ANNUAL BERLIN CONFERENCE: EU Funds 2021-2027: Key challenges for: ERDF, CF, ESF+, JTF, RRF, Interreg and EAFRD implementation

You’ll develop advanced skills in negotiating and implementing EU Funds, understanding new tools and AI integration, grasping the Just Transition Mechanism, handling irregularities and fraud, monitoring enabling conditions, evaluating plans, adapting to State Aid changes, implementing simplified cost options, and comprehending public procurement amendments in EU Funds.

Price from €1299

Regular -> 1399 EUR (excl. VAT)
Early booking -> 1299 EUR (excl. VAT) – no later than one month prior the event
Group offer -> 1199 EUR (excl. VAT) – minimum 4 people per institution

Overview

What are the key differences between negotiations and ongoing implementation in ERDF, CF, ESF+, RRF, EAFRD? What new ideas and tools are being introduced in EU Funds management? How is Artificial Intelligence impacting the future of EU Funds? What are the three fundamental pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism? How are irregularities, frauds, and conflicts of interest managed in EU Funds 2021-2027?

What will you learn?

Annual Berlin Conference will cover the following issues:

Conclusions from negotiations versus ongoing implementation: ERDF, CF, ESF+, RRF, EAFRD;
New ideas and tools (STEP initiative, grants under conditions, territorial approach etc.);
Artificial Intelligence in EU Funds – inevitable future
Just Transition Mechanism – three fundamental pillars of transformation;
Irregularities, frauds and conflict of interest in EU Funds 2021-2027;
Enabling Conditions – rules for ongoing monitoring;
Evaluation rules and plans – key factors;
State Aid in 2021-2027 – planned modifications;
Simplified Cost Options – practical implementation;
Public procurement in EU Funds – main amendments and novelties;
Lessons learned and real case studies 2021-2024: ERDF, CF, ESF+, RRF, EAFRD
Key novelty → Programming 2027+ (the future is around the corner)

Who is this course for?

Public officials and other experts dealing with the implementation, management, certification and control of all EU Funds, especially from:

Managing Authorities
Intermediate Bodies
Certifying Authorities
Audit Authorities
Beneficiaries of EU Funds
National and Investment Banks
Regional Governments and Development Agencies
International, national and local associations and networks
Other stakeholders dealing with implementation, management and control of EU Funds

Programme

->	* Wednesday, 19th Jun 2024
	* Something extra for early arrivals and adventure hunters to get together in Berlin
17:00	Walking tour to discover unknown Berlin – Episode I
18:00	Euro 2024 fan zone: 🇩🇪 Germany vs 🇭🇺 Hungary
21:00	Euro 2024 fan zone: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland vs 🇨🇭 Switzerland

->	Thursday, 20th Jun 2024
8:30-9:00	Registration and Welcome Coffee
9:00-9:15	Introduction and starting quiz: how to get Master of Funds Administration (MFA)
9:15-10:30	Warming up horizontal session – implementation of EU Funds 2021-2027 in practice: Complementarity of Cohesion Policy and RRF – new recommendations Game changer – STEP (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) Initiative Common approach for ERDF and ESF+ in practice – fast case study EAFRD – tailor made for rural areas JTF – new conclusions for transition areas AMIF – key fund for growing challenges in Europe Interreg – a well-known engine in a new version Social Climate Fund – new rocket launching in 2026 (be ready!) First reflections: EU Funds 2021-2027 – putting the puzzle together Discussion round
10:30-10:45	Coffee Break Inspirations
10:45-12:30	Accelerating horizontal session – most important tasks, rights and obligations in EU Funds 2021-2027: Key monitoring, reporting and evaluation duties in 2021-2027 Game changer: Mid-term review (MTR) 2025 – introduction Output and outcome indicators in practice Speeding up implementation process 2021-2027: recommended tools Ongoing process for enabling conditions and smart specialisations in practice Conflict of interest – fundamental challenge in practice Irregularities and frauds – how to avoid serious trouble? Case study: from programming to practical implementation: green and digital priorities in EU Funds in practice Discussion round
12:30-13:30	Lunch Time
	Working in parallel groups – panels of your choice: Management Panel v Implementation Panel
13:30-14:30	Management Panel – I part: “MTR and Programme’s modifications” Mid-Term Review (MTR) process based on the CPR – goals and tools Programme’s modification versus notification – key rules Financial reallocation – main limitations and options STEP regulation in practice – main consequences for 2014-2020 and 2021-2027 Justifications for programme amendments in ERDF and ESF+ Case study: programme’s modification for entrepreneurial, green and social targets
13:30-14:30	Implementation Panel – I part: “Projects’ implementation” Eligibility rules and lessons learnt about simplifications (SCO) in 2021-2027 (Non-)Competitive procedures and Operations of Strategic Importance (OSI) State Aid – key dilemmas in 2021-2027 Specificity of partnership projects – various options on the table How to maintain project’s durability – main traps and solutions Case study: optimal risk management in EU founded project
14:30-14:45	Coffee Break Reflections
	Working in parallel groups – panels of your choice: Management Panel v Implementation Panel
14:45-16:00	Management Panel – II part: “Complex Territorial Approach” Logic and complementarity of strategic documents: EU / national / regional / local level Complex territorial tools in 2021-2027: rural areas versus urban zones New European Bauhaus (NEB) as a novelty in practice Logic of intervention based on Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTP) Case study: package of multi-funds’ projects for defined area. Q&A session and the main first day’s conclusions
14:45-16:00	Implementation Panel – II part: “Forms of support” Grants versus financial instruments Novelty: Grants under Conditions Rules for cooperation: MA – Fund of Funds Manager – Financial Intermediaries Compliance between: Ex-ante Assessment – EU Funds’ Programme – Investment Strategy Key novelty: combing FI and grant in one operation Case study: How to prepare the technological and ecological financial instruments for SMEs Q&A session and the main first day’s conclusions
17:00	Walking tour for adventure hunters to discover unknown Berlin – Episode II
	* Something extra for real fans:
18:00	Euro 2024 fan zone: hit game: 🇩🇰 Denmark vs 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England
21:00	Euro 2024 fan zone: super-hit game: 🇪🇸 Spain vs 🇮🇹 Italy 😊

