Results of the questionnaire on simplification in the EMFF

EMFF expert group

Brussels, 9 November, 2015

Assessment of the importance of

simplification

Assessment of simplification (on a scale from 0 to 5)

• Respondents concluded that simplification in the implementation is more important than simplification in access to EMFF.

EMFF-specific simplification

Accelerated selection of operations

• For a small operation benefiting from accelerated procedure, there should be a simplified application process.

Advance payment to beneficiaries

• Despite the early stage of implementation, there are several Member States that have already put in place provisions at national level to provide the advance payment.

Other measures of simplification

1. Special rules for compensation of mollusc farmers (article 55.2)

• 5 out 18 MS included this measure into the OP;

• 2 out of the 5 MS will establish special calculation method

2. Establishment of recognition criteria for aquaculture stock insurance (article 57.3)

• 6 out 18 MS included this measure into the OP;

• 3 out of the 6 MS will establish criteria in advance

Simplified cost options (SCOs)

Use of SCOs

• While there needs to be a critical mass in place for the effective use of the SCOs, there seems to be no correlation between the policy choice made in relation to the use of the SCOs and the relative share of allocation within the EMFF.

Types of SCOs applied

• Without the risk of increasing the error rate, SCOs could substantially accelerate reimbursement procedures while they reduce the administrative burden of the beneficiary, for instance in relation to the retention of documents.

Methodology used for lump sums and unit costs

• Reusing SCOs applicable in other Union policies or those funded entirely by the Member State itself are not so popular.

Beneficiaries of SCOs

• The use of SCOs among the measures is fairly balanced, a slightly stronger preference for UP3, data collection.

Reasons for not applying SCOs

E-cohesion

Full or partial application of e-cohesion

• Despite the fact that "e-cohesion" is not obligatory for the EMFF, the rate of putting into practice the simplification option of a paperless programme management system is surprisingly high.

Administrative burden by procedures and by beneficiaries

Examination of administrative burden on different types of beneficiaries demonstrates that SMEs

need to invest more into project application compared to public bodies, natural persons or

producer organisations in terms of the volume of project applications and the average length of

period of time for project appraisal.

• SMEs are at a disadvantage in waiting times for grant decisions as well as volume of the application

National level initiatives and additional observations

1. National level initiatives

• 2 MS indicated national level simplification initiative beyond the options offered by the legislative framework

in the application process beneficiaries are not required to submit any documentation that is already registered anywhere in the public administration

accelerated procedures in the appraisal of applications (by means of expression of interest,

2. Additional observations

• Obligations of national authorities tend to be passed on to beneficiaries (eg. in reporting)

• Difficulties in the shift from direct to shared management

• No EU legislation that hinders the access to funds or implementation by beneficiaries

What will follow?

Next steps

1. Administrative Simplification Scoreboard

• Commission Communication is expected for February 2016

• Regular follow-up on take-up of certain simplification options by MS (eg. Financial coverage by SCOs, application of e-cohesion)

2. High Level Group on Simplification

• First meeting was held 20 October, rules of procedures and work programme were adopted;

• Next meeting is scheduled for 1 December and will be devoted to e-cohesion, SCOs and JAP

• All information available on:

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/policy/how/improving-investment/high-level-group-simplification/

3. Study on Simplification

• Joint study of ESIF DGs will feed into the work of the HLG