As part of a study on the use of technical assistance (TA) in the Cohesion Policy framework, which was published on Friday 25 September, the European Commission has suggested that Member States should strengthen administrative resources for the next European budget cycle, while broadening the scope of expenditure beyond the wage burden.
Technical assistance aims to help stakeholders implement programmes and projects under the Cohesion Policy (ERDF, ESF and CF). Financial support may be used to finance activities related to preparation, management, evaluation, monitoring, audit and control. The cost cap is set at 4%.
Based on an in-depth study of the use of TA between 2014 and 2020, the authors recommend that, in order to maximise the impact of TA, administrative resources should be strengthened alongside a redirection of staff salary expenditures to other posts.
In respect of the institution, there is a need to develop a “broader” strategy for funding learning and training in order to ensure that it has the skills to implement the programmes. The European Commission advises the development of a roadmap starting from the geographical situation, so that administrative capacity can be strengthened.
Furthermore, the institution is of the opinion that technical assistance should be used at all stages and levels of implementing both programmes and projects. In fact, according to the institution, the assistance is already used to support intermediary bodies as well as national coordinating bodies and managing authorities; it does not, however, always extend to implementing bodies, executing agents and beneficiaries at base level. The Commission therefore suggests setting up operational mechanisms based on broad referrals so that action plans can be put in place.
Along with other recommendations, the study promotes the idea of developing a culture of learning and reforming administrative governance.
For more information, go to: https://bit.ly/2G8y1wO (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)