Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

1. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly The Operational Programs in Thessaly and their contribution to Regional Development Presentation by: TSOLAKIS NIKOS Representative of the Managing Authority of Thessaly

2. Presentation Outline • The Region of Thessaly • Regional Operational Program of Thessaly 2000 – 2006 • National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013: Operational Program Thesally - Mainland Greece – Epirus • Example of city - hinterland cooperation in Thessaly Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

3. Regions of Greece Under the 1997 law on decentralized government in Greece, the country is divided into 13 regions forming devolved units of state administration. They have their own budget, civil service and are run by a general secretary (genikos grammateas), appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation and with the consent of the government. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

4. Larisa Trikala Volos Karditsa Thessaly: One of the 13 Regions of Greece Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

5. The Region of Thessaly Thessalyis one of the thirteen regions of the country. The region of Thessaly occupies the central-eastern part of continental Greece and is comprised of the following four prefectures: Karditsa (capital is Karditsa), Larisa (capital is Larisa), Magnesia (capital is Volos) and Trikala (capital is Trikala). According to the census conducted by ESYE in 2001, the population of the region of Thessaly is 753,888 and represents 6.9% of the total population of the country. Larisa Trikala Volos Karditsa Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

6. Community Support Framework 2000-2006 The 2000-06 Community structural assistance budget allocated to Greece amounts to a total of 25 billion Euros approximately. The total budget for Greece available to projects under the four Community Structural Funds, namely the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF), the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund - Guidance Section (EAGGF Guidance Section), and the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), was 21.6 billion Euros. In 2000-06 Greece also received 3.32 billion Euros from The Cohesion Fund. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

7. Community Support Framework 2000-2006 • The Community Support Framework for the 2000-2006 period was implemented by 25 Operational Programs: • 11 Sectoral Operational Programmes, concerning National Sectoral policies. • 13 Regional Operational Programmes (ROP), one for each of the 13 Regions of Greece. • 1 Operational Program “TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION”, which aimed to strengthen, support and improve the management, monitoring and control of the CSF 2000-2006 and its Operational programmes. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

8. Third Regional Operational Program (ROP) for Thessaly 2000 - 2006 • The strategic development of the region of Thessaly, expressed through the execution of the Regional Operational Program of Thessaly for the years 2000-2006, seeked to attain the following targets: • The development of the relative advantage of the centralized geographic position of the region and its advancement to a "network hub." • The restructuring and modernization of the productive sectors with an emphasis on quality and competitiveness. • The reinforcement of introverted and continuously productive growth and social cohesion. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

9. Third Regional Operational Program (ROP) for Thessaly 2000 - 2006 • The central growth target of the region of Thessaly was the strengthening of the competitiveness of the productive sectors by emphasizing quality, continuous productivity and interregional and social cohesion, as well as, increasing employment by achieving a high level of training. • The growth strategy of Thessaly can be summed up within three basic strategic solutions: • increasing viable growth, • searching for quality elements in both economic activities and everyday living conditions and • strengthening employment. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

10. Third Regional Operational Program (ROP) for Thessaly 2000 - 2006 • According to the strategic targets mentioned before, the following measures had to be taken to increase growth in Thessaly: • Development of Thessaly into a composite network hub • Position the production sectors towards the market • Sustaining the balance of the productive basis • Balanced interregional development • Support of the environmental dimension of development • Development of human resources Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

11. Third Regional Operational Program (ROP) for Thessaly 2000 - 2006 • The targets of the Regional Operational Program of Thessaly were achieved through the six (6) priority areas (that included 40 measures) and a total budgetof 928.8 million Euros: • Area 1: "Reinforcement of the Productive Environment“ • Area 2: "Complete Development of the Outdoors“ • Area 3: "Quality of Life" • Area 4: "Development of the Region into a Network Hub" • Area 5: "Development of Human Resources" • Area 6: "Application" Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

12. Third Regional Operational Program (ROP) for Thessaly 2000 - 2006 Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

13. Third ROP for Thessaly 2000 – 2006 & Local Authorities The PETA study (2009) In the Third ROP for Thessaly 2000 – 2006 there have been 1301 Projects approved. According to the study carried out by PETA, Local Authorities were the beneficiaries for 719 of the Projects (55.3%). The budget for those Projects was 186.7 million Euros, which accounts for the 20.1% of the Total Budget of the ROP of Thessaly. “Information – Training – Local Development S.A. (PETA)” is a company providing consultancy services to the local, regional and central government authorities. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

14. National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA) 2007-2013 The NSRF (National Strategic Reference Framework) 2007–2013 constitutes the reference document for the programming of European Union Funds at national level for the 2007–2013 period. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

