FUND FOR EUROPEAN AID TO THE MOST DEPRIVED OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR FOOD AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE 2014-2020 CZECH REPUBLIC
Table of Contents 1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROGRAMME... 3 2 FORMULATION OF THE PROGRAMME... 4 2.1 Situation analysis... 4 2.2 Food deprivation... 5 2.2.1 Description of intervention... 5 2.2.2 National system for assistance distribution... 7 2.3 Material deprivation in families with children in serious social need... 7 2.3.1 Description of intervention... 7 2.3.2 National system for assistance distribution... 9 2.4 Material deprivation of homeless persons, persons at risk of becoming homeless and persons in serious social need... 9 2.4.1 Description of intervention... 9 2.4.2 National system for assistance distribution... 10 2.5 The other relevant information... 11 3 PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION... 13 3.1 Identification of the most deprived persons... 13 3.2 Selection of operations... 13 3.3 Selection of partner organisations/beneficiaries... 15 3.4 Complementarity with the ESF... 15 3.5 Institutional structure... 17 3.6 Monitoring and evaluation... 17 3.6.1 Monitoring... 17 3.6.2 Evaluation... 18 3.7 Technical assistance... 18 4 INVOLVEMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS... 20 5 FINANCIAL PLAN... 21 5.1 Plan for financing the operational programme... 21 5.2 Plan of financing by type of deprivation concerned... 21 Resources... 22 Legal regulations and documents... 22 Abbreviations... 23 Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 2 (of 23)
1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROGRAMME Member State: CZECH REPUBLIC Name of the operational programme: OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR FOOD AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE CCI: 2014CZ05FMOP001 Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 3 (of 23)
2 FORMULATION OF THE PROGRAMME 2.1 Situation analysis Social inclusion and combatting poverty are consistently one of the priority areas of the National Reform Strategy of the Czech Republic (CZ) which as part of achievement of national objectives until 2020 defined in the National Reform Programmes 1 aims for reduction of poverty or social exclusion by means of specific measures in the labour market and social protection, contributing thus to the implementation of the European Union's strategy 'Europe 2020'. In the context of social inclusion defined by strategic documents at the national level 2, the Czech priorities include not only improvement in access to the labour market for people in danger of poverty and social exclusion, but also provision of basic resources and respectable income for these persons and improvement in their access to good, available and comprehensive social services. According to the latest statistical data from 2013, poverty or social exclusion endangered 14.6 % of the population in the CZ, i.e. ca. 1 508k persons 3. In international comparison with the other EU Member States, the CZ belongs among the countries with the lowest share of population in danger of poverty or social exclusion 4. Although the risks of poverty and social exclusion are generally relatively low when compared with other EU Member States, especially because of rather effective social transfers, it is specific for the CZ that poverty is primarily concentrated in certain categories of the population that are mainly the long-term unemployed, single-parent families with children, families with multiple children 5 (In the CZ, children under the age of 16 in danger of poverty and social exclusion accounted for more than 18 %) 6. The material deprivation indicators are those that can complete the illustration of the situation of persons in danger of poverty and social exclusion. In this respect, the CZ with 6.6 %, i.e. ca. 678.7k persons in whom serious material deprivation has been identified is slightly lagging behind most of the EU 15 countries 7. In addition, the trend of recent years is its moderate increase in specific categories of the population such as families with children, especially in connection with the growth of some of the necessary expenses, housing costs in particular 8. In the light of the economic recession, national economic development and the 1 In the field of combatting poverty the Czech government has set itself an objective to keep the number of persons in danger of poverty or social exclusion at the level of the year 2008 (15.3 % of the total population) and to make efforts to reduce their number by 30 000. 2 The relevant strategies that emphasize alleviation of poverty and related material deprivation as a development priority in the CZ include 'Social Inclusion Strategy 2014-2020', (2014); 'Long-Term Vision of the MoLSA for Social Inclusion', (2012); 'Policy for Resolving the Issue of Homelessness in the Czech Republic until 2020', (2013); 'Strategy for Combatting Social Exclusion in 2011-2015', (2011); or 'Regional Development Strategy of the Czech Republic 2014-2020', (2013). 3 EU-SILC 2013, (2014). 4 According to the preliminary data, the EU 28 average was 24.8 % in 2012. 5 Sirovátka et al., 2013., EU-SILC 2012, 2014. 6 EU-SILC 2012, EU-SILC 2013, 2014. 7 EU-SILC 2012, (2014). 8 Sirovátka et al., 2013. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 4 (of 23)
