European Social Fund

Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning

2014-2020

Information and Communication

Guidelines

(Version 2. September 2016)

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Contents

1 Glossary of Terms 3

2 Introduction 3

3 Information and Communication 4

3.1 Responsibilities of the Managing Authority 4

3.2 Responsibilities of Intermediate Bodies 5

3.3 Responsibilities of Beneficiaries 5

4 Promoting the Support of the European Union 6

4.1 Ireland’s ESIF Logo and the EU Emblem 6

4.2 Describing the European Social Fund 8

4.3 Promoting the Role of the ESF 8

4.4 Promoting an Operation Co-funded by the ESF 10

5 Official Languages Act 2003 (Section 9) Regulations 2008 10

6 Contact Details 10

Annex 1: Extracts from the EU Regulations

Regulation (EU) No. 1303/2013

o Articles 115 to 117

o Annex XII

Regulation (EU) No. 1304/2013

o Article 20 YEI

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 821/2014

o Articles 3 and 4

o Annex II

Annex 2: The European Union Emblem

Annex 3: Ireland’s ESIF Logo

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1 Glossary of Terms

Beneficiary A public or private body responsible for initiating or both initiating and implementing

Operations

CPR The Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 1303/2013

ESF European Social Fund

ESF Logos Irelands Structural Funds Logo in conjunction with the EU Emblem

ESIF European Structural and Investment Funds

EU European Union

IB Intermediate Body

MA ESF Managing Authority (Department of Education & Skills)

Operation A project, contract, action or group of projects that contributes to the objectives of a

priority or priorities

PEIL ESF Programme for Employability Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020

PMC Programme Monitoring Committee

YEI Youth Employment Initiative

2 Introduction

The European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are the EU's main investment policy tool, which

in the Irish context include the ESF; the European Regional Development Fund; the European

Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime & Fisheries Fund. The rules

covering all ESIF are set out in the CPR with further regulations setting out specific rules for each

Fund. Member States agree a Partnership Agreements with the European Commission setting out the

national authorities' plans on how to use funding from the ESIF in the 2014-2020 funding period.

These agreements outline each country's strategic goals and investment priorities, linking them to the

overall aims of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The “Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020” is the sole ESF

programme for Ireland for this period. It contains a total budget of €1.153 billion with the ESF and the

Exchequer each contributing €542.43 million while the EU Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) budget

contributes €68.145 million. The Department of Education and Skills has primary responsibility for

the ESF. However, the day-to-day responsibility for the implementation of co-funded Operations rests

with the appropriate statutory bodies.

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These guidelines have been produced to assist Beneficiaries comply with both the EU and national

Information and Communication requirements. They are based on the EU Regulations (CPR

1303/2013, ESF Regulation 1304/2013 and Commission Implementing Regulation 821/2014 - see

relevant text in Annex 1) and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/20151 in

conjunction with the Information and Communication Guidelines2 for the ESIF in Ireland.

3 Information and Communication

The overall aims of Information and Communication actions in relation to ESF funding are:

to recognise the role and support provided by the ESF (and the YEI where relevant),

to promote an understanding of the objectives and achievements of funds/activities supported

by the ESF, including the YEI, and

to provide information on the availability of the ESF support for Beneficiaries applicants,

participants and the general public.

Each Body in the ESF Cascade has responsibilities in relation to Information and Communication

which are outlined in the following sections.

3.1 Responsibilities of the Managing Authority

The MA is responsible for the management of the PEIL and its specific responsibilities in relation to

Information and Communication are to:

Draw up and pursue the Communication Strategy as approved by the PEIL PMC,

Report annually to the PEIL PMC regarding information and communication activities,

Consider proposals for the use of Technical Assistance for joint Information and

Communication activities,

Provide tools including electronic templates to help Beneficiaries meet their obligations, where

appropriate,

Provide posters and publicity materials to IBs, Beneficiaries and Operations,

Maintain the ESF website www.esf.ie, which is accessible to all regardless of ability, to provide

information on the PEIL, including a list of Operations supported by the PEIL to be updated

on a 6 month basis and provide examples of Operations,

Display the Union Emblem at its premises,

Ensure compliance with Information and Communication Regulations and ensure that

IBs/Beneficiaries who report directly to the MA are kept informed and up to date on any

Information and Communication requirements,

1 http://www.esf.ie/en/ImageLibrary/Repository/Info-and-Pub/Circular-13-2015-Management-Control-Procedures-for-

ESIF-2014-2020-DPE-.pdf 2 http://www.esf.ie/en/ImageLibrary/Repository/Info-and-Pub/Information-and-Publicity-Guidelines-2014-2020.pdf

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Organise a major event publicising the launch of the OP and a major information activity each

year promoting the ESF and

Involve partners (including public authorities, economic and social partners and relevant

NGO’s), information centres and Educational/Research Institutions in Information and

Communication measures, where appropriate.

