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Unification and Simplification of European Structural and Investment Funds Management

Daina Belicka


The beginning of the programming period 2014-2020 is a good time to share best practice of European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds implementation systems, as new Operational Programmes (OPs) are being drafted and current implementation systems reviewed. Significant changes to ESI Funds management can be made once every seven years before the start of the new programming period. Potential changes to strengthen simplification and unification include the number of OPs planned by the Member States, number and roles of institutions involved in ESI Funds management, and the use of IT systems by Member States institutions and final beneficiaries. These changes may have an important impact on the efficient management of ESI Funds and reduce the administrative burden. Unification and simplification can be pursued and achieved at both the European Commission and Member State level; however, Member States are playing a more decisive role, as they are responsible for the implementation of OPs supported by adequate management structures. In this context, the timing is one of the most important factors: Although many Member States are currently concentrating on the approval of their OPs, changes to the implementation system should be made simultaneously, because it is important that new practices, guidelines and IT systems are applied from the first funding applications received so as to provide a consistent approach throughout the entire programming period.

Daina Belicka is EY Partner, EY EU Account Advisory Leader and EU Account Coordinator for Central and Southern Europe. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official opinion of the company.

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