Training on the implementation of Interreg NEXT Poland-Ukraine 2021-2027 projects

On 11 September 2025, a training session on the implementation of Interreg NEXT Poland-Ukraine 2021-2027 projects was held at the Victora Hotel in Lublin. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the partners implementing the ‘Zero Heracleum’ project – ‘Protection of biodiversity in cross-border areas of Ukraine and Poland against invasive populations of hogweed (Heracleum)’.

The aim of the training was to improve the beneficiaries’ competences in the proper implementation, settlement and promotion of projects, in accordance with the programme guidelines and EU requirements. The training, conducted by representatives of the Joint Secretariat of the programme and the national controller, was devoted to the practical aspects of project implementation under the programme. Participants learned about the rules for project accounting, expenditure control, change procedures and the information obligations of partners.

The training agenda covered topics such as:

1. preparation of payment requests and financial reports,
2. control of expenditure by national controllers,
3. changes during project implementation,
4. information and promotion,
5. other aspects of project implementation,
6. miscellaneous matters.

In the first part of the workshop, the project teams were familiarised with the handling of projects in the CST2021 system, with particular emphasis on the preparation of payment requests and financial reports. Participants were shown how to fill in the forms in the system, how to describe invoices correctly, how to apply exchange rates, and the most common mistakes and good practices in accounting.

This was followed by a presentation of the procedures for expenditure control by national controllers, including administrative verification, communication with the controller and the rules for on-the-spot checks. This session was led by a representative of the national controllers from Rzeszów.

The next session concerned changes during project implementation – in the budget, schedule, activities and partnership – along with a discussion of the relevant procedures and forms in the CST2021 system.

After the lunch break, the rules for information and promotion were presented, emphasising the information obligations of partners, European Union requirements and examples of effective promotional activities. Attention was drawn to the proper use of programme and project logos on promotional materials.

The last part of the training discussed other aspects of project implementation, including the project closure process, preparation of the final report, ensuring the sustainability of results, and issues related to audits and controls.

The training ended with a question and answer session and a summary, during which participants could discuss practical problems encountered in the implementation of their projects.