Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 808/2014

Article 1

Subject matter

This Regulation lays down rules for the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 as regards the presentation of rural development programmes, procedures and timetables for approval and amendment of rural development programmes and national frameworks, the content of national frameworks, information and publicity for rural development programmes, implementation of certain rural development measures, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.

Article 2

Content of rural development programmes and national frameworks

The presentation of the content of rural development programmes as referred to in Article 27 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, of national programmes dedicated to joint instruments for uncapped guarantees and securitisation providing capital relief implemented by the European Investment Bank (‘EIB’) as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and of national frameworks as referred to in Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, shall be established in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation.

Article 3

Adoption of national frameworks

National frameworks as referred to in Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 shall be adopted in accordance with Article 29 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.

Article 4

Amendments of rural development programmes

1. Proposals to amend rural development programmes and specific programmes for the establishment and operation of national rural networks shall contain, in particular, the following information:

1. the type of amendment that is being proposed;
2. the reasons and/or implementation problems that justify the amendment;
3. the expected effects of the amendment;
4. the impact of the change on indicators;
5. the relationship between the change and the Partnership Agreement referred to in Chapter II of Title II of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.

2. Programme amendments of the type referred to in Article 11(a)(i) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 may be proposed no more than three times during the duration of the programming period.

For all other types of amendments combined:

1. a single amendment proposal may be submitted per calendar year and per programme, with the exception of the year 2023 in which year more than a single amendment proposal may be submitted for amendments concerning exclusively the adaptation of the financing plan, including any resulting changes to the indicator plan;
2. three additional amendment proposals per programme may be submitted during the duration of the programming period.

The maximum number of amendments referred to in the first and second subparagraphs shall not apply:

1. in case emergency measures due to natural disasters, catastrophic events or adverse climatic events formally recognised by the competent national public authority, or due to a significant and sudden change in the socioeconomic conditions of the Member State or region, including significant and sudden demographic changes resulting from migration or reception of refugees, need to be taken. Where an amendment of the rural development programme in response to the COVID-19 crisis is combined with amendments not linked to the crisis, this subparagraph shall apply to all combined amendments, provided that the proposal to amend the rural development programme is submitted to the Commission by 30 June 2021; 
2. in case an amendment is necessary following a change to the Union legal framework;
3. following the performance review referred to in Article 21 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;
4. in case of a change in the EAFRD contribution planned for each year referred to in Article 8(1)(h)(i) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 resulting from developments relating to the annual breakdown by Member State referred to in Article 58(7) of that Regulation; the proposed amendments may include consequential changes in the description of measures;
5. in case of changes related to the introduction of financial instruments referred to in Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013; or
6. in case of changes related to the introduction of the new delimitation referred to in Article 32(5)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. 

3. Member States shall submit their last programme amendment of the type referred to in Article 11(a)(iii) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 to the Commission by 30 September 2020.

Other types of programme amendments shall be submitted to the Commission by 30 September 2023.

4. When a programme amendment changes any of the data that is included in the table of the national framework referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, the approval of the programme amendment shall constitute approval of the corresponding revision of that table.

Article 5

Amendment of national frameworks

1. Article 30 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and Article 4(1)(b) and (c) of this Regulation shall apply mutatis mutandis to amendments of national frameworks.

2. Member States that have opted for the submission of national frameworks containing the table referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 may submit amendments of the national framework concerning that table to the Commission taking into account the degree of implementation of their various programmes.

3. The Commission, after approving the amendments referred to in paragraph 2, shall adapt the financing plans referred to in Article 8(1)(h) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the programmes concerned to the revised table, provided that:

1. the total EAFRD contribution per programme for the entire programming period is not altered;
2. the total EAFRD allocation to the Member State concerned is not altered;
3. the annual breakdowns of the programme for the years preceding the year of the revision are not altered;
4. the annual EAFRD allocation to the Member State concerned is respected;
5. the total EAFRD funding for environmental and climate related measures as set out in Article 59(6) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 is respected.

