Phare Horizontal programme preparing candidate countries for extended decentralization (EDIS) in the management of Pre-Accession Funds - stage II

The project was the second stage of the Phare Roadmap to EDIS plan and was, primarily, a gap plugging mission. Supporting the implementation process, the project ensured that the Lithuanian authorities were in a position to submit a request for EDIS accreditation on the basis of complete, robust systems. The four primary objectives of the project were as follows:

1. The provision of support for the development of institutional capacity and the implementation of necessary procedures through training activities and the preparation of operational manuals.
2. Verification of compliance by the national authorities to the preconditions necessary for the application of EDIS accreditation.
3. Resolution of existing shortcomings and gaps in the legal, institutional, operational and financial sectors, incorporating the issues raised by the Gap Assessment Report (GAR), relevant documentation and a review of procurement procedures.
4. Evaluation of national and sector programme management capacity, financial control procedures and public finance structures for compliance with the minimum criteria and conditions necessary for extension of pre-accession decentralization aid management with ex-post control by the EC.