New Cohesion Policy
In the period of 2021–2027, the European Union (EU) will focus on five main investment objectives:
- a smarter Europe – innovative and smart economic transformation: development of research and skills, support to entrepreneurship and digitisation;
- a greener Europe – climate neutrality, adaptation to climate change, and environmental protection;
- a more connected Europe – development of safe, sustainable, and accessible transport and digital connections;
- a more social Europe – equal opportunities and access to education, healthcare and labour market, fair working conditions, social protection and inclusion;
- a Europe closer to citizens – sustainable and balanced regional development.
According to the Ministry of Finance, investments will focus on the first and second objectives. In total, 65–85% of the ERDF and Cohesion Fund resources will be allocated to these priorities, depending on the relative prosperity of Member States.
The Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFCA) shall perform the functions of the liaison body.
Responsibilities of the liaison body:
According to the Law on the Management of the European Union Funds for the Planning Period 2021–2027, the liaison body, i.e. CFCA, has the following obligations:
1) within the limits of its competence, to provide information to the authorities involved in the management of the European Union funds that is crucial in the fulfilment of the duties of such authorities;
2) to perform the function specified in Article 46 of Regulation No 2021/1060, including to advise project applicants on the submission and clarification of project applications in accordance with the conditions set out in the decision to approve a project application with a condition;
3) in accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 72(1)(a) of Regulation No 2021/1060 to perform the functions of selecting project applications, except for the provisions laid down in Section 10, Paragraph two, Clauses 8 and 9, and Section 11, Paragraph three, Clause 4 of this Law;
4) to enter into a contract for the implementation of financial instruments;
5) to advise beneficiaries on the implementation of projects;
6) to perform the functions referred to in Article 72(1)(e) of Regulation No 2021/1060, except for the provisions laid down in Section 11, Paragraph three, Clause 8 of this Law;
7) to ensure supervision and control of project implementation, supervision of achievement of project objectives and output indicators, to analyse problems of the project implementation and to submit proposals to the responsible institution, managing authority and monitoring committee regarding improvement of project implementation;
8) to perform random preliminary checks of the procurement for projects;
9) to develop the procedures referred to in Article 69(6) of Regulation No 2021/1060;
10) to verify and approve eligible expenditure included in the payment request of the beneficiary;
11) to provide the accounting authority with the information at the disposal of the liaison body for the preparation of the payment application and the closure of accounts;
12) to provide information to the society, to ensure publicity and communication in issues related to project implementation;
13) taking into account the legal form and legal status of the project applicant, to enter into a contract or agreement with a beneficiary regarding project implementation in compliance with the provisions laid down in Article 72(1)(a) of Regulation No 2021/1060;
14) to perform programme management tasks in accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 72(1)(b) of Regulation No 2021/1060, except for the provisions laid down in Section 10, Paragraph two, Clauses 11, 13, and 14 of this Law;
15) to carry out other duties laid down in this Law.