4. Except in cases of emergency measures due to natural disasters, catastrophic events or adverse climatic events formally recognized by the competent national public authority, or due to a significant and sudden change in the socioeconomic conditions of the Member State or region, including significant and sudden demographic changes resulting from migration or reception of refugees, changes to the legal framework, or changes resulting from the performance review referred to in Article 21 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, requests for amendment of the national framework referred to in paragraph 2 may be submitted only once per calendar year before 1 April. By way of derogation from the second subparagraph of Article 4(2), changes in programmes that result from such revision may be done in addition to the amendment proposals submitted in accordance with that subparagraph. 

5. The implementing act approving the amendment shall be adopted in due time for allowing to amend the respective budget commitments before the end of the year in which the revision was submitted.

Article 6

Knowledge transfer and information actions

1. Member States may provide for the possibility to cover the expenditure relating to the costs for travel, accommodation and per diem expenses of participants in knowledge transfer and information actions referred to in Article 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 as well as related costs for the replacement of farmers through a system of vouchers or another system of equivalent effect.

2. In relation to the systems referred to in paragraph 1 Member States shall provide:

1. that the period of validity of the voucher or equivalent may not exceed one year;
2. rules for obtaining the vouchers or equivalent, in particular that they shall be linked to a specific action;
3. the definition of specific conditions under which vouchers can be reimbursed to the training or other knowledge transfer and information action provider.

Article 7

Selection of authorities or bodies offering advisory services

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Article 8

Business plans

1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. In the case of support under Article 19(1)(a)(i) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, where the business plan refers to the use of other rural development measures under that Regulation, Member States may provide that the approval of the application for support also gives access to support under those measures. Where a Member State makes use of that possibility it shall provide that the application for support supplies the necessary information to assess eligibility under those measures.

Article 9

1.  Where commitments made under Articles 28, 29 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 refer to livestock units, the conversion rates of the various categories of animals to livestock units as set out in Annex II apply.

2.  Where commitments under Articles 28, 29 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 are expressed in units other than those set out in Annex II to that Regulation, Member States may calculate payments on the basis of those other units. In such case, the Member States shall ensure that the maximum amounts per year eligible for EAFRD support set out in that Annex are complied with.

3.  Except for payments for commitments for the rearing of local breeds in danger of being lost to farming referred to in Article 28(10)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, payments under Articles 28, 29 and 34 of that Regulation cannot be granted per livestock unit. 

Article 10

Standard assumption of additional costs and income foregone

1. Member States may fix the amount of the payments for the measures or types of operations referred to in Articles 28 to 31 and Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 on the basis of standard assumptions of additional costs and income foregone.

2. Member States shall ensure that the calculations and the corresponding payments referred to in paragraph 1:

1. contain only elements that are verifiable;
2. are based on figures established by appropriate expertise;
3. indicate clearly the source of the figures used;
4. are differentiated to take account of regional or local site conditions and actual land use, where applicable;
5. do not contain elements linked to investment costs.

Article 11

Combination of commitments and combination of measures

1. Various agri-environment-climate commitments under Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, organic farming commitments under Article 29 of that Regulation, animal welfare commitments under Article 33 of that Regulation and forest-environmental and climate commitments under Article 34 of that Regulation may be combined provided that they are complementary and compatible. Member States shall attach the list of allowed combinations to their rural development programmes.

2. Where measures or different commitments under the same or different measures referred to in paragraph 1 are combined, in determining the level of support Member States shall take into account the specific income foregone and additional costs resulting from the combination.

3. Where an operation falls under two or more measures or under two or more different types of operations, Member States may attribute the expenditure to the dominant measure or type of operation. The specific contribution rate of that dominant measure or type of operation shall apply.

Article 12

National rural network

1. Member States shall provide for the establishment and operation of the national rural network referred to in Article 54 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and the start of its action plan at the latest 12 months after the approval by the Commission of the rural development programme or the specific programme for the establishment and operation of the national rural network, as applicable.

2. The structure needed for running the national rural network shall be established either within the national or regional competent authorities or externally, by selection through tendering procedures or as a combination of both. That structure must be able to perform at least the activities referred to in Article 54(3)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.