growing unemployment rate, the growing housing costs combined with an increase in partially necessary expenses (e.g. on food and basic consumables) on the part of households not only as a consequence of the increase in the VAT, but also of a low rate of real wage growth in combination with continuously growing prices are particularly dangerous to people at risk of becoming homeless the estimated number of whom is approximately 100 thousand 9 in the CZ. Households that belong among those in danger of losing their dwelling are primarily one-parent families with children, the long-term unemployed and senior citizens living alone (in serious social need) 10. The most serious form of social exclusion attended by extreme poverty due to the absence of housing is homelessness. According to recent estimates, there are approximately 30k homeless people living in the CZ, i.e. people without any shelter or any flat. 11 The critical fact is that according to some estimates, there has been a recent increase among homeless persons in the number of young people leaving institutional care (e.g. children homes, youth detention centres and youth offenders institutions) and also families with children. 12 In the context of the CZ, material deprivation is also typical of socially excluded localities that are situated in all regions of the country. For that reason, the support of operations that will be selected for the CZ will be nation-wide, not only regionally focused. With regard to the amount of the allocation and the plan to increase effects of the Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance (OP FMA) on the situation of the most deprived persons, it is necessary to target provision of Assistance to those individuals or households that are really the ones most in need. The priority areas of intervention of the OP FMA arising from the identification of national needs are to deal with the problem of a lack of food and basic consumables by the most deprived persons that are persons and households at risk of poverty and social exclusion, especially materially deprived children and families with children in material need, people homeless and in danger of becoming homeless. 2.2 Food deprivation 2.2.1 Description of intervention Targeting of the intervention, forms of assistance and description of distribution chain Under this intervention, support will, focus on persons and households at risk of poverty and social exclusion, particularly materially deprived families with children, homeless persons, persons at risk of becoming homeless, persons or households with unsatisfactory dwelling, e.g. living in a temporary dwelling or in a crowded flat, and other persons in serious social need. An application for a subsidy to finance a purchase and distribution of food assistance will be submitted by partner organisation to the Managing Authority (MA). The purchase will be 9 MoLSA, 2012 p. 10. 10 MoLSA, 2013 p. 10 11 Ibid. 12 Ibid, p. 11. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 5 (of 23)
secured, through public procurement according to the applicable legal regulations 13, by the partner organisation/beneficiary of the subsidy, who will also ensure performance of contracts concluded with selected suppliers. A supplier shall deliver food to an agreed destination in the Czech Republic. The beneficiary, either alone, or in cooperation with his partners, will ensure distribution of food assistance to end recipients. Food will be provided to the most deprived persons by organisations that provide food or assistance to ensure food for the most deprived persons, namely in the form of ready-made meals or food packages (including baby food and non-alcoholic beverages). When meals are prepared from the food at the provider, e.g. in low-threshold day centres (LDCs), ready-made meals can be consumed directly there, or the meal can be prepared in such a way that people can take it away. The packages will be prepared so that end recipients can take them away and prepare the meals themselves (e.g. persons or families living in reception centres or halfway homes). The packages or the meals can be also supplied to people directly to their own homes, specifically as part of the field work (e.g. as part of the LDCs' activities providing also field services or field programmes). Aid can be distributed by volunteers. At food assistance distribution, attention will be paid to the variety of the products and the balance of the food provided. In cooperation with experts and members of partner organisations, the scope of commodities to be distributed will be defined. Accompanying Measures (AM) and their draft description To ensure AM provision, the partner organisation/beneficiary of the subsidy or the partner who provides assistance directly to end recipients are obliged to be a registered social services provider. Provision of AMs is compulsory. For that reason, the requirements of Article 7(4), Regulation No 223/2014 on the FEAD 14 are met. Assistance through AMs means social work provided by registered social services 15. Assistance providers will provide end recipients with basic social counselling (e.g. provision of information aiming to resolve difficult social situations, about fundamental rights and duties, particularly in relation to provision of social services, how to avoid becoming dependent on the social service or information about support possibilities for family members). If the end recipients are direct users of social services (primarily social prevention services), the scope of activities provided will be wider, e.g. social therapy, assistance at asserting their rights and legitimate interests and at arranging personal matters or social contact intermediation, educational, training and activation activities). Under the OP, assistance including AMs (of the type of costless social services 16 ) will be provided to end recipients free of charge, when these measures will not be regarded as facultative part of the social service. When providing assistance, the providers will see to 13 Act No 137/2006 on public procurement, as subsequently amended. 14 Regulation No 223/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived. 15 According to Act No 108/2006 on social services, as subsequently amended. 16 See the footnote No 15. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 6 (of 23)
