JASPERS held its first Stakeholder Meeting in Krakow, on 28-29th May 2009. The meeting, in the words of Matthias Kollatz-Ahnen, Vice President of the EIB, was a big roundtable and “a unique opportunity to learn how JASPERS can improve and strengthen the support and service it offers within the cohesion policy, and thus to help beneficiary Member States''.

 Some people said it was like a family event - a family of 12 “newcomers” in the EU club, who can take full advantage of. Of course, like in many families, some members voiced constructive criticism, which turned out into the following recommendations, which JASPERS will treasure: 1. early tripartite meetings between JASPERS, Managing Authorities and the Commission; 2. better communication between Managing Authorities, Final beneficiaries and JASPERS in particular on completion notes;  3. early clarification on the role of JASPERS’ experts to serve the final beneficiaries and Managing Authorities 4. early acquaintance with national eligibility rules as well as timely information on COCOF and 5. more knowledge transfer and training from JASPERS. 

On 28 May the meeting split in 4 smaller working groups focussing on energy efficiency, transport cross country planning and cost overruns in municipal projects, mainly of the water sector. A fourth smaller working group was held on the subject the implementation of projects. People enjoyed sharing with the other countries their specific experience, and the event proved very useful to build up trust and improve co-operation.

On 29 May there were four subsequent forum sessions on quality, timing, the role of JASPERS and the content of the completion notes. Participants said that more sector networking platforms with final beneficiaries, task managers and desk officers should be held, and more training sessions on specific subjects (EIA, PPP, other) should be undertaken. A support in the monitoring of Operational Programmes, repackaging and reprogramming was also requested.

JASPERS gratefully acknowledges feedback from the stakeholders, and encourages to send eventual complaints, critics or proposals for improvements directly to Agustin Auria and Norbert Hahn at the following email addresses: ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).. Please note that some of the stakeholders’ suggestions may have to be decided at JASPERS steering committee level, and therefore cannot be immediately implemented.

Overall, the stakeholders agreed that it was a very useful event, which should be carried out in future on a yearly basis. JASPERS also received the stakeholders’ recommendation to also invite DG Regio  geographical desks in the future.