Laura Polverari was invited to present the findings of a recent research on horizontal partnership in Cohesion policy programmes at the annual meeting of the European Commission with the social and economic partners (foreseen by Art. 11 of the Structural Funds General Regulation), on 9 December 2009.
The meeting had a number of headings on the agenda, namely:
a) implementation of the partnership principle;
b) the results of a survey by UEAPME on the simplification measures needed in SF support;
c) ERDF and ESF communication tools;
d) ERDF and ESF measures for ROMA people;
e) the Structural Funds response to the financial and economic crisis and simplification package; and,
f) the results of the public consultation on the Territorial Cohesion Green Paper. Laura's presentation focussed on the role of SENGOs (Socio-Economic and other Non-Governmental Organisations) in 2007-13 programmes and included some forward-looking conclusions on the rationale and scope of SENGO involvement, on the adequacy of regulatory provision and on the reform of Cohesion policy for the period 2014+.
Laura's presentation can be downloaded here .