EU: Programi podrške

U novoj epizodi razgovaramo sa Richardom Mašom, Rukovodiocem sektora za operacije u Delegaciji Evropske unije u Srbiji. Gospodin Maša, sa preko 20 godina iskustva u evropskim integracijama, otkriva:

– Kako funkcionišu EU grantovi i ko može da im pristupi?

– Na koje projekte se sredstva najčešće usmeravaju?

– Kakva je razlika između različitih EU fondova?

Epizoda pod nazivom “EU: Programi podrške“ biće dostupna 22.decembra na našoj Patreon stranici, a od 25. decembra 2024. na YouTube kanalu i striming platformama, a šta vas očekuje u epizodi pogledajte u nastavku teksta.

• Često se u svakodnevnom razgovoru govori o različitim grantovima koji dolaze kao podrška razvoju određene opštine, ili grada ili prosto kao podrška razvoju određenog preduzetničkog poduhvata. Od kada se zapravo pojavljuju ovi vidovi grantova i pomoći od strane EU? /In everyday conversation, we often talk about various grants that come as support for the development of a certain municipality or city or simply as support for the development of a certain entrepreneurial venture. When do these types of grants, aid, and support exist?

Grants, financial assistance and support from international bodies like the European Union (EU) have existed for several decades, with roots in post-World War II economic recovery initiatives. However, modern structured grant programs like those offered by the EU have been formalized since the early 1990s, coinciding with the EU’s expansion and commitment to fostering development across member states and candidate countries. Specifically, EU funding through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) began in 2007 for countries in the Western Balkans, like Serbia. The IPA is designed to help countries implement reforms and prepare for eventual EU membership, building on the earlier CARDS (Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development, and Stabilization) program that was active from 2000 to 2006.

These grants and aid programs aim to bridge development gaps and support governance, infrastructure, and economic growth while promoting democratic reforms and human rights. For Serbia, this assistance has played a crucial role in modernizing sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, environment, and governance.

• Ko sve može upravljati sredstvima koja su finansirana iz EU? / Who can manage the funds financed from the EU?

The management of EU funds is a structured process, governed by both the European Commission and the recipient country’s government. In Serbia, the Ministry of European Integration and specific line ministries oversee the process of coordination, management and distribution of EU funds. If the funds are managed indirectly through the Serbian government, they are responsible for implementing projects following EU standards, including transparency, accountability, and efficient use of resources. Public institutions, municipalities, and agencies may also be tasked with managing and executing specific projects funded by the EU.

Moreover, projects often require management with international agencies or member state agencies to ensure that funds are utilized effectively and that the desired outcomes are achieved. These managing bodies must adhere to strict auditing and reporting requirements, ensuring that all financial resources are allocated as intended and in line with the EU’s broader development goals.

• Ko sve može aplicirati za ovaj vid sredstava?  / Who can apply for this type of funding?

As you can see from the previous answer, there is a wide array of possible beneficiaries of the support provided by the EU, and this depends on the type of programme. IPA funds are typically used to support national and local governments, but there are programes specifically designed for civil society (such as the Civil Society facility), SMEs and entrepreneurs (such as the guarantee facilities under the EFSD+); agricultural producers (IPARD); students and researchers (Horison, Erasmus). We organized in September a full week of promotion of our programmes, called “Opportunity Week”, and divided the week of events by category of possible beneficiaries or users of the programs. We plan on organizing this event on an annual basis, but in the meantime,  I invite all listeners to check out the platform https://eumogucnosti.rs/?lang=en where all the opportunities that the EU offers are presented. 

• Koji je obuhvat projekata gde EU komisija deli odgovornost sa nacionalnim autoritetima? / What is the scope of projects where the EU Commission shares responsibility with national authorities?

Indirect management through the beneficiary country, which we discussed above (IMBC) is the preferred method of implementation for works contracts because of the legal risks. From 2024 onwards Serbia will be implementing multiannual Operational Programmes under IMBC, whereas before IMBC was used in the context of annual programmes. The Operational Programmes are large-scale support that mirrors cohesion funds and will be implemented in the areas of Window 3(environment and energy) and Window 4 (social and human capital development, such as employment, housing and social protection programs). The responsible ministries, coordinated by the Ministry of European Integration, will implement the programmes. 

• Kakva je razlika između sredstava koja se dobijaju iz kohezionih fondova i fondova evropskog regionalnog razvoja? / What is the difference between funds obtained from cohesion funds and European regional development funds?

Cohesion Policy is the EU’s main investment policy. Cohesion Policy targets all regions and cities in the European Union to support job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth, sustainable development, and improvements to citizens’ quality of life. To reach these goals and address the diverse development needs in all EU regions, € 392 billion – almost a third of the total EU budget – has been set aside for Cohesion Policy for the period 2021-2027.

Cohesion Policy pursues two main goals, namely the Investment for jobs and growth goal in Member States and regions, and the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg).

Cohesion Policy is delivered through specific funds, all governed by one regulation (“common provisions regulation”) from 2021 as well as by specific rules applicable to each Fund:

• The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), invests in the social and economic development of all EU regions and cities. It is designed to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union. It aims to do this by correcting imbalances between regions enabling investments in a smarter, greener, more connected and more social Europe that is closer to its citizens. The CPR stipulates that the European territorial cooperation goal is supported by the ERDF.
  • The Cohesion Fund (CF), to invest in environment and trans-European networks in the area of transport infrastructure in the less prosperous EU countries. For the 2021-2027 period, the Cohesion Fund concerns 15 countries only: Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
  • The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), to support jobs and create a fair and socially inclusive society in EU countries.
  • The Just Transition Fund (JTF) to support the regions most affected by the transition towards climate neutrality. It alleviates the socio-economic costs triggered by the climate transition. It supports the economic diversification and reconversion of the territories concerned and helps people to adapt to a changing labour market.

The Investment for jobs and growth goal is supported by all four funds.

The bulk of Cohesion Policy funding is concentrated on less developed European countries and regions to help them catch up and reduce the economic, social and territorial disparities that still exist within the EU. Under the ERDF, based on their prosperity, all regions and Member States will concentrate the support on a more competitive and smarter Europe (Policy Objective – PO 1), as well as greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe (PO2), through the mechanism known as ‘thematic concentration’.

All regions and Member States (MSs) will concentrate at least 30% of their allocation to PO 2 and:

• More developed regions or MSs will dedicate at least 85% of their allocation to PO1 and PO2;
  • Transition regions or MSs at least 40% to PO1;
  • Less developed regions or MSs at least 25% to PO1.

All regions and Member States will also concentrate at least 8% of their allocation on urban development which will be delivered through local development partnerships with different tools. Operations under the ERDF are also expected to contribute 30 % of the overall finance to climate objectives. Under the Cohesion Fund, 37% of the overall financial allocation of the Cohesion Fund is expected to contribute to climate objectives.