Spotkanie twinningowe w ramach Institution Building Days - 18 listopada 2021 r.

Szanowni Państwo,

W dniu 18 listopada 2021 r. podczas tzw. Institution Building Days miało miejsce zdalne spotkanie koordynatorów twinnigowych z Państw UE z zespołem DG NEAR z Brukseli.

Poniżej hasłowo główne punkty spotkania:

Reduction of the administrative burden

Performance based financing (PBF): Introduction of PBF in Twinning is currently being examined in order to reduce the administrative burden in projects implementation. PBF, or ‘financing not linked to costs’, means that the expenditure of the budget would be justified against the performance of the contract and not against the individual costs. DG INTPA is already piloting PBF in a project in the INTPA region. There is a recently published article in this regard (Silverman R. “Translating Results-Based Financing from theory to operational reality: lessons learned from the practical application of RBF at the European Commission”, Center for Global Development, October 2021, https://cgdev.org/publication/translating-results-based-financing-theory-operational-reality-lessons-practical. DG NEAR C.3 has just launched an external Study on the design of the PBF methodology in Twinning grants. NCPs should expect to be contacted about the Study to provide their views.
Simplification of rules: Based on NCP feedback, DG NEAR C.3 is working on the following proposals for the Twinning Manual simplification: removal of some of the annexes, expert fees rate reformulation (only for Twinning, not applicable to TAIEX), increase in the ceiling for the purchase of goods, removal of the obligation of interview for the selection of RTA Assistant/Language Assistant, removal of the limit on RTA assignments and digital solutions are among the items that will be already considered. DG NEAR C3 is currently gathering additional proposals for simplification from the different stakeholders.

Harmonisation of rules

Checklists for EU Delegations (EUDs): DG NEAR C.3 developed a set of checklists (fiches preparation, call for proposals, contracts and amendments, payments) in order to standardise the Twinning procedures in EUDs (and other Contracting Authorities).
Training to EUDs/Contracting Authorities: We are establishing ad hoc training opportunities and Q&A sessions with EUDs (a special session with EUDs took place during the 2021 IBDs) to ensure uniform interpretation of the Twinning rules. DG NEAR C.3 continues to reply to questions received from all Twinning stakeholders electronically. Additional ad hoc training opportunities may be agreed with NCPs or relevant National Administrations.

Intermediate update of the Twinning Manual

This intermediate update will bridge the gap between the adoption of the new EC Model Grant Agreement (expected January 2023) and end of the Flexibility Arrangements (foreseen for 30 June 2022). It will be instrumental for the preparation of the new version of the Twinning Manual and will incorporate the simplification proposals mentioned above.

In the intermediate period, it is also possible that the following two initiatives may be launched:

Pilot project for Performance Based Financing based on outcomes of the study – The launch of this pilot is subject to the successful contracting and completion of the above-mentioned Study on PBF methodology in Twinning.
Pilot project for “Regional”/ “Multi-country” Twinning projects – This initiative is still under internal discussion and subject to an internal agreement on the modalities of implementation.

Regulatory framework / IT landscape

Grant Agreement (GA): The EC will publish a standard grant agreement document that will apply also to Twinning. Development phase is still ongoing (entry into force of the GA has been moved to January 2023) and DG NEAR C.3 is working to ensure Twinning specificities will be incorporated in the new document as one specific type of contract within the GA. You could see the latest draft published in the following link: aga_en.pdf (europa.eu).
OPSYS/eGrants: OPSYS/eGrants systems will enter into force in parallel to the GA. Adaptation of the systems to Twinning is underway. It will incorporate:
- General use of electronic signatures;
- Log Matrix and monitoring of results in the tool;
- More active role of implementing partners in the system;
- Need for registration of implementing partners;
- Paperless;
- Special role of National Contact Points (preserving powers and functions as per Twinning Manual).

Statistics

Twinning Calls for Proposals to be circulated in 2021 will exceed the numbers achieved in 2020 – we expect a further six calls to be published by end December 2021.
Overall, during 2020-2021 period, the ratio of proposals per call published was 1.37, which constitutes a downward trend in all Twinning regions except ENI South and INTPA.
A total of seven calls (17%) did not receive any Member State proposal in 2021. For reasons of efficiency, the Twinning partners in the field (EUD and Partner Country NCP) are asking for a better advance notification system that would indicate Member State interest (or lack thereof) in applying.

Next steps

DG NEAR C.3 to keep NCPs informed on the progress and outcomes of the Study on PBF. NCPs should expect to be contacted during the Study’s development.
Intermediate update of the Twinning Manual by summer 2022 – simplification of some of the rules and language, and digital leap.
Move to OPSYS/eGrants and the Corporate Grant Agreement expected in January 2023.
The initial Twinning projects 2022 Pipeline to be published by end 2021, with more complete version to be published following internal consultation early in the first quarter of 2022.
Follow up on the proposals to increase Member State visibility in Twinning and to reflect on reducing the number of unsuccessful Calls for proposals.