15. National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA) 2007-2013 • The architecture of the NSRF 2007-2013 Operational Programmes (OPs) is based on a new scheme that is characterised by a smaller number of Operational Programmes in relation to the previous 2000–2006 period, leading to a more flexible management scheme. • The country’s strategic planning for the 2007 - 2013 period will be implemented through: • eight (8) Sectoral OPs, • five (5) Regional OPs and • twelve (12) European Territorial Cooperation OPs.  Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

16. National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA) 2007-2013 • The following 8 programmes constitute the Sectoral Operational Programmes for programming period 2007-2013: • • O.P. ENVIRONMENT - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT • O.P. REINFORCING ACCESSIBILITY • O.P. COMPETITIVENESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP • O.P. DIGITAL CONVERGENCE • O.P. HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT • O.P. EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING • O.P. MANAGEMENT REFORM • O.P. TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION  Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

17. National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA) 2007-2013 • For the implementation of the country’s development planning during programming period 2007-2013, Greece was divided into five regions, which correspond to five Regional Operational Programmes (ROP), as follows: • •  O.P. Macedonia - Thrace•  O.P  Western Greece – Peloponnesus – Ionian islands •  O.P. Crete and Aegean islands •  O.P. Thesally - Mainland Greece – Epirus•  O.P. Attica  • ROPs will contribute towards meeting the national strategic goals, in conjunction with the sectoral programmes, with an emphasis placed on the distinct characteristics and needs of each Region. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

18. National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA) 2007-2013 • ROPs for all the Regions will cover a common core of interventions, as follows: • social infrastructure • health and social solidarity (infrastructure for hospitals and social welfare facilities, special units, healthcare and open-care centres, specialised equipment, measures for the promotion and protection of Public Health) • culture (reinforcing basic cultural infrastructure, safeguarding and enhancement of cultural heritage) • accessibility and environmental projects on a local scale • sustainable urban development policies • policies in support of mountainous, underdeveloped and island areas.  Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

19. National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA) 2007-2013 Who the beneficiaries are Beneficiaries are operators, bodies or firms, whether public or private, responsible for initiating or initiating and implementing operations. Certification of Beneficiaries’ Project Management Capacity In NSRF, a new Standard of the administration and management system of NSRF projects was introduced by Law. According to that Standard, the project management capacity of all beneficiaries must be certified. Until now most of the major beneficiaries were certified, but only 15 from the 105 municipalities in Thessaly did. Problem: the inefficient or even non-existing technical services in small municipalities. The Kallikratis plan: The reform that will occur with the Kallikratis plan is expected to solve this problem, leading to more functional and stable, powerful and efficient municipalities armed with new powers and resources.  Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

20. NSRF 2007-2013: O.P. Thesally - Mainland Greece – Epirus • The Budget for the O.P. Thesally - Mainland Greece – Epirus • The Total Co-funded Budget from the E.U. amounts to 1.473.995.714 €,of which: • 1.105.000.000 €is from Community Resources and • 368.995.714 €is from National Resources. • In addition to this amount, it is estimated that National Resources amounting to 349.290.000 € will be earmarked to cover the cost of projects that are not co-funded by the E.U., such as expropriations, (larger than a certain percentage of the project’s cost) anticipated earnings, etc. • Private Funding reaching 210.500.000 € is also expected to be earmarked for the realisation of these projects. • The total sum is estimated to amount to 1.823.285.714 €. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

21. NSRF 2007-2013: O.P. Thesally DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR THESSALY The Strategic Goal for the Thessaly Region for 2007-2013 consists of boosting competitiveness, appeal and the outward orientation of the economy by improving regional and social cohesion and adopting sustainable models for development of productive activities and sound management of the natural and built environment. This goal will be achieved by dynamically utilising the Region’s comparative advantages in a new environment, in which investments in knowledge, quality, innovation and networks will play an increasing role over the years. The urban centres will be the dynamic pillars supporting the entire development effort. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

22. NSRF 2007-2013: O.P. Thesally • The Development Objectives for Thessaly aim to: • Improve competitiveness, outward orientation, quality and the innovation strength of enterprises. • Improve accessibility through the creation and upgrading of infrastructure, as well as intraregional and interregional transportation networks. • Develop human resources. • Sustainably manage of the natural and built environment, as well as natural resources. • Strengthen intraregional economy and social cohesion. • Increase interregional cooperation. • Benefit from tourism and cultural heritage for sustainable development. • Promote digital convergence. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

