A review of administrative requirements for EU funded projects

Abstract

The process of utilising EU funds may be considered by many as an arduous, bureaucratic process, which does not quite end at award stage. Nonetheless, EU funding is a necessary tool to meet EU objectives. Funds are governed by rules and regulations which include a number of administrative requirements that beneficiaries must follow throughout the project implementation period. Not following such requirements may impact project implementation, which may affect the successful completion of a project and could result in recovery of the funds. The purpose of this research, was to analyse the administrative requirements of two funding programmes, so as to determine the contributions such requirements have on the funding programme and respective objectives, and to identify the challenges encountered throughout project implementation. This in turn allowed to identify whether administrative requirements detract from achieving the programme objectives. The literature review helped to formulate the basis of the analysis carried out. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach, through the analysis of the respective regulations and guidelines, and through semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders. Upon analysis of the data gathered, a number of links could be established with the literature presented. The findings of the study indicate the main implementation problems relating to administrative requirements encountered, and concludes by providing a list of recommendations on how such implementation problems can be addressed.