->	Friday, 21st Jun 2024
8:30-9:00	Welcome Coffee
9:00-9:15	From yesterday’s conclusions to today’s introduction – MFA development
9:15-10:30	Warming up horizontal session – key dilemmas for 2021-2027 management, monitor and control: Monitoring progress in programmes’ implementation: ESI Funds’ indicators versus RRF’s milestones Task division and system of cooperation between key actors: Managing Authorities – Intermediate Bodies – Audit and Control Institutions Technical assistance – main tools and novelties 2021-2027 How to implement new information and promotion obligations Reporting and communication rules: Beneficiary versus Managing Authority Enabling conditions at implementation stage (innovations, transport, sustainable and social development) New obligations for cross-border cooperation in 2021-2027 Programmes Looking for optimal mode: shared management versus direct management Growing role of Financial Instruments: main recommendations Discussion round
10:30-10:45	Coffee Break Inspirations
	Working in parallel groups – panels of your choice: Management Panel v Implementation Panel
10:45-12:30	Management Panel – III part: “Social Development” Novelties goals and expected results for ESF+ How to implement AMIF – key rules Social Climate Fund – new, fundamental tool for energy transition in EU EAFRD – social development at rural areas JTF – unique chance for new qualifications and jobs Case study: social development in 2021-2027 in practice
10:45-12:30	Implementation Panel – III part: “Projects’ Assessment” Key rules and minimum standards for projects’ selection (EU/National/Regional) Requirements for partnership and cross-thematic projects Defining main types of criteria: horizontal, thematic, specific and strategic Translating thematic priorities: entrepreneurship, innovations, green and digital transition into practice Case study: Optimal track for project’s assessment in practice – the Managing Authority versus beneficiary perspective
12:30-13:30	Lunch Time
13:30-14:30	Summing up horizontal session – key conclusions for further 2021-2027 implementation: Revision of EU priorities: Green Deal and Defence cases Geopolitical situation and scenarios for EU 2024+ ESI Funds – new approach towards European goals RRF – lessons learnt and main conclusions Introduction to the new EU Budget 2028 – 2034 – “Back to the Future” Discussion round
14:30-14:45	Coffee Break Reflections
14:45-16:30	Reflection session for the future of the EU Funds: “I can’t live with or without you…” Never-ending story: resources versus needs Public and private sector: cooperation or competition? Hybrid Public Private Partnership – is it still possible? Matrix of tools and partners in Cohesion Policy – key recommendations Proposed model of combining RRF and Cohesion Policy tools for post 2027 Key novelty: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in management and control of EU Funds Discussion round
16:30	Family photo and summer surprise

Experts

Principal Auditor - Chamber 2 Directorate - Investment for cohesion, growth and inclusion. I work on Cohesion policy (20 years now) and I was the head of task for a review of ECA on the RRF.

Chrysoula Latopoulou

Principal Auditor

Mircea Valentin Carlan is a Romanian expert in public administration. With more than 19 years of experience, he worked in the field of pre-accession and structural funds allocated to Romania. He had numerous positions at central and local level, with an active implication at international level. He is also a PhD in administrative law in the field of public procurement contracts financed from UE funds at the prestigious West University of Timisoara. He is continuing the high education career at Danubius University of Galați, an Important International education hub situated border with Ukraine and Republic of Moldova, with students coming from all over the world.

Mircea Valentin Carlan

Public administration expert

Kaur Siruli had more than 17 years of experience as the head of Audit Authority for EU Funds in Estonia and working in cooperation with OLAF. This has brought him in contact with wide spectrum of irregularities and fraud attempts – ineligible costs, procurement irregularities, conflict of interest, corruption risk, fraud schemes, double financing and so on. Kaur knows how to set up effective management and control system, look for "red flags", prevent and detect irregularities and fraud and how to handle the detected cases. His openness to vividly explain the risks and modus operandi have made him valued lecturer both in Estonia and abroad.

Kaur Siruli

Head of the Financial Control Department of the Ministry of Finance of Estonia

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Berlin, Germany

The Conference will take place in bustling Berlin during UEFA Euro 2024 hosted in Germany, providing an inspiring backdrop for immersive learning.

Hotel Amano Eastside
Stralauer Pl. 30-31,
10243 Berlin

Next to the training materials the training fee is covering:
a) the catering during the training (coffee breaks and a lunches included);
b) fans’ zone in Berlin – UEFA EURO 2024;
c) delicious diner;
d) family photo and some souvenirs for active participants.