Seminar :

«Promotion of Regional Collaboration between Greece and the Czech Republic for the efficient

use of European Structural Funds»

Structural Funds - The Greek Experience “Administrative Skills at a Regional Level”

Introducer:

Georgios D. Tsiotras

Secretary General Region of Central Macedonia

The region constitutes: The region constitutes: - - Driving force of developmentDriving force of development

- An agent strengthening the cohesion within EU- An agent strengthening the cohesion within EU

Regional Policy in the EU.Regional Policy in the EU.

The Role & Importance of the RegionsThe Role & Importance of the Regions in Democratic programming in Democratic programming in the implementation of the Principle of Subsidiarity & Decentralizationin the implementation of the Principle of Subsidiarity & Decentralization in the Balanced National Developmentin the Balanced National Development

In view of a New Institutional Framework for the Reorganization of the Regions and for the Administrative Structure of the Country

Reinforced Role for the Regions :

though the enlargement of the E.U through the introduction of the 4th Programming Period [2007-2013] (direct negotiation with the EU)

Central Goal Socioeconomic convergence

Regional Policy in the EU.Regional Policy in the EU.

Combination of Centralized European Policies on the basis of:

the particularities of each member state

the needs of each local society Rational exploitation of available resources, mainly aiming at:

improving the conditions of life in every region of the country

eliminating the isolation, exclusion and inequality phenomena in order to improve the everyday life of citizens

Anthropocentric character of actions & policies

Regional StructureRegional StructureGreece consists of 13 Regions :

East Macedonia & Thrace Central Macedonia

West Macedonia

Epirus Thessaly

Ionian Islands

West Greece

Sterea Ellada

Peloponnese

Attica

North Aegean

South Aegean

Crete

Existing Operation (L 2503/1997):

Region = a decentralized administration unit

Transfer of authorities & resources from the Central Administration

Independence of internal organization, staffing & financial management

Regional StructureRegional Structure The Region:

• Disposes of its own personnel.

•Disposes of its own budget.

• Disposes of mechanisms to manage regional project credits

• Assists the Government in the configuration & implementation of a regional policy.

• Brings the Administration closer to the citizen and his problems

The Secretary General of each Region is a representative of the Government, responsible for the execution of governmental policy

in his or her Region.

Regional StructureRegional StructureSecretary General of Region

Secretary General’s Office Legal / Judicial Office

Department of Emergency Political Planning (DEPP)

General Directorate of the Region

Directorate of Political Protection

7. Forests

8. Agricultural Development

9. Local Authorities & Decentralization

10. Administration

11.Urban Condition - Aliens & Emigration

1. Planning and Development

2. Public Health & Welfare

3. Public Works

4. Control of Construction Works

5. Control of Maintenance Works

6. Environment & Town-planning

Directorates:

Basic levels of operation for the Regions (L. 2503/97):

1. democratic programming & coordination of the policies announced by the State and the Local Authorities

2. control of the legitimacy & effectiveness of the Local Authorities Organizations policy

Democratic ProgrammingDemocratic Programming

Regional Council =

Collective Instrument :

Regional Administration meets Local Authorities

Programmatic composition of views & proposals made by the Local

Authorities Organizations & social entities

ROP Guidelines : Align with the general developmental EU

guidelines & with national choices Adapt to the needs of each Region & to the

local society needs Are always aiming at improving the everyday

life of the civilian

33rdrd Community Support Framework – ROP Community Support Framework – ROP

Highlighting the metropolitan role of Thessaloniki and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.

Protecting the environment.

Reducing inequalities within the same region.

Central Macedonia ROP Actions : Promoting Agricultural development.

Reducing unemployment and promoting equal opportunities in knowledge and skills.

Developing mountainous areas, disadvantageous regions & internal zones.

Management of R.O.P.

Implementation of procedures for the integration of Actions

Project monitoring

Control of Actions & Final Beneficiaries

Special Management Service of R.O.P.Special Management Service of R.O.P.Secretary General

of Region

Head of Management Service

UNIT A: Programming

and Evaluation

UNIT B: Management and

Monitoring

UNIT C: Control

UNIT D: Organization and Support

Intermediate Evaluation

Preparation of the Annual & Final Program Execution Report

Publicity of the Program

Competencies of the Special Management Service :

Technical Secretariat INTERREG

For the monitoring of the 3rd CSF implementation and the rational execution of the Regional Operational Program,

Monitoring Committees were created =

Collective Instrument

Monitoring Committee of R.O.P.Monitoring Committee of R.O.P.

Competencies:

Regional Operational Program Monitoring.

Complement to Programming

Criteria for the integration of Actions

Approval of the Annual and Final Report regarding the execution of the Operational Program

Progress evaluation/ adjustment proposal

                 

Procedures and Criteria for the Integration Procedures and Criteria for the Integration of Actions in R.O.P. of Actions in R.O.P.

1st Step: Invitation to the Final Beneficiaries for the submittal of proposals

2nd Step: Submittal of Proposals & Technical Newsletters of the Project

3rd Step: Proposal Evaluation

4th Step: Coordination procedure

5th Step: Integration / Rejection

Within the 4th CSF it is necessary to review the regulative and managing regulations aiming to:

The increase of the effectiveness the reduction of its complexity.

44thth Programming Period 2007 - 2013 (4 Programming Period 2007 - 2013 (4 thth CSF) CSF)

New Structural Regional Policy:

Specification of the structural inabilities

Preparation of a long-term developmental strategy

(SWOT analysis)

Avoidance of excessive concentration for a balanced long-term

development

Reinforcement of the administrative ability to plan and implement

developmental programs

General principles for the organization of the Strategic Development Plan:

1. Instruments for the preparation

of the Development Plan Coordination and Policy Definition

Committee Preparation team Planning per Region

2. Preparation Contents and Phases :

A. Development Prospect Localization

B. Program Planning

E.U. Financing

Direct to decentralized regional structures

Dialogue of Regions with local

developmental bodies for planning actions

and directions

44thth Programming Period 2007 - 2013 (4 Programming Period 2007 - 2013 (4 thth CSF) CSF)

The main development priorities for Greek Regions are reflected in the following points:

1. Εnhancement of Competitiveness

2. Improvement of accessibility and services of general financial interest

3. Environmental Upgrading and Protection and Prevention of Danger

4. Human resource development and promotion of employment

5. Improvement of the administrative capacity in public administration

6. Reinforcement of cross border, cross country and cross regional collaboration

7. Tourism

8. Agricultural Development

44thth Programming Period 2007 - 2013 (4 Programming Period 2007 - 2013 (4 thth CSF) CSF)

New member states in E.U. = reinforcement of collaboration = two-way benefits.

European Enlargement & the Role of RegionsEuropean Enlargement & the Role of Regions

Presence of Greek businesses i.e. in Rumania & Bulgaria = advanced party of European know-how & attitude

INTERREG = pre-existing experience of cross countries – cross- regional agreements for actions and investments (long lasting

inactivity of economic and financial bodies & state)

Role of Regional Administration =Essential and critic for the approximation of the countries & local societies, under the umbrella

of E.U. Equal partners of E.U.: development of collaboration methods for common projects and actions for the parallel development of areas

Exploitation of natural & human resources

Adoption of the best practices