3. Where a Member State has opted for a specific programme for the establishment and operation of the national rural network, that programme shall include the elements referred to in Part 3 of Annex I to this Regulation.

Article 13

Information and publicity

1. The Managing Authority shall submit an information and publicity strategy as well as any amendments thereof to the Monitoring Committee for information. The strategy shall be submitted no later than six months after the adoption of the rural development programme. The Managing Authority shall inform the Monitoring Committee at least once a year on the progress in the implementation of the information and publicity strategy and on its analysis of the results as well as on the planned information and publicity to be carried out in the following year.

2. Detailed rules on the responsibilities of the Managing Authority and the beneficiaries concerning information and publicity are laid down in Annex III.

Article 14

Monitoring and evaluation system

1. The common monitoring and evaluation system referred to in Article 67 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 includes the following elements:

1. an intervention logic showing the interactions between priorities, focus areas and measures;
2. a set of common context, result and output indicators, including indicators to be used for the establishment of quantified targets in relation to rural development focus areas and a set of pre-defined indicators for the performance review;
3. common evaluation questions, as set out in Annex V;
4. data collection, storage and transmission;
5. regular reporting on monitoring and evaluation activities;
6. the evaluation plan;
7. the ex ante and ex post evaluations and all other evaluation activities linked to the rural development programme, including those required to fulfil the increased requirements of the 2017 and 2019 annual implementation reports referred to in Article 50(4) and (5) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 75(3) and (4) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;
8. support to enable all actors responsible for monitoring and evaluation to fulfil their obligations.

2. The common set of context, result and output indicators for rural development policy is set out in Annex IV. That Annex also identifies the indicators which are to be used for the establishment of quantified targets in relation to rural development focus areas. For the purpose of the setting of the performance framework milestones and targets referred to in point 2 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, the Member State shall either use the pre-defined performance framework indicators set out in point 5 of Annex IV to this Regulation or replace and/or complete these indicators by other relevant output indicators defined in the rural development programme.

3. The technical support documents set out in Annex VI shall form part of the monitoring and evaluation system.

4. For types of operations where a potential contribution to focus areas referred to in Article 5, first paragraph, point (2)(a), Article 5, first paragraph, points (5)(a) to (d), and Article 5, first paragraph, point(6)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 is identified, for types of operations where a potential contribution to the integration of third-country nationals is identified, or for types of operations supporting mitigation of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and recovery actions, the electronic record of the operations referred to in Article 70 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 shall include flag(s) to identify those cases where the operation has a component contributing to one or more of those focus areas or goals. 

Article 15

Annual implementation report

The presentation of the annual implementation report referred to in Article 75 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 is set out in Annex VII to this Regulation.

Article 16

Evaluation Plan

The minimum requirements for the evaluation plan referred to in Article 56(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 are set out in point 9 of Part 1 of Annex I to this Regulation.

Article 17

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

ANNEX I

PART 1

Presentation of the content of rural development programmes

1. Title of the rural development programme (RDP)

2. Member State or administrative region

3. Ex ante evaluation

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

4. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (‘SWOT’) and identification of needs

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

5. Description of the strategy

6. Assessment of ex ante conditionalities comprising the following structured tables:

7. Description of the performance framework

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

In case the total EAFRD amount allocated to the performance reserve differs from the pro-rata distribution(5) of the total national EAFRD performance reserve allocation in the partnership agreement to all national and regional programmes, with the exception of national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and specific programmes for the establishment and the operation of the national rural network referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 54(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, justification of the amount of the performance reserve allocation.

8. Description of the measures selected

(1) Description of the general conditions applied to more than one measure including, where relevant, definition of rural area, baselines, cross-compliance, intended use of financial instruments, intended use of advances and common provisions for investments, including the provisions of Articles 45 and 46 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.

Where relevant, the list of allowed combinations of commitments referred to in Article 11(1) shall be annexed to the RDP.

