An introduction to the programming
cycle and programming methods in
the EU
Contents of the presentation
 Preparation of programs and projects
 Connection between programme and project level
 Project cycle
 Sources of information
Strategic planning =
 Definition of objectives (Goals and Objectives) with
indicators (Monitoring).
 Defining ways of reaching the goals (Strategies),
Why use strategic planning?
 Strategic planning is important to understand needs
and opportunities of the area in question and also to
understand possibilities which will lead to completion
of these needs.
Strategic documents usually
present
 Analysis of relevant areas (economy, environment,
social affairs, tourism, agriculture …);
 SWOT analysis or simmilar ;
 Possible development strategies;
 Objectives with Indicators;
 Measures,
 Projects
Project- criteria, goal, vision
Goal
Measure 1
Project 1
Project 2
Measure 2
Project 3
Programmes/projects
 A programme consists of several projects
 A programme can be financed out of different
sources
 Project = activity of the programme
Tender driven
vs.
Objective driven
Project preparation - programming
Terms for sucessful projects:
 Project is relevant is feasible and sustainable.
 Project has developed objectives with indicators and it
has a leader.
Project’s beginning
 Project starts before applying to a public tender
(a year, two years beforehand …)
 Strategic document
 Project’s ideas
 Searching for financial sources
 Selecting partners
 Searching for resources
 Understanding of alternatives
Project’s idea development
The projects must be formed to tend to reach the
objectives!
 Expectations of project’s partners, contracting body,
users, target groups …,
 Project’s circumstances,
 Overall view of the problems to be solved with the
project,
 Other possible project ...
Project cycle management
 This is a project preparation method which contains
all levels – from strategic to programme levels.
 Project cycle management was developed by GTZ and
Us Aid and is widely used by European union
institutions.
Project cycle management
Programming
 International, National, Local level
Content:
 state analysis,
 objectives,
 financial frames,
 results and goals,
 determined horizontal priorities.
Identification
 Project’s ideas,
 Factor and target group analysis,
 Does the project answer to the needs and problems of
target groups?
Results of this phase:
 Pre-feasibility study,
 List of projects
 Basic evaluation of the projects’ quality – relevance,
feasibility
Apraisal and Formulation
 Feasibility study,
 Preparation of project’s documentation (technical),
 Positive decree for continuation of the project.
Project is estimated upon:
 Relevance
 Feasibility
 Sustainability
Funding
 Final financial estimation
 Financial proposal,
 Posting the entry forms for the public tenders, banks …
 A decree of funding the project,
 Signing the contract.
Project’s implementation
 Not only the project’s realisation
 ….. also promotion of project and management of all
aspects….
 Transparency with the acquired funds consumption.
 Project must be implemented under all public tender’s
regulations …
Evaluation
 Systematic evaluation of the project and it’s objectives,
 Evolutional
principles: independence, expertise,
applicability, collaboration of factors.
Evaluation can be:
 Mid-term, end of project, ex-post evaluation
Special care must be applied with:
 Relevance, effectiveness, relation between objectives
and the money spent, project’s influence,
sustainability,
 The difference between evaluation, following the
project and revision.
Evaluation
Evaluation can be:
 Ex ante, Mid-term, Ex-post
Special care must be applied with:
 Relevance, effectiveness, relation between objectives
and the money spent, project’s influence,
sustainability,
Resurces for further information:
 Manual-Project




cycle
management;
European
Commission, EuropeAid Co-operation office, General
Affairs,
Evaluation,
March
2001
(http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/evaluation/me
thods/index.htm)
Guidelines For Successful Public – Private
Partnerships, European Commission, DG Regio
(http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/sources/
docgener/guides/guide_en.htm)
MEANS
Collection
Evaluating
socio-economic
programmes
(http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional
_policy/sources/docgener/evaluation/means_en.htm)
www.interadriatico.org
www.cadses.net
Resurces for further information:
 www.entereurope.hr
 www.europa.eu.int
 www.delhrv.cec.eu.int
Questions and comments???
Thank you for your time!