avoid stigmatisation of the most deprived. However, acceptance of the offered AMs is not a prerequisite for assistance granting. Provision of AMs that will supplement the assistance distribution is important in terms of seeking a sustainable way to address social exclusion. The AMs will be financed from national funds, particularly from subsidy schemes supporting social services and also from the ESF funds in order to avoid duplicate financing, since in terms of their content the AMs are identical to the social services defined in the law on social services. 2.2.2 National system for assistance distribution The Programme will be implemented using the already existing capacities of the distribution network established for the winded up the European Food Aid Programme to the Most Deprived Citizens of the EU (PEAD). Nevertheless, in order to increase the effects of the Programme in comparison with the previous EU programme, stronger involvement of stakeholders is planned at the local or regional levels. It concerns particularly involvement of municipalities whose role primarily consists in meeting the requirements to provide social services in their territory to persons or groups of persons and inform the most deprived persons on locally available assistance or to engage organisations established by municipalities or regions as well as local partners distributing assistance to end recipients. It is also necessary to engage regional branches and points of contact of the Employment Office, so that information on available assistance can reach the target groups (TGs) in need. An advantage over the PEAD is primarily seen in a greater variety of commodities provided, where only 5 commodities were provided under the PEAD, whereas the FEAD will provide more varied food that should contribute to the balance and variety of diet. The assistance will be delivered more flexibly and regularly. Another difference is in the amount of allocated funds provided from the FEAD, when the PEAD provided the Czech Republic with hundred thousands of euros per year. A no less important factor is also a wider spectrum of target groups from families with children in serious social need, homeless people or people at risk of becoming homeless to people in serious social need. In the CZ, there is no governmental programme being implemented at the national level that would offer a systematic solution for food assistance and would support providers of such assistance by direct supplies of food. 2.3 Material deprivation in families with children in serious social need 2.3.1 Description of intervention Targeting of the intervention, forms of support, description of the distribution chain and accompanying measures Assistance under this intervention will be targeted primarily on households with children in danger of poverty and social exclusion, particularly on materially deprived families without Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 7 (of 23)
their own or rented dwelling (e.g. in reception centres or hostels), on socially deprived families with children living in an uncertain or unsatisfactory dwelling, on families under financial pressure or living in socially excluded localities and on one-parent families with low intensity of employment. An application for a subsidy to finance a purchase and distribution of material assistance will be submitted by partner organisation to the MA. The purchase will be secured, through public procurements according to the applicable legal regulations 17, by the partner organisation/beneficiary of the subsidy, who will also ensure performance of contracts concluded with selected suppliers. Suppliers will deliver goods to an agreed destination in the Czech Republic. The beneficiary of the subsidy, either alone, or in cooperation with his partners, will ensure distribution of material assistance to end recipients. Assistance to end recipients shall be provided through providers of registered social services 18 non-governmental non-profit organisations, or as the case may be by public bodies. Assistance providers are expected to cooperate with municipalities that should inform the most deprived citizens on locally available assistance. Social services providers may also use volunteers to distribute the material assistance. The main needs of this target group include particularly the goods related to the basic childcare, such as toiletries, clothing, shoes, school supplies, basic new-born and baby equipment, basic kitchenware for preparing and serving meals, healthcare material (not medicaments) and basic sanitary agents. A detailed list of the areas of needed material for end recipients under this intervention will be in the implementing documentation that will be prepared in consultation with relevant partners and approved by the MA. It must be basic consumption goods the value of which is limited and which are intended for personal consumption of the most deprived people. The assistance providers will be in charge of specification of the end recipients' requirements. To ensure AMs, the partner organisation/beneficiary of the subsidy or the partner who provides assistance directly to end recipients is obliged to be a registered social service provider. For that reason, the requirements of Article 7(4), Regulation No 223/2014 on the FEAD are met. Thanks to the linking by accompanying measures (their description is identical to the indicative list in section 2.2.1), the assistance to end recipients will be available in social service facilities, such as reception centres for families with children, intervention centres, out-patient and field services such as services of social activation for families with children, emergency aid, field programmes (assistance to families in their own home, or potentially on the street as well). Under this area of intervention, each measure will thus improve availability of basic consumables to families with children socially excluded or at risk of social exclusion and will 17 Act No 137/2006 on public procurement, as subsequently amended. 18 See note No 15. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 8 (of 23)
