European Structural and Investment Funds — working in partnerships

KEY POINTS

The ECCP lays down guidance on partnership in the implementation of ESIFs. The main points of the ECCP include:

• the selection of relevant and representative partners, representing the categories defined in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 (Common Provisions Regulation for ESIFs);
• transparent selection procedures that take into account the different sets of institutional and legal rules found in EU countries;
• minimum procedural requirements for the timely, meaningful and transparent consultation of relevant stakeholders¹ in the preparation of partnership agreements² and operational programmes³;
• selected partners being represented within the key programme committees (i.e. preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation);
• partnership should be ensured by strengthening the institutional capacity of relevant social partners and civil society organisations to engage;
• the exchange of experience and mutual learning be facilitated covering all the ESIFs;
• the role of the partners in the implementation of the partnership agreement, and the performance and effectiveness of the partnership be subject to assessment.