy framework for active labour market policies in the light of the Employment guidelines is in place and includes:






1.


Arrangements for conducting jobseekers’ profiling and assessment of their needs, including for entrepreneurial pathways










2.


Information on job vacancies and employment opportunities taking into account the needs of the labour market










3.


Arrangements for ensuring that its design, implementation, monitoring and review is conducted in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders










4.


Arrangements for monitoring, evaluation and review of active labour market policies










5.


For youth employment interventions, evidence-based and targeted pathways towards young people not in employment, education or training including outreach measures and based on quality requirements taking into account criteria for quality apprenticeships and traineeships, including in the context of Youth Guarantee schemes implementation








ERDF:






4.1


enhancing the effectiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment trough developing infrastructure




ESF:






4.1.3


Promoting 
women’s labour market participation
 a better work/life balance including access to childcare, a healthy and well–adapted working environment addressing health risks, adaptation of workers
, enterprises and entrepreneurs
 to change and healthy and active ageing; [Am. 392]







National strategic framework for gender equality


A national strategic policy framework for gender equality is in place that includes:






1.


Evidence-based identification of challenges to gender equality










2.


Measures to address gender gaps in employment, pay, 
social security
 and pensions, and promote work-life balance, including through improving access to early childhood education and care, with targets [Am. 393]











3.


Arrangements for monitoring, evaluation and review of the strategic policy framework and data collection methods










4.


Arrangements for ensuring that its design, implementation, monitoring and review is conducted in close cooperation with equality bodies, social partners and relevant civil society organisations








ERDF:






4.2


improving access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning through developing infrastructure;




ESF:






4.2.1


Improving the quality, 
inclusiveness and
 effectiveness and labour market relevance of education and training systems 
to support acquisition of key competences including digital skills and to facilitate the transition between education and work
;










4.2.2


Promoting 
lifelong learning, notably
 flexible upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all, including by

as well as informal and non-formal learning,
 facilitating career transitions and promoting professional mobility










4.2.3


Promoting equal access 
to and completion of, quality and inclusive education and training
, in particular for disadvantaged groups, to quality and inclusive education and training, from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training and to tertiary level
, as well as adult education and learning, including facilitating learning mobility for all
; [Am. 394]







Strategic policy framework for the education and training system at all levels.


A national and/or regional strategic policy framework for the education and training system is in place and includes:






1.


Evidence-based systems for skills anticipation and forecasting as well as graduate

follow-up
 tracking mechanisms and services for quality and effective guidance for learners of all ages 
including learner-centred approaches [Am. 395]











2.


Measures to ensure equal access to, participation in and completion of quality, 
affordable,
 relevant
, non-segregated
 and inclusive education and training and acquisition of key competences at all levels, including higher

tertiary
 education [Am. 396]











3.


Coordination mechanism across all levels of education and training, including tertiary education 
and non-formal and informal learning providers
, and clear assignment of responsibilities between the relevant national and/or regional bodies [Am. 397]











4.


Arrangements for monitoring, evaluation and review of the strategic policy framework










5.


Measures to target low-skilled, low-qualified adults and those with disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and upskilling pathways










6.


Measures to support teachers, trainers and academic staff as regards appropriate learning methods, assessment and validation of key competences










7.


Measures to promote mobility of learners and staff and transnational collaboration of education and training providers, including through recognition of learning outcomes and qualifications








ERDF:






4.3


increasing the socio-economic integration of marginalised communities, 
refugees and
 migrants 
under international protection
 and disadvantaged groups, through integrated measures including housing and social services [Am. 398]





ESF:






4.3.1



Promoting

fostering
 active inclusion including with a view to promoting equal opportunities and active participation, and improving employability; [Am. 399]













4.3.1a.





Promoting social integration of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, including the most deprived and children [Am. 400]






National strategic policy framework for social inclusion and poverty reduction


A national strategic policy framework 
and action plan
 for social inclusion and poverty reduction is in place that includes:






1.


Evidence-based diagnosis of poverty and social exclusion including child poverty, homelessness, spatial and educational segregation, limited access to essential services and infrastructure, and the specific needs of vulnerable people










2.


Measures to prevent and combat segregation in all fields, including through providing adequate income support, 
social protection,
 inclusive labour markets and access to quality services for vulnerable people, including migrants 
and refugees












3.


Measures for the shift

transition
 from institutional to 
family- and
 community-based care 
based on a national deinstitutionalisation strategy and an action plan












4.


Arrangements for ensuring that its design, implementation, monitoring and review is conducted in close cooperation with social partners and relevant civil society organisations [Am. 401]









ESF:






4.3.2


Promoting socio-economic integration 
of third country nationals and
 of marginalised communities such as the Roma; [Am. 402]







National Roma Integration Strategy


The National Roma Integration Strategy (NRIS) is in place that includes:






1.


Measures to accelerate Roma integration, prevent and eliminate segregation, taking into account the gender dimension and situation of young Roma, and sets baseline and measurable milestones and targets










2.


Arrangements for monitoring, evaluation and review of the Roma integration measures










3.


Arrangements for the mainstreaming of Roma inclusion at regional and local level










4.


Arrangements for ensuring that its design, implementation, monitoring and review is conducted in a close cooperation with the Roma civil society and all other relevant stakeholders, including at the regional and local levels








ERDF:






4.4


ensuring equal access to health care through developing infrastructure, including primary care




ESF:






4.3.4


Enhancing the equal and timely access to quality, sustainable and affordable services; 
modernising social protection systems, including promoting access to social protection;
 improving accessibility, effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems; improving access to long-term care services [Am. 403]







Strategic policy framework for health.


A national or regional strategic policy framework for health is in place that contains:






1.


Mapping of health and long-term care needs, including in terms of medical staff, to ensure sustainable and coordinated measures










2.


Measures to ensure the efficiency, sustainability, accessibility and affordability to

of
 health and long-term care services, including specific focus on individuals excluded from the health and long-term care systems 
and those who are hardest to reach












3.


Measures to promote community based services, including prevention and primary care, home-care and community-based services
, and the transition from institutional to family and community based care














3a.






Measures to ensure the efficiency, sustainability, accessibility and affordability of social protection systems [Am. 404]











(1)  OJ [not yet adopted].

(2)  OJ [not yet adopted].

(3)  As assessed in the risk management capabilities assessment required under Article 6(c) of Decision 1313/2013.

(4)  As defined in the Communication from the European Commission: ‘Towards a European Gigabit Society’ — COM(2016)0587: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/policies/improving-connectivity-and-access.

(5)  In line with article 22 of the [Proposal for a] Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Electronic Communications Code].

(6)  Directive 2014/61/EU.






ANNEX V



Template for programmes supported from the ERDF (Investment for Jobs and growth goal), ESF+, the Cohesion Fund and the EMFF — Article 16(3)








CCI



 





Title in EN



[255 characters (1)]





Title in national language(s)



[255]





Version



 





First year



[4]





Last year



[4]





Eligible from



 





Eligible until



 





Commission decision number



 





Commission decision date



 





Member State amending decision number



 





Member State amending decision entry into force date



 





Non substantial transfer (art. 19.5)



Yes/No





NUTS regions covered by the programme (not applicable to the EMFF)


 





Fund concerned









□


ERDF














□


Cohesion Fund














□


ESF+














□


EMFF









1.   Programme strategy: main development challenges and policy responses


Reference: Article 17(3)(a)(i)-(vii) and 17(3)(b)







Text field [30 000 ]






For Jobs and growth goal:









Table 1






Policy objective




Specific objective or dedicated priority
 (*1)




Justification (summary)





 


 


[2 000  per specific objective or dedicated priority]





For the EMFF:










Table 1A






Policy objective




Priority




SWOT analysis (for each priority)




Justification (summary)





 


 


Strengths
[10 000  per priority]


[20 000  per priority]




Weaknesses
[10 000  per priority]




Opportunities
[10 000  per priority]




Threats
[10 000  per priority]




Identification of needs on the basis of the SWOT analysis and taking into account the elements set out in Article 6(6) of the EMFF Regulation
[10 000  per priority]





2.   Priorities other than technical assistance


Reference: Article 17(2) and 17(3)(c)


Table 1.T: Programme structure
 (*2)













ID




Title [300]




TA




Basis for calculation




Fund




Category of region supported




Specific Objective selected





1


Priority 1


No


 


ERDF


More


SO 1




Transition




Less developed


SO 2




Outermost and sparsely populated




More


SO 3




2


Priority 2


No


 


ESF+


More


SO 4




Transition




Less developed


SO 5




Outermost




3


Priority 3


No


 


CF


N/A


 




3


Priority technical assistance


Yes


 


 


 


NA




..


Dedicated priority youth employment)


No


 


ESF+


 


 




 




Dedicated priority Child Guarantee






No




 




ESF+




 


 




..


Dedicated priority CSRs


No


 


ESF+


 


 




..


Dedicated priority Innovative actions


No


 


ESF+


 


SO 8




 


Dedicated priority Material deprivation


No


 


ESF+


 


SO 9





2.1   Title of the priority [300] (repeated for each priority)











□


This is a priority dedicated to a relevant country-specific recommendation














□


This is a priority dedicated to youth employment














□



This is a priority dedicated to Child Guarantee















□


This is a priority dedicated to innovative actions














□


This is a priority dedicated to addressing material deprivation (**)
















*



Table applicable to ESF+ priorities.









2.1.1.   Specific objective (2) (Jobs and growth goal) or Area of support (EMFF) — repeated for each selected specific objective or area of support, for priorities other than technical assistance [Am. 407]


2.1.1.1   Interventions of the Funds


Reference: Article 17(3)(d)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi);


The related types of actions — Article 17(3)(d)(i):








Text field [8 000 ]







List of planned operations of strategic importance- Article 17(3)(d)(i):







Text field [2 000 ]






The main target groups — Article 17(3)(d)(iii):







Text field [1 000 ]






Specific territories tageted, including the planned use of territorial tools — Article 17(3)(d)(iv)







Text field [2 000 ]






The interregional and transnational actions –Article — 17(3)(d)(v)







Text field [2 000 ]






The planned use of financial instruments — Article — 17(3)(d)(vi)







Text field [1 000 ]






2.1.1.2   Indicators (3)
[Am. 408]


Reference: Article 17(3)(d)(ii)















Table 2: Output indicators






Priority




Specific objective (Jobs and growth goal) or area of support (EMFF)




Fund




Category of region




ID [5]




Indicator [255]




Measurement unit




Milestone (2024)




Target (2029)





 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 
























Table 3: Result indicators






Priority




Specific objective (Jobs and growth goal) or area of support (EMFF)




Fund




Category of region




ID [5]




Indicator [255]




Measurement unit




Baseline or reference value




Reference year




Target (2029)




Source of data [200]




Comments [200]





 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





2.1.1.3   Indicative breakdown of the programme resources (EU) by type of intervention (4) (not applicable to the EMFF) [Am. 409]


Reference: Article 17(3)(d)(vii)












Table 4: Dimension 1 — intervention field






Priority No




Fund




Category of region




Specific objective




Code




Amount (EUR)





 


 


 


 


 


 


















Table 5: Dimension 2 — form of financing






Priority No




Fund




Category of region




Specific objective




Code




Amount (EUR)





 


 


 


 


 


 


















Table 6: Dimension 3 — territorial delivery mechanism and territorial focus






Priority No




Fund




Category of region




Specific objective




Code




Amount (EUR)





 


 


 


 


 


 


















Table 7: Dimension 6 — ESF+ secondary themes






Priority No




Fund




Category of region




Specific objective




Code




Amount (EUR)





 


 


 


 


 


 





2.1.2   Specific objective addressing material deprivation


Reference: Article 17(3); CPR


Types of support







Text field [2 000  characters]






Main target groups







Text field [2 000  characters]






Decryption of the national or regional schemes of support







Text field [2 000  characters]






Criteria for the selection of operations (5)
[Am. 410]







Text field [4 000  characters]






2.T:   Technical assistance priority


Reference: Article 17(3)(e); Article 29, Article 30, Article 31, Article 89 CPR;


Description of technical assistance under flat rate payments — Article 30








Text field [5 000 ]







Description of technical assistance under payments not linked to costs — Article 31








Text field [3 000 ]



















Table 8: Dimension 1 — intervention field






Priority No




Fund




Category of region




Code




Amount (EUR)





 


 


 


 


 

















Table 9: Dimension 5 — ESF+ secondary themes






Priority No




Fund




Category of region




Code




Amount (EUR)





 


 


 


 


 





3.   Financial plan


Reference: Article 17(3)(f)(i)-(iii); Article 106(1)-(3), Article 10; Article 21; CPR,


3.A   Transfers and contributions (6)


Reference: Article 10; Article 21; CPR












□


Programme amendment related to Article 10, CPR (contribution to Invest EU)














□


Programme amendment related to Article 21, CPR (transfers to instruments under direct or indirect management between shared management funds)












Table 15: Contributions to InvestEU
 (*3)













 



Category of regions




Window 1




Window 2




Window 3




Window 4




Window 5




amount





 


 



(a)




(b)




(c)




(d)




(e)




(f)=(a)+(b)+(c)+(d)+(e))






ERDF




More developed



 


 


 


 


 


 





Less developed



 


 


 


 


 


 





Transition



 


 


 


 


 


 





Outermost and northern sparsely populated



 


 


 


 


 


 





ESF+




More developed



 


 


 


 


 


 





Less developed



 


 


 


 


 


 





Transition



 


 


 


 


 


 





Outermost



 


 


 


 


 


 





CF



 


 


 


 


 


 


 





EMFF



 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Total



 


 


 


 


 


 


 









Table 16: Transfers to instruments under direct or indirect management

 (*4)















Fund






Category of regions






Instrument 1






Instrument 2






Instrument 3






Instrument 4






Instrument 5






Transfer amount






 


 




(a)






(b)






(c)






(d)






(e)






(f)=(a)+(b)+(c)+(d)+(e)








ERDF






More developed




 


 


 


 


 


 






Transition




 


 


 


 


 


 






Less developed




 


 


 


 


 


 






Outermost and northern sparsely populated




 


 


 


 


 


 






ESF+






More developed




 


 


 


 


 


 






Transition




 


 


 


 


 


 






Less developed




 


 


 


 


 


 






Outermost




 


 


 


 


 


 






CF




 


 


 


 


 


 


 






EMFF




 


 


 


 


 


 


 






Total




 


 


 


 


 


 


 





[Am. 411]


Table 17: Transfers between shared management funds
 (*5)





















 



ERDF




ESF+




CF




EMFF




AMF




ISF




BMVI




Total






More developed




Transition




Less developed




Outermost and northern sparsely populated




More developed




Transition




Less developed




Outermost






ERDF




More developed



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Transition



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Less developed



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Outermost and northern sparsely populated



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 






ESF+





More developed



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Transition



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Less developed



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Outermost



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 






CF




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 






EMFF




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Total



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





3.1   Financial appropriations by year


Reference: Article 17(3)(f)(i)
















Table 10: Financial appropriations by year






Fund




Category of region




2021




2022




2023




2024




2025




2026




2027




Total






ERDF




Less developed



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





More developed



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Transition



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Outermost and northern sparsely populated



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Total



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





ESF+




Less developed



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





More developed



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Transition



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Outermost



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Total



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Cohesion Fund




N/A



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





EMFF




N/A



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Total



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





3.2   Total financial appropriations by fund and national co-financing (7)
[Am. 412]


Reference: Article 17(3)(f)(ii), Article 17(6)


For Jobs and growth goal:

















Table 11: Total financial appropriations by fund and national co-financing






Policy objecive No or TA




Priority




Basis for calculation EU support (total or public)




Fund




Category of region
 (*6)




EU contrubution




National contribution




Indicative breakdown of national contribution




Total




Co-financing rate






public




private





 


 


 


 



(a)




(b)=(c)+(d)




(c)




(d)




(e)=(a)+(b)
 (*7)




(f)=(a)/(e)
 (*7)





 



Priority 1




P/T




ERDF




Less developed



 


 


 


 


 


 





More developed



 


 


 


 


 


 





Transition



 


 


 


 


 


 





Special allocation for outermost and northern sparsely populated regions



 


 


 


 


 


 




 



Priority 2



 



ESF+




Less developed



 


 


 


 


 


 





More developed



 


 


 


 


 


 





Transition



 


 


 


 


 


 





Outermost



 


 


 


 


 


 




 



Priority 3



 



CF



 


 


 


 


 


 


 





TA




TA Art 29 CPR



 



ERDF or ESF+ or CF



 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 



TA Art 30 CPR



 



