[{"bbox": [83, 120, 1146, 386], "category": "Text", "text": "impact through outcome indicators. The monitoring plans provided in the respective documents are holistically used to track progress in implementing the policy plan and strategy. Apart from the day-to-day supervision and periodic monitoring, the framework is used for reporting on progress quarterly and annually. The monitoring plan consists of indicators and their description: baselines for each indicator, indicator target values, data collection and source of data (data are collected from different sources). Objectives and progress reports for each policy are publicly available and subject to domestic accountability through a well-established performance reporting system at local government authority (LGAs), regional, ministerial and parliamentary levels for accountability purposes. At public institutional, government agencies and LGAs levels, the department responsible for planning is accountable for conducting monitoring and evaluation, drafting and disseminating reports to the respective authorities for approval and publishing."}, {"bbox": [83, 386, 1146, 466], "category": "Text", "text": "The statistical and monitoring systems as well as the quality of official data in the policy field covered have been assessed. This assessment has fed into the design of the action with variable tranche indicators focused on areas where timely quality information is available as part of the official documents and reports from the line Ministries."}, {"bbox": [154, 483, 294, 507], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.2 Evaluation"}, {"bbox": [83, 522, 1146, 577], "category": "Text", "text": "Having regard to the importance and complexity of the action, a mid-term and a final evaluation will be carried out for this action or its components through a joint mission contracted by the Commission."}, {"bbox": [83, 577, 1146, 628], "category": "Text", "text": "It will be carried out for accountability and learning purposes at various levels (including for policy revision), taking into account in particular the fact that the action addresses several different priorities and at different levels."}, {"bbox": [83, 629, 1146, 683], "category": "Text", "text": "The evaluation of this action may be performed individually or through a joint strategic evaluation of budget support operations carried out with the partner country, other budget support providers and relevant stakeholders."}, {"bbox": [83, 684, 1146, 800], "category": "Text", "text": "The Commission shall inform the implementing partner at least 30 days in advance of the dates envisaged for the evaluation missions. The implementing partner shall collaborate efficiently and effectively with the evaluation experts, and inter alia provide them with all necessary information and documentation, as well as access to the project premises and activities."}, {"bbox": [83, 802, 1146, 948], "category": "Text", "text": "The evaluation reports shall be shared with the partner country and other key stakeholders following the best practice of evaluation dissemination²⁷. The implementing partner and the Commission shall analyse the conclusions and recommendations of the evaluations and, where appropriate, in agreement with the partner country, jointly decide on the follow-up actions to be taken and any adjustments necessary, including, if indicated, the reorientation of the project."}, {"bbox": [83, 949, 702, 976], "category": "Text", "text": "Evaluation services may be contracted under a framework contract."}, {"bbox": [154, 993, 411, 1018], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.3 Audit and Verifications"}, {"bbox": [83, 1033, 1146, 1113], "category": "Text", "text": "Without prejudice to the obligations applicable to contracts concluded for the implementation of this action, the Commission may, on the basis of a risk assessment, contract independent audit or verification assignments for one or several contracts or agreements."}, {"bbox": [72, 1138, 704, 1164], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 6. STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY"}, {"bbox": [83, 1191, 1146, 1246], "category": "Text", "text": "The 2021-2027 programming cycle will adopt a new approach to pooling, programming and deploying strategic communication and public diplomacy resources."}, {"bbox": [83, 1250, 1146, 1410], "category": "Text", "text": "It will remain a contractual obligation for all entities implementing EU-funded external actions to inform the relevant audiences of the Union's support for their work by displaying the EU emblem and a short funding statement as appropriate on all communication materials related to the actions concerned. This obligation will continue to apply equally, regardless of whether the actions concerned are implemented by the Commission, partner countries, service providers, grant beneficiaries or entrusted or delegated entities such as UN agencies, international financial institutions and agencies of EU member states."}, {"bbox": [83, 1416, 1146, 1547], "category": "Text", "text": "However, action documents for specific sector programmes are no longer required to include a provision for communication and visibility actions promoting the programmes concerned. These resources will instead be consolidated in Cooperation Facilities established by support measure action documents, allowing Delegations to plan and execute multiannual strategic communication and public diplomacy actions with sufficient critical mass to be effective on a national scale."}, {"bbox": [72, 1634, 467, 1661], "category": "Footnote", "text": "²⁷ See best [practice of evaluation dissemination](#)"}, {"bbox": [1041, 1661, 1158, 1686], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 30 of 32"}]