The management structure of the Programme consists of the institutions mentioned below:
Managing Authority (MA) is responsible for efficiency and correctness of management and implementation of the Programme. The tasks of MA are carried out by the Estonian Ministry of the Interior, Regional Development Department, which signs subsidy contracts, verifies that the cofinanced products and services are delivered and that the expenditure declared by the projects has actually been incurred and complies with Community and national rules, and ensures that the Certifying Authority receives all necessary information on the procedures and verifications carried out in relation to expenditure for the purpose of certification.
Certifying Authority (CA) is situated in the Estonian Ministry of the Interior, Finance Department, which is drawing up and submitting payment applications for the ERDF funds to the European Commission, receiving payments and paying out subsidies to the projects.
Audit Authority (AA) ensures that audits are carried out to verify the effective functioning of the management and control system of the programme, and correctness of the controls carried out on the projects. Group of Auditors has a task to assist the Audit Authority. Audit Authority is situated at the Internal Audit Department of the Estonian Ministry of the Interior.
Group of Auditors comprises of the representatives of the Audit Authority and of the Internal Audit Department of the Latvian Ministry of Regional Development and Local Governments. The Estonian Ministry of the Interior will secure segregation of functions between abovementioned authorities within the Ministry’s structure.
Monitoring Committee (MC) is composed of maximum seven members from both Estonia and Latvia. Members of the MC include representatives of national, regional, or local level, and socio-economic partners. The MC is responsible for selecting projects for funding, monitoring their implementation, making substantial changes in this document, and proposing amendments to the Operational Programme. The work of the Monitoring Committee is regulated by the MC Rules of Procedure.
National Responsible Authorities of the Programme are the Estonian Ministry of the Interior and Latvian Ministry of Regional Development and Local Governments. These institutions are responsible for implementation of the Estonia - Latvia Programme in their countries. National Responsible Authorities establish coordination mechanisms between European Territorial Cooperation programmes and Structural Funds’ programmes in Estonia and Latvia.
Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) is the most important contact point for project applicants, as it provides daily assistance to applicants and project managers during preparation and implementation of the projects. The JTS is responsible for the day-to-day management and monitoring of the Programme, assists the Managing Authority and Monitoring Committee, and, where appropriate, the Audit Authority and Certifying Authority in carrying out their respective duties. The JTS of the Programme is hosted by Enterprise Estonia and located in Tartu. The JTS will be supported by an information point in Riga located at the State Regional Development Agency.