thus contribute to alleviation of material deprivation and reduction of the risk of poverty in these families and through accompanying measures to a limited extent also to alleviation of their social exclusion. 2.3.2 National system for assistance distribution In the CZ, there is no government programme being implemented at the national level that would offer a systematic solution for material assistance and would support providers by direct supplies of basic material assistance. Nevertheless, there exist social service facilities that provide material assistance to the most deprived persons. These activities, however, are usually financed from providers' private funds or by individual donors. For distribution of material assistance, the existing distribution network used in the winded up food programme is expected to be used and potentially, the so far not involved bodies are expected to take part in the aid distribution. 2.4 Material deprivation of homeless persons, persons at risk of becoming homeless and persons in serious social need 2.4.1 Description of intervention Targeting of the intervention, forms of assistance, description of the distribution chain and accompanying measures Assistance under this intervention will be targeted primarily on persons and households at risk of poverty and social exclusion, particularly on materially deprived homeless persons (persons living on the street, sleeping in doss houses, reception centres and halfway homes), on persons in danger of becoming homeless (living in uncertain or unsatisfactory dwelling), i.e. in danger of eviction, or in socially excluded localities, but also other persons in serious social need (e.g. lonely senior citizens, long-term unemployed persons or trafficked and exploited persons). An application for a subsidy to finance a purchase and distribution of material assistance will be submitted by partner organisation to the MA. The purchase will be secured, through public procurements according to the applicable legal regulations 19, of the partner organisation/beneficiary of the subsidy, who will also ensure performance of contracts concluded with selected suppliers. Suppliers will deliver goods to an agreed destination in the Czech Republic. The beneficiary of the subsidy, either alone, or in cooperation with his partners, will ensure distribution of material assistance to end recipients. Assistance to end recipients will be ensured through providers of registered social services 20 non-governmental non-profit organisations, or as the case may be by public bodies. Assistance providers are expected to cooperate with municipalities that should inform the 19 Act No 137/2006 on public procurement, as subsequently amended. 20 See note No 15. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 9 (of 23)
most deprived citizens on locally available assistance. Social services providers may also use volunteers to distribute the material assistance. Under this intervention, end recipients will particularly receive, through distribution by partner organisations, toiletries for personal hygiene, healthcare material (not medicaments), clothing, shoes, blankets and sleeping bags and basic kitchenware for preparing, making and serving meals. A detailed list of the areas of the required material for the end recipients under this intervention will be in the implementing documentation that will be prepared in consultation with relevant partners and approved by the MA. That must be basic consumption goods the value of which is limited and which are intended for personal consumption of the most deprived people. Assistance providers will then be in charge of specification of the end recipients' needs in the defined areas. To ensure AMs, the partner organisation/beneficiary of the subsidy or the partner who provides assistance directly to end recipients are obliged to be a registered social services provider. For that reason, the requirements of Article 7(4), Regulation No 223/2014 on the FEAD are met. Thanks to the liaison with accompanying measures (their description is identical to the indicative list in 2.2.1), the support to end recipients will be available in social service facilities, such as reception centres, doss-houses, low-threshold centres, day care centres and services such as emergency aid, field programmes, contact centres and other services for the most deprived persons (including support to persons in their own home as well as on the street). Under this area of intervention, each measure will thus improve availability of basic consumables for homeless persons, persons at risk of becoming homeless or persons in serious social need and will thus contribute to alleviation of material deprivation and reduction of the risk of poverty in these persons and through accompanying measures to alleviation of their social exclusion. 2.4.2 National system for assistance distribution In the CZ, there is no government programme being implemented at the national level that would provide a systematic solution for material assistance and would support providers by direct supplies of basic material assistance. Nevertheless, there exist social service facilities that provide material assistance to the most deprived persons. These activities, however, are usually financed from providers' private funds or by individual donors. For distribution of material assistance, the existing distribution network used in the winded up food programme is expected to be used and potentially, the so far not involved bodies are expected to take part in the aid distribution. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 10 (of 23)
2.5 The other relevant information Connection of the operational programme to the national system of social protection National policies on social protection of inhabitants of the CZ follow from the fundamental right mentioned in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Czech Republic: 'Everyone who is in material need has the right to such assistance that is necessary to secure basic living conditions.' The social security system includes a system of pension, sickness and health insurance, state employment policy and a non-contributory system of state social support, benefits for people in material need and for people with disabilities. Through a non-contributory system of state social support 21, the state financially supports families with dependent children that have been caught in a socially unfavourable situation that their members are unable to resolve by their own funds and abilities. The state support to persons and households at risk of poverty and social exclusion that have insufficient income is secured by a system of assistance in material need 22 the purpose of which is to secure that basic food and housing requirements are satisfied. The issues of affordability of housing for persons at risk of becoming homeless is addressed by the social security system by a benefit of the state social support (specifically housing allowance), a benefit of assistance in material need (housing supplement and extraordinary immediate assistance). They are