Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/207 of 20 January 2015 laying down detailed rules implementing Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the models for the progress report, submission of the information on a major project, the joint action plan, the implementation reports for the Investment for growth and jobs goal, the management declaration, the audit strategy, the audit opinion and the annual control report and the methodology for carrying out the cost-benefit analysis and pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the model for the implementation reports for the European territorial cooperation goal

Article 1

Model for the progress report

The progress report on implementation of the Partnership Agreement referred to in Article 52(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall be drawn up in accordance with the model set out in Annex I to this Regulation.

Article 2

Format for submission of the information on a major project

The information required for the approval of a major project, as referred to in points (a) to (i) of the first paragraph of Article 101 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall be submitted in accordance with the format set out in Annex II to this Regulation.

Article 3

Methodology for carrying out the cost-benefit analysis

The cost-benefit analysis referred to in point (e) of the first paragraph of Article 101 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall be carried out in accordance with the methodology set out in Annex III to this Regulation.

Article 4

Format of the model for the joint action plan

The content of the joint action plan referred to in the first paragraph of Article 106 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall be determined in accordance with the model set out in Annex IV to this Regulation.

Article 5

Model for the implementation reports for the Investment for growth and jobs goal

The annual and final implementation reports for the Investment for growth and jobs goal, as referred to in Article 111 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall be drawn up in accordance with the model set out in Annex V to this Regulation.

Article 6

Model for the management declaration

The management declaration referred to in point (e) of the first subparagraph of Article 125(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall be submitted for each operational programme in accordance with the model set out in Annex VI to this Regulation.

Article 7

Models for the audit strategy, the audit opinion and the annual control report

Article 8

Model for the implementation reports for the European territorial cooperation goal

The annual and final implementation reports for the European territorial cooperation goal, as referred to in Article 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013 shall be drawn up in accordance with the model set out in Annex X to this Regulation.

Article 9

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

ANNEX I

MODEL FOR THE PROGRESS REPORT

PART I

Information and assessment required for all the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds)

(a) General description and assessment of the changes in the development needs, including a description of changes in the development needs identified by new relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Articles 121(2) and 148(4) of the Treaty.

(b) Other elements, where relevant.

(a) A description and assessment of the progress made in achieving the national Europe 2020 targets (³) and of the contribution of the ESI Funds to that end, with reference to the milestones set out in the performance framework, and to the support used for climate change objectives, where appropriate.

(b) A description and assessment, with reference to the milestones set out in the performance framework, and to the support used for climate change objectives, where appropriate, of how the ESI Funds have contributed to delivering on the thematic objectives and of the progress made in achieving the expected main results for each of the thematic objectives as set out in the Partnership Agreement, including where appropriate, a description of the contribution of the ESI Funds in achieving economic, social and territorial cohesion, with reference to the milestones set out in the performance framework for each programme.

(c) A description of the contribution of the ESI Funds to relevant country-specific recommendations.

(d) Where applicable, a description of how changes in the development needs have been addressed by the ESI Funds.

(e) For the 2019 report only: a summary analysis of the data in Table 2 including an assessment of the reasons for the failure to achieve the milestones and of the measures that will be taken to address them.

(f) Other elements, where relevant.

Fund	A. Support used for climate change objectives in the Partnership Agreement	B. Support used for climate change objectives (1)	Percentage of support used compared to the Partnership Agreement (% B/A)
ERDF
Cohesion Fund
ESF (2)
EAFRD
EMFF
TOTAL
(1) Cumulative, in EUR, based on eligible expenditure declared to the Commission with the cut-off date of 31 December of the previous year. (2) This also includes the YEI resources (YEI specific allocation and matching ESF support).
Programme	Priority	Fund (1)	Category (2) of region
---	---	---	---
(1) For the purpose of this table, the YEI (specific allocation and matching ESF support) is considered as a fund. (2) Not applicable to EAFRD and EMFF.

Where appropriate, general information and assessment whether the actions taken to fulfil the applicable ex ante conditionalities set out in the Partnership Agreement not fulfilled at the date of adoption of the Partnership Agreement have been implemented in accordance with the timetable established.

Applicable general ex ante conditionalities which were completely unfulfilled or partially fulfilled	Criteria not fulfilled	Action taken	Deadline (date)	Bodies responsible for fulfilment	Action completed by the deadline (Y/N)	Criteria fulfilled (Y/N)	Expected date for full implementation of remaining actions, if applicable	Commentary (for each action)
		Action 1
	Action 2
Applicable thematic ex ante conditionalities which were completely unfulfilled or partially fulfilled	Criteria not fulfilled	Action taken	Deadline (date)	Bodies responsible for fulfilment	Action completed by the deadline (Y/N)	Criteria fulfilled (Y/N)	Expected date for full implementation of remaining actions, if applicable	Commentary (for each action)
---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
		Action 1
	Action 2

(a) An assessment of the implementation of the coordination mechanisms laid down in the Partnership Agreement and, if applicable, of any problems encountered in their implementation.

(b) Where applicable, a description of adjusted and new coordination mechanisms.

(c) Other elements, where relevant.

(a) General commentary and assessment.

(b) In relation to Article 15(2)(a)(i) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 — Overview of implementation of Community-led local development.

(c) In relation to Article 15(2)(a)(i) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 — Overview of implementation of integrated territorial investments, where appropriate.

(ca) In relation to Article 15(2)(a)(i) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 - Overview of implementation of integrated actions for sustainable urban development.

(d) In relation to Article 15(2)(a)(ii) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, where appropriate, overview of implementation of macro-regional strategies and sea basin strategies.

