ict: the contribution of cohesion policy and beyond
DESCRIPTION
The presentation provides a brief overview of the scope behind EU funding as well as the structure through which EU funds are administered. More specifically the presentation then looks back at the 2007-2013 programming period and identified areas where ICT was identified as a priority. Whilst ICT was specifically identified as a priority on its own merits within the ERDF Operational Programme (OP), within the ESF Operational Programme (OP) ICT was a cross-cutting dimension across all priorities within the OP. In fact under the ESF OP, examples identified include projects whose aim is to enhance skills and competence in ICT as well as project who can have as one of their objectives the promotion of ICT either through training and scholarships offered. For forthcoming Programming Period (2014-2020), ICT as a sector, is going to be prioritised within the Operational Programmes and similarly as for the 2007-2013 there will specific investments earmarked under the ERDF whilst under the ESF ICT as a tool is expected to be more and better integrated in proposed projects. It has to be highlighted that in terms of % allocation, the allocation under the 2014-2020 ERDF programme is expected to increase from circa 2.3% to circa 8% of the ERDF allocation.TRANSCRIPT
ICT: The Contribution of Cohesion Policy and Beyond
July 2014
Overview • EU Funding: General Principles
• How is the Budget Managed
• Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Programme:• ICT and the contribution of Cohesion Policy at an EU and the
Local Level• ICT activities under Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 (ERDF, CF, ESF)
• Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Programme:• ICT and the contribution of Cohesion Policy at an EU and Local
Level • ICT activities under Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 (ERDF, CF, ESF)• Synergies between ESI Funds and with other EU instruments
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EU Funding: General Principles
• Through various instruments, the EU provides funds [generally] in the form of grants in order to implement projects or activities in relation to European Union policies.
• The Recipients of such funding being: Public and Private organisations for the benefit of Citizens and SMEs
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EU Level: How is the Budget Managed ?
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Source: European Commission, DG Budget
Cohesion Policy and ICT (2007-2013)
• EU Cohesion Policy funding envisaged for ICT-related investments during the 2007-2013 amounts to €14.5 billion (4.2% of the Cohesion Policy allocation) (Source: Cohesion Policy, Strategic Report 2013)
• In Malta slightly over 2.3% of Malta’s OPI allocation for 2007-2013 is directed towards ICT
• This does not take into account OPII which provides support for e-education and training.
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Cohesion Policy and ICT (2014 – 2020)
• Within the 2014-2020 the Commission is pushing for Thematic Concentration.
• Under the ERDF, funds will be concentrated on 4 key priorities, one of which is the Digital Agenda. In Malta the allocation to ICT increase from 2.32% (2007-2013) to 8% (2014-2020)
• Under the ESF funds, similar to the 2007-2013, funds will support further e-education and training.
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ERDF (2014-2020)
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Programming Process (2014-2020) – PA
• The Partnership Agreement (PA) of Malta incorporates the programming (plan) for the 4 ESI funds (ERDF, ESF, CF, EAFRD, and EMFF)
• ICT was identified as a funding priority.
ICT :The retention of Malta's success within this sector is dependent on continued investment, with a view to remain abreast with the developments and needs of the industry. The main areas of intervention include broadband and high speed network infrastructure, the development of ICT products and
services within the industry and the provision of e-Government Services.
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Programming Process (2014-2020) – OPs
• The Operational Programmes were submitted to the Commission are currently being assessed
Focusing on ERDF (OPI + SME initiative OP) and ESF (OPII):
• OPI – consisting of 12 Priority Axes supported through ERDF and CF• OPII – consisting of 5 Priority Axes supported through ESF• SME initiative - consisting of 1 Priority Axis supported through ERDF
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Development needs– Stimulate investment in ICT within the private sector– Enhance accessibility and use of ICT for businesses and citizens
Type of potential Interventions– Financial incentives for enterprises to use ICT and e-based solutions;– Development of e-commerce and e-tourism services;– Invest in e-government services including e-health;– Development of systems including Data management systems and e-
customs to increase efficiency in the delivery of service; and– Investment in cloud computing to reduce administrative burden for
enterprises.
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OPI: Priority Axis 2 Consolidating investment within the ICT sector
Target Group, Beneficiaries, Eligible Territory
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Target Groups: Public Administration, Private Sector including Large, SMEs and Micro enterprises, General public, tourists
Beneficiaries Public Administration
Territories Malta and Gozo
Development needs– Increase Employment rate in particular female employment rate– Reduction in Early School Leavers
Type of relevant potential Interventions– Nurturing an entrepreneurial culture
– Enhancing the Educational Experience through ICT
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OPII: Priority Axis 1 & 3Investing in the employability and adaptability of human capital & Investing in people through Education, Training and Life long learning
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Target Groups: Job Seekers, inactive people, children, young people, educators, professionals , youth workers
Beneficiaries Public Administration, Social Partners, Employers, Voluntary organisations
Territories Malta and Gozo
Target Group, Beneficiaries, Eligible Territory
Other Funding Instruments:Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) – Digital
• Budget available €1.14 billion, out of which €170M are for broadband activities, while €970 million are dedicated to digital service infrastructures (DSIs) delivering networked cross-border services for citizens, businesses and public admin
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Other Funding Instruments:Horizon 2020
ICT, is present in many areas of Horizon 2020:• Advanced research to uncover radically new
technological possibilities and ICT contributions to R&I• R&I activities on generic technologies either driven by
industrial roadmaps or through a bottom up approach• Multi-disciplinary application-driven R&I leveraging ICT
to tackle societal challenges• ICT in relation to uptake of energy and ICT innovation
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Contact: Planning and Priorities Coordination
Santa Venera
Tel: +356 2200 1142
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.eufunds.gov.mt
Operational Programme I and II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life
Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of LifeEvent part-financed by the European Union
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)Cohesion Fund
European Social Fund (ESF)Co-financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds
Investing in your future
Thank you