Description of the information and publicity measures in the operational programme and in the annual and final reports on implementation
1. For the purpose of Article 20(1)(g)(v) of the basic Regulation, the operational programme shall include at least the following elements:
(a)
the content of the information and publicity measures to be taken by the Member State or the managing authority aimed at potential beneficiaries and beneficiaries and their indicative budget;
(b)
the content of the information and publicity measures to be taken by the Member State or the Managing authority for the public and their indicative budget;
(c)
the administrative departments or bodies responsible for the implementation of information and publicity measures;
(d)
an indication of how the information and publicity measures are to be evaluated in terms of visibility and awareness of the operational programme and of the role played by the Community.
2. For the operational programmes referred to in Article 2, paragraphs 1(c) and (d) of this Article shall not apply.
3. The annual reports and final report on implementation of an operational programme, referred to in Article 67 of the basic Regulation, shall include:
(a)
information and publicity measures carried out;
(b)
the arrangements for the information and publicity measures referred to in point (d) of the second paragraph of Article 31 of this Regulation including, where applicable, the electronic address where such data may be found.
The annual report on implementation covering the year 2010 and the final report on implementation referred to in Article 67 of the basic Regulation shall contain a chapter assessing the results of the information and publicity measures in terms of visibility and awareness of the operational programme and of the role played by the Community, as provided for in paragraph 1(d) of this Article.
Information measures for potential beneficiaries
1. For the purposes of Article 51(2)(a) of the basic Regulation, the managing authority shall ensure that the operational programme is disseminated widely with details of the financial contribution from the EFF and that it is made available to all interested parties. The managing authority shall ensure, in addition, that information on the financing opportunities offered by joint assistance from the Community and the Member State through the operational programme is disseminated as widely as possible.
2. The managing authority shall provide potential beneficiaries with clear and detailed information, on at least the following:
(a)
the conditions of eligibility to be met in order to qualify for financing under the operational programme;
(b)
a description of the procedures for examining applications for funding and of the time periods involved;
(c)
the criteria for selecting the operations to be financed;
(d)
the contacts at national, regional or local level who can provide information on the operational programme.
3. The managing authority shall inform potential beneficiaries of the publication provided for in point (d) of the second paragraph of Article 31.
4. The managing authority shall involve in information and publicity measures, in accordance with national laws and practices, at least one of the following bodies that can widely disseminate the information listed in paragraph 2:
(a)
national, regional and local authorities and development agencies;
(b)
trade and professional associations;
(c)
economic and social partners;
(d)
non-governmental organisations;
(e)
organisations representing business;
(f)
information centres on the European Union as well as Commission representatives in the Member States;
(g)
educational institutions.
Information measures for beneficiaries
The managing authority shall inform beneficiaries that acceptance of funding is also an acceptance of their inclusion in the list of beneficiaries published in accordance with point (d) of the second paragraph of Article 31.
Responsibilities of the managing authority relating to information and publicity measures for the public
For the purposes of Article 51(2)(c) of the basic Regulation, the managing authority shall ensure that the information and publicity measures for the public are implemented and that they aim at the widest possible media coverage using various forms and methods of communication at the appropriate territorial level.
The managing authority shall be responsible for organising at least the following information and publicity measures:
(a)
a major information activity publicising the launch of the operational programme;
(b)
at least one major information activity a year, presenting the achievements of the operational programme;
(c)
flying the flag of the European Union during one week starting 9 may, in front of the premises of the managing authority;
(d)
the publication, electronically or otherwise, of the list of beneficiaries, the names of the operations and the amount of public funding allocated to the operations.
Participants in operations supported by EFF and aimed at improving professional skills and training as well as beneficiaries receiving support for early departure from the fishing sector, including early retirement, as provided for under Article 27(1)(d) of the basic Regulation, shall not be named.
Responsibilities of beneficiaries relating to information and publicity measures for the public
1. For the purposes of Article 51 of the basic Regulation, the beneficiary shall be responsible for informing the public, by means of the measures laid down in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of this Article, about the assistance obtained from the EFF.
2. Where the total eligible cost of an operation co-financed by the EFF, exceeds EUR 500 000 and consists in the financing of infrastructure or of construction operations the beneficiary shall put up a billboard at the site of the operation during its implementation. The information referred to in Article 33 shall take up at least 25 % of the billboard.
When the operation is completed the billboard shall be replaced by the permanent explanatory plaque referred to in paragraph 3.
3. Where the total eligible cost of the operation exceeds EUR 500 000 and consists in the purchase of a physical object or the financing of infrastructure or of construction operations, the beneficiary shall put up a permanent explanatory plaque that is visible and of significant size no later than six months from the date of completion of the operation.
The plaque shall state the type and name of the operation in addition to the information referred to in Article 33. The information referred to in that Article shall take up at least 25 % of the plaque.
An explanatory plaque shall also be installed at the locations of the groups financed under priority axis 4 of the basic Regulation.
4. In appropriate cases, the beneficiary shall ensure that those taking part in an operation co-financed by the EFF have been informed of that funding.
The beneficiary shall provide a clear notice to the effect that the operation being implemented has been selected under an operational programme co-financed by the EFF.
Any document, including any attendance or other certificate, concerning such an operation shall include a statement to the effect that the operational programme was co-financed by the EFF.
Technical characteristics of information and publicity measures for the operation
1. All information and publicity measures aimed at beneficiaries, potential beneficiaries and the public shall include the following:
(a)
the emblem of the European Union, in accordance with the graphic standards set out in Annex II and reference to the European Union;
(b)
a reference to the EFF: ‘European Fisheries Fund’;
(c)
a statement chosen by the managing authority, highlighting the added value of the intervention of the Community, and preferably: ‘Investing in sustainable fisheries’.
2. For small promotional objects, paragraph 1(b) and (c) shall not apply.
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.