ERDF or ESF+ or CF



 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Total ERDF



 


 



More developed



 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 



Transition



 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 



Less developed



 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 



Special allocation for outermost and northern sparsely populated regions



 


 


 


 


 


 





Total ESF+



 


 



More developed



 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 



Transition



 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 



Less developed



 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 



Outermost



 


 


 


 


 


 





Total CF



 



N/A



 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Grand total



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





For the EMFF:


Reference: Article 17(3)(f)(iii)













Table 11 A






Priority




Type of area of support (nomenclature set out in the EMFF Regulation)




Basis for calculation of EU support




EU contribution




National public




Total




Co-financing rate






Priority 1




1.1




Public



 


 


 


 





1.2




Public



 


 


 


 





1.3




Public



 


 


 


 





1.4




Public



 


 


 


 





1.5




Public



 


 


 


 





Priority 2




2.1




Public



 


 


 


 





Priority 3




3.1




Public



 


 


 


 





Priority 4




4.1




Public



 


 


 


 





Technical assistance




5.1




Public



 


 


 


 





4.   Enabling conditions


Reference: Article 19(3)(h)














Table 12: Enabling conditions






Enabling conditions




Fund




Specific objective


(N/A to the EMFF)




Fulfilment of enabling condition




Criteria




Fulfilment of criteria




Reference to relevant documents




Justification





 


 


 



Yes/No




Criterion 1




Y/N




[500]




[1 000 ]





 


 


 


 



Criterion 2




Y/N



 


 





5.   Programme authorities


Reference: Article 17(3)(j); Article 65, Article 78 CPR










Table 13: Programme authorities






Programme authorities




Name of the institution [500]




Contact name [200]




E-mail [200]






Managing authority



 


 


 





Audit authority



 


 


 





Body which receives payments from the Commission



 


 


 





6.   Partnership


Reference: Article 17(3)(g)








Text field [10 000 ]







7.   Communication and visibility


Reference: Article 17(3)(i) CPR, Article 42(2) CPR








Text field [4 500 ]







8.   Use of unit costs, lump sums, flat rates and financing not linked to costs


Reference: Articles 88 and 89 CPR


Table 14: Use of unit costs, lump sums, flat rates and financing not linked to costs










Indication of use of Articles 88 and 89 (*8):




Priority No




Fund




Specific objective (Jobs and growth goal) or area of support (EMFF)






Use of reimbursement of eligible expenditure based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates under priority according to Article 88 CPR




Priority 1




ERDF




SO 1






SO 2






Priority 2




ESF+




SO 3






SO 4






Priority 3




CF




SO 5






SO 6






Use of financing not linked to costs according to Article 89 CPR




Priority 1




ERDF




SO 7






SO 8






Priority 2




ESF+




SO 9






SO 10






Priority 3




CF




SO 11






SO 12






APPENDICES







—


Reimbursement of eligible expenditure based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates (Article 88 CPR)










—


Financing not linked to costs (Article 89 CPR)










—


EMFF action plan for small-scale coastal fishing










—


EMFF action plan for each outermost region






(1)  Numbers in square brackets refer to number of characters.

(*1)  Dedicated priorities according to ESF+ Regulation


(*2)  Information on this table will serve as technical input to prefill other fields and tables in the tamplate in the electionic format.Not applicable to EMFF.
[Am. 405]


(**)  If marked go to section 2.1.2
[Am. 406]


(2)  Except for a specific objective set out in Article 4(1)(c)(vii)

4(1)(xi)
 of the ESF+ Regulation.

(3)  Prior to the mid-term review in 2025 for the ERDF, the ESF+ and the CF, breakdown for the years 2021 to 2025 only.


(4)  Prior to the mid-term review in 2025 for the ERDF, the ESF+ and the CF, breakdown for the years 2021 to 2025 only.


(5)  Only for programmes limited to the specific objective set out in Article 4(1)(c)(vii)

4(1)(xi)
 of the ESF+ Regulation.

(6)  Applicable only to programme amendments in line with Article 10 and 21, CPR..

(*3)  Cumulative amounts for all contributions during programming period.

(*4)  Cumulative amounts for all transfers during programming period.


(*5)  Cumulative amounts for all transfers during programming period.

(7)  Prior to the mid-term review in 2025 for the ERDF, the ESF+ and the CF, financial appropriations for the years 2021 to 2025 only.


(*6)  For ERDF: less developed, transition, more developed, and, where applicable special allocation for outermost and northern sparsely populated regions. For ESF+: less developed, transition, more developed and, where applicable, additional allocation for outermost regions. For CF: not applicable. For technical assistance, application of categories of region depends on selection of a fund.

(*7)  Where relevant for all categories of region.

(*8)  Full information will be provided acorrding to the models annexed to the CPR.





Appendix 1: Reimbursement of eligible expenditure from the Commission to the Member State based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates



Template for submitting data for the consideration of the Commission




(Article 88)








Date of submitting the proposal


 




Current version


 






A.
   
Summary of the main elements



















Priority




Fund




Specific objective (jobs and growth goal) or area of support (EMFF)




Category of region




Estimated proportion of the total financial allocation within the priority to which the SCO will be applied in % (estimate)




Type(s) of operation




Corresponding indicator name(s)




Unit of measurement for the indicator




Type of SCO (standard scale of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates)




Corresponding standard scales of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates


(in national currency)





 


 


 


 


 


Code


Description


Code


Description


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 






B.
   
Details by type of operation (to be completed for every type of operation)



Did the managing authority receive support from an external company to set out the simplified costs below?

If so, please specify which external company:

Yes/No — Name of external company

Types of operation:












1.1.


Description of the operation type






 










1.2


Priority /specific objective(s) concerned (Jobs and growth goal) or area of support (EMFF)






 










1.3


Indicator name (1)







 










1.4


Unit of measurement for indicator






 










1.5


Standard scale of unit cost, lump sum or flat rate






 










1.6


Amount






 










1.7


Categories of costs covered by unit cost, lump sum or flat rate






 










1.8


Do these categories of costs cover all eligible expenditure for the operation? (Y/N)






 










1.9


Adjustment(s) method






 










11.10


Verification of the achievement of the unit of measurement






—


what document(s) will be used to verify the achievement of the unit of measurement?










—


describe what will be checked during management verifications (including on-the-spot), and by whom.










—


what arrangements to collect and store the data/documents described?










 










1.11


Possible perverse incentives or problems caused by this indicator, how they could be mitigated, and the estimated level of risk






 










1.12


Total amount (national and EU) expected to be reimbursed






 






C.
   
Calculation of the standard scale of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates











1.



Source of data used to calculate the standard scale of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates (who produced, collected and recorded the data; where the data are stored; cut-off dates; validation, etc.).





 

















2.



Please specify why the proposed method and calculation is relevant to the type of operation.





 

















3.



Please specify how the calculations were made, in particular including any assumptions made in terms of quality or quantities. Where relevant, statistical evidence and benchmarks should be used and attached to this annex in a format that is usable by the Commission.





 

















4.


Please explain how you have ensured that only eligible expenditure was included in the calculation of the standard scale of unit cost, lump sum or flat rate.





 

















5.


Assessment of the audit authority(ies) of the calculation methodology and amounts and the arrangements to ensure the verification, quality, collection and storage of data.





 










(1)  Several complementary indicators (for instance one output indicator and one result indicator) are possible for one type of operation. In these cases, fields 1.3 to 1.11 should be filled in for each indicator.






Appendix 2: Financing not linked to cost



Template for submitting data for the consideration of the Commission




(Article 89)








Date of submitting the proposal


 




Current version


 






A.
   
Summary of the main elements

















Priority




Fund




Specific objective (Jobs and growth goal) or area of support (EMFF)




Category of region





The amount covered by the financing not linked to cost





Type(s) of operation




Conditions to be fulfilled/results to be achieved




Corresponding indicator name(s)




Unit of measurement for the indicator





 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Code


Description


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




The overall amount covered


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 






B.
   
Details by type of operation (to be completed for every type of operation)


Types of operation:














1.1.


Description of the operation type






 










1.2


Priority / specific objective(s) (Jobs and growth goal) or area of support (EMFF) concerned






 










1.3


Conditions to be fulfilled or results to be achieved






 










1.4


Deadline for fulfilment of conditions or results to be achieved






 










1.5


Indicator definition for deliverables






 










1.6


Unit of measurement for indicator for deliverables






 










1.7


Intermediate deliverables (if applicable) triggering reimbursement by the Commission with schedule for reimbursements






Intermediate deliverables


Date


Amounts




 


 


 




 


 


 










1.8


Total amount (including EU and national funding)






 










1.9


Adjustment(s) method






 










1.10


Verification of the achievement of the result or condition (and where relevant, the intermediate deliverables)






—


describe what document(s) will be used to verify the achievement of the result or condition










—


describe what will be checked during management verifications (including on-the-spot), and by whom.










—


describe what are the arrangements to collect and store the data/documents










 










1.11


Arrangements to ensure the audit trail




Please list the body(ies) responsible for these arrangements.


 










Appendix 3: EMFF action plan for small-scale coastal fishing



Template for submitting data for the consideration of the Commission








Date of submitting the proposal


 




Current version


 





1.   Description of the small-scale coastal fleet







Text field [5 000 ]






2.   General description of the strategy for the development of profitable and sustainable small-scale coastal fishing







Text field [5 000 ]and indicative overall EMFF amount allocated






3.   Description of the specific actions under the strategy for the development of profitable and sustainable small-scale coastal fishing








Description of the main actions




Indicative EMFF amount allocated (EUR)





Adjustment and management of fishing capacity

Text field [10 000 ]



 




Promotion of sustainable, climate resilient and low-carbon fishing practices that minimize damage to the environment

Text field [10 000 ]



 




Reinforcement of the value chain of the sector and the promotion of marketing strategies

Text field [10 000 ]



 




Promotion of skills, knowledge, innovation and capacity building

Text field [10 000 ]



 




Improvement of health, safety and working conditions on board fishing vessels

Text field [10 000 ]



 




Increased compliance with data collection, traceability, monitoring, control and surveillance requirements

Text field [10 000 ]



 




Involvment of small-scale operators in the participatory management of the maritime space, including Marine Protected Areas and Natura 2000 areas

Text field [10 000 ]



 




Diversification of activities in the borader sustainable blue economy

Text field [10 000 ]



 




Collective organisation and participation of small-scale operators in the decision-making and advisory processes

Text field [10 000 ]



 





4.   Where appropriate, the implementation of the FAO voluntary guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries







Text field [10 000 ]






5.   Where appropriate, the implementation of the regional plan of action for small-scale fisheries from the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean







Text field [10 000 ]






6.   Indicators










Table 1: Output indicators






Title of the output indicator




Measurement unit




Milestone (2024)




Target (2029)





 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 

















Table 2: Result indicators






Title of the result indicator




Measurement unit




Baseline




Reference year




Target (2029)





 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 










Appendix 4: EMFF action plan for each outermost region



Template for submitting data for the consideration of the Commission








Date of submitting the proposal


 




Current version


 





1.   Description of the strategy for the sustainable exploitation of fisheries and the development of the sustainable blue economy







Text field [30 000 ]






2.   Description of the main actions envisaged and the corresponding financial means








Description of the main actions




EMFF amount allocated (EUR)





Structural support to the fishery and aquaculture sector under the EMFF

Text field [10 000 ]



 




Compensation for the additional costs under Article 21 of the EMFF

Text field [10 000 ]



 




Other investments in the sustainable blue economy necessary to achieve a sustainable coastal development

Text field [10 000 ]



 





3.   Description of the synergies with other sources of Union funding







Text field [10 000 ]






4.   Description of the synergies with the action plan for small-scale coastal fishing







Text field [10 000 ]












ANNEX VI



Template of a programme for the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI — Article 16(3)








CCI number



 





Title in English



[255 characters (1)]





Title in the national language



[255]





Version



 





First Year



[4]





Last Year



[4]





Eligible from



 





Eligible until



 





Commission Decision Number



 





Commission Decision Date



 





Member State amending decision number



 





Member State amending decision entry into force date



 





1.   Programme strategy: main challenges and policy responses


Reference: Article 17(3)(a)(i)-(v) and (vii) and 17(3)(b)







This section explains how the programme will address the main challenges identified in the Partnership Agreement, provides a summary of challenges identified at the national level based on local, regional and national needs assessments and/or strategies. It provides an overview of the state of implementation of relevant EU acquis and the progress achieved on EU action plans, and describes how the Fund will support their development through the programming period.














Text field [15 000 ]






2.   Specific objectives (repeated for each specific objective other than technical assistance)

Reference: Article 17(2) and 17(4)


2.1.   Title of the specific objective [300]


2.1.1.   Description of a specific objective







This section describes, for each specific objective, the initial situation, main challenges and proposes responses supported by the Fund. It describes which operational objectives are addressed with the support of the Fund; it provides an indicative list of actions within the scope of Articles 3 and 4 of the AMIF, ISF or BMVI Regulations.


In particular: For operating support, it provides a justification in line with Article 17 of the ISF Regulation, Articles 17 and 18 of the BMVI Regulation or Article 20 of the AMIF Regulation. It includes an indicative list of beneficiaries with their statutory responsibilities, main tasks to be supported and indicative number of staff to be supported for each beneficiary and task. For the ISF, operating support is to be described in point 4 of the template.


For specific actions, it describes how the action will be carried out and provides justification for the allocated amount. In addition, for joint specific actions, the lead Member State lists the participating Member States, including their role and, if applicable, their financial contribution.


For emergency assistance, it describes how the action will be carried out and provides justification for the allocated amount.


Planned use of financial instruments, if applicable.


AMIF only: resettlement and solidarity shall be presented separately.


Text field (16 000 characters)






2.1.2   Indicators












Table 1: Output indicators






Specific objective




ID [5]




Indicator [255]




Measurement unit




Milestone (2024)




Target (2029)





 


 


 


 


 


 





















Table 2: Result indicators






Specific objective




ID [5]




Indicator [255]




Measurement unit




Baseline or reference value




Reference year




Target (2029)




Source of data [200]




Comments [200]





 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





2.1.3   Indicative breakdown of the programme resources (EU) by type of intervention


Reference: Article 17(5) and Article 10(16) of the BMVI Regulation or Article 10(9) of the ISF Regulation or Article 10(8) of the AMIF Regulation










Table 3






Specific objective




Type of intervention




Code




Indicative amount (Euro)





 


 


 


 





1.1.   Operating support (ISF only)







This section is applicable only to programmes receiving support from the ISF and provides a justification for the use of it in line with Article 17 of the ISF Regulation. It includes an indicative list of beneficiaries with their statutory responsibilities, main tasks to be supported and indicative number of staff to be supported for each beneficiary and task. See also point 2.1.1 above











Text field [5 000 ]
















Table 4






Type of intervention




Code




Indicative amount (Euro)





 


 


 





1.2.   Technical assistance


Reference: Article 17(3)(e); Article 30 CPR; Article 31 CPR; Article 89 CPR;







Text field [5 000 ] (Technical assistance under flat rate payments)






Text field [3 000 ] (Technical assistance under payments not linked to costs)
















Table 5






Type of intervention




Code




Indicative amount (Euro)





 


 


 





3.   Financial plan


Reference: Article 17(3)(f)


3.1.   Financial appropriations by year















Table 6






Fund




2021




2022




2023




2024




2025




2026




2027




Total





 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





3.2   Total financial appropriations from the Fund and national co-financing


Reference: Article 17(3)(f) (iv)















Table 7






Specific objective




Type of action




Basis for calculation EU support (total or public)




EU contribution (a)




National contribution (b)=(c)+(d)




Indicative breakdown of national contribution




Total


e=(a)+(b)




Co-financing rate (f)=(a)/(e)






public (c)




private (d)





Specific objective 1


Type of action no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


Type of action no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


Type of action no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


Type of action no 4 [Reference to Article 14 and 15 of AMIF Regulation]


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Total for SO 1


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




SO 2


Type of action no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


Type of action no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


Type of action no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Total for SO 2


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




SO 3


Type of action no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


Type of action no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


Type of action no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Total for SO 3


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




TA (Art 30 CPR)


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




TA (Art 31 CPR)


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Grand total


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




















Table 8 [AMIF only]




Number of persons per year






Category




2021




2022




2023




2024




2025




2026




2027





Resettlement


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Humanitarian admission


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




[other categories]


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





4.   Enabling conditions


Reference: Article 17(3)(h)












Table 9






Enabling condition




Fulfilment of enabling condition




Criteria




Fulfilment of criteria




Reference to relevant documents




Justification





 


 


Criterion 1


Y/N


[500]


[1000]




 


 


Criterion 2


 


 


 





5.   Programme authorities


Reference: Article 17(3)(j); Article 65 and 78 CPR










Table 10




Name of the institution [500]



Contact name and position [200]



e-mail [200]





Managing authority


 


 


 




Audit authority


 


 


 




Body which receives payments from the Commission


 


 


 





6.   Partnership


Reference: Article 17(3)(g);







text field [10 000 ]






7.   Communication and visibility


Reference: Article 17(3)(i) CPR, Article 42(2)







Text field [4 500 ]






8.   Use of unit costs, lump sums, flat rates and financing not linked to costs


Reference: Articles 88 and 89 CPR








Indication of use of Article 88 and 89 (*1):




Specific objective





Use of reimbursement of eligible expenditure based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates under priority according to Article 88 CPR


 




Use of financing not linked to costs according to Article 89 CPR


 





APPENDICES







—


Reimbursement of eligible expenditure based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates (Article 88 CPR)










—


Financing not linked to costs (Article 89 CPR)






(1)  Number in square brackets refer to number of characters

(*1)  Full information will be provided acorrding to the models in appendices.