instruments solely addressing a lack of funds in certain groups of persons or households that are defined by the above-mentioned legislation. In addition to the provision of direct financial support, the socially unfavourable situation of the persons is addressed by social services. The existing law on social services 23 regulates, inter alia, the requirements for granting assistance and support to natural persons in a unfavourable social situation, exhaustively defines particular types of social services the primary aim of which is to provide assistance and support to people for the purpose of their social inclusion or prevention of their social exclusion. Social services are provided as services residential, out-patient or field. In this system the strength of which is the connection of social services and unobstructed linkage among them, some of the existing services provide food or help getting food or provide assistance at personal hygiene as part of their activities. Within these systems people in unfavourable social situation can be granted financial benefits and allowances and use available social services that are to help them overcome a socially unfavourable situation and reduce the risk of their social exclusion and poverty. Support to the most deprived persons is also provided at the local level, namely from municipalities. The law on social services 24 prescribes duties to (in addition to registered social services) municipalities and municipalities with extended competence to coordinate provision of social services within their administrative district and carry out social work 21 In accordance with Act No 117/1995 on state social support, as subsequently amended. 22 In accordance with Act No 111/2006 on assistance in material need, as subsequently amended. 23 See note No 15. 24 Ibid. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 11 (of 23)
leading to the resolving of difficult social situations of their citizens and to their social integration. In that process they cooperate with the regional branch of the Employment Office (EO) and with the regional authority. Since free food and/or material assistance is not provided to end recipients under national social protection schemes designed to help the most deprived (outside social service facilities), this Programme can aptly complement the national social security system and the existing financial and non-financial instruments of assistance to the most deprived. To use the potential of complementarity of the OP FMA to national social protection policies and reduction of the risk that these policies overlap, the critical role at providing food and/or material assistance is played by partners at the local level who are in direct contact with the TG and have knowledge of needs of individuals at the local level. To verify beneficial effect, check potential misuse and reduce the risk of duplicity in provision of support, the MA will require from partner organisations as part of provision of assistance to set up inspection mechanisms and further, the MA in cooperation with the other relevant bodies will carry out inspections in partner organisations. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 12 (of 23)
3 PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION 3.1 Identification of the most deprived persons In compliance with chapter 2, the most deprived persons are the persons in unfavourable social situation which means weakening or loss of abilities because of age, unfavourable state of health, social crisis, personal habits and a way of living leading to a conflict with society, socially disadvantageous environment, danger to rights and interests by another natural person's criminal activity. The Programme will primarily target on persons and household in danger of poverty and social exclusion who do not live in their own or rented dwelling or are at risk of losing it or live in unsatisfactory dwelling or who are in serious social need. If persons or households are in such a situation, then they are eligible to receive support from the Programme. The criteria classifying the most deprived persons (target groups) to whom the Programme support will be provided will be defined, in compliance with Article 2 (2), by the MA after consultations with the respective stakeholders involved avoiding any conflict of interest. During the Programme implementation, the criteria for classification of the most deprived persons (target groups) can be adjusted depending on developments in the social situation. The MA will consult the respective parties involved at least once in every three years. It will be the responsibility of beneficiaries/partners (providers of assistance to end recipients) to identify specific individuals or households. These providers will apply procedures to evaluate needs of the most deprived persons adequately, namely depending on the situation in which they occur, and to evaluate length and rate of support provision. At provision of support directly on the street, the application for support itself is considered so stigmatising that it is not necessary to define additional criteria for identification of the most deprived persons. Identification of people or households can take place e.g. in cooperation with the relevant municipality with extended competence. An important role for identification of the most deprived persons is played by the key principles specified in Article 5 (11) of the FEAD Regulation. 3.2 Selection of operations Support is given to: 1) Operations implemented by partner organisations/beneficiaries of subsidies Under the OP, one operation is considered to be a set of activities (i.e. a purchase and distribution of assistance) that will be defined in the contract with a selected beneficiary of the subsidy. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 13 (of 23)
