The European Funds Unit (EFU) of the Ministry of Interior handles European funds for the implementation of projects falling within the competence of the Ministry of Interior.
The EFU has been appointed as the Managing Authority for the Home Affairs Funds 2021-2027. It was also appointed as the Responsible Authority for the Management of Funds for the Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows during the programming period of 2007-2013 and as the Responsible Authority for the Home Affairs Funds during the programming period 2014-2020
Furthermore, the EFU was appointed as the Intermediary for the Structural Funds – Regional Development Fund, and as the Successful Tenderer for the Rural Development Programme,.
Responsibilities of the European Funds Unit as the Managing Authority for the Home Affairs Funds
The EFU, under the provisions of the relevant EU Regulations, has the main responsibility for the management of the Home Affairs Funds in Cyprus.
Its duties as Managing Authority provided for by the article 72 of the Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 laying down common provision, and the Management and Control System of the Republic of Cyprus, stating the rules for the administrative and financial management of the projects co-funded by the Funds, are as follows:
Article 72 of the Regulation (EU) 2021/1060
"1. The Managing Authority shall be responsible for managing the Programme with a view to delivering the objectives of the Programme. In particular, it shall have the following functions:
(a) select operations in accordance with Article 73, with the exception of operations referred to in point (d) of Article 33(3);
(b) carry out programme management tasks in accordance with Article 74;
(c) support the work of the monitoring committee in accordance with Article 75;
(d) supervise intermediate bodies;
(e) record and store electronically the data on each operation necessary for monitoring, evaluation, financial management, verifications and audits in accordance with Annex XVII, and ensure the security, integrity and confidentiality of data and the authentication of users.
2. The Member State may entrust the accounting function referred to in Article 76 to the Managing Authority or to another body.
3. For Programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, the accounting function shall be carried out by the Managing Authority or under its responsibility."
Responsibilities of the EFU in regards to the European Regional Development Fund
The EFU has been designated as an Intermediate Body, by the Managing Authority (Directorate General for European Programmes, Coordination and Development), for the Operational Programme «Competitiveness and Sustainable Development 2014-2020» which is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, during the Programming Period 2014-2020, and will continue to execute its duties as an Intermediate Body throughout the Programming Period 2021-2027.
Its basic duties as an Intermediate Body are summed up below:
1. Evaluation and approval of projects to be inducted into the Operational Programme according to the guidelines of the Managing Authority.
2. Transfer of funds to the Beneficiaries according to the guidelines of the Managing Authority.
3. Conduct: a) administrative checks in order to verify Beneficiary payment claims, b) random (sampling) on the spot verifications of projects, c) preparation of a general beneficiary payment claim, for payments incurred, for the Managing Authority
4. Systematically monitor the effective implementation of projects, with an emphasis on the timely absorption of funds, as well as the recording, based on the guidelines of the Managing Authority, of analytical elements of monitoring and data/indicators for the implementation of the projects, in the Integrated Information System.
5. Responsible for submitting payment predictions in regards to the projects implemented under its jurisdiction.
6. Implement information and publicity measures on a wider scale
7. Provide support to Beneficiaries in implementing information and publicity actions at the level of their projects.
8. Submit, to the Managing Authority, all necessary information and data for the preparation of Annual Reports and the Final Implementation Report, for the projects under its jurisdiction.
9. Submit, to the Managing Authority, all necessary information and data for the annual meeting with the European Committee and the implementation of all its justified recommendations, according to the guidelines of the Managing Authority.
10. Submit all irregularities traced, to the Certifying Authority, as well as to inform the Managing Authority.
Responsibilities of the EFU in regards to the Rural Development Programme
The EFU has been designated as an Implementation Unit of the Managing Authority (Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment) and as a contractor of the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation, for Measure 7 «Basic Services and Village Renewal in Rural Areas», of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.
The competent authority for the execution of payments and the allocation of grants to the Beneficiaries is the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation (CAPO). Internal checks, in regards to the correct application of the Measure, may be conducted by CAPO, while the General Auditor of the Republic may also conduct checks on a yearly basis.
The EFU will continue to execute its duties as an Implementation Unit for the new Measure which will be included in the Rural Development Programme 2021-2027.
Brief description of EFU’s duties as an implementation Unit for Measure 7:
1. Disseminating information towards all interested parties in all matters related to the Measure.
2. Preparing and distributing the necessary material/documentation.
3. Receiving and classifying submitted proposals, checking the participation requirements and the necessary supportive documentation. Full administrative support of the Measure.
4. Evaluating proposals, selection of projects and induction of projects into the Measure.
5. Monitoring the procedures for the implementation and completion of projects until the final payment towards the Beneficiaries.
6. Conducting on the spot technical checks, as well as accounting and administrative on the spot desk checks.
7. Monitoring the operation of the co-funded projects for a period of 5 years after the approval of the last payments towards the Beneficiaries.
8. Submitting data to the Managing Authority of the Rural Development Programme, for the purpose of preparing the Annual Report in regards to the implementation of the Measure.
9. Submitting payment requests, on behalf of the beneficiaries, to CAPO, and submitting annual written reports regarding the implementation progress of Measure 7 and the relevant checks conducted.