(e) In relation to Article 15(2)(a)(iii) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, where appropriate, overview of the implementation of the integrated approach to address needs of geographical area most affected by poverty or of target groups at highest risk of discrimination or social exclusion. — A description of the actions taken to address the specific needs of geographical areas most affected by poverty or of target groups at highest risk of discrimination or social exclusion. — A description of the results achieved in addressing the needs of these geographical areas/target groups.

(f) In relation to Article 15(2)(a)(iv) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, where appropriate, overview of implementation to address demographic challenges of areas which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps.

(a) A description and assessment of the role of the selected partners in the preparation of the progress report, with reference to the Partnership Agreement.

(b) A description and assessment of the involvement of the selected partners in the implementation of programmes, including participation in the monitoring committees of the programmes.

(c) Other elements, where relevant.

(a) A summary of the actions taken in relation to the application of horizontal principles to ensure the promotion and monitoring of these principles in the different types of programme, with reference to the content of the Partnership Agreement: (1) gender equality, non-discrimination, accessibility for persons with disabilities; (2) sustainable development (environmental protection, resources efficiency, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity and risk prevention).

(b) A summary of arrangements implemented to ensure mainstreaming of horizontal policy objectives, with reference to the content of the Partnership Agreement.

(c) Other elements, where relevant.

PART II

Information and assessment on the Youth Employment Initiative (for the purposes of Article 19(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council

(⁴) )

(a) A general description of the implementation of the YEI, including how the YEI has contributed to the implementation of the Youth Guarantee and also including concrete examples of interventions supported in the framework of YEI.

(b) A description of any problems encountered in the implementation of the YEI and measures taken to overcome these problems.

(c) An assessment of the implementation of the YEI with regard to the objectives and targets set and to the contribution to implement the Youth Guarantee.

PART III

Information and assessment to be provided for cohesion policy if use is made of the option provided by Article 111(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 to include certain elements of the annual implementation reports in the progress report — to be provided in 2017 and 2019

11.1 Progress in the implementation of the integrated approach to territorial development, including development of regions facing demographic challenges and permanent or natural handicaps, integrated territorial investments, sustainable urban development, and community led local development under the operational programme.

11.2 Progress in implementation of actions to reinforce the capacity of Member State authorities and beneficiaries to administer and use the Funds.

11.3 Progress in implementation of any interregional and transnational actions.

11.4 Progress in the implementation of measures to address the specific needs of geographical areas most affected by poverty or of target groups at highest risk of poverty discrimination or social exclusion, with special regard to marginalised communities and persons with disabilities, long term unemployment and young people not in employment including, where appropriate, the financial resources used.

PART IV

Information and assessment on the implementation of the YEI in case use is made of the option provided by Article 111(4) of Regulation (EU) of No 1303/2013 — to be provided in 2019

(⁵)

(a) A description of the main findings of the evaluation referred to in Article 19(6) of Regulation (EU) 1304/2013 assessing the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the joint support from the ESF and the specific allocation to the YEI, including for implementing the Youth Guarantee.

(b) A description and assessment of the quality of employment offers received by YEI participants, including the disadvantaged, those from marginalised communities and those leaving education without qualifications.

(c) A description and assessment of progress of YEI participants in continuing education, finding sustainable and decent jobs or moving into apprenticeship or quality traineeship.

PART V

Information and assessment to be provided for cohesion policy if use is made of the option provided by Article 111(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 (included where necessary to complement the other sections of the progress report) — to be provided in 2019

Information on and assessment of the programme contribution to achieving the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

ANNEX II

Format for submission of the information on a major project

MAJOR PROJECT

EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND / COHESION FUND

Project title
CCI
A.1.1	Name:
---	---
A.1.2	Address:
A.1.3	Name of contact person
A.1.4	Position of contact person
A.1.5	Telephone:
A.1.6	E-mail:
(1) Legend for the characteristics of fields: type: N = Number, D = Date, S = String, C = Checkbox, P = Percentage input: M = Manual, S = Selection, G = Generated by system maxlength = Maximum number of characters including spaces
A.2.1	Name:
---	---
A.2.2	Address:
A.2.3	Name of contact person
A.2.4	Position of contact person
A.2.5	Telephone:
A.2.6	E-mail:
Yes	□
---	---

A.3.3.1 Value in million EUR

A.3.3.2 Year

A.3.4.1 Number of persons employed

A.3.4.2 Year

Are 25 % or more of the capital or voting rights of the undertaking owned by one enterprise or a group of enterprises falling outside the definition of an SME? *

Yes	□	No	□

Indicate the name and describe the group structure

A.4.1 Technical capacity (at minimum please give overview of expertise required for project implementation and indicate the number of staff with such expertise available within the organisation and allocated to the project)

A.4.2 Legal capacity (as minimum information, indicate the legal status of the beneficiary allowing to implement the project, and its capacity to undertake legal action, if necessary).

A.4.3 Financial capacity (at minimum please confirm financial standing of the body responsible for project implementation to demonstrate that it is able to guarantee the liquidity for adequate funding to the project to ensure its successful implementation and future operation in addition to the other activities of the body)

A.4.4 Administrative capacity (as minimum information, please, indicate the EU-funded and/or comparable projects carried out in the last ten years and, in absence of such examples, indicate if technical assistance needs have been considered; please refer to institutional arrangements such as the existence of Project Implementation Unit (PIU) capable to implement and operate the project and, if possible, include the proposed organisational chart for project implementation and operation).

A.5.1 Give details of how the infrastructure will be managed after the project is completed (i.e. name of the operator; selection methods — public management or concession; type of contract, etc.).