The MA is responsible for selecting operations and applying procedures that are nondiscriminatory and transparent. The project selection will run in form of calls for applications for subsidies announced by the MA. The selected operations must fall under the scope of activities of the Fund and of the OP (free provision of food and/or material assistance and AMs to the most deprived persons). Operations will be selected as follows: First, eligibility of the operation will be evaluated according to these criteria: Applicant's and partners' legal form is in compliance with criteria stated in section 3.3. The assistance distribution follows the principles under Article 5 (11-14) of the FEAD Regulation. The rules on eligibility of expenditures as per Articles 22, 23 and 26 of the FEAD Regulation are observed. All of the partner organisations providing assistance directly to end recipients must provide AMs. It is carried out in the Czech Republic. The products that will be purchased and distributed to the most deprived are in compliance with the conditions specified in the OP and in the implementing documentation. Subsequently, the operation will be evaluated in terms of quality according to these criteria: Beneficial effect of the project. The target groups and their needs are clearly defined and quantified. The operation timetable is feasible. The other criteria overlap with the selection of partner organisations/beneficiaries see section 3.3. Final approval of projects is carried out by a selection committee /external experts can be involved in the evaluation). In order to reduce administrative burden of partner organisations/beneficiaries and to increase efficiency of the distribution chain, it is also possible to use criteria related to the volume of distributed assistance and size of the partner network (number of partner organisations). 2) TA operations Selected TA operations are those that help prepare, control, review and monitor the OP or reduce administrative burden of partner organisations. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 14 (of 23)
3.3 Selection of partner organisations/beneficiaries Partner organisations are public bodies or non-profit organisations that deliver food and/or basic material assistance combined with accompanying measures directly or through other partner organisations. In the implementation of the OP FMA, the following two types of partner organisations are distinguished: 1) The partner organisation selected by the MA as a beneficiary is a non-governmental nonprofit body (usually operating at the national, supra-regional or regional level) or a public body that will: ensure a purchase of foodstuffs and/or material assistance, distribute assistance to end recipients, including AMs, or ensures the distribution in cooperation with project partners (see below). If the subsidy beneficiary does not provide assistance directly to end recipients, his registration as a social service provider is not necessary 25. In that case, however, all the other partners to the subsidy beneficiary who provide food and/or material assistance including AMs to end recipients must have their social services registered. prove that it itself or in cooperation with the other partners: - has organisational, operational and technical conveniences to distribute the assistance; - has human resources available to provide assistance and AMs, - has experience in provision of food and/or material assistance and experience in work with the target groups. 2) Project partners can be non-governmental non-profit and public-law bodies, usually operating at the local level acting as distributors of food and/or material assistance directly to end recipients have to be, on the grounds of provision of AMs, registered providers of social services 26. All the partners engaged in the distribution of assistance must have a partnership agreement defining the scope of cooperation concluded with the beneficiary in charge of the project implementation. At the selection of an operation according to section 3.2, relevance of local partners will be evaluated and approved by the MA (a prerequisite is experience with distribution of food and/or material assistance and work with the target group). 3.4 Complementarity with the ESF The measures of the OP FMA are complementary to the EOP activities under the investment priority 2.1, specific target 1 'Increase employability of persons at risk of social exclusion or socially excluded of the society and of the labour market' that focuses directly on various groups of people socially excluded or at risk of social exclusion (incl. homeless persons, etc.). In connection with the food/material assistance from the Fund for European Aid to the Most 25 See note No 15. 26 See note No 15. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 15 (of 23)
Deprived (FEAD), the most deprived persons will be provided services through the ESF projects, particularly in the following areas: - Promotion of social integration of people socially excluded, or at risk of social exclusion through social services, services for families and children and other services of general interest; - Promotion of services provided in the field and outpatient form, promotion of community social work; promotion of specific instruments to prevent and address problems in socially excluded localities; - Promotion of services focusing on prevention of persons' social exclusion, services provided in the field and outpatient form, promotion of community social work; - Education and consultancy, activation, assistance and motivational programmes for people at risk of social exclusion or socially excluded: - Active help to people socially excluded or at risk of social exclusion by providing access to social services, services for families and children and other follow-up services promoting social integration, including access to employment and appropriate housing, etc. Besides in direct work with the target group that is in the primary focus of investment priority 2.1, complementarity can be also seen in activities of priority 2.2, although its primary focus rather aims at the system of services as such (increase in its accessibility, sustainability, quality, etc.); nevertheless, a system project in investment priority 2.2 can be verified as a pilot by work with the target group. All the activities that will have to be complementarily supported with the FEAD measures (i.e. particularly field programmes, field social work, counselling, social activation services for families with children, motivational programmes, etc.) are covered by priority axis 2 (investment priority 1 in