3.2 Responsibilities of Intermediate Bodies

The specific responsibilities of the IBs are to:

Promote the individual Priorities and Operations for which they are responsible using the

various channels at their disposal, i.e., websites, launches, sectoral publications,

business/community groups, advertisements, information leaflets and selected seminars and

conferences,

Inform potential Beneficiaries that the acceptance of funding is an acceptance of their inclusion

in the list of Operations which is published by the MA and liaise with the Beneficiaries on

Information and Communication requirements,

Publicise the availability of funding, the selection process, deadlines, eligibility criteria and

associated regulations concerning ESF funding through all appropriate channels,

Inform the public of the assistance obtained from the EU,

Display the ESF Logos on their website (which must be accessible to all regardless of ability)

and provide a short description of their co-funded Operations including their aims and

activities highlighting the financial support from the EU,

Display posters in accordance with regulatory requirements,

Display the Union Emblem at its premises,

Inform the MA of any publicity events regarding ESF co-funded Operations,

Ensure all press releases/speeches/publications etc. issued reference the ESF support,

Report (as part of annual progress reports) to the PEIL PMC on planned and completed

information actions relating to their priorities and Operations,

Provide publicity material for use by the MA and co-operate with the MA in project visits/study

tours.

3.3 Responsibilities of Beneficiaries

The specific responsibilities of Beneficiaries are to:

Promote the individual Priorities and Operations for which they are responsible using the

various channels at their disposal, i.e., websites, launches, sectoral publications,

business/community groups, advertisements, information leaflets and selected seminars and

conferences,

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Carry out Information and Communication measures relevant to their Operations in accordance

with the regulatory requirements and these guidelines,

Display the ESF Logos on their website (which must be accessible to all regardless of ability),

where one exists, and provide a short description of the co-funded Operation including its aims

and activities, highlighting the financial support from the EU,

Ensure participants on co-funded Operations are aware of the ESF and/or YEI support as

appropriate,

Ensure that documents relating to the implementation of co-funded Operations which are used

for the public or participants include the ESF Logos and a statement acknowledging the

ESF/YEI support,

Place at least one poster with information about the Operation “at a location readily visible to

the public” at each location where a co-funded Operation is being implemented,

Report (as part of annual progress reports) to their IB on planned and completed information

actions relating to their priorities and Operations,

Inform the IB and MA of any publicity events regarding ESF co-funded Operations,

Provide publicity material for the MA for its newsletter, calendar and website, and

Maintain an Information and Communication file for the PEIL 2014-2020.

3.4 Role of the PMC

The functions of the PMC are set out in Articles 49 and 110 of the CPR.

In relation to Information and communication the PMC:

approves the Communication Strategy and any amendment of the Strategy,

examines the implementation of the Communications Strategy, and

will, if it considers it to be appropriate, give an opinion on the planned activities for the

following year in accordance with Article 116 (3) of the CPR.

4 Promoting the Support of the European Union

4.1 Ireland’s ESIF Logo and the EU Emblem

Ireland’s ESIF Logo:

EU Emblem

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In relation to the programming round 2014-2020, Ireland’s ESIF logo and the EU Emblem (referred

to collectively as the ESF Logos) must be used for any Operations which have an ESF co-funded

element. Failure to acknowledge and publicise the ESF’s contribution can lead to a financial correction

being applied by the European Commission.

Management verifications carried out by the MA and IB will include checks on compliance with the

specific EU regulatory requirements for Information and Communication.

The ESF Logos must feature on any Information and Communication material produced by Operations

which are ESF co-funded The EU Emblem must be the same size as Ireland’s ESIF logo (and that of

any other logo(s) featured). To ensure legibility, the minimum individual logo size should be 58mm

x 19mm. However, it is accepted that for small items of merchandise this minimum size may not be

achievable.

