1. Between the European Commission and a member state;
2. Between the Member State and competent regional, local, city and other public organisations;
3. Between the Member State and economic and social partners;
4. Between the Member State and other representative partners of the public and the environmental protection, non-governmental organisations responsible for promoting equality between men and woman;
5. Between the European Commission and social and economic partners at EU level.
The partnership principle shall be implemented in accordance with the national partner inclusion procedure and practice.
The most representative partners at national, regional and local levels in different economic, social, health, environmental protection spheres take part in the programming period of EU structural assistance for 2007-2013 in Lithuania.
Planning of the process of getting ready for utilisation of EU structural assistance in Lithuania for 2007-2013 has included measures to properly implement the partnership principle (the development scheme is shown in table 1) by applying it broader than for SPD development.
Table 1. Organisational structure of developing strategic documents for the utilisation of EU structural assistance in 2007-2013
It is possible to identify three directions of partnership for developing strategic documents for the utilisation of EU structural assistance in 2007-2013: direct inclusion into the development process, discussion of interim results with partners and institutions, and informing the public. Several forms have been selected to ensure the implementation of the partnership principle: revision of proposals of partners, direct participation of partners and stakeholders in the development of Action Programmes, public discussions (discussions of strategic priorities and interim results relating to the level of preparedness).
Proposals by Partners
Partners and stakeholder organisation provide their proposals on a permanent basis. The proposals received are communicated to the members of the Commission. There is an opportunity to submit proposals not only in writing. The e-mail system 2007–2013@finmin.lt for exchanging opinions and proposals is in place and used by a defined part of the representative partners and state institutions.
Participation of Partners in the Activities of Working Groups
Another important form of partnership is a direct participation of partners in the development of Action Programmes. In order to ensure the implementation of the partnership principle, representatives of other state authorities and institutions, representative (able to represent common interests of regional, local self-government institutions, employers and employees) partners, independent experts and scientists have been invited to take part in the activities of working groups. The Action Programmes (the Human Resources Development Programme, the Economic Growth Action Programme, and the Cohesion Promotion Action Programme) are developed by 11 thematic groups made up of representatives from the institutions responsible for the formation and implementation of policy in specific areas, from stakeholder agencies, associations and other organisations representing common interests. One third of the developers of all Action Programmes consists of representatives of the partners. Their task is to inform the organisations/members they represent about Action Programmes and the course of their development, provide working groups with generalised proposals on the objectives of utilisation of EU structural assistance and the measures of their implementation in specific areas.
Public Discussions
For the purposes of constructive dialogue and representative opinion of the partners, public discussions take place to discuss most relevant issues related to the development and contents issues of the Strategy for the Use of EU Structural Funds in 2007-2013 and the Action Programmes.
Four public discussions have been held in total.
The First Public Discussion
The first public discussion focused on the Strategy priorities. The proposals were presented for public discussion with social, economic and regional partners at the conference "The implementation results of the first year of the Lithuanian Single Programming Document for 2004-2006. Future perspectives (2007-2013” that took place on 23 June 2005.
Proposals and comments of the partners were considered after the first public discussion. A revised description of Strategy priorities setting forth the Strategy priorities and their directions have been submitted to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the Strategy priorities at its sitting of 14 July 2005.
The Second Public Discussion
In the course of working out proposals on the Action Programmes by the
Commission, the second public discussion took place on 29 September 2005
to consider a possible thematic grouping of the Strategy priority directions
into Action Programmes and the issues of organising the development of such
Action Programmes.
The Third Public Discussion
On 31 January 2006, a draft Strategy for the Use of EU Structural Funds for 2007-2013 was presented for public discussion to social, economic and regional partners. At the same time, the public discussion was aimed at answering several major questions related to the period of 2007-2013:
Discussion “How to keep the high pace of economic growth?”
Discussion “How to use effectively and rationally the main asset of Lithuania – its people, effectively use limited human resources and address workforce problems?”
Discussion “How to support regional dimension and ensure even regional development?”
The Fourth Public Discussion
The fourth public discussion took place on 29 June 2006. The members of all working groups, one third of which represent the partners, used this event to discuss initial draft versions of three Action Programmes and the draft Strategy for the Use of EU Structural Funds for 2007-2013 amended according to the recommendations and opinions of the partners, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the European Commission and other institutions and organisations. The first draft of the Strategy was considered on 31 January 2006. Later the document was revised and the development of the three Action Programmes commenced. The Action Programmes (the Human Resources Development Programme, the Economic Growth Action Programme, and the Cohesion Promotion Action Programme) are developed by 11 thematic groups made up of representatives from the institutions responsible for the formation and implementation of policy in specific areas, from stakeholder agencies, associations and other organisations representing common interests. One third of the developers of all Action Programmes consists of representatives of the partners. Their task is to inform the organisations/members they represent about Action Programmes and the course of their development, provide working groups with generalised proposals on the objectives of utilisation of EU structural assistance and the measures of their implementation in specific areas.
The drafts of the Strategy for the Use of EU Structural Funds for 2007-2013, the Human Resources Development Programme, the Economic Growth Action Programme, and the Cohesion Promotion Action Programme were discussed in this event.
Finansų ministerija. Updated on 11 April 2007