The vast majority of the €142bn annual EU budget is made available to member and accession states through its various funding regimes, primarily through common agricultural and regional development/cohesion policies; but also through a large number of smaller funds. Each of these two main funds account for around 40% of the EU’s budget and are allocated and spent according to a set of rules and policies which have developed over the various stages of evolution of the EU. These policies and funding regimes continue their evolution today and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

 

Given the complexity of this area and its continuing evolution; key individuals from civil society, public and private sector need to have a clear overview of the purpose of these funding regimes, as well as the regulatory regimes which apply to their operation. There are also a range of practical questions which need to be considered and addressed relating to strategy, programming, financial management and accountability, governance, stakeholder and beneficiary management, monitoring and evaluation.

 

This programme aims to offer an in-depth understanding of the EU funding regimes and the processes involved in accessing the funds. The course also pays specific reference to the need for institutional adjustments to satisfy the EU’s objective of transparency and accountability in the disbursement of these funds.