Danube Region Network Meeting of Managing Authorities (ERDF+CF)

The 2nd meeting of ERDF/CF managing authorities in the Danube Region will focus on recent developments in the EUSDR embedding process, the results of the surveys conducted among ERDF/CF managing authorities and EUSDR National Coordinators, an update on the programming processes by the participants and the introduction of the concept for the monitoring of EUSDR embedding.

Background information

The overall objective of macro-regional strategies is to pool resources and bring national approaches into a more coherent macro-level implementation in order to tackle common challenges. This should lead to visible results and in the long-term contribute to more economic, social and territorial cohesion.

The relevant references of the 2020+ legislative package recognise the necessity to include macro-regional priorities in the planning and programming documents from the very beginning, and to identify challenges with macro-regional relevance.

This requires upgrading the level of coordination among countries, notably among national/regional authorities responsible for ESIF, IPA and NDICI planning and programming.

The preparation phase of the 2021-2027 programming period offers a unique opportunity for all EU programmes to address territorial challenges more strategically, through more coordinated and synergized actions stressing the European added value of funding, and encourage a dialogue between those involved in the programming process and the MRS. This embedding exercise is equally relevant for Cohesion Policy Funds in EU Member States as for EU programmes in non-EU countries (essentially IPA and NDICI – former ENI).

The EUSDR “embedding tool” was elaborated based on a screening of available funding instruments. In this matrix, for each action and strategic topic possible funding instruments are suggested. The possible financing instruments refer to the Policy Objectives (PO) and Specific Objectives/intervention fields (EU-MS), IPA III Thematic priorities for assistance and NDICI Areas of cooperation for the geographic programmes & Areas of intervention for thematic programmes (non-EU). The tool supports the implementation of strategic topics with the highest EU added value in line with the priorities set for the next financing period.

More information on the embedding process and available tools can be found here.