Managing Authority Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration
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Cross-cutting issuesA number of important elements for successful, sustained and inclusive cross-border cooperation will be ensured as horizontal modalities to be deployed across any of the Programme priorities, rather than as separate thematic priorities. These cross – cutting issues are additional to the Programme priorities and objectives being significant to any project activity. Project applicants are to be expected to consider these cross-cutting themes when developing their projects. ENI CBC regulations7 require a description of the ways the following cross-cutting issues will be mainstreamed during programme implementation, where relevant: democracy and human rights, environmental sustainability, gender equality and HIV/AIDS. Integration at project level of the relevant cross-cutting issues described below will be:
Further guidance on requirements for project selection and reporting will be provided in the programme’s Guidelines for Applicants, Implementation Manual or similar documents issued at programme level. The cross – cutting themes include:
Democracy, participation and human rights In regard to democracy and human rights, several aspects are embedded in the Programme strategy as horizontal issues or modalities to be deployed in projects across any of the selected priorities, in particular:
The projects shall seek to integrate considerations related to democracy, good governance, participation and human rights. This may also include exchange of good practices, as well as regular and transparent project financial reporting, widely circulated and understandable project results ensuring there is no discrimination against particular target groups whether the project helps to ensure respect for any relevant human rights. Equal opportunities (promotion of gender equality, and opportunities for youth & elders); Promotion of gender equality, and equal opportunities for youngsters and elders, is important within the Programme design as a horizontal issue to be deployed in projects across any of the priorities selected. Both men and women shall have equal access to the opportunities and benefits of the programme. All projects will have to adequately consider gender related issues – such as equality of opportunity, rights, distribution of benefits, responsibilities for men and women. This may include the integration of a gender perspective when planning activities, considering the likeliness of increased gender equality beyond the project ends. The programme strives for promoting equal opportunities and preventing any discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation during its life cycle and in particular in relation to access to funding. It will take into account the needs of the various target groups at risk of such discrimination and in particular the requirements of ensuring accessibility for persons with disability. Also, the projects should address specific needs of young people and ensure participation regardless the age of the target groups. Additionally, all operations funded by the programme shall ensure that the activities implemented are in line with the principle of equality between men and women and do not generate discrimination of any kind. Environment protection Environment is crucial for projects under the most of the Thematic Objectives selected, mainly for projects supporting infrastructure construction / rehabilitation / modernization etc. All projects funded in the frame of the Programme will have to integrate environmental considerations. This notably includes following good environmental practices during implementation, in particular in relation to energy efficiency as well as in relation to the use of water and the production of waste, etc. Projects with a direct negative impact on the environment will not be selected for financing. Besides the verification of the respect of in-force rules and regulations on the environment and sustainable development, the programme seeks to avoid or reduce environmentally harmful effects of interventions and to deliver results in terms of social, environmental and climate benefits. The following general principles will be adopted in the selection of applications and the monitoring of operations: – To direct investments towards the most resource-efficient and sustainable options – To avoid investments that may have a significant negative environmental or climate impact and to support actions to mitigate any remaining negative effects – To take a long-term perspective when ‘life-cycle’ costs of alternative options for investment are compared – To encourage the use of green public procurement (to be completed with recommendations/suggestions from SEA as relevant).
Joint structures Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC): follow the programme implementation and progress towards its priorities; examine all issues affecting the programme performance; Managing Authority (MA): responsible for managing the programme in accordance with the principle of sound financial management and for ensuring that decisions of Joint Monitoring Committee comply with the applicable law and provisions; Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS): the joint operational body, assisting the Managing Authority, the Joint Monitoring Committee and Audit Authority, in carrying out their respective duties; Audit Authority (AA): ensure that the audits are carried out on the management and control systems, on an appropriate sample of projects and on the annual accounts of the programme. Structures at the national level National Authorities (NAs): appointed by each participating country in order to support the Managing Authority in the management of the programme in accordance with the principle of sound financial management
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