(2) Description by measure including:

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

(1) Objectives and purpose

A statement of the objectives and purpose of the evaluation plan, based on ensuring that sufficient and appropriate evaluation activities are undertaken, in particular to provide information needed for programme steering, for the annual implementation reports in 2017 and 2019 and the ex-post evaluation, and to ensure that data needed for RDP evaluation are available.

(2) Governance and coordination

Brief description of the monitoring and evaluation arrangements for the RDP, identifying the main bodies involved and their responsibilities. Explanation of how evaluation activities are linked with RDP implementation in terms of content and timing.

(3) Evaluation topics and activities

Indicative description of evaluation topics and activities anticipated, including, but not limited to, fulfilment of evaluation requirements provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. It shall cover:

(4) Data and information

Brief description of the system to record, maintain, manage and report statistical information on RDP implementation and provision of monitoring data for evaluation. Identification of data sources to be used, data gaps, potential institutional issues related to data provision, and proposed solutions. This section shall demonstrate that appropriate data management systems will be operational in due time.

(5) Timeline

Major milestones of the programming period, and indicative outline of the timing needed to ensure that results are available at the appropriate time.

(6) Communication

Description of how evaluation findings will be disseminated to target recipients, including a description of the mechanisms established to follow-up on the use of evaluation results.

(7) Resources

Description of the resources needed and foreseen to implement the evaluation plan, including an indication of administrative capacity, data, financial resources, IT needs. Description of capacity building activities foreseen to ensure that the evaluation plan can be fully implemented.

10. Financing plan, comprising separate structured tables setting out:

1. The annual EAFRD contribution
   1. for all types of the regions referred to in Article 59(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013,
   2. for the amounts referred to in Article 59(4)(f) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, and funds transferred to the EAFRD, referred to in Article 58(6) of that Regulation,
   3. for resources allocated to the performance reserve in accordance with Article 20 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;
2. The single EAFRD contribution rate for all measures broken down by type of region as referred to in Article 59(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;
3. The breakdown by measure or type of operation with a specific EAFRD contribution rate:
   1. total Union contribution, EAFRD contribution rate, and indicative breakdown of the total Union contribution by focus area,
   2. for the measures referred to in Articles 17 and 30 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 the total Union contribution reserved for operations referred to in Article 59(6) of that Regulation,
   3. for technical assistance the total Union contribution and the EAFRD contribution rate used in accordance with Article 51(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013,
   4. for the expenditure related to legal commitments to beneficiaries incurred under the measures of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, which have no correspondence in the programming period 2014 to 2020, the total Union contribution and the EAFRD contribution rate,

   5. for the operations implemented in accordance with Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 where the minimum loss threshold is set to 20 % and for operations implemented in accordance with 39a of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 the indicative total Union contribution and the indicative contribution rate.
      
      When a measure or a type of operation with specific EAFRD contribution rate contributes to the financial instruments referred to in Article 38(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, the table shall indicate separately the contribution rates for financial instruments and for other operations and an indicative EAFRD amount corresponding to the planned contribution to the financial instrument.
      
      For the measure referred to in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, the EAFRD contribution reserved for operations falling within the scope of Article 59(6) of that Regulation corresponds to the contribution of the measure to the priorities laid down in Article 5(4) and (5) of that Regulation.
      
      For the purpose of interim payments referred to in Article 36 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, the payment of the balance referred to in Article 37, and the clearance of accounts referred to in Article 51 of that Regulation, the EAFRD contribution to be paid in respect of the eligible public expenditure of the programme concerned shall be respected at the measure level;

4. For each sub-programme an indicative breakdown by measure of the total Union contribution by measure.

11. Indicator plan, comprising separate structured tables setting out:

12. Additional national financing:

For measures and operations falling within the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty, a table on additional national financing per measure in accordance with Article 82 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, including the amounts per measure and indication of compliance with the criteria under that Regulation.

13. Elements needed for State aid assessment:

For the measures and operations which fall outside the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty, the table of aid schemes falling under Article 81(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 to be used for the implementation of the programmes, including the title of the aid scheme, as well as the EAFRD contribution, national cofinancing and additional national funding. Compatibility with Union State aid rules must be ensured over the entire duration of the programme.

