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The Czech Republic (CR) like other European countries receives subsidies from the EU’s Structural Funds (SF). There are 26 operation programs in CR and all of them use some electronic system for receiving applications. There are three bigger online applications which applicants have to use.

So far it looks like an example of good practice. But, in my opinion, using IT in this area is a typical example of how to use IT to complicate the work of users.

Why there are three different big systems? Just because the ministries were not able to agree, so two ministries developed their own systems and the third developed a system which uses most of the operating programs.

Only one system uses an electronic signature and is totally online. So, the electronic submission is sufficient for the application. However, it is necessary after filling out the electronic applications with the other systems, to print the application and submit it in paper form! Usually in two or three copies … Why? To save the time and paper of official authorities.

Continue reading ‘(Mis)using IT for Structural Funds administration in the Czech Republic’

Only one in ten requests for funds made under the 7th Framework Programme (FP7 makes €50 billion available for research projects in 2007-2013) came from one of the 12 countries that have joined the EU since 2004. 22% of applications from countries that were members of the EU before 2004 are accepted, compared to 18% of requests from those that joined after 2004.

Speaking at the Research Connection conference in Prague in May, Janez Potočnik, European commissioner for science and research, said research activity in new EU countries had increased since accession, but “the potential of the EU12 has not been fully tapped”. The vast majority of applications for European research funds come from countries which were members of the EU before the major expansion of the Union in 2004 according to EurActiv.

Continue reading ‘Which EU countries are more successful with FP7 funds?’