Better results and smoother uptake - guarantee partners' involvement during EU funds implementation and monitoring

Despite some shortcomings of partners’ involvement during the Programming of the EU funds for 2014-2020, environmental partners could significantly improve the mainstreaming of environmental protection requirements throughout Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes. It is now all the more important to ensure partners can contribute during the implementation and monitoring of EU regional development funding.

This paper offers practical suggestions to strengthen the role of civil society:

• Enable timely access to all relevant information,
• Involve partner into decision-making processes,
• Include partner into strategic considerations,
• Increase stakeholders’ capacity.