Appendix 1: Reimbursement of eligible expenditure from the Commission to the Member State based on unit costs, lump sums and flat rates



Template for submitting data for the consideration of the Commission




(Article 88)








Date of submitting the proposal


 




Current version


 






A.
   
Summary of the main elements

















Priority




Fund




Estimated proportion of the total financial allocation within the priority to which the SCO will be applied in % (estimate)




Type(s) of operation




Corresponding indicator name(s)




Unit of measurement for the indicator




Type of SCO (standard scale of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates)




Corresponding standard scales of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates





 


 


 


Code


Description


Code


Description


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 






B.
   
Details by type of operation (to be completed for every type of operation)



Did the managing authority receive support from an external company to set out the simplified costs below?

If so, please specify which external company:

Yes/No — Name of external company

Types of operation:












1.1.


Description of the operation type






 











1.2



Priority /specific objective(s) (Jobs and growth goal) or area of support (EMFF) concerned






 










1.3


Indicator name (1)







 










1.4


Unit of measurement for indicator






 










1.5


Standard scale of unit cost, lump sum or flat rate






 










1.6


Amount






 










1.7


Categories of costs covered by unit cost, lump sum or flat rate






 










1.8


Do these categories of costs cover all eligible expenditure for the operation? (Y/N)






 










1.9


Adjustment(s) method






 










11.10


Verification of the achievement of the unit of measurement






—


describe what document(s) will be used to verify the achievement of the unit of measurement










—


describe what will be checked during management verifications (including on-the-spot), and by whom










—


describe what arrangements there are to collect and store the data/documents described










 










1.11


Possible perverse incentives or problems caused by this indicator, how they could be mitigated, and the estimated level of risk






 










1.12


Total amount (national and EU) expected to be reimbursed






 






C.
   
Calculation of the standard scale of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates











1.



Source of data used to calculate the standard scale of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates (who produced, collected and recorded the data; where the data are stored; cut-off dates; validation, etc.).





 

















2.



Please specify why the proposed method and calculation is relevant to the type of operation:





 

















3.



Please specify how the calculations were made, in particular including any assumptions made in terms of quality or quantities. Where relevant, statistical evidence and benchmarks should be used and attached to this annex in a format that is usable by the Commission.





 

















4.


Please explain how you have ensured that only eligible expenditure was included in the calculation of the standard scale of unit cost, lump sum or flat rate.





 

















5.


Assessment of the audit authority(ies) of the calculation methodology and amounts and the arrangements to ensure the verification, quality, collection and storage of data.





 










(1)  Several complementary indicators (for instance one output indicator and one result indicator) are possible for one type of operation. In these cases, fields 1.3 to 1.11 should be filled in for each indicator.






Appendix 2: Financing not linked to costs



Template for submitting data for the consideration of the Commission




(Article 89)








Date of submitting the proposal


 




Current version


 






A.
   
Summary of the main elements















Priority




Fund





The amount covered by the financing not linked to costs





Type(s) of operation




Conditions to be fulfilled/results to be achieved




Corresponding indicator name(s)




Unit of measurement for the indicator





 


 


 


 


 


Code


Description


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




The overall amount covered


 


 


 


 


 


 


 






B.
   
Details by type of operation (to be completed for every type of operation)


Types of operation:














1.1.


Description of the operation type






 










1.2


Priority /specific objective(s) concerned






 










1.3


Conditions to be fulfilled or results to be achieved






 










1.4


Deadline for fulfilment of conditions or results to be achieved






 










1.5


Indicator definition for deliverables






 










1.6


Unit of measurement for indicator for deliverables






 










1.7


Intermediate deliverables (if applicable) triggering reimbursement by the Commission with schedule for reimbursements






Intermediate deliverables


Date


Amounts




 


 


 




 


 


 










1.8


Total amount (including EU and national funding)






 










1.9


Adjustment(s) method






 










1.10


Verification of the achievement of the result or condition (and where relevant, the intermediate deliverables)






—


what document(s) will be used to verify the achievement of the result or condition?










—


describe what will be checked during management verifications (including on-the-spot), and by whom.










—


what arrangements to collect and store the data/documents described?










 










1.11


Arrangements to ensure the audit trail




Please list the body(ies) responsible for these arrangements.


 











ANNEX VII



Template for the transmission of data — Article 37 and 68(1)(g) (1)


TABLE 1: Financial information at priority and programme level (Article 37(2)(a))


















1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


7.


8.


9.


10.


11.


12.


13.




The financial appropriation of the priority based on the programme


Cumulative data on the financial progress of the programme




Priority


Specific objective


Fund


Category of region


Basis for the calculation of Union contribution*
(Total contribution or public contribution)


Total financial appropriation
(EUR)


Co-financing rate
(%)


Total eligible cost of operations selected for support (EUR)


Contribution from the funds to operations selected for support (EUR)


Proportion of the total allocation covered with selected operations (%)
[column 7/ column 5x 100]


Total amount of eligible expenditure incurred by beneficiaries and paid in implementing operations


Proportion of the total allocation covered by eligible expenditure incurred by beneficiaries and paid in implementing operations (%)
[column 10/column 5x100]


Number of operations selected




 


 


 



Calculation



 



Calculation



 





<type="S" input="G">




<type="S" input="G">




<type="S" input="G">




<type="S" input="G">




<type="S" input="G">




<type="N" input="G">




<type="P" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">



 



<type="P" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="P" input="G">




<type="N" input="M">





 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Priority 1


SO 1


ERDF


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Priority 2


SO 2


ESF+


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Priority 3


SO 3


Cohesion Fund


NA


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Total



 


ERDF


Less developed


 



<type="N" input="G">



 



<type="Cu" input=" G ">



 



<type="P" input=" G ">




<type="Cu" input=" G ">




<type="P" input="G">




<type="N" input=" G ">






Total



 


ERDF


Transition


 



<type="N" input=" G ">



 



<type="Cu" input=" G ">



 



<type="P" input=" G ">




<type="Cu" input=" G ">




<type="P" input="G">




<type="N" input=’"G ">






Total



 


ERDF


More developed


 



<type="N" input=" G ">



 



<type="Cu" input=" G ">



 



<type="P" input=" G ">




<type="Cu" input=" G ">




<type="P" input="G">




<type="N" input=" G ">






Total



 


ERDF


Special allocation to outermost regions or northern sparsely populated regions


 



<type="N" input=" G ">



 



<type="Cu" input=" G ">



 



<type="P" input=" G ">




<type="Cu" input=" G ">




<type="P" input="G">




<type="N" input=" G ">






Total



 


ESF


Less developed


 



<type="N" input=" G ">



 



<type="Cu" input=" G ">



 



<type="P" input=" G ">




<type="Cu" input=" G ">




<type="P" input="G">




<type="N" input=" G ">






Total



 


ESF


Transition


 



<type="N" input=" G ">



 



<type="Cu" input=" G ">



 



<type="P" input=" G ">




<type=’Cu" input=" G ">




<type=’P" input=’G">




<type="N" input=" G ">






Total



 


ESF


More developed


 



<type="N" input=" G ">



 



<type="Cu" input=" G ">



 



<type="P" input=" G ">




<type="Cu" input=" G ">




<type="P" input="G">




<type="N" input=" G ">






Total



 


ESF


Special allocation to outermost regions


 



<type="N" input=" G ">



 



<type="Cu" input=" G ">



 



<type="P" input=" G ">




<type="Cu" input=" G ">




<type="P" input="G">




<type="N" input="G ">






Total



 


Cohesion Fund


NA


 



<type="N" input=" G ">



 



<type="Cu" input=" G ">



 



<type="P" input=" G ">




<type="Cu" input=" G ">




<type=’P" input=’G">




<type="N" input=" G ">






Grand Total



 


All Funds


 


 



<type="N" input=" G ">



 



<type="N" input=" G ">



 



<type="P" input=" G ">




<type="N" input=" G ">




<type="P" input="G">




<type="N" input=" G ">









TABLE 2: Breakdown of the cumulative financial data by type of intervention (Article 37(2)(a))



















Priority


Specific objective


Characteristics of expenditure


Categorisation dimension


Financial data




 


 


Fund


Category of region


1
Intervention field


2
Form of finance


3
Territorial delivery dimension


4
Economic activity dimension


5
Location dimension


6
ESF+ secondary theme


7
Macro-regional and sea-basin dimension


Total eligible cost of operations selected for support (EUR)


Total amount of eligible expenditure incurred by beneficiaries and paid in implementing operations


Number of operations selected




<type="S" input="S">


<type="S" input="S">


<type="S" input="S">


<type="S" input="S">


<type="S" input="S">


<type="S" input="S">


<type="S" input="S">


<type="S" input="S">


<type="S" input="S">


<type="S" input="S">


<type="S" input="S">


<type="Cu" input="M">


<type="Cu" input="M">


<type="N" input="M">








TABLE 3: Common and programme specific output indicators for ERDF and Cohesion Fund (Article 37(2)(b))




















1.




2.




3.




4.




5.




6.




7.




8.




9.




10.




11.




12.




13.




14.






Data on output indicators from the operational programme


[extracted from Table 2 of the operational programme]




Progress in output indicators to date






Priority




Specific objective




Fund




Category of region




ID




Indicator name




Indicator breakdown
 (2)


(of which:)




Measurement unit




Milestone (2024)




Target 2029




Forecast to date


[dd/mm/yy]




Achieved to date


[dd/mm/yy]




Based on Commission guidelines (Yes/ No)




Comments







<type="S" input="G">

 (3)





<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input=’G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="N" input="G">






<type="N" input="M">






<type="N" input="M">






<type="C" input="S">






<type="S" input="M">






…


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 








TABLE 4: Staff salaries financed by ERDF and Cohesion Fund at programme level (Article 37(2)(b))















Fund




ID




Indicator name




Measurement unit




Annual value achieved to date [dd/mm/yy]




Based on Commission guidelines (Yes/ No)




Comments







2021




…




2029








<type="S" input="M">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="N" input="M">






<type="N" input="M">






<type="N" input="M">






<type="C" input="S">






<type="S" input="M">






 



RCO xx




Staff financed by the Fund




FTE



 


 


 


 


 








TABLE 5: Multiple support to enterprises for ERDF and Cohesion Fund at programme level (Article 37(2)(b))












ID




Indicator name




Indicator breakdown


(of which:)




Number enterprises net of multiple support by


[dd/mm/yy]




Based on Commission guidelines (Yes/ No)




Comments







<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="N" input="M">






<type="C" input="S">






<type="S" input="M">







RCO 01




Enterprises supported




Micro



 


 


 





RCO 01




Enterprises supported




Small



 


 


 





RCO 01




Enterprises supported




Medium



 


 


 





RCO 01




Enterprises supported




Large



 


 


 





RCO 01




Enterprises supported




Total





<type="N" input="G">




 


 








TABLE 6: Common and programme specific result indicators for ERDF and Cohesion Fund (Article 37(2)(b))






















1.




2.




3.




4.




5.




6.




7.




8.




9.




10.




11.




12.




13.




14.




15.




16.






Data on result indicators from the operational programme [extracted from Table 3 of the operational programme]




Progress in result indicators to date






Priority




Specific objective




Fund




Category of region




ID




Indicator name




Indicator breakdown
 (4)


(of which:)




Measurement unit




Baseline in the programme




Target 2029




Baseline updated [dd/mm/yy]




Value to date [dd/mm/yy]




Based on Commission guidelines (Yes/ No)




Comments






Forecast




Completed




Forecast




Achieved







<type="S" input="G">

 (5)





<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="S" input="G">






<type="N" input="G">






<type="N" input="G">






<type="N" input="M">






<type="N" input="M">






<type="N" input="M">






<type="N" input="M">






<type="C" input="S">






<type="S" input="M">






…


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 








TABLE 7: A forecast of the amount for which the Member State expects to submit payment applications for the current and the subsequent calendar year (Article 68(1)(g))

For each programme, to be filled in by Fund and category of region, where appropriate









Fund


Category of region


Union contribution




[current calendar year]


[subsequent calendar year]




January — October


November — December


January- December




ERDF


Less developed regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





 


Transition regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





 


More developed regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





 


Outermost regions and Northern sparsely populated regions (6)




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





ETC


 



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





ESF


Less developed regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





 


Transition regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





 


More developed regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





 


Outermost regions (7)




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Cohesion Fund


 



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





EMFF


 


 


 


 




AMF


 


 


 


 




ISF


 


 


 


 




BMVI


 


 


 


 








TABLE 8: Financial instruments data (Article 37(3))





















Priority




Characteristics of expenditure




Eligible expenditure by product




Amount of private and public resources mobilised in addition to the Funds




Amount of management costs and fees declared as eligible expenditure




Interest and other gains generated by support from the Funds to financial instruments referred to in Article 54




Resources returned attributable to support from the Funds as referred to in Article 56





 



Fund




Specific objective




Category of region




Loans


(form of finance code for FI)




Guarantee


(form of finance code for FI)




Equity or quasi-equity (form of finance code for FI)




Ancillary support combined within FI


(form of finance code for FI)




Loans


(form of finance code for FI)




Guarantee


(form of finance code for FI)




Equity or quasi-equity


(form of finance code for FI)




Ancillary support combined within FI


(form of finance code for FI)






Input = selection




Input = selection




Input = selection




Input = selection




Input = manual




Input = manual




Input = manual




Input = manual




Input = manual




Input = manual




Input = manual




Input = manual




Input = manual




Input = manual




Input = manual







(1)  Legend for the characteristics of fields:
type: N=Number, D=Date, S=String, C=Checkbox, P=Percentage, B=Boolean, Cu=Currency
input: M=Manual, S=Selection, G=Generated by system

(2)  It applies only to some indicators. See Commission guidelines for details.

(3)  Legend for the characteristics of fields:
type: N=Number, S=String, C=Checkbox
input: M=Manual, S=Selection, G=Generated by system

(4)  It applies only to some indicators. See Commission guidelines for details.

(5)  Legend for the characteristics of fields:
type: N=Number, S=String, C=Checkbox
input: M=Manual, S=Selection, G=Generated by system

(6)  This should only show the specific allocation for outermost regions / Northern sparsely populated regions.

(7)  This should only show the specific allocation for outermost.






ANNEX VIII



Communication and visibility — Articles 42 and 44


1.   The use and technical characteristics of the Union emblem









1.1.


The emblem of the European Union shall be prominently featured on all communication materials such as printed or digital products, websites and their mobile views relating to the implementation of an operation, used for the public or for participants.












1.2.


The statement ‘Funded by the EUROPEAN UNION’ or ‘Co-funded by the EUROPEAN UNION’ shall always be spelled out in full and placed next to the emblem.












1.3.


The typeface to be used in conjunction with the Union emblem may be any of the following fonts: Arial, Auto, Calibri, Garamond, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Verdana, Ubuntu. Italic, underlined variations or font effects shall not be used.












1.4.


The positioning of the text in relation to the Union emblem shall not interfere with the Union emblem in any way.












1.5.


The font size used shall be proportionate to the size of the emblem.












1.6.


The colour of the font shall be reflex blue, black or white depending on the background.












1.7.


The European Union emblem shall not be modified or merged with any other graphic elements or texts. If other logos are displayed in addition to the Union emblem, the Union emblem shall have at least the same size as the biggest of the other logos. Apart from the Union emblem, no other visual identity or logo must be used to highlight the support from the Union.












