European Structural and Investment Funds: definitions and acronyms
Explains the terminology used in the guidance documents for the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) 2014-2020 programmes.
The following is an explanation of the terminology used in the Programme Guidance documents. Where lead partners or delivery agents have any uncertainty over these or any other terms used in the Programmes, they should consult with the Managing Authority.
Acronyms:
AA – Audit Authority
ACR – Annual Control Report
AIR – Annual Implementation Report
ARM – Annual Review Meeting
CA – Certifying Authority
CEF-E – Connecting Europe Facility - Energy
COESIF – Coordination Committee for European Structural and Investment Funds
DA – Delivery Agent
EC – European Commission
EGESIF – Group of Experts in Structural and Investment Funds
ERDF – European Regional Development Fund
ESF – European Social Fund
ESFD – Scottish Government European Structural Funds Division
ESIF – European Structural & Investment Funds
ETC – European Territorial Co-operation
FEI – Financial Engineering Instruments
IAD – Scottish Government Internal Audit Division
ICT – Information and Communication Technology
JPMC – Joint Programme Monitoring Committee
LA – Local Authorities
LP – Lead Partner
MA – Managing Authority
MS – Member State (of the EU)
NUTS – Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics
OP – Operational Programmes
PA – Partnership Agreement
RTDI – Research & Technological Development & Innovation
SARP – Scrutiny and Risk Panel
SCO – Simplified Cost Options
SF – Structural Funds
SG – Scottish Government
SI – Strategic Intervention
SME – Small and Medium Enterprises - as defined by the EC: http://ec.europa.eu/small-business/faq/index_en.htm#theme-1
TA – Technical Assistance
YEI – Youth Employment Initiative
Definitions:
Annual Control Report – Report on audit and compliance from AA to EC, each year
Annual Implementation Report – Report on delivery from MA to EC, each year
Beneficiary – A public or private body responsible for initiating or both initiating and implementing operations
Challenge Fund – Competitive process for selecting Operations
Delegated Acts – Subordinate or technical Regulations
Europe 2020 – The EU's growth strategy
Fiche – Draft EC Guidance
Final recipient – An organisation receiving support from a SF programme
Grant – Contribution to the project from the SF
Grant Scheme – Activity run by an Operation to provide grants to enterprises
Implementing Acts – Subordinate or technical Regulations
Intervention Rate – The SF contribution to the Net Eligible Costs of a project (expressed as a percentage)
Match Funding – Contribution to the project from the LP, DA or other funder.
N+3 – Principle outlining the timescale for programme expenditure to be declared to the European Commission. N is the commitment year. +3 is the year by the end of which allocations to programmes in N have to be spent (or returned to the EC)
National Rules – The rules for the delivery of the programmes, as defined by the MA in line with the regulations
Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics – A hierarchical system for dividing up the economic territory of the EU
Operational Programmes – National programmes agreed between SG and EC
Participant – An individual receiving support from a SF programme
Partnership Agreement – Document setting out how the UK programmes will align with Europe 2020 and how the ESI funds will be invested
Regulation – EC legislation underpinning the SF programmes
Technical Assistance – Funding received by the MA to support delivery of the Programmes
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