Four TOs resulted from the strategy analyses (territorial, SWOT, coherence and multi-criteria) and from preliminary consultations:
TO7 - Improvement of accessibility to the regions, development of transport and communication networks and systems;
No.
|
Identified risk
|
Probability
|
Impact
|
Mitigation
|
Responsible body
|
1.
|
Delays in the process of projects’ evaluation and selection
|
Medium
|
High
|
Development of an efficient and transparent evaluation and selection methodology
Selection of external independent evaluators with relevant experience and expertise
|
JMC, MA
|
2.
|
Delays in the process of verification of progress reports and requests for payment
|
Low
|
Medium
|
Allocation of sufficient personnel for checking the documentation
|
MA, JTS, first level controllers
|
3.
|
Delays in setting up the JTS branch office(s)
|
Low
|
Medium
|
Simplified and accelerated procedure for contracting/ nominating the JTS branch office(s)
|
MA, JTS
|
4.
|
Difficulties in communication with project beneficiaries
|
Low
|
Medium
|
Establishment of coherent communication and working procedures, with specific division of tasks between MA-JTS and JTS-BOJTS as regards projects beneficiaries, with the aim to develop a partnership approach between Programme management structures and beneficiaries
|
MA, JTS, JTSBO
|
5.
|
Low visibility of the Programme and projects
|
Medium
|
Low
|
Adaptation of the Programme communication strategy/ plan according to the needs
Elaboration and implementation of annual communication plans
Specific provision within the grant contract as regards the obligation of the beneficiaries to have a communication strategy/ plan
|
MA, JTS
|
6.
|
Poor quality of audit reports provided by independent auditors
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
Training delivery to the auditors
|
MA, JTS
|
7.
|
Instable internal and external political context and/ or regional conflicts
|
High
|
Medium
|
Independent from Programme management structures’ capacity for action
|
|
8.
|
Legislative differences between the participating countries or between EU legislation and the national legislation of the partner country, leading to misinterpretations and confusions among project beneficiaries
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
Development of coherent and exhaustive implementing procedures for projects, especially in what regards financial and secondary procurement rules
Permanent communication between MA and NA
Targeted training to projects’ beneficiaries on Programme’s implementing rules
External consultancy
|
MA, NA
|
9.
|
Overlaps with other financing programmes
|
Low
|
Low
|
Selection of projects that are fully relevant to the Programme’s priorities and objectives, with a focus on cross-border impact
|
JMC, MA, project evaluators
|
10.
|
Difficulties encountered by potential applicants in finding reliable cross-border partners
|
Low
|
Low
|
Development of support instruments for the potential applicants to help them identify cross-border partners: partnership events, online partner-finding tools etc.
|
MA, JTS
|
11.
|
Difficulties for projects beneficiaries to ensure co-financing or to finance ineligible costs related to their projects
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
Setting up eligibility rules related to financial capacity in the Guidelines for grant applicants and proper evaluation of the partnership’s financial capacity
|
JMC, MA, JTS, project evaluators
|
12.
|
Non-efficient use of EU public funds: irregularities, including frauds and corruption acts
|
Medium
|
High
|
Development an effective audit and control system and provide specific training to specialists involved in audit and control activities/ missions
Development of risk analyses and monitoring of projects’ progress accordingly
Financial corrections to projects that do not comply to the rules
|
MA, JTS, AA, NA, FLC/ auditors
|
13.
|
Non-sustainability of projects funded under the Programme
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
Establishment of clear - cut criteria for the evaluation of projects’ sustainability
Perform ex-post evaluations
Application of financial corrections in order to recover the funds allocated to projects that do not respect the sustainability
|
JMC, MA, JTS, project evaluators
|