New Integrated Programming Approach

New Integrated Programming Approach

Aligning EU, National and Regional Strategies for Enhanced Fund Performance

Dates & Location

Bordeaux

24-25 September 2026

Leading Experts

Balázs Pichler – Senior EU Funds Management and Strategic Planning Expert
EU Funds strategic planning (EUR 20+ billion programs) • Former Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Department • KPI design and performance measurement
Franck Sottou – EU Funds & Performance Management Expert
32+ years in EU funds monitoring, evaluation, KPI systems • Risk management and results-oriented management
2 days intensive training

Key Questions Addressed

  • What balance between National, Regional and Local dimensions?
  • What integration of funds for a Common and Smart Strategy?
  • What indicators (common and specific) for tracking Performance?
  • What instruments, financial and simplified to use without risks?

Primary Focus

Strategic Planning & Multi-fund Integration

Who Should Attend

Programme Managers and Coordinators, Managing Authority & IB staff, Regional Development Agency officials, Lead beneficiaries, Policy makers involved in multi-fund integration

Key Topics Covered

  • Multi-level governance & strategic planning
  • Multi-fund integration & S3 strategies
  • Performance framework & indicators
  • SCOs & FNLC
  • Risk management & sampling strategies

Detailed Agenda

Day 1 Multi-level Governance & Strategic Planning 11 sessions

08:30–09:00 Registration & Welcome Coffee

09:00–09:20 Opening Session
• Workshop objectives
• New EU Budget Performance Framework (2028–2034)
• COM(2025) 545 integration philosophy

09:20–10:45 SESSION 1.1
The New Integrated Planning Architecture
Breaking down silos across levels
• Multi-level governance framework
• Roles and responsibilities
• Coordination mechanisms

10:45–11:15 ☕ Coffee Break

11:15–12:45 SESSION 1.2
Strategic Programming & Place-based Development
National and Regional Partnership Plans
• Place-based approaches
• ITI and CLLD ?
• Workshop : Designing an integrated strategy

12:45–13:45 🍽 Lunch Break

13:45–15:15 SESSION 2.1
Multi-Fund Integration
Creating synergies across funding sources
• Combining EU funds : ERDF + ESF+, Cohesion + CAP
• Case Studies

15:15–15:45 ☕ Coffee Break

15:45–17:00 SESSION 2.2
Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3)
S3 evolution in 2028–2034
• Entrepreneurial discovery process
• Industrial transition and green transition
• Workshop Activity

17:00–17:15 Day 1 Wrap-up & Key Takeaways

19:00 Dinner in the City Centre

JOUR 2 Performance Framework & Financial Instruments 9 sessions

09:00–09:15 Day 2 Opening
• Recap of Day 1
• Day 2 objectives : measuring success and financing mechanisms

09:15–10:40 SESSION 3.1
The New Performance Framework
Expenditure tracking
• Output and Result indicators
• Key innovations : 5 000 to ~1 000 indicators
• RACER criteria

10:40–11:10 ☕ Coffee Break

11:10–12:45 SESSION 3.2
Practical Application
Monitoring and reporting requirements
• Annual Management and Performance Report
• Mini-Exercise : Setting targets and baselines

12:45–13:45 🍽 Lunch Break

13:45–15:00 SESSION 4.1
Financial Instruments
Evolution of FIs 2028–2034
• Types : loans, guarantees, equity
• InvestEU complementarity
• Performance tracking

15:00–15:30 ☕ Coffee Break

15:30–16:50 SESSION 4.2
Simplified Cost Options & FNLC
SCO types : lump sums, unit costs, flat rates
• FNLC paradigm : from costs to results
• Workshop Exercise

16:50–17:00 Closing Session

Investment

  • 1 735 € per participant
    Early Bird: 1 475 €
    Group Rate (2+): 1 561,50 €
  • 5+ participants: Contact us for special rates

Join us in Bordeaux for a Seminar marking history and evolution of funds :

  • from compliance to performance,
  • from multiplication to integration,
  • from real to no and simplified-costs options 

With all the guidance from locals about Bordeaux and surroundings

Full Agenda

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