If used horizontally Ireland’s ESIF logo should be placed on the left, followed by the EU emblem and

other logos, as appropriate. If used vertically Ireland’s ESIF logo should be placed on the top, followed

by the EU emblem and other logos, as appropriate. Sufficient `breathing space` between logos should

be utilised to enhance the visual appearance of publications and signage.

Ireland’s ESF Logos must feature on articles/materials produced in relation to Operations in receipt of

ESF funds such as:

Posters/Publicity Signage

Websites

Attendance records

Certificates that are exclusive to the Operation

Application Forms

Offer letters, correspondence with Operations/Beneficiaries/Participants

Brochures/Literature, Annual Reports, Advertisements & Supplements

Press releases/Launches/Awards

Conference Material, Display/Exhibition stands

CD-ROMs/DVDs/videos

Copies of all of these articles/items should be retained on an Information and Communication File to

demonstrate compliance with the Regulations, in particular the requirement that participants have been

made aware of the ESF’s support for the Operation.

The technical characteristics for the ESF Logos can be found in Annex 2 and 3. The ESF logos are

available to download from the MA website3.

3 http://www.esf.ie/en/Information-Centre/Information-and-Communication/Download-Logos/

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4.2 Describing the European Social Fund

It is a regulatory requirement that all participants on ESF co-funded Operations are informed of the

ESF support. The Regulations state specifically that any document “relating to the implementation of

an operation which is used for the public or for participants, including any attendance or other

certificate, shall include a statement to the effect that the operational programme was supported by

the Fund” or “the YEI” where applicable.

Wherever possible, for instance in press releases, speeches, publications, annual reports, etc., a

description of the ESF should be used. It is recommended that the following statement (or an

equivalent) be used, namely that “the Operation is co-funded by the Irish Government and the

European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning

2014-2020” or for YEI Operations, “the Operation is co-funded by the Irish Government, the

European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative as part of the ESF Programme for

Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020”

4.3 Promoting the Role of the ESF

It is essential that all participants on ESF co-funded Operations are made aware of the role of

the ESF. Staff involved in the delivery of ESF co-funded Operations should also be aware of the

ESF support and any specific recruitment campaigns in relation to such Operations should

acknowledge this support, where appropriate.

The MA recommends various means of providing information and promoting the role of the ESF

which can include:

Printed material such as publications, newsletters, brochures and pamphlets which must

contain a clear indication on the title page of the EU’s support i.e., the ESF Logos and a

statement to the effect that the Operation was supported by the ESF within the printed material.

Notification of grants by the IB to Beneficiaries, which must indicate that the grant is co-

funded by the EU and must specify the ESF.

Posters displayed on the premises of the MA, IB, Beneficiaries and Operations.

It is a regulatory requirement for Beneficiaries to ensure that posters are displayed in the

premises of the Operations “… at a location readily visible to the public, such as the entrance

of a building”. The MA recommends that posters are displayed in reception areas, in all

training centres, class rooms, offices, common rooms and learner centres where trainees or

participants assemble in.

The posters must be of a minimum size of A3 and contain the following information: the ESF

logos and a reference to the financial support of the ESF.

Electronic displays on TV screens, plasma, etc. of the Poster or ESF Logos in reception areas,

is not sufficient of itself; the paper poster is primarily required to be displayed (other methods

are considered as additions, not replacements).

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The MA will arrange printing of generic ESF/YEI posters which can be obtained from the

relevant IB or directly from the MA. The MA will also work with the IBs/Beneficiaries in

designing Operation specific posters.

Websites concerning Operations supported by the ESF should include the ESF Logos and

should mention the Fund’s contribution, using the recommended statement at 4.2 above.

The Regulations stipulate that where a website is operated by a Beneficiary in receipt of EU

funding that the following information must be provided;

o a short description of the Operation, proportionate to the level of support, including its aims

and results, and highlighting the financial support from the EU [Reg. 1303/2013, Annex

XII, 2.2.2 (a)]; the Union emblem, the reference to the EU and the ESF fund must be

displayed in the required colours [Implementing Regulation 821/2014, Article 4.1];

o The ESF Logos “shall be visible, when landing on the website, inside the viewing area of

a digital device, without requiring a user to scroll down the page” [Implementing

Regulation 821/2014, Article 3(a)];

o The ESF Logos must be the same height and width as the largest logo on the website.

