Recommendations

The list of recommendations is as follows:

Programmes and logic of intervention for inclusive growth

9.2.1.

1. Given that inclusive growth issues are relevant but not a priority in ERDF OPs, it is recommended to concentrate resources on a small number of investment priorities related to inclusive growth, with a well-defined and robust logic of intervention.

2. A good intervention logic should ensure that the funds deployed and the actions put in place address the identified needs in the most relevant way. Based on the analysis it emerges that countries, regions and local authorities need to improve the identification of needs and challenges in their territories as regard to Inclusive growth. Likewise, actions need to follow the needs consistently.

3. Following the logic of a better alignment between needs and actions the identified investments should be tailored made to the particular territory characteristics.

4. The principle of concentration turns to be a factor that limits the alignment between needs and actions related to Inclusive growth. The thematic concentration on TOs 1,2, 3 and 4 limits the possibility to invest in TOs 8,9 and 10. In order to address inclusive growth issues, in compliance with the concentration principle, it is recommended to address inclusive growth also through actions under TOs 1, 2 and 3. These thematic objectives can offer for example possible rooms for exploiting the potential of ICT to enhance accessibility to public services for vulnerable groups.

5. Countries, regions and local authorities should also improve their ability to monitor and to qualitatively and quantitatively measure the achievement of their targets in the Inclusive growth area. In the next programming period an obligation to indicate in the OPs the results indicators should be included in the regulation.

Territorial strategy for inclusive growth

9.2.2.

6. The territorial instruments ITI, which allows the combination of funding, and CLLD, which includes local actors, have been applied only to a limited extent because these instruments require a complex procedure to be set. It is therefore suggested to reduce the red tape associated with the application of these instruments and to provide training and technical assistance instruments for local actors for the implementation of these instruments. 7. The analysis has revealed that the implementation of the SUD strategies

seems more relevant than other territorial instruments for programming inclusive growth actions. It is therefore recommended - especially for the EU 15 - to strengthen the development of urban development strategies linked to inclusive growth.

Application of the relevant horizontal principles

9.2.3.

8. The analysis highlights that ERDF stakeholders are facing some challenges in the full application of the horizontal principles. It is suggested to provide support to Managing Authorities on how to implement relevant horizontal principles in the preparation of the calls, project selection, and control and monitoring in all the Thematic Objectives and Investment Priorities covered by ERDF and ESF.

9. There is need to build institutional capacities to promote equal opportunities and non-discrimination under ERDF by supporting Managing Authorities and intermediate bodies in the preparation of programmes and calls especially at regional level through: the use of Technical Assistance, the development of guidance tools, the exchange of knowledge and practices and the promotion of awareness raising measures on the importance of mainstreaming the horizontal principles in all the ERDF intervention fields for inclusive growth. 10.Technical assistance should also be provided to ERDF beneficiaries on how to

enhance and improve the application of the horizontal principles in projects’ implementation throughout the project life cycle.

11.At the same time, Managing Authorities and other involved bodies should implement specific mechanism for ensuring compliance of all programmes and projects with the horizontal principles.

12.Organisations representing the relevant discriminated groups should be more involved in the programmes’ design and implementation, in order to guarantee a better alignment between the implemented actions and the needs of the discriminated groups.

13.Ex ante conditionalities on the horizontal principles and the coordination with national strategies is important and should be kept also in the coming programming period. Nonetheless, some safeguards should be put in place when there is lack of commitment towards the implementation of measures addressing forms of discrimination where prejudices are still strong, as in the case of ethnic minorities such as Roma.

Analysis of ERDF support for inclusive growth in the 2014-2020 programming period

Questionnaire – EC country desk officers (ESF)

Programming and negotiation of inclusive growth

9.2.4.

14.The implementation of provisions related to certain elements of health, education and Roma inclusion was perceived as being the most difficult. Therefore, it is recommended to strengthen the support of the Commission to MA regarding the alignment between the programme interventions and the national specific prioritization and strategies in these areas. Moreover, a detailed needs assessment on the ground is necessary including demographic data, possible stratification of population and epidemiological analysis. To do such a need assessment the national capacities should be increased.

15.ERDF investments should be combined with ESF interventions in order to exploit synergies and maximise the ERDF added value for example in the fields of education, training and urban development strategies. Synergies however shall be promoted and sustained, for example by ensuring a stricter dialogue and alignment between EMPL and REGIO on the support of multi- fund OPs as well as facilitating the combined use of funds. It is recommended to develop guidance, knowledge sharing and peer learning actions on how to best address the complementarity of ERDF and ESF in programming but also programme implementation (e.g. harmonising calls and deadlines, selection and implementation of projects that rely on funding from parallel ERDF/ESF calls, monitoring of projects, etc.).

16.In the programming and negotiation process, a more constructive interaction between the Commission and the MAs is recommended. In particular the former shall adopt a less formalistic approach to programmes requirements. MAs, on the other side, shall develop a strategic framework and aligning it with the programmes.

17.In some cases, guidance fiches are too dense or too extended or not aligned with the programming time. Therefore, the Commission should simplify the guidance language and improve the time alignment between the issuance of the guidance and the start of the programming period.

18.Partnership consultations should be thoroughly prepared and accompanied, where needed, by a briefing of social partners.

10.

ANNEX