1.8.


Where several operations are taking place at the same location, supported by the same or different funding instruments, or where further funding is provided for the same operation at a later date, only one plaque or billboard shall be displayed.












1.9.


Graphic standards for the Union emblem and the definition of standard colours:

A)   SYMBOLIC DESCRIPTION

Against a background of blue sky, twelve golden stars form a circle representing the union of the peoples of Europe. The number of stars is fixed, twelve being the symbol of perfection and unity.

B)   HERALDIC DESCRIPTION

On an azure field a circle of twelve golden mullets, their points not touching.

C)   GEOMETRIC DESCRIPTION




The emblem has the form of a blue rectangular flag of which the fly is one and a half times the length of the hoist. Twelve gold stars situated at equal intervals form an invisible circle whose centre is the point of intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle. The radius of the circle is equal to one third of the height of the hoist. Each of the stars has five points which are situated on the circumference of an invisible circle whose radius is equal to one eighteenth of the height of the hoist. All the stars are upright, i.e. with one point vertical and two points in a straight line at right angles to the mast. The circle is arranged so that the stars appear in the position of the hours on the face of a clock. Their number is invariable.

D)   REGULATION COLOURS

The emblem is in the following colours: PANTONE REFLEX BLUE for the surface of the rectangle; PANTONE YELLOW for the stars

E)   FOUR-COLOUR PROCESS

If the four-colour process is used, recreate the two standard colours by using the four colours of the four-colour process.
PANTONE YELLOW is obtained by using 100 % ‘Process Yellow’.
PANTONE REFLEX BLUE is obtained by mixing 100 % ‘Process Cyan’ and 80 % ‘Process Magenta’.

INTERNET

PANTONE REFLEX BLUE corresponds in the web-palette colour RGB:0/51/153 (hexadecimal: 003399) and PANTONE YELLOW corresponds in the web-palette colour RGB: 255/204/0 (hexadecimal: FFCC00).

MONOCHROME REPRODUCTION PROCESS

Using black, outline the rectangle in black and print the stars in black on white.



Using blue (Reflex Blue), use 100 % with the stars reproduced in negative white.




REPRODUCTION ON A COLOURED BACKGROUND

If there is no alternative to a coloured background, put a white border around the rectangle, the width of the border being 1/25th of the height of the rectangle.



The principles of the use of the Union emblem by third parties are set out in an administrative agreement with the Council of Europe (1)













2.


The licence on intellectual property rights referred to in Article 44(6) grant to the EU the following rights:






2.1.


internal use i.e. right to reproduce, copy and make available the communication and visibility materials to EU and EU Member States’ institutions and agencies and their employees;










2.2.


reproduction of the communication and visibility materials by any means and in any form, in whole or in part;










2.3.


communication to the public of the communication and visibility materials by using any and all means of communication;










2.4.


distribution to the public of the communication and visibility materials (or copies thereof) in any and all forms;










2.5.


storage and archiving of the communication and visibility materials










2.6.


sub-licensing of the rights on the communication and visibility materials to third parties










2.7.


Additional rights maybe granted to the EU.










(1)  OJ 2012/C 271/04 of 8/9/2012.






ANNEX IX



Elements for funding agreements and strategy documents — Article 53

1.   Elements of the funding agreement for financial instruments implemented under Article 53(3)











(a)


the investment strategy or policy including implementation arrangements, financial products to be offered, final recipients targeted, and envisaged combination with grant support (as appropriate);














(b)


a business plan or equivalent documents for the financial instrument to be implemented, including the expected leverage effect referred to in point (a) of Article 52(3);














(c)


the target results that the financial instrument concerned is expected to achieve to contribute to the specific objectives and results of the relevant priority;














(d)


provisions for monitoring of the implementation of investments and of deal flows including reporting by the financial instrument to the holding fund and to the managing authority to ensure compliance with Article 37;














(e)


audit requirements, such as minimum requirements for documentation to be kept at the level of the financial instrument (and at the level of the holding fund where appropriate), and requirements in relation to the maintenance of separate records for the different forms of support in compliance with Article 52 (where applicable), including provisions and requirements regarding access to documents by audit authorities of Member States, Commission auditors and the Court of Auditors in order to ensure a clear audit trail, in accordance with Article 76;














(f)


requirements and procedures for managing the contribution provided by the programme in accordance with Article 86 and for the forecast of deal flows, including requirements for fiduciary/separate accounting as set out in Article 53;














(g)


requirements and procedures for managing interest and other gains generated as referred to in Article 54, including acceptable treasury operations/investments, and the responsibilities and liabilities of the parties concerned;














(h)


provisions regarding the calculation and payment of management costs incurred or of the management fees of the financial instrument in compliance with Article 62;














(i)


provisions regarding the re-use of resources attributable to the support from the Funds in compliance with Article 56 and an exit policy for the contribution from the Funds out of the financial instrument;














(j)


conditions for a possible total or partial withdrawal of programme contributions from programmes to financial instruments, including the fund of funds where applicable;














(k)


provisions to ensure that bodies implementing financial instruments manage financial instruments with independence and in accordance with the relevant professional standards, and act in the exclusive interest of the parties providing contributions to the financial instrument;














(l)


provisions for the winding-up of the financial instrument.














(m)


other terms and conditions for making contributions from the programme to the financial instrument














(n)


appraisal and selection of bodies implementing the financial instruments, including calls for expression of interest or public procurement procedures (only where financial instruments are organised through a holding fund)








2.   Elements of the strategy document(s) referred to in Article 53(1)











(a)


the investment strategy or policy of the financial instrument, general terms and conditions of envisaged debt products, target recipients and actions to be supported;














(b)


a business plan or equivalent documents for the financial instrument to be implemented, including the expected leverage effect referred to in Article 52;














(c)


the use and re-use of resources attributable to the support of the Funds in accordance with Articles 54 and 56














(d)


monitoring and reporting of the implementation of the financial instrument to ensure compliance with Article 37.














ANNEX X



Key requirements of management and control systems and their classification — Article 63(1)








Table 1 — Key requirements of management and control system


Bodies/authorities concerned




1


Appropriate separation of functions and written arrangements for reporting, supervising and monitoring delegated tasks to an intermediate body


Managing authority




2


Appropriate criteria and procedures for the selection of operations


Managing authority




3


Appropriate information to beneficiaries on applicable conditions for support for the selected operations


Managing authority




4


Appropriate management verifications, including appropriate procedures for checking fulfilment of conditions for financing not linked to costs and for simplified cost options


Managing authority




5


Effective system to ensure that all documents necessary for the audit trail are held


Managing authority




6


Reliable electronic system (including links with electronic data exchange systems with beneficiaries) for recording and storing data for monitoring, evaluation, financial management, verifications and audits, including appropriate processes to ensure the security, integrity and confidentiality of the data and the authentication of users


Managing authority




7


Effective implementation of proportionate anti-fraud measures


Managing authority




8


Appropriate procedures for drawing up the management declaration


Managing authority




9


Appropriate procedures for confirming that the expenditure entered into the accounts is legal and regular


Managing authority




10


Appropriate procedures for drawing up and submission of interim payment applications and of accounts


Managing authority/ Body carrying out the accounting function




11


Appropriate separation of functions and functional independence between the audit authority (and other audit or control bodies on which the audit authority relies and supervises, if applicable) and the other programme authorities and audit work carried out in accordance with internationally accepted audit standards


Audit authority




12


Appropriate system audits


Audit authority




13


Appropriate audits of operations


Audit authority




14


Appropriate audits of accounts


Audit authority




15


Appropriate procedures for providing a reliable audit opinion and for preparing the annual control report


Audit authority







Table 2 — Classification of management and control systems with regard to their effective functioning






Category 1


Works well. No or only minor improvement needed.




Category 2


Works. Some improvement needed.




Category 3


Works partially. Substantial improvement needed.




Category 4


Essentially does not work.










ANNEX XI



Elements for the audit trail — Article 63(5)


I.   Obligatory elements of audit trail for grants:









1.


documentation that allows verification of the application of the selection criteria by the managing authority, as well as documentation relating to the overall selection procedure and the approval of operations;












2.


document (grant agreement or equivalent) setting out the conditions for support signed between the beneficiary and the managing authority/intermediate body;












3.


accounting records of payment claims submitted by the beneficiary, as recorded in the managing authority/intermediate body’s electronic system;












4.


documentation on verifications addressing the non-relocation and durability requirements as set out in Articles 59, 60(2) and 67(3)(h);












5.


proof of payment of the public contribution to the beneficiary and of the date the payment was made;












6.


documentation evidencing the administrative and, where applicable, on-the-spot checks carried out by the managing authority/intermediate body;












7.


information on audits carried out;












8.


documentation relating to the follow-up by the managing authority/intermediate body for purposes of management verifications and audit findings;












9.


documentation that allows verification of compliance with applicable law;












10.


data in relation to output and result indicators enabling reconciliation with corresponding targets and reported milestones;












11.


documentation related to financial corrections and deductions pursuant to Article 92(5)) made by the managing authority/intermediate body to the expenditure declared to the Commission;












12.


for grants taking the form set out in Article 48(1)(a), the invoices (or documents of equivalent probative value) and proof of their payment by the beneficiary, as well as accounting records of the beneficiary relating to the expenditure declared to the Commission;












13.


for grants taking the forms set out in Article 48(1)(b), (c) and (d) and as applicable, documents justifying the method of establishing unit costs, lump sums and flat rates; the categories of costs forming the basis for the calculation; documents evidencing costs declared under other categories of costs to which a flat rate applies; the explicit agreement by the managing authority on the draft budget on the document setting out the conditions for support; documentation on the gross employment costs and on calculation of the hourly rate; where simplified cost options are used based on existing methods, documentation confirming compliance with similar type of operations and with documentation required by the existing method, if any.





II   Obligatory elements for audit trail for financial instruments:









1.


documents on the establishment of the financial instrument, such as funding agreements, etc;












2.


documents identifying the amounts contributed by each programme and under each priority to the financial instrument, the expenditure that is eligible under each programme and the interest and other gains generated by support from the Funds and re-use of resources attributable to the Funds in accordance with Articles 54 and 56;












3.


documents on the functioning of the financial instrument, including those related to monitoring, reporting and verifications;












4.


documents concerning exits of programme contributions and the winding-up of the financial instrument;












5.


documents on the management costs and fees;












6.


application forms, or equivalent, submitted by final recipients with supporting documents, including business plans and, when relevant, previous annual accounts;












7.


checklists and reports from the bodies implementing the financial instrument;












8.


declarations made in connection with de minimis aid:












9.


agreements signed in connection with the support provided by the financial instrument, including for equity, loans, guarantees or other forms of investment provided to final recipients;












10.


evidence that the support provided through the financial instrument is to be/was used for its intended purpose;












11.


records of the financial flows between the managing authority and the financial instrument, and within the financial instrument at all levels, down to the final recipients, and, for guarantees, proof that underlying loans were disbursed;












12.


separate records or accounting codes for a programme contribution paid or a guarantee committed by the financial instrument for the benefit of the final recipient.





Provisions for audit trail for reimbursement of the support from the Funds by the Commission to the programme on the basis of simplified cost options or of financing not linked to costs


III.   Obligatory elements of audit trail for simplified cost options to be kept at the level of the managing authority/ intermediate body:









1.


documents evidencing costs declared under other categories of costs to which a flat rate applies;












2.


the categories of costs and the costs forming the basis for the calculation;












3.


documents evidencing the adjustment of the amounts, where relevant;












4.


documents evidencing the calculation method if Article 48(2)(a) is applied.





IV.   Obligatory elements of audit trail for financing not linked to costs to be kept at the level of the managing authority/ intermediate body:









1.


document setting out the conditions of support signed by the beneficiary and the managing authority/intermediate body stating the form of grant provided to beneficiaries;












2.


documents evidencing the ex-ante agreement of the Commission on the conditions to be fulfilled or the results to be achieved and corresponding amounts (programme approval or amendment);












3.


documents evidencing the fulfilment of conditions or the achievement of results at each stage if done in steps, as well as before final expenditure is declared to the Commission;












4.


documentation relating to the selection and approval of operations covered by the financing not linked to costs.










ANNEX XII



E-Cohesion: electronic data exchange systems between programme authorities and beneficiaries — Article 63(7)


1.   Responsibilities of programme authorities regarding the functioning of electronic data exchange systems









1.1


Ensuring the data security, data integrity, data confidentiality, authentication of the sender in accordance with Articles 63(5), 63(7), 66(4) and 76 of this Regulation.












1.2


Ensuring availability and functioning during and outside standard office hours (except during technical maintenance)












1.3


Use of functionalities in the system providing for:






(a)


interactive forms and/or forms prefilled by the system on the basis of the data which are stored at consecutive steps of the procedures;










(b)


automatic calculations, where applicable;










(c)


automatic embedded controls which reduce repeated exchanges of documents or information;










(d)


system-generated alerts to inform the beneficiary that certain actions can be performed;










(e)


online status tracking allowing the beneficiary to monitor the current status of the project;










(f)


all previously available data and documents processed by the electronic data exchange system.
















1.4


Ensuring record-keeping and data storage in the system enabling both administrative verifications of payment claims submitted by beneficiaries in accordance with Article 68(2) and audits





2.   Responsibilities of programme authorities regarding the modalities for transmission of documents and data for all exchanges









2.1


Ensuring the use of electronic signature compatible with one of the three types of electronic signature defined by Directive 1999/93/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (1)













2.2


Providing for storing the date of transmission of documents and data by the beneficiary to the programme authorities and vice versa












2.3


Ensuring accessibility directly through an interactive user interface (a web application) or via a technical interface that allows for automatic synchronisation and transmission of data between beneficiaries’ and Member States’ systems.












2.4


Ensuring the protection of privacy of personal data for individuals and commercial confidentiality for legal entities according to Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), Directive 2009/136/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) and Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (Text with EEA relevance) of the European Parliament and of the Council (4).






(1)  Directive 1999/93/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 1999 on a Community framework for electronic signatures (OJ L 13, 19.1.2000, p. 12).

(2)  Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37).

(3)  Directive 2009/136/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 amending Directive 2002/22/EC on universal service and users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks and services, Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 on cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws (OJ L 337, 18.12.2009, p. 11).

(4)  Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31).






ANNEX XIII



SFC2021: electronic data exchange system between the Member States and the Commission — Article 63(8)


1.   Responsibilities of the Commission









1.1


Ensuring the operation of an electronic data exchange system (‘SFC2021’) for all official exchanges of information between the Member State and the Commission. SFC2021 shall contain at least the information specified in the templates established in accordance with this Regulation.












1.2


Ensuring the following characteristics of SFC2021:






(a)


interactive forms or forms pre-filled by the system on the basis of the data already recorded in the system previously;










(b)


automatic calculations, where they reduce the encoding effort of users;










(c)


automatic embedded controls to verify internal consistency of transmitted data and consistency of this data with applicable rules;










(d)


system generated alerts warning SFC2021 users that certain actions can or cannot be performed;










(e)


online status tracking of the treatment of information entered into the system;










(f)


availability of historical data in respect of all information entered for an operational programme.










(g)


availability of a compulsory electronic signature within the meaning of Directive 1999/93/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council which will be recognised as evidence in legal proceedings.
















1.3


Ensuring an information technology security policy for SFC2021 applicable to the personnel using the system in accordance with relevant Union rules, in particular Commission Decision C(2006)3602 (1) and its implementing rules.












1.4


Designating a person or persons responsible for defining, maintaining and ensuring the correct application of the security policy to SFC2021.





2.   Responsibilities of Member States









2.1


Ensuring that the programme authorities of the Member State identified in accordance with Article 65(1) as well as the bodies identified to carry out certain tasks under the responsibility of the managing authority in accordance with Article 65(3) of this Regulation enter into SFC2021 the information for the transmission of which they are responsible and any updates thereto












2.2


Ensuring the verification of information submitted by a person other than the person who entered the data for that transmission.












2.3


Providing arrangements for the above separation of tasks through the Member State’s management and control information systems connected automatically with SFC2021.












2.4


Appointing a person or persons responsible for managing access rights to fulfil the following tasks:






(a)


identifying users requesting access, making sure those users are employed by the organisation;










(b)


informing users about their obligations to preserve the security of the system;










(c)


verifying the entitlement of users to the required privilege level in relation to their tasks and their hierarchical position;










(d)


requesting the termination of access rights when those access rights are no longer needed or justified;










(e)


promptly reporting suspicious events that may bring prejudice to the security of the system;










(f)


ensuring the continued accuracy of user identification data by reporting any changes;










(g)


taking the necessary data protection and commercial confidentiality precautions in accordance with Union and national rules;










(h)


informing the Commission of any changes affecting the capacity of the Member State authorities or users of SFC2021 to carry out the responsibilities referred to in paragraph 1 or their personal capacity to carry out responsibilities referred to in points (a)-(g).
