The table shall be accompanied by a commitment from the Member State that, where required under State aid rules or under specific conditions in a State aid approval decision, such measures will be notified individually pursuant to Article 108(3) of the Treaty.

14. Information on complementarity containing the following sections:

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

(1) Description of means for the complementarity and coherence with:

• other Union instruments and, in particular with ESI Funds and Pillar 1, including greening, and other instruments of the common agricultural policy;
• where a Member State has opted to submit a national programme and a set of regional programmes as referred to in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, information on complementarity between them.

(2) Where relevant, information on the complementarity with other Union instruments, including LIFE(13).

15. Programme implementing arrangements, containing the following sections:

For national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 only points (a), (b) and (c) of this point are applicable

16. Actions taken to involve partners

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

List of actions taken to involve partners, subject and summary of the outcome of the corresponding consultations.

17. National rural network

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

Description of:

18. Ex ante assessment of verifiability, controllability and error risk

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

• statement by the Managing Authority and the paying agency on the verifiability and controllability of the measures supported under the RDP;
• statement by the functionally independent body referred to in Article 62(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 confirming the adequacy and accuracy of the calculations of standard costs, additional costs and income foregone.

19. Transitional arrangements

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

• description of the transitional conditions by measure;
• indicative carry-over table.

20. Thematic sub-programmes

20.1. SWOT and identification of needs

20.2. Description of the strategy

20.3. Indicator plan, comprising separate structured tables setting out:

PART 2

Presentation of the content of national frameworks

1. Title of the national framework

2. Member State

1. Geographical area covered by the framework;
2. Classification of the regions.

3. General presentation of the relations between national framework, partnership agreement and RDPs

4. Table summarising, by region and by year, the total EAFRD contribution to the Member State for the whole programming period

5. Description of the measures

(1) Description of the general conditions applied to more than one measure including, where relevant, definition of rural area, baselines, cross-compliance, intended use of financial instruments, intended use of advances.

(2) Description by measure including:

6. Where relevant, additional national financing:

For measures and operations falling within the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty, a table on additional national financing per measure in accordance with Article 82 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, including the indication of compliance with the criteria under that Regulation.

7. Where relevant, elements needed for State aid assessment:

For the measures and operations which fall outside the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty the table of aid schemes falling under Article 81(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 to be used for the implementation of the programmes, including the title and the references of the aid scheme, the EAFRD contribution, national cofinancing and additional national financing. Compatibility with Union State aid rules must be ensured over the entire duration of the programmes concerned.

The table shall be accompanied by a commitment from the Member State that, where required under State aid rules or under specific conditions in a State aid approval decision, such measures will be notified individually pursuant to Article 108(3) of the Treaty.

Statement whether the measure/operation has State aid cover under the national framework or under the rural development programmes concerned.

PART 3

Presentation of the content of the NRN programme

1. Title of the specific NRN programme

2. Member State or administrative region

3. Ex ante evaluation

1. description of the process, including timing of main events, intermediate reports, in relation to the key stages of the NRN programme development.
2. Structured table containing the recommendations of the ex ante evaluation and how they have been addressed.
3. The complete ex ante evaluation report shall be annexed to the NRN programme.

4. Evaluation plan, containing the following sections

(1) Objectives and purpose

A statement of the objectives and purpose of the evaluation plan, based on ensuring that sufficient and appropriate evaluation activities are undertaken, in particular to provide information needed for programme steering, for the annual implementation reports in 2017 and 2019 and the ex-post evaluation, and to ensure that data needed for the NRN programme evaluation are available.

(2) Governance and coordination

Brief description of the monitoring and evaluation arrangements for the NRN programme, identifying the main bodies involved and their responsibilities. Explanation of how evaluation activities are linked with the NRN programme implementation in terms of content and timing.

(3) Evaluation topics and activities

Indicative description of evaluation topics related to the NRN and activities anticipated, including, but not limited to, fulfilment of evaluation requirements provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. It shall cover activities needed to evaluate the contribution of the programme to the NRN objectives, assessment of result indicator values, analysis of net effects. Programme specific elements such as work needed to develop methodologies or to address specific policy areas.

