[{"bbox": [130, 152, 310, 181], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.2 Evaluation"}, {"bbox": [141, 211, 1135, 266], "category": "Text", "text": "Having regard to the nature of the action, a mid-term and final evaluation(s) may be carried out for this action or its components via an implementing partner."}, {"bbox": [141, 277, 1135, 384], "category": "Text", "text": "A midterm evaluation will be carried out for problem solving and learning purposes, in particular with respect to learning lessons on the implementation of digital solutions and their adoption, as well as the advances on developing appropriate policy framework. Inputs from the mid-term evaluation will provide for any adjustments that need to be made to the action."}, {"bbox": [141, 395, 1135, 582], "category": "Text", "text": "A final evaluation of the action will be carried out for accountability and learning purposes at various levels (including for policy revision). This evaluation will consider the following questions: Was the project effective and to what extent were the results achieved? Is the cybersecurity training program sustainable and scalable? What motivates students to learn and persist? What are the limitations to the adoption of cybersecurity services in SMEs? How much are companies willing to pay to employ a young graduate of the program versus a young person without cybersecurity certification? Is the employability of young people increased by the project's training and labour intermediation activities?"}, {"bbox": [141, 593, 1135, 754], "category": "Text", "text": "All evaluations shall assess to what extent the action is considering the human rights-based approach, a disability-inclusive perspective, as well as how it contributes to gender equality and women's empowerment. Expertise on human rights, disabilities, and gender equality will be ensured in the evaluation teams. All evaluations shall also assess to what extent the action is taking into account inequality reduction as well as how it impacts the most vulnerable (bottom 40% and socio-economically disadvantaged individuals). Expertise on inequality reduction will be ensured in the evaluation teams."}, {"bbox": [141, 765, 1087, 794], "category": "Text", "text": "The financing of the evaluations will be appropriately budgeted in the Contribution Agreement by IDB."}, {"bbox": [141, 805, 1135, 912], "category": "Text", "text": "The evaluation reports may be shared with the partners and other key stakeholders (duty-bearers) following the best practice of evaluation dissemination³⁶. The implementing partner and the Commission shall analyse the conclusions and recommendations of the evaluations and, where appropriate, apply the necessary adjustments."}, {"bbox": [130, 972, 448, 1000], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 5.3 Audit and Verifications"}, {"bbox": [141, 1017, 1135, 1098], "category": "Text", "text": "Without prejudice to the obligations applicable to contracts concluded for the implementation of this action, the Commission may, based on a risk assessment, contract independent audit or verification assignments for one or several contracts or agreements. The audit or verification may be covered by another decision."}, {"bbox": [130, 1125, 1071, 1161], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 6 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY"}, {"bbox": [141, 1191, 1135, 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": [141, 1270, 1135, 1457], "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 (right holders) or entrusted or delegated entities such as UN agencies, international financial institutions, and agencies of EU member states."}, {"bbox": [141, 1482, 1135, 1564], "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,"}, {"bbox": [130, 1624, 447, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³⁶ See best practice of evaluation dissemination"}, {"bbox": [1015, 1655, 1144, 1682], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 23 of 24"}]