2.5


Providing arrangements for the respect of the protection of privacy and of personal data for individuals and of commercial confidentiality for legal entities in accordance with Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), Directive 2009/136/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council Directive 1995/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) and Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.












2.6


Adopting national, regional or local information security policies on access to SFC2021 based on a risk assessment applicable to all authorities using SFC2021 and addressing the following aspects:






(a)


the IT security aspects of the work performed by the person or persons responsible for managing the access rights referred to point 3 of section II in case of application of direct use;










(b)


for national, regional or local computer systems connected to SFC2021, through a technical interface referred to in point 1 the security measures for those systems allowing to be aligned with SFC2021 security requirements and covering:






(i)


physical security;










(ii)


data media and access control;










(iii)


storage control;










(iv)


access and password control;










(v)


monitoring;










(vi)


interconnection with SFC2021;










(vii)


communication infrastructure;










(viii)


human resources management prior to employment, during employment and after employment;










(ix)


incident management.




















2.7


Making the document referred to in point 2.6 available to the Commission upon request












2.8


Appointing a person or persons responsible for maintaining and ensuring the application of the national, regional or local IT security policies and acting as a contact point with the person or persons designated by the Commission and referred to in point 1.4





3.   Joint responsibilities of the Commission and the Member States









3.1


Ensuring accessibility either directly through an interactive user-interface (i.e. a web-application) or via a technical interface using pre-defined protocols (i.e. web-services) that allows for automatic synchronisation and transmission of data between Member States information systems and SFC2021












3.2


Providing for the date of electronic transmission of the information by the Member State to the Commission and vice versa in electronic data exchange which constitutes the date of submission of the document concerned












3.3


Ensuring that official data is exchanged exclusively through SFC2021 (with the exception where force majeure occurs) and that information provided in the electronic forms embedded in SFC2021 (hereinafter referred to as ‘structured data’) is not replaced by non-structured data and that structured data prevails over non structured data in case of inconsistencies.
In the event of force majeure, a malfunctioning of SFC2021 or a lack of a connection with SFC2021 exceeding one working day in the last week before a regulatory deadline for the submission of information or in the period from 18 to 26 December, or five working days at other times, the information exchange between the Member State and the Commission may take place in paper form using the templates set out in this Regulation in which case the date of submission is the date of submission of the document concerned. When the cause of the force majeure ceases the party concerned enters in SFC2021 without delay the information already provided in paper form.












3.4


Ensuring compliance with the IT security terms and conditions published in the SFC2021 portal and the measures that are implemented in SFC2021 by the Commission to secure the transmission of data, in particular in relation to the use of the technical interface referred to in point 1.












3.5


Implementing and ensuring the effectiveness of the security measures adopted to protect the data stored and transmitted through SFC2021.












3.6


Updating and reviewing annually the SFC IT security policy and the relevant national, regional and local IT security policies in the event of technological changes, the identification of new threats or other relevant developments.






(1)  Commission Decision C(2006) 3602 of 16 August 2006 concerning the security of information systems used by the European Commission.

(2)  Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications) (OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37).

(3)  Directive 2009/136/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 amending Directive 2002/22/EC on universal service and users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks and services, Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 on cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws (OJ L 337, 18.12.2009, p. 11).

(4)  Directive 1995/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31).






ANNEX XIV



Template for the description of the management and control system — Article 63(9)

1.   GENERAL









1.1





Information submitted by:








—


Member State:










—


Title of the programme(s) and CCI number(s): (all programmes covered by the managing authority where there is a common management and control system):










—


Name and e-mail of main contact point: (body responsible for the description):

















1.2





The information provided describes the situation on:
 (dd/mm/yy)













1.3





System structure
 (general information and flowchart showing the organisational relationship between the authorities/bodies involved in the management and control system)












1.3.1


Managing authority (Name, address and contact point in the managing authority):












1.3.2


Intermediate bodies (Name, address and contact points in the intermediate bodies).












1.3.3


The body carrying out the accounting function (Name, address and contact points in the managing authority or the programme authority carrying out the accounting function)












1.3.4


Indicate how the principle of separation of functions between and within the programme authorities is respected.




2.   MANAGING AUTHORITY


2.1
   
Managing authority and its main functions










2.1.1


The status of the managing authority (national, regional or local public body or private body) and the body of which it is part.












2.1.2


Specification of the functions and tasks carried out directly by the managing authority.












2.1.3.


Where applicable, specification per intermediate body of each of the functions (1) and tasks delegated by the managing authority, identification of the intermediate bodies and the form of the delegation. Reference should be made to relevant documents (written agreements).












2.1.4


Procedures for the supervision of the functions and tasks delegated by the managing authority.












2.1.5


Framework to ensure that an appropriate risk management exercise is conducted when necessary, and in particular in the event of major modifications to the management and control system.






2.2
   
Description of the organisation and the procedures related to the functions and tasks of the managing authority
 (2)









2.2.1


Description of the functions, including the accounting function, and tasks carried out by the managing authority:












2.2.2


Description of how the work under the different functions, including the accounting function, is organised, what procedures apply, what functions if any are delegated, how these are supervised, etc.












2.2.3


Organisation chart of the managing authority and information on its relationship with any other bodies or divisions (internal or external) that carry out functions and tasks as provided for in Articles 66 to 69.












2.2.4


Indication of planned resources to be allocated in relation to the different functions of the managing authority (including information on any planned outsourcing and its scope, where appropriate).




3.   BODY CARRYING OUT THE ACCOUNTING FUNCTION
3.1   
Status and description of the organisation and the procedures related to the functions of the body carrying out the accounting function










3.1.1


The status of the body carrying out the accounting function (national, regional or local public or private body) and the body of which it is part, where relevant.












3.1.2


Description of the functions and tasks carried out by the body carrying out the accounting function as set out in Article 70.












3.1.2


Description of how the work is organised (workflows, processes, internal divisions), what procedures apply and when, how these are supervised, etc.












3.1.3


Indication of planned resources to be allocated in relation to the different accounting tasks.




4.   ELECTRONIC SYSTEM

4.1   
Description of the electronic system or systems including a flowchart (central or common network system or decentralised system with links between the systems) for:










4.1.1


Recording and storing, in a computerised form data on each operation, including where appropriate data on individual participants and a breakdown of data on indicators when provided for in the Regulation.












4.1.2


Ensuring that accounting records for each operation are recorded and stored, and that those records support the data required for drawing up payment applications and of the accounts;












4.1.3


Maintaining accounting records of expenditure declared to the Commission and the corresponding public contribution paid to beneficiaries;












4.1.4


Recording all amounts deducted from payment applications and from the accounts as set out in Article 92(5) and the reasons for these deductions;












4.1.5


Indicating whether the systems are functioning effectively and can reliably record the data mentioned on the date where this description is compiled as set out in Point 1.2 above;












4.1.6


Describing the procedures to ensure the electronic systems’ security, integrity and confidentiality.






(1)  Including the accounting function for the AMIF, ISF and IMBF funds as it falls under the responsibility of the managing authority according to Article 66(3)

(2)  Including the accounting function for the AMIF, ISF and IMBF funds as it falls under the responsibility of the Managing Authority according to Article 66(3)






ANNEX XV



Template for the management declaration — Article 68(1)(f)

I/We, the undersigned (name(s), first name(s), title(s) or function(s)), Head of the managing authority for the programme (name of the operational programme, CCI)
based on the implementation of the (name of programme) during the accounting year ended 30 June (year), based on my/our own judgment and on all information available to me/us at the date of the accounts submitted to the Commission, including the results from management verifications carried out in accordance with Article 68 of Regulation (EU) No xx/xx and from audits in relation to the expenditure included in the payment applications submitted to the Commission in respect of the accounting year ended 30 June … (year),
and taking into account my/our obligations under Regulation (EU) xx/xx
hereby declare that:






(a)


the information in the accounts is properly presented, complete and accurate in accordance with Article 92 of Regulation (EU) No XX,










(b)


the expenditure entered in the accounts complies with applicable law and was used for its intended purpose,




I/We confirm that irregularities identified in the final audit and control reports in relation to the accounting year have been appropriately treated in the accounts, in particular to comply with Article 92 for submitting accounts providing assurance that irregularities are below the 2 % materiality level.
I/We also confirm that expenditure which is subject to an ongoing assessment of its legality and regularity has been excluded from the accounts pending conclusion of the assessment, for possible inclusion in an interim payment application in a subsequent accounting year.
Furthermore, I/we confirm the reliability of data relating to indicators, milestones and the progress of the programme.
I/we also confirm that effective and proportionate anti-fraud measures are in place and that these take account of the risks identified in that respect.
Finally, I/we confirm that I/we am/are not aware of any undisclosed matter related to the implementation of the operational programme which could be damaging to the reputation of the cohesion policy.






ANNEX XVI



Template for the audit opinion — Article 71(3)(a)

To the European Commission, Directorate-General

1.   INTRODUCTION

I, the undersigned, representing the [name of the audit authority], independent in the sense of Article 65(2) of Regulation (EU) No […] ., have audited






i)


the accounts for the accounting year started on 1 July … [year] and ended 30 June … [year] (1) and dated … [date of the accounts submitted to the Commission] (hereafter ‘the accounts’),










ii)


the legality and regularity of the expenditure for which reimbursement has been requested from the Commission in reference to the accounting year (and included in the accounts), and










iii)


the functioning of the management and control system, and verified the management declaration in relation to the programme [name of programme, CCI number] (hereafter ‘the programme’),




in order to issue an audit opinion in accordance with Article 71(3).

2.   RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MANAGING AUTHORITY

[name of the managing authority], identified as the managing authority of the programme, is responsible to ensure proper functioning of the management and control system in regard to the functions and tasks provided for in Articles 66 to 70.
In addition, the [name of the managing authority or of the body carrying out the accounting function where relevant], is responsible to ensure and declare the completeness, accuracy and veracity of the accounts, as required in Article 70 of Regulation (EU) No […] .
Moreover, in accordance with Article 68 of Regulation (EU) No […] it is the responsibility of the managing authority to confirm that the expenditure entered in the accounts is legal and regular and complies with applicable law.

3.   RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AUDIT AUTHORITY

As established by Article 71 of Regulation (EU) No […], my responsibility is to independently express an opinion on the completeness, veracity and accuracy of the accounts, whether expenditure for which reimbursement has been requested from the Commission and which are declared in the accounts is legal and regular, and whether the management and control system put in place functions properly.
My responsibility is also to include in the opinion a statement as to whether the audit work puts in doubt the assertions made in the management declaration.
The audits in respect of the programme were carried out in accordance with the audit strategy and complied with internationally accepted audit standards. These standards require that the audit authority complies with ethical requirements, plans and performs the audit work in order to obtain reasonable assurance for the purpose of the audit opinion.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence to support the opinion set out below. The procedures performed depend on the auditor's professional judgement, including assessing the risk of material non-compliance, whether due to fraud or error. The audit procedures performed are those I believe are appropriate in the circumstances and are compliant with the requirements of Regulation (EU) No […].
I believe that the audit evidence gathered is sufficient and appropriate to provide the basis for my opinion, [in case there is any scope limitation:] except those which are mentioned in the paragraph ‘Scope limitation’.
The summary of the findings drawn from the audits in respect of the programme are reported in the attached annual control report in accordance with point (b) of Article 71(3) of Regulation (EU) No […].

4.   SCOPE LIMITATION


Either

There were no limitations on the audit scope.

Or

The audit scope was limited by the following factors:






(a)


…










(b)


…










(c)


….




[Indicate any limitation on the audit scope (1), for example any lack of supporting documentation, cases under legal proceedings, and estimate under ‘Qualified opinion’ below, the amounts of expenditure and contribution the support from the Funds affected and the impact of the scope limitation on the audit opinion. Further explanations in this regard shall be provided in the annual control report, as appropriate.]

5.   OPINION


Either



(Unqualified opinion)


In my opinion, and based on the audit work performed:






(i)


the accounts give a true and fair view;










(ii)


expenditure included in the accounts is legal and regular (2),










(iii)


the management and control system functions properly.




The audit work carried out does not put in doubt the assertions made in the management declaration.

Or



(Qualified opinion)


In my opinion, and based on the audit work performed,








1)






Accounts








—


the accounts give a true and fair view [where the qualification applies to the accounts, the following text is added:] except in the following material aspects:…….
















2)






Legality and regularity of the expenditure certified in the accounts








—


the expenditure certified in the accounts is legal and regular [where the qualification applies to the accounts, the following text is added:] except for the following aspects:….




The impact of the qualification is limited [or significant] and corresponds to …. (amount in EUR of the total amount of expenditure certified)












3)






The management and control system in place as at the date of this audit opinion








—


the management and control system put in place functions properly [where the qualification applies to the management and control system, the following text is added:] except for the following aspects:….




The impact of the qualification is limited [or significant] and corresponds to …. (amount in EUR of the total amount of expenditure certified)




The audit work carried out does not put/puts [delete as appropriate] in doubt the assertions made in the management declaration.

[Where the audit work carried out puts in doubt the assertions made in the management declaration, the audit authority shall disclose in this paragraph the aspects leading to this conclusion.]


Or



(Adverse opinion)


In my opinion, and based on the audit work performed:






(i)


the accounts give/do 
not
 give [delete as appropriate] a true and fair view; and/or










(ii)


the expenditure in the accounts for which reimbursement has been requested from the Commission is/is 
not
 [delete as appropriate] legal and regular; and/or










(iii)


the management and control system put in place functions/does 
not
 function [delete as appropriate] properly.




This adverse opinion is based on the following aspects:






—


in relation to material matters related to the accounts:

and/or [delete as appropriate]










—


in relation to material matters related to the legality and regularity of the expenditure in the accounts for which reimbursement has been requested from the Commission:

and/or [delete as appropriate]










—


in relation to material matters related to the functioning of the management and control system (3):




The audit work carried out puts in doubt the assertions made in the management declaration for the following aspects:
[The audit authority may also include emphasis of matter, not affecting its opinion, as established by internationally accepted auditing standards. A disclaimer of opinion can be foreseen in exceptional cases (4).]
Date:
Signature:






(2)


To be included in case of Interreg programmes.










(5)


In case the management and control system is affected, the body or bodies and the aspect(s) of their systems that did not comply with requirements and/or did not function properly shall be identified in the opinion, except where this information is already clearly disclosed in the annual control report and the opinion paragraph refers to the specific section(s) of this report where such information is disclosed.






(1)  Including for purposes of the Interreg programmes that do not fall under the annual sample for audits of operations to be drawn by the Commission as set out in Article 48 of the ETC Regulation.

(2)  Except for the Interreg programmes that do not fall under the annual sample for audits of operation to be drawn by the Commission as envisaged in Article 48 of the ETC Regulation where the expenditure in the accounts for which reimbursement has been requested could not be checked in the accounting year in question.

(3)  Same remark as in previous footnote.

(4)  These exceptional cases should be related to unforeseeable, external factors outside the remit of the audit authority.






ANNEX XVII



Template for the annual control report — Article 71(3)(b)


1.   Introduction









1.1


Identification of the audit authority and other bodies that have been involved in the preparation of the report.












1.2


Reference period (i.e. the accounting year)












1.3


Audit period (during which the audit work took place).












1.4


Identification of the programme(s) covered by the report and of its/their managing authority/ies. Where the report covers more than one programme or Fund, the information shall be broken down by programme and by Fund, identifying in each Section the information that is specific for the programme and/or the Fund.












1.5


A description of the steps taken to prepare the report and to draw up the corresponding audit opinion. This Section should also cover information on the consistency checks by the audit authority on the management declaration.




Section 1.5 is to be adapted for Interreg programmes in order to describe the steps taken to prepare the report based on the specific rules on audits on operations applicable to Interreg programmes as set out in Article 48 of Regulation EU No [ETC Regulation].

2.   Significant changes in management and control system(s)









2.1


Details of any major changes in the management and control systems related with the managing authority’s responsibilities, in particular with respect to the delegation of functions to intermediate bodies, and confirmation of their compliance with Articles 66 to 70 and 75 based on the audit work carried out by the audit authority.












