Čatež, 25 May 2018 – The Operational Programme’s Monitoring Committee which is composed of representatives from the ministries, government offices, economic and social partners, NGOs, equality organisations, disability organisations, local communities, urban development, councils of regions, Budget Supervision Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Court of Audit of the Republic of Slovenia and European Commission met today at its fifth regular meeting.
Monitoring Committee members discussed the implementation of the programme and the progress made towards achieving its objectives, and approved the 2017 Annual Implementation Report for the Operational Programme for the Implementation of the EU Cohesion Policy in the Period 2014-2020 (OP) which will be officially forwarded to the European Commission in the end of May. Over 300 projects, programmes or calls for proposals worth a total of EUR 1.88 billion have been supported by ESI Funds by the end of April 2018. Out of a total of EUR 3.068 billion made available to Slovenia by the end of 2023, 61 % has been earmarked for projects with long-term impact on the quality of life of Slovenian citizens. Over 100 calls for proposals and similar instruments have been published by the end of April 2018, and EUR 1.79 billion has been committed and contracted, which accounts for 58 % of the allocation. The approved projects received EUR 362 million from the national budget, whereas EUR 274 million has been reimbursed by the EU budget.
The Monitoring Committee examined the implementation of financial instruments and Slovenian Smart Specialisation Strategy (S4), reviewed the progress made towards achieving the objectives of S4, and approved the revision of operation selection criteria. Additionally, representatives of the Certifying Authority – Ministry of Finance, and the Audit Authority – Budget Supervision Office of the Republic of Slovenia presented their reports. Monitoring Committee members were also briefed on the progress in the implementation of the communication strategy and the activities related to the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies and territorial cooperation in the period 2014-2020. The Monitoring Committee also approved the Annual Evaluation Plan.
2018 is a strategically important year. Focus will be given to stepping up implementation. The performance framework will be closely monitored, and efforts will be enhanced to deliver on the set indicators. GODC prepared the baselines for amendment of the OP and presented them to the Monitoring Committee members.
Presentations and list of decisions adopted by the Monitoring Committee will be available at www.eu-skladi.si.