[{"bbox": [217, 119, 1084, 179], "category": "List-item", "text": "process of national reforms undertaken by Lesotho and the improvement of service delivery to the citizenry, particularly social protection."}, {"bbox": [144, 189, 1085, 307], "category": "List-item", "text": "(5) The objectives pursued by the annual action plan to be financed under the Regulation (EU) 2021/947 geographic programme 'Sub-Saharan Africa' are to ensure access to sustainable water and sanitation for all as a means for green and resilient growth and promoting peace and security in Lesotho and the region."}, {"bbox": [144, 317, 1085, 464], "category": "List-item", "text": "(6) The action entitled 'Metsi a Lesotho (Water of Lesotho)' aims at increasing access to safe, sustainable and affordable water, sanitation, and hygiene systems in rural communities, schools and clinics; at sustainably managing its water and land resources; and at strengthening national water sector capacities to improve services and cooperation at community, catchment and transboundary levels."}, {"bbox": [144, 474, 1085, 534], "category": "List-item", "text": "(7) Pursuant to Article 26(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/947 indirect management is to be used for the implementation of the action."}, {"bbox": [144, 544, 1085, 662], "category": "List-item", "text": "(8) The Commission is to ensure a level of protection of the financial interests of the Union with regards to entities and persons entrusted with the implementation of Union funds by indirect management as provided for in Article 154(3) of the Financial Regulation."}, {"bbox": [144, 672, 1085, 791], "category": "List-item", "text": "(9) To this end, such entities and persons are to be subject to an assessment of their systems and procedures in accordance with Article 154(4) of the Financial Regulation⁵ and, if necessary, to appropriate supervisory measures in accordance with Article 154(5) thereof before a contribution agreement can be signed."}, {"bbox": [144, 801, 1085, 861], "category": "List-item", "text": "(10) It is necessary to allow for the payment of interest due for late payment on the basis of Article 116(5) of the Financial Regulation."}, {"bbox": [144, 871, 1085, 961], "category": "List-item", "text": "(11) In order to allow for flexibility in the implementation of the action plan, it is appropriate to allow changes which should not be considered substantial for the purposes of Article 110(5) of the Financial Regulation."}, {"bbox": [144, 971, 1085, 1031], "category": "List-item", "text": "(12) The action plan provided for in this Decision is in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established under Article 45 of Regulation (EU) 2021/947."}, {"bbox": [144, 1041, 483, 1069], "category": "Section-header", "text": "HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:"}, {"bbox": [533, 1109, 696, 1169], "category": "Section-header", "text": "Article 1\nThe action plan"}, {"bbox": [144, 1179, 1085, 1268], "category": "Text", "text": "The annual financing decision, constituting the annual action plan for the implementation of the annual action plan in favour of the Kingdom of Lesotho for 2023, as set out in the Annex, is adopted."}, {"bbox": [144, 1278, 1085, 1335], "category": "Text", "text": "The action plan shall include the following action 'Metsi a Lesotho (Water of Lesotho)', set out in the Annex."}, {"bbox": [144, 1545, 1085, 1596], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ Except for the cases of Article 154(6) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046, where the Commission may decide, not to require an ex-ante assessment."}, {"bbox": [59, 1636, 126, 1683], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "EN"}, {"bbox": [607, 1658, 624, 1683], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "2"}, {"bbox": [1104, 1636, 1170, 1683], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "EN"}]