PART IIPROVISIONS COMMON TO THE FOUR FUNDS
CHAPTER 5Information and publicity
Article 31Information for potential final beneficiaries
1.
The responsible authority shall ensure that the key indications regarding the multiannual and annual programmes are disseminated widely, with details of the financial contributions concerned, and that they are made available to all interested parties.
However, the responsible authority may decide to keep confidential the internal management arrangements laid down in the multiannual programme or in the annual programmes and any other information relating to implementation of the Fund on grounds of public security.
2.
The responsible authority shall provide potential final beneficiaries with at least the following information:
(a)
the conditions of eligibility to be met in order to qualify for financing under an annual programme;
(b)
a description of the procedures for examining applications for funding and of the time periods involved;
(c)
the criteria for selecting the projects to be financed;
(d)
the contacts that can provide information on the annual programmes.
In addition, the responsible authority shall inform potential final beneficiaries of the publication provided for in Article 33(2)(b).
Article 32Information for final beneficiaries
The responsible authority shall inform final beneficiaries that acceptance of funding also implies acceptance of their inclusion on the list of final beneficiaries published in accordance with Article 33(2)(b).
Article 33Responsibilities of the responsible authority relating to information and publicity for the general public
1.
The responsible authority shall ensure that information and publicity measures are implemented with the aim of the widest possible media coverage using various forms and methods of communication at the appropriate territorial level.
2.
The responsible authority shall organise at least the following information and publicity measures:
(a)
at least one information activity a year, presenting, as of 2008, the launch of the multiannual programme or the achievements of the annual programme(s);
(b)
annual publication, at least on a website, of the list of final beneficiaries, the names of the projects and the amount of public and Community funding allocated to them. Individuals belonging to the target groups defined in Article 6 of the basic act shall not be named. The address of the website shall be communicated to the Commission.
Article 34Responsibilities of final beneficiaries relating to information and publicity for the general public
1.
The final beneficiary shall be responsible for informing the public, by means of the measures laid down in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, about the assistance obtained from the Fund.
2.
The final beneficiary shall put up a permanent prominent plaque of significant size no later than three months after completion of any project that fulfils the following conditions:
(a)
the total Community contribution to the project exceeds EUR 100 000; and
(b)
the operation consists of purchasing a physical object or of financing infrastructure or construction projects.
The plaque shall state the type and name of the project. In addition, the information referred to in Article 35 shall take up at least 25 % of the plaque.
3.
Where a project receives funding under an annual programme co-financed by the Fund, the final beneficiary shall ensure that those taking part in the project have been informed of that funding.
4.
Any document, including any attendance or other certificate, concerning such projects shall include a statement indicating that the project is co-financed by the Fund.
Article 35Technical characteristics of information and publicity for the operation
All information and publicity measures aimed at final beneficiaries, potential final beneficiaries and the general public shall include:
- 1.
the emblem of the European Union, in accordance with the graphic standards indicated in Annex 10, and a reference to the European Union;
- 2.
a reference to the Fund;
- 3.
a statement chosen by the responsible authority, highlighting the added value of the contribution from the Community.
For small promotional items or for promotional items linked to two or more of the four Funds, points 1 and 3 shall not apply.