[{"bbox": [129, 152, 311, 181], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.2 Evaluation"}, {"bbox": [129, 198, 1145, 253], "category": "Text", "text": "Having regard to the nature of the action, mid-term, final, ex-post evaluation(s) will be carried out for this action or its components via independent consultants contracted by the Commission."}, {"bbox": [129, 263, 1145, 319], "category": "Text", "text": "A mid-term evaluation will be carried out for problem solving and learning purposes, in particular with respect to future planning and any further phase of the action."}, {"bbox": [129, 328, 1145, 544], "category": "Text", "text": "A final evaluation will be carried out for accountability and learning purposes at various levels (including for policy revision), taking into account in particular the range of additional stakeholders being introduced under the new phase of programming (i.e. Ministry of Human Resources and Overseas Pakistanis and related agencies, refugees and returnees). The emphasis on green skills and decent jobs will also involve ministries and departments of agriculture, energy and water management, where formal TVET qualifications are not so far introduced, and will require a particular focus for evaluation. In the case of a TEI, evaluations jointly with contributing Member States and EDFIs will be the preferred option to provide an overview of the action within the larger impact of the TEI."}, {"bbox": [129, 553, 1145, 635], "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. Expertise on human rights and gender equality will be ensured in the evaluation teams."}, {"bbox": [129, 645, 1145, 754], "category": "Text", "text": "The Commission shall inform the implementing partner at least three 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": [129, 764, 1145, 847], "category": "Text", "text": "The evaluation reports may be shared with the partners and other key stakeholders following the best practice of evaluation dissemination¹⁵. The implementing partner and the Commission shall analyse the conclusions and recommendations of the evaluations and, where appropriate, apply the necessary adjustments."}, {"bbox": [129, 859, 749, 888], "category": "Text", "text": "Evaluation services may be contracted under a framework contract."}, {"bbox": [129, 899, 448, 929], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.3 Audit and Verifications"}, {"bbox": [129, 947, 1145, 1028], "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, 1052, 1070, 1089], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 6 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY"}, {"bbox": [129, 1120, 1145, 1176], "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": [129, 1185, 1145, 1347], "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": [129, 1357, 1145, 1490], "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, 1593, 526, 1621], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹⁵ See best [practice of evaluation dissemination](#)"}, {"bbox": [1027, 1680, 1145, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 27 of 28"}]