CHAPTER VI

INDICATIVE AREAS, THEMES AND GOOD PRACTICES CONCERNING THE USE OF THE ESI FUNDS SUPPORT FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT UNDER REGULATION 508/2014 TO STRENGTHEN THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY OF RELEVANT PARTNERS AND THE ROLE OF THE COMMISSION IN DISSEMINATION OF GOOD PRACTICES

Strengthening the institutional capacity of relevant partners
Article 17
1
The managing authority shall examine the need to make use of technical assistance in order to support the strengthening of the institutional capacity of partners, in particular as regards small local authorities, economic and social partners and non-governmental organisations, in order to help them so that they can effectively participate in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes.
2
The support referred to in paragraph 1 may take the form of, inter alia, dedicated workshops, training sessions, coordination and networking structures or contributions to the cost of participating in meetings on the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of a programme.
3
For rural development programmes, the support referred to in paragraph 1 may be provided through the national rural network established in accordance with Article 54 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.
4
For ESF programmes, managing authorities in less developed or transition regions or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that, according to need, appropriate ESF resources are allocated to the capacity building activities of social partners and non-governmental organisations that are involved in the programmes.
5
For European territorial cooperation, support under paragraphs 1 and 2 may also cover support for partners to strengthen their institutional capacity for participating in international cooperation activities.

Role of the Commission in the dissemination of good practices
Article 18
1
The Commission shall set up a cooperation mechanism called the European Community of Practice on Partnership, which shall be common to the ESI Funds and open to interested Member States, managing authorities and organisations representing the partners at Union level.
The European Community of Practice on Partnership shall facilitate exchange of experience, capacity building, as well as dissemination of relevant outcomes.
2
The Commission shall make available examples of good practice in organising the partnership.
3
The exchange of experience on the identification, transfer and dissemination of good practice and innovative approaches in relation to the implementation of interregional cooperation programmes and actions under Article 2(3)(c) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council
shall include experience of partnership in cooperation programmes.
Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on specific provisions for the support from the European Regional Development Fund to the European territorial cooperation goal (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 259).
Words in Ch. 6 heading substituted for specified purposes (31.12.2020) by The European Structural and Investment Funds Common Provisions Rules etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/783), regs. 1, 4(15)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Words in Ch. 6 heading omitted for specified purposes (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Structural and Investment Funds Common Provisions Rules etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/783), regs. 1, 4(15)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Art. 17(4) omitted for specified purposes (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Structural and Investment Funds Common Provisions Rules etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/783), regs. 1, 4(16); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Art. 17(5) omitted for specified purposes (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Structural and Investment Funds Common Provisions Rules etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/783), regs. 1, 4(16); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Art. 18 omitted for specified purposes (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Structural and Investment Funds Common Provisions Rules etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/783), regs. 1, 4(17); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)