2.2


Information on the application of enhanced proportionate arrangements pursuant to Articles 77 to 79.





3.   Changes to the audit strategy









3.1


Details of any changes made to the audit strategy and related explanations. In particular, indicate any change to the sampling method used for the audit of operations (see Section 5 below) and whether the strategy was subject to changes due to the application of enhanced proportionate arrangements pursuant to Articles 77 to 79 of the Regulation.












3.2


Section 1 above is to be adapted for Interreg programmes in order to describe changes to the audit strategy based on the specific rules on audits of operations applicable to Interreg programmes as set out in Article 48 of Regulation EU No [ETC Regulation].





4.   System audits (where applicable)

This Section applies for audit authorities that do not apply the enhanced proportionate arrangements for the accounting year in question:








4.1


Details of the bodies (including the audit authority) that have carried out audits on the proper functioning of the management and control system of the programme — hereafter ‘system audits’.












4.2


A description of the basis for the audits carried out, including a reference to the audit strategy applicable and more particularly, to the risk assessment methodology and the results that led to establishing the audit plan for system audits. If the risk assessment has been updated, this should be described in Section 3 above covering the changes in the audit strategy.












4.3


In relation to the table in Section 9.1 below, a description of the main findings and conclusions drawn from system audits, including the audits targeted at specific thematic areas.












4.4


Indications as to whether any irregularities identified were considered to be of a systemic character, details of the measures taken, including a quantification of the irregular expenditure and any related financial corrections made, in accordance with Article 71(3)(b) and 97 of the Regulation.












4.5


Information on the follow up of audit recommendations from system audits from previous accounting years.












4.6


A description of irregularities or deficiencies specific to financial instruments or other types of expenditure or costs covered by particular rules (e.g. State aid, public procurement, simplified cost options, financing not linked to costs), detected during system audits and of the follow up given by the managing authority to remedy these irregularities or deficiencies.












4.7


Level of assurance obtained following the system audits (low/average/high) and a justification.





5.   Audits of operations

Sections 5.1 to 5.10 below are to be adapted for Interreg programmes in order to describe the steps taken to prepare the report based on the specific rules on audits on operations applicable to Interreg programmes as set out in Article 48 of Regulation EU No [ETC Regulation].








5.1


Identification of the bodies (including the audit authority) that carried out the audits of operations (as envisaged in Article 73).












5.2


A description of the sampling methodology applied and information whether the methodology is in accordance with the audit strategy.












5.3


An indication of the parameters used for statistical sampling and an explanation of the underlying calculations and professional judgement applied. The sampling parameters include: materiality level, confidence level, sampling unit, expected error rate, sampling interval, standard deviation, population value, population size, sample size, information on stratification. The underlying calculations for sample selection, total error rate and residual error rate in Section 9.3 below, in a format permitting an understanding of the basic steps taken, in accordance with the specific sampling method used.












5.4


A reconciliation between the amounts included in the accounts, as well as the amounts declared in interim payment applications during the accounting year and the population from which the random sample was drawn (column ‘A’ of table in Section 9.2 below). Reconciling items include negative sampling units where financial corrections have been made.












5.5


Where there are negative items, confirmation that they have been treated as a separate population. Analysis of the principal results of the audits of these units, namely focusing on verifying whether the decisions to apply financial corrections (taken by the Member State or by the Commission) have been registered in the accounts as withdrawals.












5.6


Where a non-statistical sampling method is used, specify the reasons for using the method, the percentage of sampling units covered by audits, the steps taken to ensure randomness of the sample bearing in mind that the sample has to be representative.
In addition, define the steps taken to ensure a sufficient size of the sample, enabling the audit authority to draw up a valid audit opinion. A total (projected) error rate should also be calculated a where non-statistical sampling method has been used.












5.7


Analysis of the main findings of the audits of operations, describing:






(1)


the number of sample items audited, the respective amount;










(2)


the type of error by sampling unit (1),










(3)


the nature of errors found (2)











(4)


the stratum (3) error rate and corresponding serious deficiencies or irregularities the upper limit of the error rate, root causes, corrective measures proposed (including those intending to improve the management and control systems) and the impact on the audit opinion.




Further explanations on the data presented in Sections 9.2 and 9.3 below shall be provided, in particular concerning the total error rate.












5.8


Details of any financial corrections relating to the accounting year and implemented by the managing authority before submitting the accounts to the Commission, and as a consequence of the audits of operations, including flat rate or extrapolated corrections leading to a reduction to 2 % of the residual error rate of the expenditure included in the accounts pursuant to Article 92.












5.9


Comparison of the total error rate and the residual error rate (as shown in Section 9.2 below) with the materiality level of 2 %, in order to ascertain if the population is materially misstated and the impact on the audit opinion.












5.10


Details of whether any irregularities identified were considered to be systemic in nature, and the measures taken, including a quantification of the irregular expenditure and any related financial corrections.












5.11


Information on the follow-up of audits of operations carried out in respect of the common sample for Interreg programmes based on the specific rules on audits on operations applicable to Interreg programmes as set out in Article 48 of Regulation EU No [ETC Regulation].












5.12


Information on the follow-up of audits of operations carried out for previous accounting years, in particular on serious deficiencies of systemic nature.












5.13


A table following the typology of errors that may have been agreed with the Commissions.












5.14


Conclusions drawn from the main findings of the audits of operations with regard to the proper functioning of the management and control system.




Section 5.14 is to be adapted for Interreg programmes in order to describe the steps taken to draw the conclusions based on the specific rules on audits on operations applicable to Interreg programmes as set out in Article 48 of Regulation EU No [ETC Regulation].

6.   Audits of accounts









6.1


Identification of the authorities/bodies that have carried out audits of accounts.












6.2


Description of audit approach used to verify that the accounts are complete, accurate and true. This shall include a reference to the audit work carried out in the context of system audits, audits of operations with relevance for the assurance on the accounts and additional verifications to be carried over the draft accounts before these are sent to the Commission.












6.3


Conclusions drawn from the audits in relation to the completeness, accuracy and veracity of the accounts, including an indication on the corresponding financial corrections made and reflected in the accounts as a follow-up to such conclusions.












6.4


Indication of whether any irregularities identified were considered to be systemic in nature, and of the measures taken.





7.   Other information









7.1


Audit authority’s assessment of the cases of suspicions of fraud detected in the context of their audits (including the cases reported by other national or EU bodies and related to operations audited by the audit authority), together with the measures taken. Information on number of cases, gravity, and the amounts affected, if known.












7.2


Subsequent events occurred after the end of the accounting year and before the transmission of the annual control report to the Commission and considered when establishing the level of assurance and opinion by the audit authority.





8.   Overall level of assurance









8.1


Indication of the overall level of assurance on the proper functioning of the management and control system, and an explanation of how the level was obtained from the combination of the results of the system audits and audits of operations. Where relevant, the audit authority shall take also account of the results of other national or Union audit work carried out.












8.2


Assessment of any mitigating actions not linked to financial corrections that were implemented, financial corrections implemented and an assessment of the need for any additional corrective measures, both from the perspective of improvements of the management and control systems and of the impact on the EU budget.




9.   ANNEXES TO THE ANNUAL CONTROL REPORT
9.1   Results of system audits.





















Audited Entity




Fund (Multi-funds programme)




Title of the audit




Date of the final audit report




Programme: [CCI and Name of Programme]




Overall assessment (category 1, 2, 3, 4)


[as defined in Table 2 — Annex X to the Regulation




Comments






Key requirements (as applicable)


[as defined in Table 1- Annex X to the Regulation






KR 1




KR 2




KR 3




KR 4




KR 5




KR 6




KR 7




KR 8




KR 9




KR 10



 


 





MA



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




























IB(s)



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Accounting Function (if not performed by the MA)



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 





Note: The blank parts in the table above refer to key requirements that are not applicable to the audited entity.




9.2   Results of audits of operations

















Fund




Programme CCI number




Programme title




A




B




C




D




E




F




G




H






Amount in Euros corresponding to the population from which the sample was drawn
 (7)




Expenditure in reference to the accounting year audited for the random sample




Amount of irregular expenditure in random sample




Total error rate
 (8)




Corrections implemented as a result of the total error rate




Residual total error rate


(F = (D * A) – E)




Other expenditure audited
 (9)




Amount of irregular expenditure in other expenditure audited






Amount
 (10)



% (11)





 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 










(1)


As defined in Article 2 (29) of the Regulation










(2)


Random, systemic, anomalous.










(3)


For instance: eligibility, public procurement, State aid.










(4)


The stratum error rate is to be disclosed where stratification was applied, covering sub-populations with similar characteristics such as operations consisting of financial contributions from a programme to financial instruments, high-value items, Funds (in case of multi-Fund programmes).










(5)


Total errors minus corrections referred to in point 5.8 above, divided by the total population.










(6)


The overall level of assurance shall correspond to one of the four categories defined in Table 2 of Annex X to the Regulation
















9.3


Calculations underlying the random sample selection, total error rate and total residual error rate






(1)  Random, systemic, anomalous

(2)  For instance: eligibility, public procurement, State aid

(3)  The stratum error rate is to be disclosed where stratification was applied, covering sub-populations with similar characteristics such as operations consisting of financial contributions from a programme to financial instruments, high-value items, Funds (in case of multi-Fund programmes).

(7)  Column ‘A’ shall refer to the population from which the random sample was drawn, i.e. total amount of eligible expenditure entered into the accounting system of the managing authority/accounting function which has been included in payment applications submitted to the Commission less negative sampling units if any. Where applicable, explanations shall be provided in section 5.4 above.

(8)  The total error rate is calculated before any financial corrections are applied in relation to the audited sample or the population from which the random sample was drawn. Where the random sample covers more than one Fund or programme, the total error rate (calculated) presented in column ‘D’ concerns the whole population. Where stratification is used, further information by stratum shall be provided in section 5.7 above.

(9)  Column ‘G’ shall refer to expenditure audited in the context of a complementary sample.

(10)  Amount of expenditure audited (in case sub-sampling is applied) only the amount of the expenditure items effectively audited, shall be included in this column).

(11)  Percentage of expenditure audited in relation to the population.






ANNEX XVIII



Template for the audit strategy — Article 72


1.   INTRODUCTION







(a)


Identification of the programme(s) (title(s) and CCI(s) numbers (1), Funds and period covered by the audit strategy.










(b)


Identification of the audit authority responsible for drawing up, monitoring and updating the audit strategy and of any other bodies that have contributed to this document.










(c)


Reference to the status of the audit authority (national, regional or local public body) and the body in which it is located.










(d)


Reference to the mission statement, audit charter or national legislation (where applicable) setting out the functions and responsibilities of the audit authority and other bodies carrying out audits under its responsibility.










(e)


Confirmation by the audit authority that the bodies carrying out audits have the requisite functional and organisational independence.





2.   RISK ASSESSMENT







(a)


explanation of the risk assessment method followed; and










(b)


internal procedures for updating the risk assessment.





3.   METHODOLOGY


3.1.   Overview







(a)


Reference to the internationally accepted audit standards that the audit authority will apply for its audit work.










(b)


Information on how the audit authority will obtain its assurance with regard to programmes in the standard management and control system and for programmes with enhanced proportionated arrangements (description of main building blocks — types of audits and their scope).










(c)


Reference to the procedures in place for drawing up the annual control report and audit opinion to be submitted to the Commission in accordance with Articles 71(3) of the Regulation with the necessary exceptions for Interreg programmes based on the specific rules on audits on operations applicable to Interreg programmes as set out in Article 48 of Regulation EU No [ETC Regulation].










(d)


Reference to audit manuals or procedures containing the description of the main steps of the audit work, including the classification treatment of the errors detected in the preparation of the annual control report to be submitted to the Commission in accordance with Article 71(3) of the Regulation.










(e)


For Interreg programmes, reference to specific audit arrangements and explanation on how the audit authority intends to ensure cooperation with the Commission regarding the audits of operations under the common Interreg sample to be drawn by the Commission set out in Article 48 of Regulation EU No [ETC Regulation].










(f)


For Interreg programmes, when additional audit work may be required as set out in Article 48 of Regulation EU No [ETC Regulation] (reference to specific audit arrangements in that respect and to the follow up of that additional audit work).





3.2.   Audits on the proper functioning of management and control systems (system audits)

Identification of the bodies/structures to be audited, as well as the relevant key requirements in the context of system audits. The list should include any bodies that have been appointed in the last twelve months.
Where applicable, reference to the audit body on which the audit authority relies to perform these audits.
Indication of any system audits targeted at specific thematic areas or bodies, such as:






(a)


quality and quantity of the administrative and on-the-spot management verifications in respect of public procurement rules, State aid rules, environmental requirements and other applicable law;










(b)


quality of project selection and of management verifications at the level of the managing authority or intermediate body;










(c)


set-up and implementation of financial instruments at the level of the bodies implementing financial instruments;










(d)


functioning and security of electronic systems, and their interoperability with the electronic data exchange system of the Commission.










(e)


reliability of data related to targets and milestones and on the progress of the programme in achieving its objectives provided by the managing authority.










(f)


financial corrections (deductions from the accounts);










(g)


implementation of effective and proportionate anti-fraud measures underpinned by a fraud risk assessment.





3.3.   Audits of operations other than for Interreg programmes







(a)


Description of (or reference to internal document specifying) the sampling methodology to be used in line with Article 73 of the Regulation (and other specific procedures in place for audits of operations, namely related to the classification and treatment of the errors detected, including suspected fraud).










(b)


A separate description should be proposed for years when the Member States chooses to apply the enhanced proportionate system for one or more programmes as set out in Article 77 of the Regulation.





3.4.   Audits of operations for Interreg programmes







(a)


Description of (or reference to internal document specifying) the treatment of findings and errors to be used in line with Article 48 of Regulation EU No [ETC Regulation] and other specific procedures in place for audits of operations, namely related to the common Interreg sample to be drawn up by the Commission each year.










(b)


A separate description should be proposed for years when the common sample for audits of operations for Interreg programmes does not include operations or sampling units from of the programme in question.
In this case, there should be a description of the sampling methodology to be used by the audit authority and other specific procedures in place for audits of operations, namely related to the classification and treatment of the errors detected, etc.





3.5.   Audits of the accounts

Description of the audit approach for audits of accounts.

3.6.   Verification of the management declaration

Reference to the internal procedures setting out the work involved in the verification of the management declaration as drawn up by the managing authority, for purposes of the audit opinion.

4.   AUDIT WORK PLANNED







(a)


Description and justification of the audit priorities and objectives in relation to the current accounting year and the two subsequent accounting years, together with an explanation of the linkage of the risk assessment results to the audit work planned.










(b)


An indicative schedule of audit assignments in relation to the current accounting year and the two subsequent accounting years for system audits (including audits targeted to specific thematic areas), as follows:













Authorities/Bodies or specific thematic areas to be audited




CCI




Programme Title




Body responsible for auditing




Result of risk assessment




20xx


Audit objective and scope




20xx


Audit objective and scope




20xx


Audit objective and scope





 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 









5.   RESOURCES







(a)


Organisation chart of the audit authority.










(b)


Indication of planned resources to be allocated in relation to the current accounting year and the two subsequent accounting years (including information on any foreseen outsourcing and its scope, where appropriate).






