JASPERS operates on the basis of country Action Plans prepared annually for each Member State in cooperation with the beneficiary state concerned and the European Commission. A Managing Authority acts as a central coordinator for each country and it can request assistance from JASPERS. During the process of preparing the annual country Action Plans, JASPERS works in close cooperation with the Commission and the Member States to assist the latter in producing mature project proposals which are capable of meeting EU requirements, as well as to identify potential projects for assistance.

JASPERS experts provide assistance for any stage of the project cycle from the early stages of project conception through to the final application for EU funding. In implementing the annual Action Plans, JASPERS works in close cooperation with the beneficiary, the Managing Authority and the relevant intermediate bodies.