REGIONAL STANDING CONFERENCE AS A NEW INSTITUTIONAL TOOL OF REGIONAL POLICY IN CZECHIA

The paper deals with the present topic, which are new approaches of regional policy in the programming period 2014-2020. Unsystematic and non-integrated support in the programming period 2007-2013 was replaced by integrated tools and new teritorial specific approach, so called spatial dimension, which is used to coordinate interventions at national and regional level in the current period. An essential element in the coordination system of the territorial dimension is a newly established platform called Standing conference. Within it were formed National standing conference (NSC) and thirteen Regional standing conferences (RSC). RSC, which were established as a voluntary regional groupings of local partners, can be regarded as relatively effective institutional tool of regional policy in Czechia. Partnership allows the main regional actors to cooperate on development of a region, taking advantage of the synergy effects and contribute to more effective drawing of funds from European and national sources. RSC's weaknesses were identified in the lack of cooperation of RSC with the Ministry of Regional Development and NSC including the managing authorities and their inability to respond to the initiatives and needs of regions. This article is based on author's experience acquired from the Secretariat of the RSC of Hradec Kralove Region.