(4) Data and information

Brief description of the system to record, maintain, manage and report statistical information on the NRN programme implementation and provision of monitoring data for evaluation. Identification of data sources to be used, data gaps, potential institutional issues related to data provision, and proposed solutions. This section shall demonstrate that appropriate data management systems will be operational in due time.

(5) Timeline

Major milestones of the programming period, and indicative outline of the timing needed to ensure that results are available at the appropriate time.

(6) Communication

Description of how evaluation findings will be disseminated to target recipients, including a description of the mechanisms established to follow-up on the use of evaluation results.

(7) Resources

Description of the resources needed and foreseen to implement the evaluation plan, including an indication of administrative capacity, data, financial resources, IT needs. Description of capacity building activities foreseen to ensure that the evaluation plan can be fully implemented.

5. Financing plan, setting out:

6. Programme implementing arrangements, containing the following sections:

7. NRN

Description of:

PART 4

Indicative list of priorities/focus areas and measures of particular relevance to ex-ante conditionalities (rural development priority-linked and general) referred to in point 6(b)(ii) of Part 1

PART 5

PART 6

ANNEX II

ANNEX III

Information and publicity referred to in Article 13

PART 1

Information and publicity actions

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:

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:

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:

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.

2. Responsibilities of beneficiaries

2.1.All information and communication actions of the beneficiary shall acknowledge support from the EAFRD to the operation by displaying:

Where an information or publicity action 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.

2.2.During the implementation of an operation, the beneficiary shall inform the public about the support obtained from the EAFRD by:

This billboard shall state the name and the main objective of the operation and highlight the financial support provided from the Union.

The billboards, posters, plaques and websites shall carry a description of the project/operation and the elements referred to in of point 1 of Part 2. That information shall take up at least 25 % of the billboard, plaque or webpage.

PART 2

Technical characteristics of information and publicity actions

1. Logo and slogan

Each action of information and publicity shall display the following elements:

2. Information and communication material

Publications (such as booklets, leaflets and newsletters) and posters about measures and actions co-financed by the EAFRD shall contain a clear indication on the title page of the Union’s participation, as well as the Union’s emblem if a national or regional emblem is also used. Publications shall include references to the body responsible for the content and to the Managing Authority designated to implement the EAFRD and/or national assistance in question.

In the case of information made available by electronic means (websites, databases for potential beneficiaries) or as audiovisual material, the first paragraph shall apply by analogy.

Websites concerning the EAFRD shall:

ANNEX IV

Common set of context, result and output indicators referred to in Article 14(2)

1. Context indicators

2. Result indicators

R1 : percentage of agricultural holdings with RDP support for investments in restructuring or modernisation (focus area 2A)

R2 : Change in Agricultural output on supported farms/AWU (Annual Work Unit) (focus area 2A)

R3 : percentage of agricultural holdings with RDP supported business development plan/investments for young farmers (focus area 2B)

R4 : percentage of agricultural holdings receiving support for participating in quality schemes, local markets and short supply circuits, and producer groups/organisations (focus area 3A)

R5 : percentage of farms participating in risk management schemes (focus area 3B)

R6 : percentage of forest or other wooded areas under management contracts supporting biodiversity (focus area 4A)

R7 : percentage of agricultural land under management contracts supporting biodiversity and/or landscapes (focus area 4A)

R8 : percentage of agricultural land under management contracts to improve water management (focus area 4B)

R9 : percentage of forestry land under management contracts to improve water management (focus area 4B)

R10 : percentage of agricultural land under management contracts to improve soil management and/or prevent soil erosion (focus area 4C)

R11 : percentage of forestry land under management contracts to improve soil management and/or prevent soil erosion (focus area 4C)

R12 : percentage of irrigated land switching to more efficient irrigation systems (focus area 5A)

R13 : Increase in efficiency of water use in agriculture in RDP supported projects (focus area 5A)

R14 : Increase in efficiency of energy use in agriculture and food-processing in RDP supported projects (focus area 5B)