particular) of the EOP, while the target groups relevant to the FEAD are also covered by the EOP. If there is a link to projects and services funded from the ESF, the applicant shall indicate this link in the project application, including the content of these services. Activities aiming for social inclusion of the most deprived persons, i.e. accompanying measures, can be funded from the EOP of the ESF, namely under the priority axis 2 Social inclusion and combating poverty. Coordination of activities from both operational programmes will be ensured in close cooperation of both managing authorities and by representation in the respective monitoring committees and working groups. Coordination is facilitated by the fact that both managing authorities (for the EOP and for the OP FMA) will be part of the same section of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) - Section for EU Funds. At the level of factual linking of the social inclusion measures, complementarity can be mentioned with the ERDF Integrated Regional OP (IROP), namely in priority axis 2 Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 16 (of 23)
(Improvement of public services and living conditions for regional population) specific objective 2.1 Increase in quality and accessibility of services leading to social inclusion. 3.5 Institutional structure Based on the Government Resolution No 534 of 9 July 2014, the MoLSA has been charged with the functions of the Managing, Certifying and Audit Authorities for the Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance. Managing Authority The Managing Authority is responsible for good and effective management and implementation of the operational programme in accordance with regulations of the European Union and with national standards. By means of internal guidelines, the Managing Authority will be incorporated into the organisational structure of the MoLSA. Certifying Authority The Certifying Authority is responsible for the overall financial management of the funds provided to the Czech Republic from the EU budget. By means of internal guidelines, the Certifying Authority will be incorporated into the organisational structure of the MoLSA. Audit Authority The Audit Authority is responsible for verifying effective functioning of the management and audit system of the programme, for carrying out audits of a sample of operations and for drawing up an audit strategy. By means of internal guidelines, the Audit Authority will be incorporated into the organisational structure of the MoLSA. The Audit Authority is functionally independent of the Managing Authority and the Certifying Authority. An exact scope of activities of each authority of the implementation structure is governed by Articles 32 to 34 of Regulation No 223/2014 on the FEAD (FEAD Regulation). The body to which the European Commission will make payments is the MoLSA. 3.6 Monitoring and evaluation 3.6.1 Monitoring Monitoring system represents basic instrument for efficient settings and managing the Programme and for implementation of projects. The Programme monitoring is the responsibility of the MA. The monitoring collects data and presents summarising information on the current status of the implementation process of projects and the Programme. From 2015 to 2023, each year by 30 June, the MA will present an annual report on the OP implementation in the previous budget year to the Commission. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 17 (of 23)
The MA shall draw up an annual report on the implementation in compliance with the delegated act stated in Article 13(6) of the FEAD Regulation, including a list of common indicators. The MA will consult the respective stakeholders regarding the OP implementation reports, whilst avoiding the conflict of interest. A summary of comments by these respective stakeholders will be attached to the report. The MA will present the final report on the operational programme implementation by 30 September 2024. The MA will draw up the final report on the OP implementation in compliance with the delegated act stated in Article 13(6) of the FEAD Regulation. Indicators of the programme monitoring The programme indicators will be monitored in compliance with Article 13(6) of the FEAD Regulation and with the delegated act of the EC, Article 62(2). To ensure collection of data that are necessary for preparation of OP implementation reports, the MA will implement a system of collecting data from subsidy beneficiaries. In cooperation with their partners, the subsidy beneficiaries (if involved in the operation) will provide the MA information for the programme monitoring. A contract with subsidy beneficiaries will specify data as well as method of reporting. 3.6.2 Evaluation Evaluation is carried out in compliance with the duties established under Articles 13 to 16 of Regulation on FEAD and with methodical instructions of the EC. 3.7 Technical assistance The aim of the Technical Assistance (TA) is to secure a due implementation of the Programme through management, control, implementation and promotion of the Programme. In compliance with Article 27(4) of the FEAD Regulation, the operational Programme will finance measures focusing on preparation, control, monitoring, administrative and technical assistance, audit and information, inspection and evaluation measures necessary for implementation of this regulation. The TA will also finance Technical Assistance and help building capacities of partner organisations. The TA will finance particularly the following activities: Preparation, management, administration and monitoring of the Programme The TA will finance such activities that relate to the preparation of the operational Programme, control and administration of the Programme and monitoring of the Programme and operations. The activities under the Technical Assistance also cover meetings of the Working Group for setting the operational programme for use of the Fund of the European Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 18 (of 23)
