Specific objective

To support the OPRD Managing Authority and its regional departments for effectively performing their programming, management, implementation, monitoring, control and evaluation activities according to the provisions and prescriptions of the EU SF regulations.

Operation rationale

For the first time the Bulgarian administrative structures must face the challenge of managing SF co-financed projects even if Bulgarian government has been involved for a long period in projects funded by the pre-accession instruments. In general, the management of an operational programme as well as single projects (or integrated projects) anticipates a long list of activities including elaboration of informal reports and drawing up of official documents to be sent to the EU Commission in the course of the entire programming period.

The Managing Authority and its regional departments will need additional strengthening of capacity (through trainings, exchange of experience, etc.) in order to meet the challenges of OPRD management and implementation. The procurement and installation of office equipment required for the proper management, implementation, monitoring, control and evaluation OPRD operations is of great importance, especially regarding the proper functioning of the Management Information System (MIS). Specialized surveys, analysis, assessments, etc. are crucial for the implementation and evaluation of OPRD operations impact and for the preparation of documents for the next programming period.

The efficiency of the technical assistance will be primarily based on the needs analysis for the support of the OPRD Managing Authority that is difficult to be pinpointed during programme preparation. For this reason the technical assistance has to be flexibly reoriented in order to respond the MA’s changing needs caused by the new requirements.

List of indicative activities to be supported

• provision of technical support, consultancy, studies, analyses, surveys, etc. necessary for the proper management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and control of OPRD operations;
• support for the project evaluation and selection process (organization of evaluation committees, a data base of independent experts possessing required technical expertise, hiring of experts, etc.), independent project appraisals;
• salaries, office and travel costs of the staff directly involved in the programming, management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and control of OPRD;
• training of the MA staff (workshops, seminars, exchange of good practices and experience, etc.);
• specific assistance for stimulating the MA structures for their extra ordinary work in OPRD management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and control;
• provision and maintenance of computerized information system (hardware and software) and office equipment necessary for the OPRD management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and control;
• evaluation of OPRD implementation (including on-going evaluations);
• support for financial control and audit (including on-the spot checks and related reports, internal control system, supervision of public procurement rules, etc.);
• OPRD Monitoring Committee organisation, running costs and training;
• support to preparation of documents for the next programming period (consultancies, studies, manuals,etc.).

Beneficiaries

Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MA and its regional departments). Internal Audit Unit of MRDPW

Last modified: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 4:20 PM