Information & Publicity of structural funds: The challenge of conforming to I&P rules and the importance of web based tools Angelika IOANNIDES Head of Programming & Communication Management Organisation Unit Greece aioannidou@mou.gr 2010 Annual Conference on Technical Assistance March 25th, 2010 JW Marriott Grand Hotel, Bucharest, Romania
Contents 1. The Management Organisation Unit 2. MOU tools in Information & Publicity 3. I&P binding obligations for beneficiaries and how to enhance their communication capacity 4. The importance of web based tools 5. Greek websites and lessons learnt
Who are we? The Management Organisation Unit (MOU) is a government agency under the Greek Ministry of Economy, Competitiveness & Shipping. Established by a joint decision of the European Commission and the Greek Government Purpose: strengthen the administrative and management capacity of implementing bodies by meeting specific needs in: highly specialised human resources know-how modern infrastructures and information systems The MOU is the single largest beneficiary of the Greek OP Technical Assistance
Our contribution in the Information & Publicity field We assist the Greek National Coordination Authority (Information & Publicity Unit) and the OP Managing Authorities in the implementation of I&P measures: We implement web based tools providing information on structural funds and funding opportunities We train information officers in MA s and beneficiaries in the field of I&P (traditional and e-learning courses) We provide guidelines and tools We participate in the National Information & Publicity Network and the Commission s INFORM network
I&P obligations: the challenge of getting the message across to Beneficiaries Beneficiaries and project implementers have a binding obligation to publicise the Structural Fund contribution to their activities. However they: often ignore their I&P regulatory obligations lack the resources, skills and experience to design and implement their own publicity measures Beneficiaries must become aware that non-compliance with I&P regulatory obligations can result in heavy penalties!!
How to enhance the publicity and communication capacity of beneficiaries Communicate early and clearly with grant holders about their I&P obligations. Good idea: brochure with rules Give guidelines and examples per information tool Provide easy access to official logos Use the OP website as a forum for beneficiaries, exchange of best practices Provide help desk for I&P and training opportunities
The importance of web based tools in I&P Information is at the heart of Structural Funds Programming: Applicants and beneficiaries need guidance to submit good quality projects and to implement their projects in line with regulatory obligations Web based tools are by far the most important information tools, offering: general information to a broad spectrum of users exhaustive / detailed operational information to those actively involved in structural funds programming access to EU-funded programmes
Web tools created by MOU NSRF Portal www.espa.gr State aid Information System www.ependyseis.gr Best practices website www.hellaskps.gr/bestpractices
NSRF Portal www.espa.gr
About www.espa.gr The official greek site containing all information about NSRF Site features: Simple search for funding opportunities from all OPs Efficient search engine News Database Newsletter Enquiries via e-mail Electronic Library Area for restricted users RSS Feed function for all sections English pages Constantly updated by dedicated project team Look & Feel : Contemporary, user-friendly, attractive to the public
The unique feature of www.espa.gr: Easy access to all NSRF funding opportunities Search for possible grants is simple & user-friendly. Key search options refining results. One single platform for funding opportunities from all OPs for: Individuals/Businesses: Financial support, employment, social support, education/ training Institutions (e.g. ministries, municipalities, public companies, NGOS): infrastructure works, human resources development, etc Every call for proposal is presented in short format containing all important data: OP, Title, Beneficiaries, Short Description, Geographic Region, Budget, Deadline of Application, Contact Data, Official Call, Accompanying Documents.
NSRF Portal Regional OPs pages
Fisheries Gender Equality
State Aids Information System www.ependyseis.gr
About www.ependyseis.gr Information system for co-financed subsidies to enterprises delivered by the Ministry of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Basic objective: simplify management system and procedures for submission of applications by candidate investors Customer oriented, providing one-stop services from application to final payment Flagship e-government project. Ensures transparency and cost benefit efficiencies in governmental operations. Combats bureaucracy between departments and decreases delays MOU provides all technical support, runs the help desk and generates advanced reports based on the Business Intelligence System. 126.000 investment proposals submitted on-line for schemes supporting new enterpreneurs and SMEs as well as incentives under the investments law. 92.000 active users
The unique feature of www.ependyseis.gr: On-line submission and approval Innovative characteristic: electronic submission of proposals using 100% web technologies. On-line application, assessment, control, contracts, money-flow control Interoperability. All parties involved use the same information system, and share a common data base, which serves different needs The candidate enterprise can submit the proposal, request changes, get print-outs and reports The implementing bodies evaluate, issue contracts automatically, file reports, submit monitoring bulletins, issue payment orders etc The Ministry of Economy oversees the whole programme
About Best Practices www.hellaskps.gr/bestpractices Database with quality projects and positive results generated under the Structural Funds & Cohesion Fund 2000 2006 Objective: promote successful initiatives to serve as examples to implementing bodies Methodology and criteria for selecting best practices Presented to the Regional Development Committee of the European Parliament in July 2008 Existing data base: 65 projects (35 ERDF, 23 ESF, 2 Cohesion Fund, 6 EAGGF & Fisheries)
BEST PRACTICES IN GREECE http://www.hellaskps.gr/bestpractices/index_en.asp
Project details Contact details Description of project Photos, Why images is it a etc best practice?
Lessons learnt Introduce such tools at the beginning of the programming period Design the tools in-depth Ensure central coordination Set up a dedicated Task Force Ensure accurate & timely info Simplify language Follow web usability guidelines Combine web tools with human support And always remember: Good communication is not about giving out information blindly, but making sure that it is received and has the desired results.
Mult'umesc aioannidou@mou.gr