In relation to large organisations or bodies that have ESF co-funded Operations as one of their

many activities, it is sufficient that the specific page relating to the Operation has the required

references and logos. A website entirely dedicated to one or more Operations is required to

have the ESF Logos and references on its home page.

Social Media provides different platforms for promoting the role of the ESF including Twitter,

Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube which may be useful to target a range of audiences

Information Events such as conferences, seminars and exhibitions on ESF co-funded

Operations, should include the ESF logos and a reference to the ESF support on all

documentation and display the EU flag in meeting rooms. IBs and Beneficiaries are

requested to liaise with the MA in relation to any launches and associated publicity events

proposed for the co-funded Operations.

Press Releases/Speeches and information directed at the national or local media (press, radio

and television) with appropriate references to the ESF contribution are useful ways of reaching

the general public.

Correspondence with participants such as letters of acceptance, time sheets, certificates etc.

should include the ESF Logos and statement to the effect that the Operation is supported by

the ESF.

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4.4 Promoting an Operation Co-funded by the ESF

The start of an Operation provides an opportunity to promote the role of the ESF. The following

publicity actions will provide the opportunity to promote the EU’s contribution to an Operation.

Launching the Operation - A publicity event should be organised to launch the Operation and

the MA recommends that relevant Ministers, local public representatives and local media, are

invited to attend. Representatives from the European Commission Representation Office in

Ireland and the MA should also be issued with invitations to relevant events.

Media - for the promotion of locally based Operations the focus should be firmly on the local

media. A strong presence should be established with local radio with project coordinators on

hand to answer questions from the general public. Advertising in the local press should be

considered as an option in any communications plan.

ESF Newsletter and Calendar – the MA annually seeks case studies including photographs

of participants taking part in ESF supported Operations. In order to do this all IBs,

Beneficiaries and the Managers of Operations are required to ensure that such occasions as

launches, completion of Operations, certificate awarding ceremonies, and any other notable

occasions, are reported to the MA with text describing the purpose of the Operation, the event

taking place, with accompanying photographs suitable for publishing in either the ESF

Newsletter or Calendar. It is important to ensure all participants and staff that feature in a case

study are aware that such material may be used as part of a wider ESF publicity campaign and

have given the appropriate consent for their details to be shared. The MA will provide a consent

form which Operations can use for this purpose.

5 Management Verifications

Procedures for spot-checking co-funded Operations under Article 125(5) of the CPR will include

checks on compliance with the Information and Communication Regulations

6 Official Languages Act 2003 (Section 9) Regulations 2008

The requirements of the Official Languages Act 2003 (Section 9) Regulations 2008, must be adhered

to by public bodies when placing signage and designing stationery4. Further details on the provisions

of these regulations are available from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht at:

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2008/en/si/0391.html. Irish versions of the ESF Logos are available to

download from the ESF Website5.

7 Contact Details

The Information and Communications Officer for PEIL is Ms Nicola Finnegan.

If you have any queries on these guidelines or any other issues re ESF PEIL please email a

member of the MA at PEIL@education.gov.ie

4 http://www.coimisineir.ie/downloads/Official%20Languages%20Act%20Guidebook_eng.pdf 5 http://www.esf.ie/en/Information-Centre/Information-and-Communication/Download-Logos/

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Annex 1: Extracts from the EU Regulations

Regulation (EU) No. 1303/2013

Article 115: Information and communication

1. Member States and managing authorities shall be responsible for:

(a) drawing up communication strategies;

(b) ensuring the establishment of a single website or a single website portal providing information on, and access to, all

operational programmes in that Member State, including information about the timing of implementation of

programming and any related public consultation processes;

(c) informing potential beneficiaries about funding opportunities under operational programmes;

(d) publicising to Union citizens the role and achievements of cohesion policy and of the Funds through information and

communication actions on the results and impact of Partnership Agreements, operational programmes and operations.

