Background:

The training course on IPA CBC Management Structures and Implementation Procedures took place on March 19th and 20th 2008 in Pristina. 21 representatives from various line ministries and central agencies in Kosovo (under the UNSCR 1244) participated in this training.

Objectives:

The main objectives of the course were described before the course as:

1. Understanding what institutional framework needs to be established in order to prepare and manage the cross-border programmes:

• What steps need to be taken for preparation of the cross-border programmes?
• What steps need to be taken before the cross-border programmes can be implemented?
• Who is responsible for what in different steps?
• Role of various documents in the process

2. Know and understand how the different steps of the cross-border programme Grant Scheme work– i.e. Call for Proposals (CfP), evaluation, etc. With special focus on:

• Who is responsible for what?
• The role of the various documents in CfP

3. Know where to find relevant information in relation to the implementation of the cross-border programme Grant Scheme, e.g.

• Cross-border programme
• IPA Implementing Regulations
• PRAG
• Annexes to PRAG.

Outline:

The course was divided according to two main strands:

a) Which institutional framework is to be established in order to prepare and implement the cross-border programmes (this part was mainly based on IPA Implementing Regulations);
b) Different steps in the implementation of the cross-border programmes (this part was mainly based on PRAG and PRAG annexes but also on the previous experiences of the trainees in implementing Neighbourhood Programmes).

Important elements of the methodology of the training are the following:

• Interactive approach: Combination of theoretical sessions with practical work/learning exercise. Due to the relatively short duration of the training (two days), most of the topics were presented in plenary sessions (presentations followed by discussions and/or “buzzing” sessions).
• Group exercises: two different approaches were followed with regards to group work exercise:
  (i) Small groups exercise – discussions in small groups the topics related to: role of the actors in preparing/implementing a cross-border programme.
  (ii) Big group exercise- discussions of all in one group of topics related to: steps in launching a CfP, steps of the projects evaluation, and evaluation of a concept note.
  (iii) Recap on day 2 (each participant tries to answer to a question related to a topic/issue that was dealt with on the first day.

Conclusions and Lessons Learned:

The representatives from the national institutions (line ministries and central agencies) showed a great interest for this training. Two CBIB experts participated the training, and that was a base for good discussions and exchange of knowledge and experience under previous EU instruments. As in Kosovo (under the UNSCR 1244) there is not experience from the Neighbourhood Programmes and as Kosovo (under the UNSCR 1244) still have not started with preparation of the cross-border programmes, representatives from the national institutions showed need for more training in the upcoming period.