“STEP” is the second of three strategic projects supporting EUSAIR governance in 2023–2027, financed under Priority Axis 4 of the IPA-ADRION Programme. By upgrading and strengthening the EUSAIR Stakeholders Platform (ESP), STEP delivers the functions assigned by the EUSAIR Governing Board in May 2021:
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Engagement and interaction with stakeholders;
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Support for financial dialogue and the set-up/coordination of a network among Managing Authorities.
Overall Objective
Ensure more efficient implementation of EUSAIR priorities and flagship projects by:
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Updating and enhancing the ESP as a data/analytics “single window” that accelerates evidence-based decision-making and aggregates information to build long-term sustainable value;
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Expanding stakeholder involvement and engagement at national and transnational levels;
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Supporting financial dialogue and embedding EUSAIR within major ERDF and Territorial Cooperation programmes;
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Fully integrating EUSAIR into the IPA III programming framework.
Expected Results
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Upgraded ESP cloud infrastructure;
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Creation of an ESP-accessible data hub;
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Updated and implemented EUSAIR Common Stakeholder Engagement Plan;
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A shared online solution for dialogue with key financial institutions to back EUSAIR flagships and to consolidate/energise the ETC Managing Authorities network;
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Faster integration of EUSAIR priorities and flagships into IPA III programmes.
The transnational approach is essential to support governance of a macro-regional strategy like the Adriatic–Ionian—effectively a policy laboratory for a future, enlarged Europe.
SASPAC Responsibility — Work Package 3 (WP3)
WP3: “EUSAIR stakeholders — involvement and engagement.”
Aim: Support implementation of EUSAIR Action Plans by ensuring transnational and national-level involvement and engagement of key actors.
Progress to Date
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Completed procedures to select the Project Manager and Financial Officer.
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Meetings held:
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Kick-off meeting: Zagreb (Croatia), 20 Feb 2024.
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Steering Committee #1: Šibenik (Croatia), 15 May 2024.
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Steering Committee #2: Tirana (Albania), 07 Feb 2025.
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Three online coordination meetings with lead/partners.
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Finance & administration:
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Request sent to the Ministry of Finance to open a special account at the Bank of Albania;
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Approval obtained from the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Albania for opening the Financial Identification Form (FIF);
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FIF transmitted to Italian Lead Partners;
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Awaiting pre-financing tranche to SASPAC’s STEP account under the relevant code.
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Reporting:
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Reported PR0-1 (04/09/2023–29/02/2024) and RP2 (01/03/2024–31/08/2024);
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Preparing PR0-3 (01/09/2024–28/02/2025) — financial and narrative.
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Administrative memos prepared, including: production of the project cancellation stamp, working group establishment, and invitations for recruitment of PM and FO positions, etc.
Project Facts
Project title: EUSAIR Stakeholders Engagement Point
Acronym: STEP
Programme: Interreg IPA VI-B Adriatic–Ionian (IPA ADRION)
Priority: Support to Adriatic–Ionian governance
Specific objective: ISO 1 — Support to Adriatic–Ionian governance
Duration: 52 months
Lead Partner: Regione Marche
Partners
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Regione Marche (Lead)
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Directorate for European Integration, Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina
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State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination (SASPAC), Albania
Associated Partners
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Presidency of the Council of Ministers — Department for Cohesion Policies and for the South, Italy
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), Italy
Budget
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Total project budget: EUR 2,160,000
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SASPAC eligible budget: EUR 443,000 (100%)
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Interreg funds: EUR 376,550 (85%)
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Partner contribution: EUR 66,450 (15%)
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