The Planning and Priorities Co-ordination Division was set up in March 2001 as part of the administrative infrastructure required to manage the pre- and post-accession funds allocated to Malta by the European Union (EU). PPCD aims to ensure the efficient absorption and management of European assistance, particularly in relation to Cohesion Policy, through effective co-ordination across Government Departments, Authorities, Agencies and other stakeholders. Until July 2011, PPCD also used to handle a number of bilateral programmes which now, together with other EU funds, fall within the remit of the Funds and Programmes Division. Today, PPCD’s main functions include it being the: Managing Authority for ESIF 2014-2020; Managing Authority for the SME Initiative; Managing Authority for the Food and/or Basic Material Assistance Operational Programme; Overall Co-ordinator for the Programming of Cohesion Policy 2007-2013. Apart from providing the above-mentioned services, PPCD also ensures maximum transparency and information in relation to the funds which fall under its responsibility. This function is carried out through the organisation of training sessions, information activities and communication with the media, potential applicants for funding and the general public.