[{"bbox": [87, 121, 250, 147], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.2 Evaluation"}, {"bbox": [83, 177, 1145, 231], "category": "Text", "text": "Having regard to the nature of the action, final evaluations will be carried out for this action or its components via independent consultants contracted by the Commission"}, {"bbox": [83, 242, 1145, 350], "category": "Text", "text": "It will be carried out for accountability and learning purposes at various levels (including for policy assessment), taking into account in particular the fact that the component on education and migration is an innovative approach in the sensitive area regarding displacement and returns (refugees, IDPs). In addition the component on education and girls touches the dire situation of gender disparity in South Sudan."}, {"bbox": [83, 361, 1145, 465], "category": "Text", "text": "Evaluations shall assess to what extent the rights-based approach working principles (respect of all rights, participation, non-discrimination, accountability and transparency) as well as gender equality and women's empowerment have been applied. In this regard, expertise on human rights and gender equality will be ensured in the evaluation teams."}, {"bbox": [83, 482, 1145, 598], "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, 612, 1145, 757], "category": "Text", "text": "The evaluation reports shall be shared with the partner country and other key stakeholders following the best practice of evaluation dissemination¹³. 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, 772, 1028, 799], "category": "Text", "text": "The financing of the evaluation shall be covered by another measure constituting a Financing Decision."}, {"bbox": [87, 830, 380, 857], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.3 Audit and Verifications"}, {"bbox": [83, 885, 1145, 965], "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, 1006, 984, 1038], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 6 STRATEGY COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY"}, {"bbox": [83, 1082, 1145, 1135], "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, 1161, 1145, 1321], "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, 1347, 1145, 1478], "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, 1635, 466, 1661], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹³ See best [practice of evaluation dissemination](#)"}, {"bbox": [1041, 1661, 1157, 1685], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 19 of 20"}]