[{"bbox": [129, 153, 307, 180], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.2 Evaluation"}, {"bbox": [141, 199, 1133, 253], "category": "Text", "text": "Having regard to the importance and nature of the action, a mid-term and/or a final evaluation will be carried out for this action or its components via independent consultants contracted by the Commission."}, {"bbox": [141, 265, 1133, 319], "category": "Text", "text": "The mid-term evaluation may be carried out for problem solving and learning purposes, in particular with respect to determining if the action is on track and if any adaptation measures are required."}, {"bbox": [141, 330, 1133, 491], "category": "Text", "text": "The final evaluation may be carried out for accountability and learning purposes at various levels (including for policy revision), taking into account in particular the need to verify to which degree the action may continue to be supported in the future. The Commission shall inform the implementing partner at least two (2) months 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": [141, 502, 1133, 582], "category": "Text", "text": "All evaluations shall assess to what extent the action is taking into account the human rights-based approach as well as how it contributes to gender equality and women's empowerment and disability inclusion. Expertise on human rights, disability and gender equality will be ensured in the evaluation teams."}, {"bbox": [141, 594, 1133, 675], "category": "Text", "text": "The evaluation reports may be shared with the partner(s) and other key stakeholders following the best practice of evaluation dissemination⁸. The implementing partner and the Commission shall analyse the conclusions and recommendations of the evaluations and, where appropriate, apply the necessary adjustments."}, {"bbox": [141, 690, 757, 716], "category": "Text", "text": "Evaluation services may be contracted under a framework contract."}, {"bbox": [129, 743, 444, 771], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.3 Audit and Verifications"}, {"bbox": [141, 789, 1133, 870], "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": [129, 923, 1066, 957], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 6 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY"}, {"bbox": [141, 989, 1133, 1043], "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": [141, 1068, 1133, 1255], "category": "Text", "text": "In line with the 2022 “Communicating and Raising EU Visibility: Guidance for External Actions”, 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": [141, 1280, 1133, 1411], "category": "Text", "text": "However, action documents for specific sector programmes are in principle 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": [129, 1623, 478, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁸ See best [practice of evaluation dissemination](#)"}, {"bbox": [1027, 1682, 1141, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 20 of 21"}]