Professional Development Series
Event Details
- Location: Freiburg / Basel
- ️ 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
Contact & Registration
Email: contact@etcp.fr
Website: www.etcp.fr
⚠️ Early registration recommended – Limited places available