Professional Development Series
Event Details
- Location: Freiburg (DE) – Connection from Basel EuroAirport
- ️ Dates: June 24-25-26 2026 (3 intensive days)
- Format: Expert-led masterclass with practical workshops
- Certification: ETCP certificate
DAY 1: FUNDAMENTALS AND COMMON PITFALLS
Lesson 1: Key Errors and Irregularities / ECA Findings
Morning Session: 9:00-12:30
Learning Objectives:
• Identify the most frequent errors in State aid and Public procurement implementation
• Understand ECA (European Court of Auditors) findings and their implications
• Recognize red flags in project implementation
Content:
• Overview of ECA special reports on State aid and Public procurement errors
• Analysis of common irregularities: incorrect legal basis, failure to notify, inadequate needs assessment, artificial splitting of contracts
• Statistical breakdown of error rates by sector and Member State
• Financial corrections and recovery procedures
Real Cases:
• Case Study 1: Local infrastructure investment incorrectly assessed as non-State aid
• Case Study 2: Direct award instead of competitive procedure for IT services contract
• Case Study 3: Broadband network development with cumulative aid issues
Interactive Exercise:
Role Play: Participants act as auditors reviewing a municipal public works project with multiple compliance issues. Groups identify irregularities and propose corrective measures.
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Lesson 2: Key Elements of Reform
Afternoon Session: 14:00-17:00
Learning Objectives:
• Master the updated State aid rules (GBER amendments, Climate, Energy and Environmental Aid Guidelines)
• Understand the new Public Procurement Directives’ flexibility mechanisms
• Apply proportionality principles in both frameworks
Content:
• GBER 2024 amendments: increased thresholds, simplified notifications, green transition provisions
• Public Procurement modernization: reserved contracts, innovation partnerships, light regime for social services
• Digital reporting obligations and transparency requirements
• Sustainability and green procurement integration
Real Cases:
• Case Study 4: Renewable energy project utilizing revised GBER thresholds
• Case Study 5: Innovation partnership for smart city solutions
• Case Study 6: Social housing project combining multiple State aid exemptions
Interactive Exercise:
Workshop: Design a procurement strategy for an electric bus fleet acquisition that maximizes GBER benefits while ensuring competitive procedure compliance
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DAY 2: COMPLEX INTERACTIONS AND PRACTICAL TOOLS
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Lesson 3: State Aid and Public Procurement Combined Cases
Morning Session: 9:00-12:30
Learning Objectives:
• Navigate the intersection between State aid and Public procurement rules
• Identify when procurement procedures affect State aid assessment
• Apply the Market Economy Operator Principle (MEOP)
Content:
• When does public procurement trigger State aid concerns?
• MEOP test: adequate remuneration and risk transfer
• Concessions vs. public service contracts vs. State aid
• In-house providing and State aid implications (Teckal criteria)
• SGEI compensation and procurement exemptions
Real Cases:
• Case Study 7: Public hospital outsourcing catering services with overcompensation issues
• Case Study 8: Municipal waste management concession with guaranteed minimum revenue
• Case Study 9: Public transport SGEI with infrastructure investment component
• Case Study 10: PPP agreement for university residence halls
Interactive Exercise:
Role Play: Negotiation simulation between a regional authority and a private operator for a cultural venue management contract. Teams must balance procurement requirements with State aid compliance, calculating MEOP-compliant compensation.
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Lesson 4: De Minimis, SCO/FNLC and State Aid
Afternoon Session: 14:00-17:00
Learning Objectives:
• Apply de minimis regulation strategically
• Utilize Simplified Cost Options (SCO) and Financing Not Linked to Costs (FNLC)
• Understand State aid implications of different funding methodologies
Content:
• De minimis regulation: thresholds, monitoring, cumulation rules
• SCO types: unit costs, lump sums, flat rates – State aid considerations
• FNLC under Cohesion Policy: results-based financing and State aid
• Documentation requirements and audit trails
• SGEI de minimis vs. general de minimis
Real Cases:
• Case Study 11: SME support program using general de minimis across multiple years
• Case Study 12: ESF+ training program with unit costs and potential State aid to training providers
• Case Study 13: ERDF entrepreneurship grant with lump sum payments
• Case Study 14: Agricultural de minimis for small-scale farmers’ cooperative
Interactive Exercise:
Practical Workshop: Participants receive profiles of 5 different beneficiaries with various historical aid amounts. They must calculate remaining de minimis room, identify cumulation issues, and design compliant funding packages using appropriate SCO methodologies.
