LP Seminar in Sopron, first round

New programming period, new rules! This was the motto of the LP Seminar jointly organized by the Joint Secretariat and the Managing Authority in Sopron on 12th March 2018. On 22nd and 23rd June 2016 as well as on 14th and 15th December 2016, more than 20 cross-border projects were approved by the Monitoring Committee (MC). Although some projects did not start right after the MC decision, many of them are now getting advanced in their implementation so that Project Partners are expected to report more and more to first level controllers and programme bodies about activities conducted and expenditures incurred. A main goal was to clarify most important aspects and rules applying before contracting, during implementation and reporting, in case modifications are needed, and in regard to communication.

More than 30 representatives of project holders took part in the meeting, the new comers becoming acquainted with the rules, more experienced project holders noticing the substantial changes induced by the new cooperation programme, and above all the introduction of the eMS. Less paper work indeed, but specific tools, procedures and deadlines to take care of in the eMS. Additionally, complex eligibility rules are still to be observed and communication, which gains attention, is more than ever a quickly evolving and varied field project holders have to master. Bottom line: topics were discussed, critical questions as far as possible answered… and for the 9 projects validated by the MC on 18th and 19th October 2017, the retake is coming soon!