TOPICS

 

Structural Funds

 

The Structural Funds (Regional Funds, Social Funds, Cohesion Funds) belong to the most vital financial instruments of the EU. Among other fields they offer grants for companies, infrastructure, vocational training and environment.
Today, nearly one third of the expenditure of the EU-budget is reserved for the Structural Funds, grants can add up to 85 % of the total investments. These data reveal what chances the Structural Funds offer for companies and public institutions!

 

In the 2007 – 2013 period, as in earlier periods, the different regulations will build a general frame for the grants offered by the Structural Funds. Several detailed regulations amend this basis to ensure that the funds are implemented in accordance with EU-policies.

 

However the general frame has to be completed and transferred into concrete measures and projects in the benefiting states and regions. This happens within a multi-level and complex procedure where the national and regional administrations in the member states play a vital role.

 

Meanwhile the "old" member states have gained a lot of experience with the implementation of the European Structural Policy. But the enlargements of 2004 and 2007 have shown again that the administrations in the new member states have to get accustomed to the conditions and mechanisms of funding, as well as companies and especially small and medium enterprises (SME). The existence of suitable structures and capacities of administration and of the know-how for the orderly implementation of the funds is one of the central presuppositions for the approval of means by the European Union!

Enlargement of the EU, pre-accession and neighbourhood - policy

 

Similar to the deepening of the cooperation between the currently 27 member states, the enlargement of the EU is not finished yet. Several states in South-East-Europe have applied for membership, further countries in this region are rated by the Union as potential candidates. As elements of its strategy the EU has developed financial instruments for these two groups of countries to pay for measures of pre-accession.
The preparation of the national and regional administrations for European standards in the fields of structural and regional policy therefore plays a vital role.

 

Other countries especially in Eastern Europe and in the Mediterranean area have currently no perspective of accession to the EU. Nevertheless the EU aims at a close cooperation with them and offers grants for many projects in these countries. Also in these states administrations and enterprises have to get accustomed to the chances the European neighbourhood policy offers!

Consulting for EU-project applications

 

The EU finances several programmes to implement the European policy fields. Normally calls are carried out in which potentially interested institutions are invited to apply for grants. The contribution of the Union to projects differs depending on the various programmes and is mostly very attractive.

 

However these applications demand great time and effort: Grant applicants not only have to contribute financially and fulfil high standards but they also have to regard various complex regulations.

Cross-border topics

 

As for instance at the border between Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium various forms of cross-border cooperation between companies and public institutions exist all over Europe. Indeed it is not always obvious who, on both sides of the border, is engaged in which project, what basis the cooperation has and who is involved. Surveys on cross-border cooperation are fitting instruments to establish transparency, to avoid doubling of work, to enhance synergies and to identify the appropriate contact persons.

 

Simulation games, seminars and lectures

 

Following several estimates, between 70 and 80 % of the regulations in the EU-member states directly or indirectly trace back to decisions made on the European level. However many people in Europe are not aware of this fact. Far from it! Many citizens think of the European Union as too theoretical, distant and furthermore inscrutable, bureaucratic and somewhat inefficient. This opinion becomes evident in the turnout of voters during the elections for the European Parliament.

 

One of the most important reasons for the increasing critical attitude towards European integration are deficits in the communication of the topic "Europe", which is admittedly complicated and difficult to understand. Yet: Are the communal politics easier to understand and more transparent?

Especially simulation games in which the participants act in different roles are a very good method to familiarise oneself with European topics, structures and decision making processes on the European level. At the same time presentation-, argumentation- and negotiation – skills are practised.

 

Interview and communication coaching

 

Besides one´s hard skills the quality of the self presentation is crucial for a successful job start or change. Custom tailored coaching offers the opportunity to analyse the own strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in the area of self presentation. This is essential for written applications as well as for interviews. Personal and social competences are determinant for the career and one´s satisfaction in the job. Soft skills are skills like presentation and communication skills, the ability to work in teams, the ability to handle conflicts and criticism. With special coaching and practical exercises soft skills can be practised.