2. Member States or managing authorities shall, in order to ensure transparency concerning support from the Funds,

maintain a list of operations by operational programme and by Fund in a spreadsheet data format, which allows data to

be sorted, searched, extracted, compared and easily published on the internet, for instance in CSV or XML format. The list

of operations shall be accessible through the single website or the single website portal providing a list and summary of

all operational programmes in that Member State.

In order to encourage the use of the list of operations subsequently by the private sector, civil society or national public

administration, the website may clearly indicate the applicable licensing rules under which data are published.

The list of operations shall be updated at least every six months.

The minimum information to be set out in the list of operations is laid down in Annex XII.

3. Detailed rules concerning the information and communication measures for the public and information measures for

applicants and for beneficiaries are laid down in Annex XII.

4. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts concerning the technical characteristics of information and

communication measures for the operation and instructions for creating the emblem and a definition of the standard

colours. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article

150(3).

Article 116: Communication strategy

1. The Member State or the managing authorities shall draw up a communication strategy for each operational

programme. A common communication strategy may be drawn up for several operational programmes. The

communication strategy shall take into account the size of the operational programme or programmes concerned, in

accordance with the principle of proportionality.

The communication strategy shall include the elements set out in Annex XII.

2. The communication strategy shall be submitted to the monitoring committee for approval in accordance with point (d)

of Article 110(2) no later than six months after the adoption of the operational programme or programmes concerned.

Where a common communication strategy is drawn up for several operational programmes and concerns several

monitoring committees, the Member State may designate one monitoring committee to be responsible, in consultation

with the other relevant monitoring committees, for the approval of the common communication strategy and for the

approval of any subsequent amendments of that strategy.

Where necessary, the Member State or managing authorities may amend the communication strategy during the

programming period. The amended communication strategy shall be submitted by the managing authority to the

monitoring committee for approval in accordance with point (d) of Article 110(2).

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3. By way of derogation from the third subparagraph of paragraph 2, the managing authority shall inform the

monitoring committee or committees responsible at least once a year on the progress in the implementation of the

communication strategy as referred to in point (c) of Article 110(1) and on its analysis of the results as well as on the

planned information and communication activities to be carried out in the following year. The monitoring committee

shall, if it considers it to be appropriate, give an opinion on the planned activities for the following year.

Article 117: Information and communication officers and their networks

1. Each Member State shall designate an information and communication officer to coordinate information and

communication actions in relation to one or more Funds, including relevant programmes under the European territorial

cooperation goal, and shall inform the Commission accordingly.

2. The information and communication officer shall be responsible for the coordination of the national network of Fund

communicators, where such a network exists, the creation and maintenance of the website or website portal referred to in

Annex XII and the provision of an overview of communication measures undertaken at Member State level.

3. Each managing authority shall designate one person to be responsible for information and communication at

operational programme level and shall inform the Commission of those designated. Where appropriate, one person may

be designated for several operational programmes.

4. Union networks comprising the members designated by the Member States shall be set up by the Commission to ensure

exchange of information on the results of the implementation of the communication strategies, the exchange of

experience in implementing the information and communication measures, and the exchange of good practices.

ANNEX XII: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION ON SUPPORT FROM THE FUNDS

1. LIST OF OPERATIONS

The list of operations referred to in Article 115(2) shall contain, in at least one of the official languages of the Member

State, the following data fields:

— beneficiary name (only of legal entities; no natural persons shall be named);

— operation name;

— operation summary;

— operation start date;

— operation end date (expected date for physical completion or full implementation of the operation);

— total eligible expenditure allocated to the operation;

— Union co-financing rate, as per priority axis;

— operation postcode; or other appropriate location indicator;

— country;

— name of category of intervention for the operation in accordance with point (b) (vi) of the first subparagraph of

Article 96(2);

— date of last update of the list of operations.

The headings of the data fields shall be also provided in at least one other official language of the Union.

2. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION MEASURES FOR THE PUBLIC

The Member State, the managing authority and the beneficiaries shall take the steps necessary to provide information to,

and communicate with, the public on operations supported by an operational programme in accordance with this

Regulation.

2.1. Responsibilities of the Member State and the managing authority

1. The Member State and the managing authority shall ensure that the information and communication measures are

implemented in accordance with the communication strategy and that those measures aim for the widest possible media

coverage using various forms and methods of communication at the appropriate level.

