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Information and Publicity Requirements Kirsti Mijnhijmer, Joint Secretariat Lead Partner Seminar 24th March 2015, Svolvr, Norway

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Project Role Project role in NPA communication strategy: Projects form link between the NPA and citizens in the area Projects produce tangible outputs that impact citizens For this reason projects are expected to: Follow EU & NPA publicity requirements Develop mandatory communication tools in first 6 months Promote their products and services to relevant audiences Feedback to the programme level: examples of promotional materials, success stories, descriptions of (expected) outputs

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Expectations for project communication Internal communication: Consider the information flow within the partnership, also with associated partners. E.g. in Partnership Agreement. Important for Lead Partner role in monitoring progress External communication: Integral part of the project implementation from the start Communicate about outputs (under development) to: Envisaged end users Policy makers, sectoral organisations, communities, businesses, etc. Programme bodies, other projects, own partner organisations

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Expectations for project communication External communication (continued): Put outputs at the centre of project communication: Define the attributes of the product/service Describe their viability/business potential Communication about the partnership is of secondary importance Target audiences: Define (refine) your target audiences Adapt your communication style to their needs

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Expectations for project communication A professional standard: Your project communication speaks for the programme and the EU (and Non Member States) Similar standard as other parts of project implementation Get experts where needed and budget for them Transparency and accountability

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Communication adds value Benefits: Raised awareness among end users and target communities Better coordination between partners and better management Better project implementation Better viability of the project outputs and therefore results More political support and support from citizens to ensure a longer lasting impact of the project and more future support. Attracting more match funding and outside investments from participating organisations and other stakeholders

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EU publicity requirements (1) Regulations: Common Provision Regulation (EU) 1303/2013, Articles 115- 117 and Annex XII (section 2.2. responsibilities of the beneficiaries) Implementing Act 821/2014, Articles 3-5 and Annex II (technical specifications for EU emblem) Publicity requirements affect eligibility of costs: Failure to comply may result in cost deduction! The programme may even decide to apply a 2% penalty fee

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EU publicity requirements (2) All projects are responsible for informing the public about assistance received from ERDF All information and publicity measures must include: 1.The European emblem, together with a reference to the European Union 2.A reference to the fund: European Regional Development Fund The size of the EU flag shall be appropriate to the scale of the material. For small promotional objects, point 2 does not apply. On websites, the EU flag visible without scrolling down. The EU flag should be the same size as other logos.

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Programme publicity requirements (1) The use of the NPA logo together with the EU flag Mandatory communication tools (first 6 months): Project website, as part of the programme website Brief description, objectives, target groups, expected and reported outputs, and relevant images and materials. Project logo Promotional materials for conferences, seminars, exhibitions Project presentation in PowerPoint format Poster about the project (minimum size A3) including the financial support from the European Union, at a location readily visible to the public

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Programme publicity requirements (2) Budget for attending NPA events Expected attendance at NPA events during the project lifetime: Lead Partner seminars (once a year) Partner seminars organised in each of the partner countries (once a year) One thematic seminar One additional training seminar

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Further guidance Programme Manual section 3.6 A communication toolkit for projects, including templates and guidelines for the use of the NPA 2014- 2020 visual identity is currently under development Regulations Potentially training seminar on communication

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Thank you for listening! Kirsti Mijnhijmer Secretariat Tel.: +45 3283 3784 E-mail: kirsti.mijnhijmer@northern periphery.eu www.interreg-npa.eu