(1)  Indicate the programmes covered by a common management and control system, in case a single audit strategy is prepared for several programmes






ANNEX XIX



Template for payment applications — Article 85(3)


PAYMENT APPLICATION


EUROPEAN COMMISSION








Fund concerned
 (1):



<type="S" input="S" >
 (2)






Commission reference (CCI):




<type="S" input="S">






Name of programme:




<type="S" input="G">






Commission Decision:




<type="S" input="G">






Date Commission Decision:




<type="D" input="G">






Payment application number:




<type="N" input="G">






Date of submission of the payment application:




<type="D" input="G">






National reference (optional):




<type="S" maxlength="250" input="M">





According to Article 85 of Regulation (EU) No 2018/yyyy [CPR], this payment application refers to the accounting year:








From (3)




<type="D" input="G">



until:



<type="D" input="G">









Expenditure broken down by priority and category of regions as entered into the accounts of the body carrying out the accounting function

(Including programme contributions paid to financial instruments (Article 86 of the Regulation)









Priority


Calculation basis (public or total) (4)



Total amount of eligible expenditure incurred by beneficiaries and paid in implementing operations in the meaning of Article 85(3)(a) and 85(4)


Amount for technical assistance in the meaning of Article 85(3)(b)


Total amount of public contribution paid or to be paid in the meaning of Article 85(3)(c))




(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)






Priority 1




 


 


 


 




Less developed regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Transition regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





More developed regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Outermost regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Northern sparsely
populated regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">







Priority 2




 


 


 


 




Less developed regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Transition regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





More developed regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Outermost regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Northern sparsely
populated regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">







Priority 3




 


 


 


 




Less developed regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Transition regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





More developed regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Outermost regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Northern sparsely
populated regions



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">







Grand Total




 



<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">









OR


Expenditure broken down by specific objective as entered into the accounts of the managing authority

Applicable for AMIF/ISF and BMVI Funds only








Specific Objective


Calculation basis (public or total)


Total amount of eligible expenditure incurred by beneficiaries and paid in implementing operations


Total amount of public expenditure incurred in implementing operations




(A)


(B)


(C)






Specific objective 1




 


 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Type of actions no 4 [Reference to Article 14 and 15 of AMIF Regulation]



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">






Specific objective 2



 


 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">






Specific objective 3



 


 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">







Grand Total




 



<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">





The template is automatically adjusted on the basis of the CCI No. As an example, in case of programmes not including categories of regions (the Cohesion Fund, ETC, EMFF if applicable) or in case of programmes not modulating co-financing rates within a priority (specific objective), the table shall look as follows:









Priority


Calculation basis (public
or total) (‘)
(A)


Total amount of eligible expenditure incurred by beneficiaries and paid in implementing operations in the meaning of Article 85(3)(a) and 85(4)
(B)


Amount for technical assistance in the meaning of Article 85(3)(b)
(C)


Total amount of public contribution paid or to be paid in the meaning of Article 85(3)(c)
(Do(C)





Priority 1




<type="S"input="C">




<type="Cu"input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">






Priority 2




<type="S"input="C">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">






Priority 3




<type="S"input="C">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">







Grand Total




 



<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">





DECLARATION
By validating this payment application the accounting function/managing authority requests the payment of the amounts as mentioned below.






Representing the body responsible for the accounting function:
Or
Representing the managing authority responsible for the accounting function:



<type="S" input="G">





PAYMENT APPLICATION









FUND


Less developed regions


Transition regions


More developed regions


Outermost regions and Northern sparsely populated regions




(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)





<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">



 



<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">





The template is automatically adjusted on the basis of the CCI No. As an example, in case of programmes not including categories of regions (Cohesion Fund, ETC, EMFF if applicable) or in case of programmes not modulating co-financing rates within a priority (specific objective), the table shall look as follows:

Or

Applicable for AMIF/ISF and BMVI Funds only







Fund


 


Amounts





<type="S" input="G">



Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="G">





 


Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="G">





 


Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="G">





 


Type of actions no 4 [Reference to Article 14 and 15 of AMIF Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="G">














FUND


AMOUNT





<type="S" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">





The payment will be made on the following bank account:






Designated body



<type="S" maxlength="150" input="G">





Bank



<type="S" maxlength="150" input="G">





BIC



<type="S" maxlength="11" input="G">





Bank account IBAN



<type="S" maxlength="34" input="G">





Holder of account (where not the same as the designated body)



<type="S" maxlength="150" input="G">







(1)  If a programme concerns more than one fund, a payment application should be sent separately for each fund.

(2)  Legends:
type: N=Number, D=Date, S=String, C=Checkbox, P=Percentage, B=Boolean, Cu=Currency
input: M=Manual, S=Selection, G=Generated by system

(3)  First day of the accounting year, automatically encoded by the electronic system.

(4)  For the EMFF the co-financing applies only on ‘Total eligible public expenditure’. Therefore, in case of EMFF, the calculation base in this template will automatically be adjusted to ‘Public’.





Appendix: Information on programme contributions paid to financial instruments as referred to in Article 86 of the Regulation and included in the payment applications (cumulative from the start of the programme)










 


Amount included in the first payment application and paid to the financial instrument in accordance with Article 86 (max [25 %] of the total amount of programme contributions committed to [the] financial instrument[s] under the relevant funding agreement)


Corresponding cleared amount as referred to in Article 86(3) (1)





(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)




Priority


Total amount of programme contributions paid to financial instruments


Amount of corresponding public contribution


Total amount of programme contributions effectively paid, or, in the case of guarantees, committed, as eligible expenditure in the meaning of Article 86


Amount of corresponding public contribution






Priority 1




 


 


 


 




Less developed regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Transition regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





More developed regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Outermost regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Northern sparsely
populated regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">







Priority 2





<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Less developed regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Transition regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





More developed regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Outermost regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Northern sparsely
populated regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">







Priority 3





<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Less developed regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Transition regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





More developed regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Outermost regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





Northern sparsely
populated regions



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">







Grand Total





<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">





The template is automatically adjusted on the basis of the CCI No. As an example, in case of programmes not including categories of regions (Cohesion Fund, ETC, EMFF if applicable) or in case of programmes not modulating co-financing rates within a priority (specific objective), the table shall look as follows









 


Amount included in the first payment application and paid to the financial instrument in accordance with Article 86 (max [25 %] of the total amount of programme contributions committed to [the] financial instrument[s] under the relevant funding agreement)


Corresponding cleared amount as referred to in Article 86(3) (2)





(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)




Priority


Total amount of programme contributions paid to financial instruments


Amount of corresponding public contribution


Total amount of programme contributions effectively paid, or, in the case of guarantees, committed, as eligible expenditure in the meaning of Article 86


Amount of corresponding public contribution






Priority 1




 


 


 


 






Priority 2





<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">







Priority 3





<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">





 


 


 


 


 






Grand Total





<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">







Or


Applicable for AMIF/ISF and BMVI Funds only









 


Amount included in the first payment application and paid to the financial instrument in accordance with Article 86 (max [25 %] of the total amount of programme contributions committed to [the] financial instrument[s] under the relevant funding agreement)


Corresponding cleared amount as referred to in Article 86(3) (3)





(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)




 


Total amount of programme contributions paid to financial instruments


Amount of corresponding public contribution


Total amount of programme contributions effectively paid, or, in the case of guarantees, committed, as eligible expenditure in the meaning of Article 86


Amount of corresponding public contribution






Specific objective 1




 


 


 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">






Specific objective 2



 


 


 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">






Specific objective 3



 


 


 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">







Grand Total





<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">







(1)  This amount shall not be included in the payment application.

(2)  This amount shall not be included in the payment application.

(3)  This amount shall not be included in the payment application.







ANNEX XX



Template for the accounts — Article 92(1)(a)


ACCOUNTS FOR ACCOUNTING YEAR







<type=‘D’ – type=‘D’ input=‘S’>






EUROPEAN COMMISSION








Fund concerned
 (1):



<type=‘S’ input=‘S’ >
 (2)






Commission reference (CCI):




<type=‘S’ input=‘S’>






Name of programme:




<type=‘S’ input=‘G’>






Commission Decision:




<type=‘S’ input=‘G’>






Date of Commission Decision:




<type=‘D’ input=‘G’>






Version of the accounts:




<type=‘S’ input=‘G’>






Date of submission of the accounts:




<type=‘D’ input=‘G’>






National reference (optional):




<type=‘S’ maxlength=‘250’ input=‘M’>





DECLARATION
The managing authority responsible for the programme hereby confirms that:






1)


the accounts are complete accurate and true and that the expenditure entered into the accounts complies with applicable law and is legal and regular;










2)


the provisions in the Fund-specific Regulations, Article 63(5) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No [Financial Regulation] and in points, (a) to (e) of Article 68 of the Regulation are respected;










3)


the provisions in Article 76 with regard to the availability of documents are respected.










Representing the managing authority:



<type=‘S’ input=‘G’>







(1)  If a programme concerns more than one fund, accounts should be sent separately for each fund.

(2)  Legends:
type: N=Number, D=Date, S=String, C=Checkbox, P=Percentage, B=Boolean, Cu=Currency
input: M=Manual, S=Selection, G=Generated by system





Appendix 1: Amounts entered into the accounting systems of the accounting function/managing authority









Priority


Total amount of eligible expenditure entered into the accounting systems of the body carrying out the accounting function which has been included in payment applications for the accounting year in the meaning of Article 92(3)(a)
(A)


The amount for technical assistance in the meaning of Article 85 (3)(b)
(B)


Total amount of the corresponding public contribution paid or to be paid in the meaning of Article 92(3)(a)
(C)





Priority 1



 


 


 





Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Transition regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Outermost regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Priority 2



 


 


 





Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Transition regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Outermost regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Priority 3



 


 


 





Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Transition regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Outermost regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Priority 4



 


 


 




 


 


 


 





Totals



 


 


 





Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Transition regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Outermost regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>







Grand Total





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Or

Applicable for AMIF/ISF and BMVI Funds only







Specific objective


Total amount of eligible expenditure entered into the accounting systems of the managing authority and which has been included in the payment applications submitted to the Commission
(A)


Total amount of the corresponding public expenditure incurred in implementing operations
(B)






Specific objective 1




 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 4 [Reference to Article 14 and 15 of AMIF Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>







Specific objective 2




 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





The template is automatically adjusted on the basis of the CCI No. As an example, in case of programmes not including categories of regions (Cohesion Fund, ETC, EMFF, if applicable) or in case of programmes not modulating co-financing rates within a priority (specific objective), the table shall look as follows:








Priority


Total amount of eligible expenditure entered into the accounting systems of the body carrying out the accounting function which has been included in payment applications for the accounting year in the meaning of Article 92(3)(a)
(A)


The amount for technical assistance in the meaning of Article 85 (3)(b)
(B)


Total amount of the corresponding public contribution paid or to be paid in the meaning of Article 92(3)(a)
(C)





Priority 1




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>



 



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Priority 2




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>



 



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Priority 3




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>



 



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>







Grand Total





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>



 



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>











Appendix 2: Amounts withdrawn during the accounting year








Priority


WITHDRAWALS




 


Total eligible amount of expenditure included in interim payment applications


Corresponding public contribution




 



(A)




(B)






Priority 1



 


 





Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Transition regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Outermost regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Priority 2



 


 





Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Transition reigons




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Outermost regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Priority 3



 


 





Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Transition regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Outermost regions



 


 





Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Priority 4



 


 




 


 


 





Totals



 


 





Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Transition regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Outermost regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>







GRAND TOTAL





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Split of amounts withdrawn during the accounting year by accounting year of declaration of the corresponding expenditure





In relation to accounting year ending 30 June XX … (total)



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





In particular, out of which amounts corrected as a result of audits of operations



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





In relation to accounting year ending 30 June … (total)



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





In particular, out of which amounts corrected as a result of audits of operations



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





The template is automatically adjusted on the basis of the CCI No. As an example, in case of programmes not including categories of regions (Cohesion Fund, ETC, EMFF, if applicable) or in case of programmes not modulating co-financing rates within a priority (specific objective), the table shall look as follows:







Priority


WITHDRAWALS




 


Total eligible amount of expenditure included in payment applications


Corresponding public contribution




 



(A)




(B)






Priority 1




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Priority 2




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Priority 3




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>







GRAND TOTAL





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Split of amounts withdrawn during the accounting year by accounting year of declaration of the corresponding expenditure





In relation to accounting year ending 30 June XX … (total)



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





In particular, out of which amounts corrected as a result of audits of operations



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





In relation to accounting year ending 30 June … (total)



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





In particular, out of which amounts corrected as a result of audits of operations



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Or

Applicable for AMIF/ISF and BMVI Funds only







Specific objective


WITHDRAWALS




 


Total eligible amount of expenditure included in payment applications


Corresponding public expenditure




 



(A)




(B)







Specific objective 1




 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 4 [Reference to Article 14 and 15 of AMIF Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>







Specific objective 2




 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Specific objective 3



 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Totals



 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>





Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>





Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>





Type of actions no 4 [Reference to Article 14 and 15 of AMIF Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>







GRAND TOTAL





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Split of amounts withdrawn during the accounting year by accounting year of declaration of the corresponding expenditure





In relation to accounting year ending 30 June … (total)



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





In particular, out of which amounts corrected as a result of audits of operations



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





In relation to accounting year ending 30 June … (total)



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





In particular, out of which amounts corrected as a result of audits of operations



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>











Appendix 2: Amounts of programme contributions paid to financial instruments (cumulative from the start of the programme) — Article 86










 


Amount included in the first payment application and paid to the financial instrument in accordance with Article 86 (max [25 %] of the total amount of programme contributions committed to [the] financial instrument[s] under the relevant funding agreement)


Corresponding cleared amount as referred to in Article 86(3) (1)





(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)




Priority


Total amount of programme contributions paid to financial instruments


Amount of corresponding public contribution


Total amount of programme contributions effectively paid, or, in the case of guarantees, committed, as eligible expenditure in the meaning of Article 86


Amount of corresponding public contribution






Priority 1




 


 


 


 





Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Transition regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Outermost regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>







Priority 2





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Transition regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Outermost regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>







Priority 3





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Transition regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Outermost regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>







Priority 4




 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 






Totals




 


 


 


 





Less developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Transition regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






More developed regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Outermost regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>






Northern sparsely populated regions




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>







Grand Total





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>





The template is automatically adjusted on the basis of the CCI No. As an example, in case of programmes not including categories of regions (Cohesion Fund, ETC, EMFF, if applicable) or in case of programmes not modulating co-financing rates within a priority (specific objective), the table shall look as follows:









 


Amount included in the first payment application and paid to the financial instrument in accordance with Article 86 (max [25 %] of the total amount of programme contributions committed to [the] financial instrument[s] under the relevant funding agreement)


Corresponding cleared amount as referred to in Article 86(3) (2)





(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)




Priority


Total amount of programme contributions paid to financial instruments


Amount of corresponding public contribution


Total amount of programme contributions effectively paid, or, in the case of guarantees, committed, as eligible expenditure in the meaning of Article 86


Amount of corresponding public contribution






Priority 1





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>







Priority 2





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>







Priority 3





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>





 


 


 


 


 






Grand Total





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>







Or


Applicable for AMIF/ISF and BMVI Funds only









 


Amount included in the first payment application and paid to the financial instrument in accordance with Article 86 (max [25 %] of the total amount of programme contributions committed to [the] financial instrument[s] under the relevant funding agreement)


Corresponding cleared amount as referred to in Article 86(3) (3)





(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)




 


Total amount of programme contributions paid to financial instruments


Amount of corresponding public contribution


Total amount of programme contributions effectively paid, or, in the case of guarantees, committed, as eligible expenditure in the meaning of Article 86


Amount of corresponding public contribution






Specific objective 1




 


 


 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Specific objective 2



 


 


 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>






Specific objective 3



 


 


 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘M’>







Grand Total





<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>




<type=‘Cu’ input=‘G’>







(1)  This amount shall not be included in payment applications

(2)  This amount shall not be included in payment applications

(3)  This amount shall not be included in the payment application.