2. The Member State or the managing authority shall be responsible for at least the following information and

communication measures:

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(a) organising a major information activity publicising the launch of the operational programme or programmes, even

prior to the approval of the relevant communication strategies;

(b) organising one major information activity a year which promotes the funding opportunities and the strategies

pursued and presents the achievements of the operational programme or programmes, including, where relevant, major

projects, joint action plans and other project examples;

(c) displaying the Union emblem at the premises of each managing authority;

(d) publishing electronically the list of operations in accordance with Section 1 of this Annex;

(e) giving examples of operations, by operational programme, on the single website or on the operational programme's

website that is accessible through the single website portal; the examples should be in a widely spoken official language

of the Union other than the official language or languages of the Member State concerned;

(f) updating information about the operational programme's implementation, including, when appropriate, its main

achievements, on the single website or on the operational programme's website that is accessible through the single

website portal.

3. The managing authority shall involve in information and communication measures, in accordance with national laws

and practices, the following bodies where appropriate:

(a) the partners referred to in Article 5;

(b) information centres on Europe, as well as Commission representation offices, and information offices of the

European Parliament in the Member States;

(c) educational and research institutions.

These bodies shall widely disseminate the information described in Article 115(1).

2.2. Responsibilities of the beneficiaries

1. All information and communication measures provided by the beneficiary shall acknowledge support from the Funds

to the operation by displaying:

(a) the Union emblem in accordance with the technical characteristics laid down in the implementing act adopted by the

Commission under Article 115(4), together with a reference to the Union;

(b) a reference to the Fund or Funds supporting the operation.

Where an information or communication measure relates to an operation or to several operations co-financed by more

than one Fund, the reference provided for in point (b) may be replaced by a reference to the ESI Funds.

2. During implementation of an operation, the beneficiary shall inform the public about the support obtained from the

Funds by:

(a) providing on the beneficiary's website, where such a website exists, a short description of the operation,

proportionate to the level of support, including its aims and results, and highlighting the financial support from the

Union;

(b) placing, for operations not falling under points 4 and 5, at least one poster with information about the project

(minimum size A3), including the financial support from the Union, at a location readily visible to the public, such as the

entrance area of a building.

3. For operations supported by the ESF, and in appropriate cases for operations supported by the ERDF or Cohesion

Fund, the beneficiary shall ensure that those taking part in an operation have been informed of this funding.

Any document, relating to the implementation of an operation which is used for the public or for participants, including

any attendance or other certificate, shall include a statement to the effect that the operational programme was supported

by the Fund or Funds.

4. During implementation of an ERDF or Cohesion Fund operation, the beneficiary shall put up, at a location readily

visible to the public, a temporary billboard of a significant size for each operation consisting of the financing of

infrastructure or construction operations for which the total public support to the operation exceeds EUR 500 000.

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5. No later than three months after completion of an operation, the beneficiary shall put up a permanent plaque or

billboard of significant size at a location readily visible to the public for each operation that fulfils the following criteria:

(a) the total public support to the operation exceeds EUR 500 000;

(b) the operation consists of the purchase of a physical object or of the financing of infrastructure or of construction

operations.

The plaque or billboard shall state the name and the main objective of the operation. It shall be prepared in accordance

with the technical characteristics adopted by the Commission in accordance with Article 115(4).

3. INFORMATION MEASURES FOR POTENTIAL BENEFICIARIES AND BENEFICIARIES

3.1. Information measures for potential beneficiaries

1. The managing authority shall ensure, in accordance with the communication strategy that the operational

programme's strategy and objectives, and the funding opportunities offered through joint support from the Union and the

Member State, are disseminated widely to potential beneficiaries and all interested parties, with details of the financial

support from the Funds concerned.

2. The managing authority shall ensure that potential beneficiaries have access to the relevant information, including

updated information where necessary, and 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 application calls;

(b) the eligibility of expenditure conditions to be met in order to qualify for support under an operational programme;

(c) a description of the procedures for examining applications for funding and of the time periods involved;

(d) the criteria for selecting the operations to be supported;

(e) the contacts at national, regional or local level that are able to provide information on the operational programmes;

(f) the responsibility of potential beneficiaries to inform the public about the aim of the operation and the support from

the Funds to the operation in accordance with point 2.2. The managing authority may request potential beneficiaries to

propose indicative communication activities, proportional to the size of the operation, in the applications.