Aid to the Most Deprived in the 2014 2020 programming period, participation of external experts in these meetings and preparation of documents is to be discussed there. Audit and inspection activities Funds can be also used for activities related to all the audit and inspection activities concerning the Programme implementation. Building capacities of partner organisations The TA will finance measures to build capacities in partner organisations, i.e. activities strengthening the absorption capacity of project applicants, such as courses and trainings for applicants, etc. The TA will also provide methodical support to applicants, necessary for preparation and administration of public tendering. Information and communication activities The TA will finance activities related information and communication activities, e.g. disseminating information, networking, raising awareness on the FEAD and the operational programme itself (publicity) and holding informative and promotional events, publishing promotional materials and carrying out analyses on effects of such events. Evaluation The TA will finance required analyses and studies assessing impacts of the Programme implementation: evaluation studies, analyses and surveys. Further, the activities funded from the TA include improvement of evaluation methods and exchange of information on practices in providing assistance, development and dissemination of good practice examples, organisation of courses and workshops focusing on exchange of experience among stakeholders. Other costs of Technical Assistance As part of the TA, such activities will be implemented that relate to purchase, installation and connection of computer systems and purchase of basic equipment for the staff of implementation bodies (the PEAD implementation structure differed from the FEAD structure and was administered by another state administrative section). The TA will finance job positions of those taking part in the TA work and remuneration of employees and qualified advisers. Funds will be invested in compliance with principles of effectiveness, efficiency and economy. The beneficiary will be the MoLSA that ensures performance of key roles in the implementation. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 19 (of 23)
4 INVOLVEMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS In order to address a variety of needs most appropriately and improve provision of assistance to the most deprived the OP will be designed, programmed, implemented, monitored and evaluated observing the partnership principle and in consultation with key stakeholders. At preparation of the programme document and implementation of the Programme itself, partnership is being ensured particularly through Working Group (WG) 27, established in January 2014 that creates a platform for safeguarding an adequate and transparent consulting process. The Working Group was established for the Programme implementation period. Among its members there are representatives of the MoLSA, Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, regional and local levels (Association of Regions of the Czech Republic and the Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic) and non-governmental nonprofit organisations (Association of Non-Governmental Non-Profit Organisations in the Czech Republic, Czech Federation of Food Banks, Charity of the Czech Republic) and General Directorate of the Employment Office of the Czech Republic. Experts from other professional institutions can be invited to the meetings. The WG members contributed to the final shape of this OP by their comments and may present further recommendations for modification of the programme documentation. Consultations were held via meetings (25 February, 24 June) and electronically. Partners' involvement in preparation of the OP showed particularly in descriptions of the supported types of interventions (OP focus not only on food, but also material assistance), identification of end recipients (unlike in the PEAD, a wider circle of end recipients has been defined) and their needs as well as clarification of accompanying measures. Partner organisations had also pointed out a lack of capacities for organisation of tendering procedures, which was taken into account by the MA with regard to the use of the TA. The WG approved the final version of OP draft. The partnership principle will be also employed between the OP FMA and EOP (investment priorities 1 and 2), namely at preparing measures of both programmes in such a way to be complementary. EOP developers are also among members of the above-mentioned Working Group. The same principle will be employed during preparation of the IROP (ERDF) that is under control of the Ministry of Regional Development. 27 Working Group for setting up the operational programme for use of the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived in the programming period 2014 2020. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 20 (of 23)
5 FINANCIAL PLAN 5.1 Plan for financing the operational programme The plan for financing the operational programme stating annual appropriation for the support from the Fund and the corresponding national co-financing (in EUR) Total 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Fund (a) 23 329 849 3 138 144 3 200 907 3 264 925 3 330 223 3 396 828 3 464 764 3 534 058 National cofinancing share* (b) 4 117 033 553 790 564 866 576 163 587 686 599 440 611 429 623 659 Eligible expenditures from public funds (c) = (a) + (b) 27 446 882 3 691 934 3 765 773 3 841 088 3 917 909 3 996 268 4 076 193 4 157 717 Co-financing (d) = (a) / (c) 0.85 * 'National co-financing' as per Regulation No 223/2014 on FEAD. 5.2 Plan of financing by type of deprivation concerned The financing plan specifying the amount of the total financial appropriation of the support from the operational programme for each type of deprivation concerned and related accompanying measures (in EUR). Area of intervention Eligible expenditures from public funds Total 27 446 882 Technical assistance 1 372 344 Food deprivation 18 252 176 of which accompanying measures 0 Material deprivation in families with children in material need 3 911 181 of which accompanying measures 0 Material deprivation of homeless persons, persons at risk of becoming homeless and persons in serious social need 3 911 181 of which accompanying measures 0 Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / 2014-2020 page 21 (of 23)