[{"bbox": [129, 152, 1145, 260], "category": "Text", "text": "and endline data collection will be incorporated into the overall budget within the implementing partners. Adjustments to the agreed indicators will be subject to a discussion and approval of the contracting authority. The contracting authority will also be responsible for the approval of interim progress reports including the updated current values of the logframe indicators in OPSYS."}, {"bbox": [129, 284, 1145, 340], "category": "Text", "text": "Stakeholder engagement will be ensured by appropriate governance mechanism and communication and engagement strategy, monitored closely by the contracting authority during contract implementation."}, {"bbox": [129, 352, 311, 381], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.2 Evaluation"}, {"bbox": [129, 399, 1145, 454], "category": "Text", "text": "Having regard to the nature of the action, a mid-term and a final evaluation may be carried out for this action or its components via independent consultants contracted by the Commission."}, {"bbox": [129, 478, 1145, 560], "category": "Text", "text": "A mid-term evaluation may be carried out for problem solving and learning purposes, in particular with respect to complement with specific aspects that can be highlighted such as the intention to launch a second phase of the action, etc."}, {"bbox": [129, 584, 1145, 666], "category": "Text", "text": "A final evaluation may be carried out for accountability and learning purposes at various levels (including for policy revision), taking into account in particular the fact that complement with specific aspects that can be highlighted such as an innovative action or a pilot being tested, etc."}, {"bbox": [129, 690, 1145, 746], "category": "Text", "text": "In case an evaluation is not planned, the Commission may, during implementation, decide to undertake such an evaluation for duly justified reasons either on its own decision or on the initiative of the partner."}, {"bbox": [129, 772, 1145, 889], "category": "Text", "text": "The Commission shall inform the implementing partner at least 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": [129, 915, 1145, 998], "category": "Text", "text": "The evaluation reports may be shared with the partners and other key stakeholders following the best practice of evaluation dissemination. The implementing partner and the Commission shall analyse the conclusions and recommendations of the evaluations and, where appropriate, apply the necessary adjustments."}, {"bbox": [129, 1022, 1073, 1051], "category": "Text", "text": "The financing of the evaluation may be covered by another measure constituting a Financing Decision."}, {"bbox": [129, 1064, 448, 1093], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.3 Audit and Verifications"}, {"bbox": [129, 1110, 1145, 1190], "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, 1218, 1071, 1253], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 6 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY"}, {"bbox": [129, 1283, 1145, 1339], "category": "Text", "text": "The 2021-2027 programming cycle has adopted a new approach to pooling, programming and deploying strategic communication and public diplomacy resources."}, {"bbox": [129, 1362, 1145, 1550], "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": [129, 1574, 1145, 1630], "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"}, {"bbox": [1027, 1681, 1145, 1707], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 24 of 26"}]