3.2. Information measures for beneficiaries

1. The managing authority shall inform beneficiaries that acceptance of funding constitutes an acceptance of their

inclusion in the list of operations published in accordance with Article 115(2).

2. The managing authority shall provide information and communication tools, including templates in electronic format,

to help beneficiaries to meet their obligations set out in point 2.2, where appropriate.

4. ELEMENTS OF THE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

The communication strategy drawn up by the managing authority and, where appropriate, by the Member State shall

include the following elements:

(a) a description of the approach taken, including the main information and communication measures to be taken by the

Member State or the managing authority and aimed at potential beneficiaries, beneficiaries, multipliers and the wider

public, having regard to the aims described in Article 115;

(b) a description of materials that will be made available in formats accessible for people with disabilities;

(c) a description of how beneficiaries will be supported in their communication activities;

(d) the indicative budget for implementation of the strategy;

(e) a description of the administrative bodies, including the staff resources, responsible for implementing the information

and communication measures;

(f) the arrangements for the information and communication measures referred to in point 2, including the website or

website portal at which such data may be found;

(g) an indication of how the information and communication measures shall be assessed in terms of visibility and

awareness of policy, operational programmes and operations, and of the role played by the Funds and the Union;

(h) where appropriate, a description of the use of the main results of the previous operational programme;

(i) an annual update setting out the information and communication activities to be carried out in the following year

______________________________

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Regulation (EU) No. 1304/2013

Article 20: Information and communication measures

1. The beneficiaries shall ensure that those taking part in an operation are specifically informed of the YEI support

provided through the ESF funding and the specific YEI allocation.

2. Any document relating to the implementation of an operation and issued for the public or for participants,

including an attendance or other certificate, shall include a statement to the effect that the operation was

supported under the YEI.

____________________________________

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 821/2014 Article 3: Instructions for creating the emblem and a definition of the standard colours

The Union emblem shall be created in accordance with the graphic standards set out in Annex II.

Article 4: Technical characteristics for displaying the Union emblem and the reference to the

Fund or Funds supporting the operation

1. The Union emblem referred to in point 1(a) of Section 2.2 of Annex XII to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall be

displayed in colour on websites. In all other media, colour shall be used whenever possible and a monochrome version

may only be used in justified cases.

2. The Union emblem shall always be clearly visible and placed in a prominent position. Its position and size shall be

appropriate to the scale of the material or document being used. For small promotional objects the obligation to make

reference to the Fund shall not apply.

3. When the Union emblem, the reference to the Union and the relevant Fund are displayed on a website: (a) the Union

emblem and the reference to the Union shall be visible, when landing on the website, inside the viewing area of a digital

device, without requiring a user to scroll down the page; (b) the reference to the relevant Fund shall be made visible on

the same website.

4. The name ‘European Union’ shall always be spelled out in full. The name of a financial instrument shall include a

reference to the fact that it is supported by the ESI Funds. The typeface to be used in conjunction with the Union emblem

may be any of the following fonts: Arial, Auto, Calibri, Garamond, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Verdana, Ubuntu. Italic,

underlined variations or font effects shall not be used. The positioning of the text in relation to the Union emblem shall

not interfere with the Union emblem in any way. The font size used shall be proportionate to the size of the emblem. The

colour of the font shall be reflex blue, black or white depending on the background.

5. If other logos are displayed in addition to the Union emblem, the Union emblem shall have at least the same size,

measured in height or width, as the biggest of the other logos.

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ANNEX II: Graphic standards for creating the Union emblem and the definition of the

standard colours

SYMBOLIC DESCRIPTION

Against a background of blue sky, twelve golden stars form a circle representing the union of the peoples of Europe. The

number of stars is fixed, twelve being the symbol of perfection and unity.

HERALDIC DESCRIPTION

On an azure field a circle of twelve golden mullets, their points not touching.

GEOMETRIC DESCRIPTION

The emblem has the form of a blue rectangular flag of which the fly is one and a half times the length of the hoist. Twelve

gold stars situated at equal intervals form an invisible circle whose center is the point of intersection of the diagonals of

the rectangle. The radius of the circle is equal to one third of the height of the hoist. Each of the stars has five points

which are situated on the circumference of an invisible circle whose radius is equal to one eighteenth of the height of the

hoist. All the stars are upright, i.e. with one point vertical and two points in a straight line at right angles to the mast.