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DAY 3: RISK MANAGEMENT AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
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Lesson 5: Risk Management and Sampling Strategies
Morning Session: 9:00-12:30
Learning Objectives:
• Develop risk-based verification approaches
• Design effective sampling methodologies
• Implement preventive control systems
Content:
• Risk assessment matrix: likelihood vs. impact for State aid and procurement errors
• Risk factors: beneficiary profiles, operation types, financial thresholds
• Sampling strategies: statistical, targeted, complementary samples
• Representative vs. non-representative sampling for error rate extrapolation
• Preventive vs. detective controls: ex-ante verification procedures
• Using management declarations and control checklists effectively
Real Cases:
• Case Study 15: Regional operational program with high error rate requiring enhanced controls
• Case Study 16: Targeted sample revealing systemic procurement splitting issue
• Case Study 17: Implementation of preventive legal screening for State aid notifications
Interactive Exercise:
Group Workshop: Teams receive a portfolio of 50 operations with various risk indicators. They must design a sampling strategy (size, methodology, justification), select operations for verification, and propose risk mitigation measures for high-risk categories.
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Lesson 6: Improving Checklists and Verification Tools
Afternoon Session: 14:00-16:30
Learning Objectives:
• Critique and enhance existing verification checklists
• Tailor control tools to specific risk profiles
• Develop practical guidance for frontline staff
Content:
• Anatomy of effective checklists: clear questions, objective criteria, proportionality
• Common weaknesses: overly generic questions, lack of legal references, inadequate evidence requirements
• Adapting checklists to operation typologies and risk levels
• Digital tools and databases for verification support
• Training verifiers: consistency, professional judgment, documentation standards
• Feedback loops: learning from past errors to improve future controls
Real Cases:
• Case Study 18: Checklist failure that missed significant State aid issue in infrastructure project
• Case Study 19: Overly burdensome verification causing delays and beneficiary complaints
• Case Study 20: Best practice example of risk-proportionate, user-friendly verification system
Interactive Exercise:
Practical Workshop: Participants receive a generic State aid/procurement checklist currently in use. Working in small groups, they identify weaknesses, redundancies, and gaps. Each group then redesigns the checklist for a specific operation type (e.g., business grants, construction works, service contracts, SGEI compensation), presenting their improved version with justification.
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Final Session: 16:30-17:00
• Q&A and seminar wrap-up
• Evaluation and feedback collection
• Distribution of resource materials and contact information for ongoing support
• Certification of Qualification
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PARTICIPANT MATERIALS
• Comprehensive seminar handbook with legal references, case studies, and templates
• Access to online resource library with updated regulations and guidance documents
• Certificate of completion and qualification
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METHODOLOGY
• 40% presentations with practical examples
• 35% real case analysis and discussion
• 25% role plays, simulations, and hands-on workshops
• Peer learning and experience sharing encouraged
Investment & Pricing
- Full Price: €1,435.00
- Group Rate (2+): €1,291.50
- Early Bird (2 months): €1,219.75
- Large Groups (5+): Special rates available
Includes: Complete materials, contract templates, lunches & refreshments, networking events, certification, 12-month online access
Location
Travelling to Freiburg from Basel EuroAirport
Basel EuroAirport (BSL) is the most convenient gateway to Freiburg im Breisgau, located approximately 70 kilometres away.
The most economical option is the direct shuttle bus operated by Freiburger Reisedienst, departing hourly from the terminal (French sector) directly to Freiburg’s central bus station. The journey takes approximately one hour. For the lowest fares, FlixBus also serves this route several times daily, with tickets available from as little as €6 when booked in advance.
Both services require no transfers and no prior arrangement beyond ticket booking.
Contact & Registration
Email: contact@etcp.fr
Website: www.etcp.fr
⚠️ Early registration recommended – Limited places available