Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 808/2014Show full title

1. Responsibilities of the Managing Authority

1.1. Information and publicity strategy

The Managing Authority shall ensure that the information and publicity actions are implemented in accordance with its information and publicity strategy which shall cover at least the following:

(a)

the aims of the strategy and its target groups;

(b)

a description of the content of the information and publicity actions;

(c)

the indicative budget of the strategy;

(d)

a description of the administrative bodies, including the staff resources, responsible for implementing the information and publicity actions;

(e)

a description of the role played by the NRN and how its communication plan referred to in Article 54(3)(vi) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 will contribute to the implementation of the strategy;

(f)

a description of how the information and publicity actions shall be assessed in terms of visibility and awareness of the policy framework, programmes and operations, and of the role played by the EAFRD and the Union;

(g)

an annual update setting out the information and publicity activities to be carried out in the following year.

1.2. Information for the potential beneficiaries

The Managing Authority shall ensure that potential beneficiaries have access to the relevant information, including updated information where necessary, taking into account the accessibility of electronic or other communication services for certain potential beneficiaries, on at least the following:

(a)

the funding opportunities and the launching of calls under the RDPs;

(b)

the administrative procedures to be followed in order to qualify for financing under a RDP;

(c)

the procedures for examining applications for financing;

(d)

the eligibility conditions and/or criteria for selecting and evaluating the projects to be financed;

(e)

the names of persons or contacts at national, regional or local level who can explain the way RDPs work and the criteria for selecting and evaluating the operations;

(f)

the responsibility of beneficiaries to inform the public about the aim of the operation and the support from the EAFRD to the operation in accordance with section 2 of Part 1. The Managing Authority may request potential beneficiaries to propose indicative communication activities, proportional to the size of the operation, in the applications;

(g)

the procedures for the examination of complaints under Article 74(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.

1.3. Information for the general public

The Managing Authority shall inform the public of the content of the RDP, its adoption by the Commission and its updates, the main achievements in the implementation of the programme and its closure, as well as its contribution to the achievement of the Union priorities as set out in the Partnership Agreement.

The Managing Authority shall ensure the establishment of a single website or single website portal providing the information referred to in points 1.1 and 1.2, and the first paragraph of this point. The establishment of the single website shall not disrupt smooth implementation of the EAFRD and not restrict access for potential beneficiaries and stakeholders to the information. The actions for informing the public shall include the elements set out in point 1 of Part 2.

1.4. Involvement of bodies acting as relays

The Managing Authority shall ensure, including through the NRN, that bodies that can act as relays are involved in the information actions for potential beneficiaries, and in particular:

(a)

partners as referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

(b)

information centers on Europe, as well as Commission representation offices, and Information offices of the European Parliament in Member States;

(c)

educational and research institutions.

1.5. Notification of the award of support

The Managing Authority shall ensure that the notification of award of the support informs beneficiaries that the action is being financed under a programme part-financed by the EAFRD and of the measure and priority of the RDP concerned.