23. NSRF 2007-2013: O.P. Thesally PRIORITY AXES OF THE OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME OF THESSALY The OP comprises 4 Priority Axes concerning interventions in: • infrastructure and accessibility services, • sustainable development and quality of life, • digital convergence and • technical support for its implementation. The Total Co-funded Budget from the E.U. for Thessaly amounts to 528.995.714€and is distributed to the four axes as follows: Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

24. NSRF 2007-2013: O.P. Thesally The Total Co-funded Budget from the E.U. for Thessaly specifically, amounts to 528.995.714€: Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

25. NSRF 2007-2013: O.P. Thesally 1st Axis: Accessibility Infrastructure and Services The general goal is to improve accessibility in order to promote regional cohesion, create a competitive economy, improve quality of life and support sustainable development. Specifically, the creation of modern transportation infrastructure at all levels, as well as power grids and telecommunications networks, is deemed necessary for further improving the accessibility and appeal of that region as a key investment hub and quality of life area. Furthermore, bipolarity is expected to be reversed, through the equitable distribution of economic resources, namely the phasing out of internal intraregional growth inequalities, mainly those marking the divergences between the most developed regions compared to the inner mountainous and underdeveloped areas. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

26. NSRF 2007-2013: O.P. Thesally 2nd Axis: Sustainable Development and Quality of Life This section seeks to safeguard the natural and built environment as well as the quality of life of those living in that region, for the benefit of sustainable growth. In that framework, it also serves innate growth goals, which have not yet been achieved. Moreover, this section contributes towards the achievement of the goals included under the Lisbon Agenda, but primarily of the more relevant Gothenburg Strategy. It aims at developing an environmental and social capital that will guarantee conditions for sustainable development. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

27. NSRF 2007-2013: O.P. Thesally 3rd Axis: Digital Convergence and Entrepreneurship This section aims at promoting innovation, research and technology, in order to achieve their integration into in the productive fabric as permanent growth – renewal – competitiveness engines. Moreover, it aims at achieving the ability to integrate the most suitable technologies for the establishment of a culture of innovation, capable of adapting the innovations generated to local needs and producing adequate research and development (R&D), thus covering the R&D shortage in relation to the country's average output. Furthermore, it seeks to achieve high competitiveness through restructuring of the productive fabric and the upgrade of sectors and industries towards higher added value – quality – environmental awareness, multiply outward orientation and successfully rise to the challenges posed by the expansion of the European Economic Area and ongoing liberalisation of the economy. Finally, it aims at fostering the equitable contribution of all sectors and industries to development, leveraging private resources, productively mobilising local funds and attracting direct foreign investments, as well as establishing all the right conditions for liberalisation – technical infrastructure – support structures – development tools to local business communities, in conjunction with safeguarding consumer rights. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

28. NSRF 2007-2013: O.P. Thesally 4th Axis: Technical Support for Implementation The “Technical Support for Implementation” aims at covering the financing of preparatory, management, monitoring, evaluation, informative, publicity and control activities of the OP, as well as activities reinforcing management competence for the implementation of the actions of the Funds. The strategic planning of “Technical Support for Implementation” focuses on the need to exercise policies at a national and regional level, in such a manner so that the Region, as well as its cities in general, attract and retain new enterprises, simultaneously improving the living standard of its citizens and alleviating interregional and intraregional inequalities. The empowerment of the management competence of public services, especially those entrusted with responsibility (as final beneficiaries or implementation bodies) in the framework of planning, managing and monitoring CSF projects, will contribute to increasing productivity and improving the quality of work. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

29. Example of city - hinterland cooperation in Thessaly Environmental Development Agency of Western Thessaly S.A. (Waste Sanitary Landfilling, Recycling). • Independent Organization under Private Law, founded by 11 municipalities from the Prefectures of Trikala and Karditsa. - Responsible for the collection, transport, processing, recycling or disposal, and monitoring of waste materials in Western Thessaly. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

30. Example of city - hinterland cooperation in Thessaly • Benefits from the Project • Good cooperation between the involved municipalities, leading to an efficient waste management model which operates already (collection – recycling – disposal of waste in a landfill in the greater area of Trikala). • Total harmonization of National Legislation to the European Legislation. • Motivation to local politicians and experts to continue the recycling program and improve the local waste management, as well as expand the project to all the other municipalities. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

31. Contribution of URBACT in urban development and regional policies • Urban development is a significant part of regional policy. • Cooperation among cities and exchanging good practices is important. Problems • Lack of urban development expertise. • Cooperation methodology still needs to be improved. How URBACT can help • Sharing good practices among Managing Authorities is a key issue for the Region of Thessaly. • Cooperation with other Managing Authorities linked to URBACT will help us in order to improve urban development policies on a regional level. Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly

32. THANK YOU! Managing Authority for the Operational Program of Thessaly