1. Information and Communication Guidelines for European Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014-2020

2. Why Communicate? You, We, have a story to tell Transparency Regulatory requirement

3. Information and Communication rules EU Regulation No 1303/2013 of 17 December 2013 Common Provisions Regulation (CPR) EU Regulation No 1303/2013 Provisions relating to information and communication found under Articles 115-117 and Annex XII of EU Regulation 1303/2013 and in accordance with Articles 3- 5 and Annex II of Implementing EU Regulation 821/2014.EU Regulation 1303/2013EU Regulation 821/2014. The main information and communication requirements for cohesion policy (ERDF and ESF) are set out in Article 115 of the CPR

4. The Managing Authority (MA) responsibilities OP Communication Strategy; Establishing a website to include information about the timing of implementation of programming and any related public consultation processes; Informing potential beneficiaries about funding opportunities under Operational Programmes; Publicise to the general public – the achievements of cohesion policy and of the funds (ERDF) through information and communication actions on the results and impact Operational Programmes and operations

5. The Managing Authority is responsible for: Programme launch event (July 2015); One major annual information activity (2016 OPEN Days project visits) ; Publishing the list of operations (projects & beneficiaries), (updated every six months); – acceptance of funding by a beneficiary constitutes an acceptance of their inclusion in the list of operations published in accordance with Article 115(2) of the CPR Displaying the Union emblem and Ireland’s European Structural and Investment Funds’ (ESIF) logo at the MA premises

6. Information and Communication Guidelines for European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 Guidelines issued by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Assists you in complying with the regulatory information and communication requirements for operations approved from 1 st January 2014 Among other matters guides on the use of Ireland’s ESIF logo and the EU Emblem

7. Where to use the Union Emblem and Ireland’s ESIFs’ Logo Billboards/Publicity Signage Plaques Brochures/Literature Application Forms Annual Reports Display/Exhibition stands Videos Advertisements & Supplements Conference Material CD-ROMs/DVDs Websites Offer letters, correspondence with projects/beneficiaries Press releases Launches/Awards Posters Not exhaustive

8. Positioning and use of logos Both logos should be of equal size To ensure legibility, should not be smaller than a minimum size of 58mm in horizontal width. It is accepted that for small items of merchandise this minimum size may not be achievable Sufficient ‘breathing spaces’ between logos should be utilised to enhance the visual appearance of publications and signage Horizontally – Ireland’s ESIFs’ logo should be placed on the left, followed by the EU emblem and other logos, as appropriate Vertically – Ireland’s ESIFs’ logo should be placed on the top, followed by the EU emblem and other logos, as appropriate

9. Positioning and use of logos A full range of logos, in Irish and English, colour and monochrome, in JPEG and EPS format are available from the Managing Authorities’ websites Compliance with the Official Languages Act 2003 – Please refer to your organisation’s Irish Officer Signage & Branding – Prior to the start of a project, roadside and site signage communicates to the passing public that a major project is about to commence

10. Project beneficiaries are responsible for: Article 4 of EU Regulation 821/2014EU Regulation 821/2014 – Ways to acknowledge the support from the funds Website – Display the Union emblem; – Ensuring it is clearly visible and placed in a prominent position when landing on the website/webpage (but not necessarily the home page); – The reference to the Union and the relevant fund should be visible inside the viewing area of a digital device, without requiring a user to scroll down the page.

11. Project beneficiaries are responsible for: During implementation of an ERDF operation where the total public support to the operation exceeds €500,000 – the beneficiary shall erect at a location readily visible to the public a temporary billboard of a significant size for each operation/project

12. Project beneficiaries are responsible for: Three months after completion of an operation, the beneficiary shall erect a permanent plaque or billboard Where – Total public support to the operation exceeds EUR 500 000; – the operation consists of the purchase of a physical object or of the financing of infrastructure or of construction operations The permanent plaque or billboard to be: – significant size at a location readily visible to the public for each operation that fulfils the following criteria: State the name and the main objective of the operation the plaque or billboard – Recommend liaising with MA on the wording of the main objective

13. Project Beneficiaries Technical characteristics (billboards and plaques) - Article 5 of Com Impl Reg (EU) No. 821/2014 – name of the operation – the main objective of the operation – the Union emblem together with the reference to the Union and the reference to the Fund or Funds to be displayed on the permanent plaque or permanent billboard referred to in point 5 of Section 2.2 of Annex XII to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall take up at least 25 % of that plaque or billboard

14. Launching the Project/operation – A publicity event, attended by a senior Minister, local public representatives and the local media should be organised for the start of a project or scheme Beneficiaries are advised to liaise with the MA in event of the project launch to ensure compliance under the regulation and to maximise publicity for the fund. European Union and Managing Authority representatives should be invited to the launch of EU funded projects.

15. Promotion of the project/operation Media – For the promotion of projects 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; Online Activity – The websites of the Managing Authorities are updated regularly – It is the responsibility of local implementers to ensure that their information is published on these central websites, in addition to developing and maintaining their own websites (DPER Guidelines).

16. Compliance checks Compliance with the Information and Communications requirements under CPR and the Implementing Acts will form an equal part of the financial management and control checks prior to certification of expenditure – Evidence of compliance must be maintained – Remote checks of website (art. 4 (3) a of 821/2014)  Managing Authority  Audit Authority  EU Commission

17. Where to get Ireland’s European Structural and Investment Funds’ logo and the EU emblem Ireland’s ESIF logo and the EU emblem are available to download from the following websites: www.nwra.ie http://www.southernassembly.ie/en/info/communicati ons_erdf_regional_programme_2014_2020 http://www.southernassembly.ie/en/info/communicati ons_erdf_regional_programme_2014_2020 www.esf.ie www.eustructuralfunds.ie and http://www.per.gov.ie/eu-cohesion-policy-2014-2020/ www.eustructuralfunds.ie http://www.per.gov.ie/eu-cohesion-policy-2014-2020/

18. Thank you for your attention Communication Officers Contact Detail ERDF Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020 Derville Brennan Southern Regional Assembly O’Connell Street Waterford dbrennan@southernassembly.ie Tel: +353 51 860 700 ERDF Border Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020 Gerry Lavelle Northern and Western Regional Assembly The Square Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon glavelle@nwra.ie Tel: +353 94 986 2970