Appendix 4: Reconciliation of expenditure — Article 92













Priority



Total eligible expenditure included in payment application

s

submitted to the Commission




Expenditure declared in accordance with Article 92 of the Regulation




Difference




Comments (obligatory in case of difference)





Total amount of eligible expenditure incurred by beneficiaries and paid in implementing operations


Total amount of public contribution paid or to be paid in implementing operations


Total amount of eligible expenditure entered into the accounting systems of the accounting function and which has been included in payment applications submitted to the Commission


Total amount of the corresponding contribution made or to be made in implementing operations


(E=A-C)


(F=B-D)


 





(A)




(B)




(C)




(D)




(E)




(F)




(G)






Priority 1



 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Less developed regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Transition regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





More developed regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Outermost regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Northern sparsely populated regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Priority 2



 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Less developed regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Transition regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





More developed regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Outermost regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Northern sparsely populated regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Priority 3



 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Totals



 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Less developed regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


 





Transition regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


 





More developed regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


 





Outermost regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


 





Northern sparsely populated regions



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Grand Total



<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


<type="Cu" input="G">


 




Out of which amounts corrected in the current accounts as a result of audits according


<type="Cu" input="M">


<type="Cu" input="M">


 




Or
Applicable for AMIF/ISF and BMVI Funds only












Specific Objective



Total eligible expenditure included in payment application

s

submitted to the Commission




Expenditure declared in accordance with Article 92 of the Regulation




Difference




Comments (obligatory in case of difference)





Total amount of eligible expenditure incurred by beneficiaries and paid in implementing operations


Total amount of public contribution paid or to be paid in implementing operations


Total amount of eligible expenditure entered into the accounting systems of the accounting function and which has been included in payment applications submitted to the Commission


Total amount of the corresponding contribution made or to be made in implementing operations


(E=A-C)


Total amount of eligible expenditure incurred by beneficiaries and paid in implementing operations


Total amount of public contribution paid or to be paid in implementing operations





(A)




(B)




(C)




(D)




(E)




(A)




(B)






Specific objective 1



 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Type of actions no 4 [Reference to Article 14 and 15 of AMIF Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">






Specific objective 2



 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Type of actions no 1 [Reference to Article 8(1) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Type of actions no 2 [Reference to Article 8(2) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





Type of actions no 3 [Reference to Article 8(3) and 8(4) of AMIF/ISF/BMVI Regulation]



<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





ect


 


 


 


 


 


 


 






Grand Total





<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">



 




Out of which amounts corrected in the current accounts as a result of audits according



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">



 




The template is automatically adjusted on the basis of the CCI No. As an example, in case of programmes not including categories of regions (Cohesion Fund, ETC, EMFF, if applicable) or in case of programmes not modulating co-financing rates within a priority (specific objective), the table shall look as follows:












Priority



Total eligible expenditure included in payment application

s

submitted to the Commission




Expenditure declared in accordance with Article XX of the Regulation




Difference




Comments (obligatory in case of difference)





Total amount of eligible expenditure incurred by beneficiaries and paid in implementing operations


Total amount of public contribution paid or to be paid in implementing operations


Total amount of eligible expenditure entered into the accounting systems of the accounting function and which has been included in interim payment applications submitted to the Commission


Total amount of the corresponding contribution made or to be made in implementing operations


(E=A-C)


(F=B-D)


 





(A)




(B)




(C)




(D)




(E)




(F)




(G)






Priority 1




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">






Priority 2




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="S" maxlength="500" input="M">





 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 






Grand Total





<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">




<type="Cu" input="G">



 




Out of which amounts corrected in the current accounts as a result of audits



<type="Cu" input="M">




<type="Cu" input="M">



 











ANNEX XXI



Determination of the level of financial corrections: flat-rate and extrapolated financial corrections — Article 98(1)


Elements for applying an extrapolated correction

Where extrapolated financial corrections are to be applied, the results of the examination of the representative sample are extrapolated to the rest of the population from which the sample was drawn for purposes of determining the financial correction.

Elements for consideration when applying a flat rate correction







(a)


gravity of the serious deficiency(-ies) in the context of the management and control system as a whole;










(b)


the frequency and extent of the serious deficiency(-ies);










(c)


the degree of financial prejudice to the Union budget.





The level of flat rate financial correction is determined as follows:







(a)


where the serious deficiency(-ies) is so fundamental, frequent or widespread that it represents a complete failure of the system that puts at risk the legality and regularity of all expenditure concerned, a flat rate of 100 % is applied;










(b)


where the serious deficiency(-ies) is so frequent and widespread that it represents an extremely serious failure of the system that puts at risk the legality and regularity of a very high proportion of the expenditure concerned, a flat rate of 25 % is applied;










(c)


where the serious deficiency(-ies) is due to the system not fully functioning or functioning so poorly or so infrequently that it puts at risk the legality and regularity of a high proportion of the expenditure concerned, a flat rate of 10 % is applied;










(d)


where the serious deficiency(-ies) is due to the system not functioning consistently so that it puts at risk the legality and regularity of a significant proportion of the expenditure concerned, a flat rate of 5 % is applied.




Where, due to a failure of the responsible authorities to take corrective measures following the application of a financial correction in an accounting year, the same serious deficiency (-ies) is identified in a subsequent accounting year, the rate of correction may, due to the persistence of the serious deficiency(-ies) be increased to a level not exceeding that of the next higher category.






ANNEX XXII



Methodology on the allocation of global resources per Member State — Article 103(2)


Allocation method for the less developed regions eligible under the Investment for jobs and growth goal — Article 102(2)(a)









1.


Each Member State’s allocation shall be the sum of the allocations for its individual eligible regions, calculated in accordance with the following steps:






a)


determination of an absolute amount per year (in EUR) obtained by multiplying the population of the region concerned by the difference between that region’s GDP per capita, measured in PPS, and the EU-27 average GDP per capita (in PPS);










b)


application of a percentage to the above absolute amount in order to determine that region’s financial envelope; this percentage shall be graduated to reflect the relative prosperity, measured in PPS, as compared to the EU-27 average, of the Member State in which the eligible region is situated, i.e.:






i.


for regions in Member States whose level of GNI per capita is below 82 % of the EU-27 average: 2,8 %;










ii.


for regions in Member States whose level of GNI per capita is between 82 % and 99 % of the EU-27 average: 1,3 %;










iii.


for regions in Member States whose level of GNI per capita is over 99 % of the EU-27 average: 0,9 %;














c)


to the amount obtained in accordance with point (b) is added, if applicable, an amount resulting from the allocation of a premium of EUR 500 per unemployed person per year, applied to the number of persons unemployed in that region exceeding the number that would be unemployed if the average unemployment rate of all the less developed regions applied;










d)


to the amount obtained in accordance with point (c) is added, if applicable, an amount resulting from the allocation of a premium of EUR 500 per young unemployed person (age group 15-24) per year, applied to the number of young persons unemployed in that region exceeding the number that would be unemployed if the average youth unemployment rate of all less developed regions applied;










e)


to the amount obtained in accordance with point (d) is added, if applicable, an amount resulting from the allocation of a premium of EUR 250 per person (age group 25-64) per year, applied to the number of persons in that region that would need to be subtracted in order to reach the average level of low education rate (less than primary, primary and lower secondary education) of all less developed regions;










f)


to the amount obtained in accordance with point (e) is added, if applicable, an amount of EUR 1 per tonne of CO2 equivalent per year applied to the population share of the region of the number of tonnes of CO2 equivalent by which the Member State exceeds the target of greenhouse gas emissions outside the emissions trading scheme set for 2030 as proposed by the Commission in 2016;










g)


to the amount obtained in accordance with point (f) is added, an amount resulting from the allocation of a premium of EUR 400 per person per year, applied to the population share of the region of net migration from outside the EU to the Member State since 1 January 2013.









Allocation method for transition regions eligible under the Investment for jobs and growth goal — Article 102(2)(b)









2.


Each Member State’s allocation shall be the sum of the allocations for its individual eligible regions, calculated in accordance with the following steps:






a)


determination of the minimum and maximum theoretical aid intensity for each eligible transition region. The minimum level of support is determined by the initial average per capita aid intensity of all more developed regions, i.e. EUR 18 per head and per year. The maximum level of support refers to a theoretical region with a GDP per head of 75 % of the EU-27 average and is calculated using the method defined in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 1. Of the amount obtained by this method, 60 % is taken into account;










b)


calculation of initial regional allocations, taking into account regional GDP per capita (in PPS) through a linear interpolation of the region's relative GDP per capita compared to EU-27;










c)


to the amount obtained in accordance with point (b) is added, if applicable, an amount resulting from the allocation of a premium of EUR 500 per unemployed person per year, applied to the number of persons unemployed in that region exceeding the number that would be unemployed if the average unemployment rate of all the less developed regions applied;










d)


to the amount obtained in accordance with point (c) is added, if applicable, an amount resulting from the allocation of a premium of EUR 500 per young unemployed person (age group 15-24) per year, applied to the number of young persons unemployed in that region exceeding the number that would be unemployed if the average youth unemployment rate of all less developed regions applied;










e)


to the amount obtained in accordance with point (d) is added, if applicable, an amount resulting from the allocation of a premium of EUR 250 per person (age group 25-64) per year, applied to the number of persons in that region that would need to be subtracted in order to reach the average level of low education rate (less than primary, primary and lower secondary education) of all less developed regions;










f)


to the amount obtained in accordance with point (e) is added, if applicable, an amount of EUR 1 per tonne of CO2 equivalent per year applied to the population share of the region of the number of tonnes of CO2 equivalent by which the Member State exceeds the target of greenhouse gas emissions outside the emissions trading scheme set for 2030 as proposed by the Commission in 2016;










g)


to the amount obtained in accordance with point (f) is added, an amount resulting from the allocation of a premium of EUR 400 per person per year, applied to the population share of the region of net migration from outside the EU to the Member State since 1 January 2013.









Allocation method for the more developed regions eligible under the Investment for jobs and growth goal — Article 102(2)(c)









3.


The total initial theoretical financial envelope shall be obtained by multiplying an aid intensity per head and per year of EUR 18 by the eligible population.












4.


The share of each Member State concerned shall be the sum of the shares of its eligible regions, which are determined on the basis of the following criteria, weighted as indicated:






a)


total regional population (weighting 20 %);










b)


number of unemployed people in NUTS level 2 regions with an unemployment rate above the average of all more developed regions (weighting 15 %);










c)


employment to be added to reach the average employment rate (ages 20 to 64) of all more developed regions (weighting 20 %);










d)


number of persons aged 30 to 34 with tertiary educational attainment to be added to reach the average tertiary educational attainment rate (ages 30 to 34) of all more developed regions (weighting 20 %);










e)


number of early leavers from education and training (aged 18 to 24) to be subtracted to reach the average rate of early leavers from education and training (aged 18 to 24) of all more developed regions (weighting 15 %);










f)


difference between the observed GDP of the region (measured in PPS), and the theoretical regional GDP if the region were to have the same GDP per head as the most prosperous NUTS level 2 region (weighting 7,5 %);










g)


population of NUTS level 3 regions with a population density below 12,5 inhabitants/km2 (weighting 2,5 %).
















5.


To the amounts by NUTS level 2 region obtained in accordance with point (4) is added, if applicable, an amount of EUR 1 per tonne of CO2 equivalent per year applied to the population share of the region of the number of tonnes of CO2 equivalent by which the Member State exceeds the target of greenhouse gas emissions outside the emissions trading scheme set for 2030 as proposed by the Commission in 2016.












6.


To the amounts by NUTS level 2 region obtained in accordance with point (5) is added, an amount resulting from the allocation of a premium of EUR 400 per person per year, applied to the population share of the region of net migration from outside the EU to the Member State since 1 January 2013.





Allocation method for the Member States eligible for the Cohesion Fund — Article 102(3)









7.


The financial envelope shall be obtained by multiplying the average aid intensity per head and per year of EUR 62,9 by the eligible population. Each eligible Member State’s allocation of this theoretical financial envelope corresponds to a percentage based on its population, surface area and national prosperity, and shall be obtained by applying the following steps:






a)


calculation of the arithmetical average of that Member State’s population and surface area shares of the total population and surface area of all the eligible Member States. If, however, a Member State’s share of total population exceeds its share of total surface area by a factor of five or more, reflecting an extremely high population density, only the share of total population will be used for this step;










b)


adjustment of the percentage figures so obtained by a coefficient representing one third of the percentage by which that Member State’s GNI per capita (measured in purchasing power parities) for the period 2014-2016 exceeds or falls below the average GNI per capita of all the eligible Member States (average expressed as 100 %).




For each eligible Member State, the share of the Cohesion Fund shall not be higher than one third of the total allocation minus the allocation for the European territorial development goal after the application of paragraphs 10 to 16. This adjustment will proportionally increase all other transfers resulting from paragraphs 1 to 6.





Allocation method for the European territorial cooperation goal — Article 9









8.


The allocation of resources by Member State, covering cross-border, transnational and outermost regions’ cooperation is determined as the weighted sum of the shares determined on the basis of the following criteria, weighted as indicated:






a)


total population of all NUTS level 3 land border regions and of other NUTS level 3 regions of which at least half of the regional population lives within 25 kilometres of the land border (weighting 36 %);










b)


population living within 25 kilometres of the land borders (weighting 24 %);










c)


total population of the Member States (weighting 20 %);










d)


total population of all NUTS level 3 regions along border coastlines and of other NUTS level 3 regions of which at least half of the regional population lives within 25 kilometres of the border coastlines. (weighting 9,8 %);










e)


population living in the maritime border areas within 25 kilometres of the border coastlines (weighting 6,5 %);










f)


total population of outermost regions (weighting 3,7 %).




The share of the cross-border component corresponds to the sum of the weights of criteria (a) and (b). The share of the transnational component corresponds to the sum of weights of criteria (c), (d) and (e). The share of the outermost regions' cooperation corresponds to the weight of criterion (f).





Allocation method for the additional funding for the outermost regions identified in Article 349 TFEU and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession — Article 104(1)(e)









9.


An additional special allocation corresponding to an aid intensity of EUR 30 per inhabitant per year will be allocated to the outermost NUTS level 2 regions and the northern sparsely populated NUTS level 2 regions. That allocation will be distributed per region and Member State in a manner proportional to the total population of those regions.





Minimum and maximum levels of transfers from the funds supporting economic, social and territorial cohesion









10.


In order to contribute to achieving adequate concentration of cohesion funding on the least developed regions and Member States and to the reduction of disparities in average per capita aid intensities, the maximum level of transfer (capping) from the Funds to each individual Member State will be determined as a percentage of the GDP of the Member State, whereby these percentages will be as follows:






a)


for Member States whose average GNI per capita (in PPS) is under 60 % of the EU-27 average: 2,3 % of their GDP










b)


for Member States whose average GNI per capita (in PPS) is equal to or above 60 % and below 65 % of the EU-27 average: 1,85 % of their GDP










c)


for Member States whose average GNI per capita (in PPS) is equal to or above 65 % of the EU-27 average: 1,55 % of their GDP.
The capping will be applied on an annual basis, and will — if applicable — proportionally reduce all transfers (except for the more developed regions and European territorial cooperation goal) to the Member State concerned in order to obtain the maximum level of transfer.
















11.


The rules described in paragraph 10 shall not result in allocations per Member State higher than 108 % of their level in real terms for the 2014-2020 programming period. This adjustment shall be applied proportionately to all transfers (except for the European territorial development goal) to the Member State concerned in order to obtain the maximum level of transfer.












12.


The minimum total allocation from the Funds for a Member State shall correspond to 76 % of its individual 2014-2020 total allocation. The adjustments needed to fulfil this requirement shall be applied proportionally to the allocations from the Funds, excluding the allocations under the European territorial cooperation goal.












13.


The maximum total allocation from the Funds for a Member State having a GNI per capita (in PPS) of at least 120 % of the EU-27 average shall correspond to its individual 2014-2020 total allocation. The adjustments needed to fulfil this requirement shall be applied proportionally to the allocations from the Funds, excluding the allocation under the European territorial cooperation goal.





Additional provisions









14.


For all regions that were classified as less developed regions for the 2014-2020 programming period, but whose GDP per capita is above 75 % of the EU-27 average, the minimum yearly level of support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal will correspond to 60 % of their former indicative average annual allocation under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, calculated by the Commission within the multiannual financial framework 2014-2020.












15.


No transition region shall receive less than what it would have received if it had been a more developed region.












16.


A total of EUR 60 000 000 will be allocated for the PEACE PLUS programme where it is acting in support of peace and reconciliation. In addition, at least EUR 60 000 000 shall be allocated for the PEACE PLUS programme from the allocation for Ireland under the European Territorial Cooperation goal (INTERREG) for the continuation of North-South cross border co-operation.





The application of paragraphs 1 to 16 will result in Member State allocations as follows:








 


2018 prices


Current prices




BE


2 443 732 247 


2 754 198 305 




BG


8 929 511 492 


10 081 635 710 




CZ


17 848 116 938 


20 115 646 252 




DK


573 517 899 


646 380 972 




DE


15 688 212 843 


17 681 335 291 




EE


2 914 906 456 


3 285 233 245 




IE


1 087 980 532 


1 226 203 951 




EL


19 239 335 692 


21 696 841 512 




ES


34 004 950 482 


38 325 138 562 




FR


16 022 440 880 


18 058 025 615 




HR


8 767 737 011 


9 888 093 817 




IT


38 564 071 866 


43 463 477 430 




CY


877 368 784 


988 834 854 




LV


4 262 268 627 


4 812 229 539 




LT


5 642 442 504 


6 359 291 448 




LU


64 879 682 


73 122 377 




HU


17 933 628 471 


20 247 570 927 




MT


596 961 418 


672 802 893 




NL


1 441 843 260 


1 625 023 473 




AT


1 279 708 248 


1 442 289 880 




PL


64 396 905 118 


72 724 130 923 




PT


21 171 877 482 


23 861 676 803 




RO


27 203 590 880 


30 765 592 532 




SI


3 073 103 392 


3 463 528 447 




SK


11 779 580 537 


13 304 565 383 




FI


1 604 638 379 


1 808 501 037 




SE


2 141 077 508 


2 413 092 535