Thematic Group on CAP Strategic Plans: Monitoring Committees
This Thematic Group allowed for the exchange of experiences in the establishment and operation of CAP Strategic Plans Monitoring Committees, hoping to inform and provide advice for Member States on their effective setting-up and functioning.
Context
According to EU Regulation 2021/2115, which lays down the rules on support for CAP Strategic Plans (CSPs), monitoring of the CSPs is expected to be a shared responsibility between the National Managing Authority and a National Monitoring Committee, with the latter also responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the CSP implementation (including, where applicable, the scope to establish and compose regional Monitoring Committees within a national framework).
Each Member State is required to publish the rules of procedure and opinions of the Monitoring Committee and decide on its composition, ensuring a balanced representation of the relevant public authorities, intermediate bodies, and representatives of the partners. Further context can be found in the background paper.
This Thematic Group (TG) provided an opportunity to bring together a selection of stakeholders alongside Network Support Units, Managing Authorities, regional authorities and Paying Agencies involved in the implementation of the CSPs.
Objectives
The Objectives of this TG were to:
- Exchange experiences in the establishment and operation of current Monitoring Committees (MCs), including any reflections on applying important lessons learned from previous programming periods.
- Identify and share possible good practices on different aspects of MC operations (from current and previous programming periods).
- Understand how the National Networks could effectively support the operation of the MCs.
- Develop conclusions that will inform and provide advice for Member States on the effective setting-up and functioning of MCs.
Activities
In the first TG meeting (25/09/2023), members focused their exchanges on the design and operation of MCs as part of the wider governance of CSP implementation at different levels.
Discussions in the second meeting (25/01/2024) focused on the inclusiveness of MCs, in terms of attracting appropriate representation from across the agri-rural spectrum, and ensuring there is appropriate capacity within the membership to ensure that all voices are heard, are on an equal footing, and are valued by the MC as a whole.
Key findings
TG members set out their conclusions and suggested actions in a final paper intended to inspire all those involved in the work of MCs to consider how best to strengthen the implementation of CSPs. The paper centred on the key themes identified, namely implementation approaches, stakeholder engagement, regional MCs and the role of National Networks.
Members concluded that effective MCs are vital to the successful implementation of any funding programme, particularly for those funded by public money. In the case of CSPs, it is incumbent on Managing Authorities to capitalise on the opportunity that the presence of an MC affords in terms of ensuring that the right decisions are made at the right time, by the right people, at the appropriate level, and implemented in a way that meets the needs of all those in a CSP ecosystem. To that end, Managing Authorities should also consider how best to include and utilise the expertise of NNs, stakeholder organisations, MC members and ministries.
The paper also provides a unique insight into Member State experiences with the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) MCs. It reveals that TG members considered that “in many cases, it is unclear how much influence Monitoring Committees have on CSP implementation”. That said, Members felt that MCs, with their diverse range of expertise and experiences, were highly regarded for their contribution to implementing CSPs. The TG also gave special attention to the potential of National Networks (NNs) and MC collaborating more closely, as the NNs offer valuable outreach and capacity-building resources. Another key insight from the TG underscores the benefits of aligning CSP MCs with counterparts from key EU support programmes, such as cohesion policy and fisheries funding.
Learn more
Scroll down this page to find all the outputs of this Thematic Group and relevant resources related to this topic.
You can find other useful resources about this theme in our Publications section and in our Good Practices database.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us at implementation@eucapnetwork.eu.
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