The circle is arranged so that the stars appear in the position of the hours on the face of a clock. Their number is

invariable.

REGULATION COLOURS

The emblem is in the following colours: — PANTONE REFLEX BLUE for the surface of the rectangle; — PANTONE

YELLOW for the stars.

FOUR-COLOUR PROCESS

If the four-colour process is used, recreate the two standard colours by using the four colours of the four-colour process.

PANTONE YELLOW is obtained by using 100 % ‘Process Yellow’.

PANTONE REFLEX BLUE is obtained by mixing 100 % ‘Process Cyan’ and 80 % ‘Process Magenta’.

INTERNET

PANTONE REFLEX BLUE corresponds in the web-palette colour RGB:0/51/153 (hexadecimal: 003399) and PANTONE

YELLOW corresponds in the web-palette colour RGB: 255/204/0 (hexadecimal: FFCC00).

MONOCHROME REPRODUCTION PROCESS Using black, outline the rectangle in black and print the stars in black

on white. Using blue

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Using blue (Reflex Blue), use 100 % with the stars reproduced in negative white. REPRODUCTION

REPRODUCTION ON A COLOURED BACKGROUND

If there is no alternative to a coloured background, put a white border around the rectangle, the width of the border

being 1/25th of the height of the rectangle.

Annex 2: The European Union Emblem

The logo has 12 stars. The blue (Pantone Reflex Blue) and yellow (Pantone Yellow) should be used

whenever possible with the chosen Typeface (see Article 4.4 of Implementing Reg. 821/2014 for the

list of acceptable Fonts, copied in Annex I) for the words European Union, European Social Fund

and Investing in your future.

EU emblem/flag with the words “EUROPEAN UNION” in larger type and with the slogan

“Investing in your future” and the fund title “European Social Fund”.

The EU emblem/flag is also available in Irish. The applicable text to use for the Irish version

of the Logo is “An tAONTAS EORPACH” in larger type and with the slogan “Ag

infheistiú i do dhán” and the fund title “Ciste Sóisialta na hEorpa”.

Geometrical Description

All stars are upright, i.e., with one point vertical and two points in a straight line at right angles to the

mast. The circle is arranged so that the stars appear in the position of the hours on the face of a clock.

The number of stars is invariable at 12. (See Annex I of Commission Implementing Regulation

821/2014 for instructions for creating the emblem and a definition of the standard colours).

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Single Colour Reproduction:

In the event that blue is the only colour available (it must be Pantone Reflex Blue), use it 100% with

the stars reproduced in negative white and the field 100% blue.

If only black is available, outline the rectangle in black and print the stars in black and white. Note

that Monochrome versions can only be used following prior approval from the MA (Article 4,

Implementing Reg. 821/2014).

Reproduction on a coloured background

The emblem is reproduced for preference on a white background. Avoid a background of varied

colours, and in any case one, which does not go with blue. If there should be no alternative to a

coloured background, put a white border around the rectangle, with the width of this being equal to

1/25 of the height of the rectangle.

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Annex 3: Ireland’s ESIF Logo Ireland’s ESIF logo and the EU flag must be used for all Operations that have or will receive EU

funding. Ireland’s ESIF logo is a white harp facing left that has the text.

“Ireland’s European Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014-2020

Co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union”.

Logo colours are PMS 3015C and PMS Process Cyan. For CYMK and RGB breakdown see below.

For screen display use a .JPG or .PNG file. For print, use an .EPS file.

Colour Breakdown: - CMYK 100,35,3,21 100,0,0,0

RGB 0,108,163 0,158,218

Grayscale: - Black 100%, Black 60%

The Irish version is also available to use with the text:

“Cláir Chistí Eorpacha Struchtúracha agus Infheistíochta na hÉireann 2014 - 2020

Cómhaoinithe ag Rialtas na hÉireann agus ag an Aontas Eorpach”.

Clearspace: The clearspace is the smallest distance allowed between the logo and the edge of a page,

the edge of an image or text.

Minimum size: - To ensure legibility, minimum logo size should be 58mm x 19mm