Przypis

The SOP - ICE Monitoring Committee

The Monitoring Committee operates as an independent body which supervises the implementation of the Sectoral Operational Programme - Improvement of Competitiveness of Enterprises, 2004-2006 (SOP - ICE), including in particular the proper realization of the tasks of the SOP - ICE Managing Authority – The Managing Department for Competitiveness Programme.

The Monitoring Committee has been established by the Order of the Minister of Economy and Labour, No 14 of 26 July 2004, on the basis of the Act on the National Development Plan of 20 April 2004, article 42, item 1. (Journal of Laws No.116, item 1206 of 20 April 2004), with the approval of the SOP - ICE Managing Authority, in conformity with partnership principle.

The SOP - ICE Monitoring Committee is chaired by a representative of The Ministry of Economy and Labour (the SOP - ICE Managing Authority).

Members of the Committee:
Monitoring Committee operates on the basis of partnership principle and consists of:

1. from the Government's side – one representative of each: 
1. the minister responsible for regional development,
2. the Managing Authority,
3. the competent ministries in respect to the measures implemented under the Programme, who do not pay a role of the Managing Authority or the Intermediate Body,
4. the Intermediate Body,
5. the Paying Authority,
6. the national ERDF monitoring-control unit;
   
   
2. from the self-government's side - representatives of: 
1. the Council of Marshals,
2. nation wide organizations defined in the Act on the National Development Plan, article 23, item 4 point 5;
   
   
3. representatives of social and economic partners of:
1. employees organizations and employers organizations chosen within the Act of 6 July 2001 on Tripartite Commission for socio-economic matters and province commissions for social dialog (Journal of Laws of 2001, No 100, item. 1080), 
2. non governmental organizations – pointed out by the Public Benefit Works Council,
3. scientific environment – pointed out by the Central Council of Higher Education.

Monitoring Committee meetings can be assisted by following observers:

• marshals or their representatives,
• representatives of the SOP - ICE Beneficiaries,
• representatives of the Head of Supreme Chamber of Control,
• representatives of treasury control,
• representatives of the Polish Banks’ Association,
• representatives of the European Commission,
• representatives of the European Investment Bank.

Monitoring Committee meetings can be assisted by following observers without voting rights while there is a need in the scope of tackled issues: experts and representatives of other institutions or social and trade groups. The Committee aims at ensuring that the representatives of social and economic partners constitute one third of its composition. Moreover, the composition of the SOP Monitoring Committee meets the requirements of the equal participation of men and women.

The Committee’s Tasks
Under Article 42 of the Act on the National Development Plan, Monitoring Committee ensures the effectiveness and quality of the SOP - ICE implementation. The Monitoring Committee tasks include:

• reviewing and approval of selection criteria for the project selection under each SOP - ICE measure,
• reviewing and approval of the Programme Complement and its possible amendments,
• reviewing periodical progress in attaining the objectives and outputs of the assistance defined in the SOP - ICE and the Programme Complement,
• examination of the SOP – ICE implementation effects, of the SOP - ICE, in particular by the way of attaining the SOP - ICE objectives under specific measures,
• reviewing and approval of periodical reports, annual reports and final reports prepared by the Managing Authority,
• reviewing and approval of amendments in the SOP - ICE,
• submitting to the Managing Authority proposals of amendments in the SOP - ICE,
• reviewing and approval of the Communication Action Plan within the SOP – ICE and submission of its amendments proposals.

The Monitoring Committee can appoint sub-committees and working groups, particularly for monitoring activities of horizontal nature. The groups will monitor the implemented projects in terms of their consideration for horizontal issues. In addition, they will promote/disseminate consideration of horizontal issues in projects. The Monitoring Committee will also be allowed to be supported by external experts opinions.

The Committee organization
Composition and operating procedures for the SOP – ICE Monitoring Committee, including the decision making process, are defined by the statute approved by the Committee itself.

The Secretariat for the SOP-ICE Monitoring Committee ensures administrative service provision for its works. The function of Secretariat is fulfilled by the SOP - ICE Managing Authority – the Managing Department for Competitiveness Programme in the Ministry of Economy. The Secretariat’s responsibilities include, among others: organizing the Committee meetings, preparing materials for and reports from the Committee meetings.

First meeting
The first official meeting of the SOP - ICE Monitoring Committee, established on the basis of the Act on the National Development Plan, was held on 26 July 2004 in the Ministry of Economy and Labour. Mr Marek Szczepański, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Labour, chaired the meeting.

During the meeting, the members of the Monitoring Committee unanimously accepted the Regulations for the SOP - ICE Monitoring Committee 2004-2006, approved the project selection criteria under each measure, and unanimously accepted the Complement to the SOP - ICE 2004-2006.