Management of Structural Funds
The Austrian Approach
Belgrade, June 23, 2011
Markus Gruber
Convelop
Research, Development and Consultancy
Innovation & Regional Policy
Organisational Development
Focus: Structural Funds
First Strategic Report for Austria on the Implementation
of EU-Cohesion Policy 2007-2013
Drawing a balance: Structural Funds in AUT 1995-2007
S. 2
www.convelop.at
Institutional Framework in Austria
Federal State – Planning at 3 levels:
Federal level
Bundesländer (9)
Communities (2.357)
8.2 Mio. Inhabitants
Structural Funds 2007-2013
National Strategic Reference Framework – STRAT.AT
25 Operational Programs: - 1.46 Bill. Euro SF
A fairly good reputation & good absorption rates, good organised
S. 3
www.convelop.at
Four points to be highlighted
1. Division between strategic and operativ tasks
-- > Agencification
2. Balance between formalization and informal
coordination
3. Active management of project pipeline /
implementation
4. Focus on communication (horizontal, vertical)
-- > ÖROK, STRAT.ATplus
S. 4
www.convelop.at
Four points to be highlighted
1. Division between strategic and operativ tasks
-- > Agencification
S. 5
www.convelop.at
Political evel:
Objectives, Strategies
Managing authorities
(governmental departement)
Public Agencies
(intermediate bodies)
Project selection based on
support schemes &
selection criteria
S. 6
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Political level is responsible for
Objectives, overall strategy and
financial framework
Approval of OP at
national/regional level
MA: Overall responsibility for
programme preparation and
implementation (governmental
departements)
Managing authorities enter into
a contract with Public Agencies
for implementation of OP at
measure level
Political evel:
Objectives, Strategies
Managing authorities
(governmental departement)
Public Agencies
(intermediate bodies)
Project selection based on
support schemes &
selection criteria
S. 7
www.convelop.at
Public Agencies are responsible for OP
implementation at measure level
Federal (selection):
Austrian Agency for Research Promotion
Austrian economic promotiona agency
Communal Public Consulting
Länder:
e.g. Styrian economic promotion agency
Agency are autonomous & independent in
project decisions
Project selection is based on
committed support schemes and criteria
(national + SF)
Agencies are supervised by
Committees/Boards
Agencies are working for national policy
implementation (federal & regional level)
and Structural Funds
Agencification
Reduces political influence on operative level / project
decisions etc.
Funding decisions are based on aggreed support schemes and
criteria which are linked to the OP
Final approval of projects decisions  boards of the Agencies
(often economic and social partners are included)
Agencies are controlled internally, by boards and by courts of
Auditors + evaluated
Important: Agencies are responsible for implementation of
both: national policy instruments and Structural Funds
measures – No parallel SF-Structure is established
S. 8
www.convelop.at
Four points to be highlighted
1. Division between strategic and operativ tasks
-- > Agencification
2. Balance between formalization and informal
coordination
S. 9
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Balance between formalization and
informal coordination
Contracts between MA & Public
Agencies
Certifying and Audit authority
(Federal Chancellery)
Rules on eligible costs
Common ERDF data monitoring
system (ATMOS)
Monitoring committees
S. 10
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ÖROK
coordination
platform &
joint secretariat
for MCs
ÖROK: coordination platform
ÖROK
coordination
platform &
joint secretariat
for MCs
S. 11
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Formal and informal structures –
not only for SF implementation
European
Commission
Managing Authorities
(federal or Länder)
Certifying and
Audit Authorities
(federal level)
Joint Monitoring
Intermediate
Bodies
(Agencies
federal
or Länder)
S. 12
Intermediate
Bodies
(Agendcies
federal
or Länder)
Formal responsibilities
ÖROK
Intermediate
Bodies
(Agencies
federal
or Länder)
Informal cooperation network:
crucial for success
Source: BKA, ÖROK
www.convelop.at
Four points to be highlighted
1. Division between strategic and operativ tasks
-- > Agencification
2. Balance between formalization and informal
coordination
3. Active management of project pipeline/
implementation
S. 13
www.convelop.at
Active management of project pipeline at the
ground
Political level:
Objectives, Strategies
Managing authorities
Public Agencies
Project selection
Pro-active
Project
development
S. 14
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companies
Regional Management:
Project development and
co-ordination at „subregional“ level
R&D
municipalities
organisations
Four points to be highlighted
1. Division between strategic and operativ tasks
-- > Agencification
2. Balance between formalization and informal
coordination
3. Active management of project pipeline/
implementation
4. Focus on communication (horizontal, vertical)
-- > ÖROK, STRAT.ATplus
S. 15
www.convelop.at
“STRAT.ATplus Monitoring Process”
S. 16
www.convelop.at
Four points to be highlighted
1. Division of tasks between strategic and
operativ tasks -- > Agencification
2. balanced system between formal rules and
informal coordination
3. Active management of project pipeline at the
ground
Pro active project development
Regional level: Organisations for project stimulation &
development
S. 17
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4. Focus on communication -- > ÖROK,
STRAT.ATplus
Task
Programmes
Coordination
Level
EC DG Regio
Political level:
Objectives,
Strategies
strategic
programme
ÖROK
Joint Secretariat
For MCs
Incl. economic and
social partners
Managing
Authorities
Agencies
(intermediate bodies)
Project selection based on
measure
support schemes &
selection criteria
Monitoring &
financial control
NGO, economic and
social partners
Certifying and
Audit authority
(Federal Chancellery)
Joint ERDFMonitoring
Monitoring committee
incl. NGO, economic
and social partners
National:
court of auditors
S. 18
project
www.convelop.at
companies
R&D
municipalities
organisations
Task
Programmes
Coordination
Level
EC DG Regio
Political level:
Objectives,
Strategies
strategic
programme
ÖROK
Joint Secretariat
For MCs
Incl. economic and
social partners
Managing
Authorities
Agencies
(intermediate bodies)
Project selection based on
measure
support schemes &
selection criteria
Monitoring &
financial control
NGO, economic and
social partners
Certifying and
Audit authority
(Federal Chancellery)
Joint ERDFMonitoring
Monitoring committee
incl. NGO, economic
and social partners
National:
court of auditors
S. 19
project
www.convelop.at
companies
R&D
municipalities
organisations
Markus Gruber
convelop cooperative knowledge design gmbh
A-8010 Graz, Bürgergasse 8-10/I
Telefon +43 (0) 316 720813-17
Fax
+43 (0) 316 720813-20
www.convelop.at
Markus.Gruber@convelop.at