R15 : Renewable energy produced from supported projects (focus area 5C)

R16 : percentage of LU (Live-stock Unit) concerned by investments in live-stock management in view of reducing GHG (Green House Gas) and/or ammonia emissions (focus area 5D)

R17 : percentage of agricultural land under management contracts targeting reduction of GHG and/or ammonia emissions (focus area 5D)

R18 : Reduced emissions of methane and nitrous oxide (focus area 5D)

R19 : Reduced ammonia emissions (focus area 5D)

R20 : percentage of agricultural and forest land under management contracts contributing to carbon sequestration or conservation (focus area 5E)

R21 : Jobs created in supported projects (focus area 6A)

R22 : percentage of rural population covered by local development strategies (focus area 6B)

R23 : percentage of rural population benefiting from improved services/infrastructures (focus area 6B)

R24 : Jobs created in supported projects (Leader) (focus area 6B)

R25 : percentage of rural population benefiting from new or improved services/infrastructures (Information and Communication Technology — ICT) (focus area 6C)

Indicators in italics are also target indicators as listed under Point 4.

3. RD Output indicators

4. Target indicators

5. Proposed Performance Framework Indicators

ANNEX V

Common evaluation questions for rural development

Focus area-related evaluation questions

For each focus area included in the RDP, the related question shall be answered in the enhanced annual implementation reports (hereafter ‘AIRs’) submitted in 2017 and 2019, and in the ex-post evaluation report.

Evaluation questions related to other aspects of the RDP

The following questions shall be answered in the enhanced AIRs submitted in 2017 and 2019, and in the ex-post evaluation report.

The following questions shall be answered in the enhanced AIR submitted in 2019, and in the ex-post evaluation report.

ANNEX VI

Main elements of technical support documents for the monitoring and evaluation system

One of the key elements of the monitoring and evaluation system for rural development is the technical support that is provided to Member States, evaluators and other evaluation stakeholders to build evaluation capacity and to increase the quality and consistency of evaluation activities. The Commission, working in conjunction with the Member States, shall produce technical support documents covering the following topics:

ANNEX VII

Structure and content of annual implementation reports (referred to in Article 50 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 75 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)

1. Key information on implementation of the programme and its priorities

a) Financial data

Financial implementation data giving, for each measure and focus area, a statement of the expenditure incurred and declared in the declarations of expenditure. It shall cover the total incurred public expenditure as well as the financial recoveries and corrections brought by the Member States during the previous calendar year.

b) Common and programme-specific indicators and quantified target values

Information on RDP implementation as measured by common and specific indicators, including the progress achieved in relation to the targets set for each focus area and on realised output compared to planned output as set out in the indicator plan. Beginning from the annual implementation report to be submitted in 2017, the achievements towards the milestones set in the performance framework (table F). Additional information on the stage of RDP implementation is provided through data on financial commitments by measure and focus area, and the related expected progress towards targets.

Tables:

• Table A: Committed expenditure by measure and focus area
• Table B: Realised output indicators by measure and focus area
• Table C: Breakdown for relevant outputs and measures by type of area, gender and/or age, by operation for operations contributing to the integration of third-country nationals and by operation and type of support for operations supporting mitigation of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and recovery actions
• Table D: Progress towards targets
• Table E: Monitoring of transitional measures
• Table F: Achievement of the performance framework indicators

2. The progress in implementing the evaluation plan shall be presented as follows:

*Reference shall be made to the evaluation plan, any difficulties encountered in implementation shall be described, together with solutions adopted or proposed.

3. Issues which affect the performance of the programme and the measures taken

Description of the steps taken by the Managing Authority and the Monitoring Committee to ensure the quality and effectiveness of programme implementation and in particular as regards issues encountered in managing the programme and any corrective measures taken, notably in response to comments made by the Commission.

4. Steps taken to implement technical assistance and programme publicity requirements

1. In case of coverage under the technical assistance of the establishment and functioning of NRN, the report shall describe actions taken and state of play as regards the establishment of the NRN and the implementation of its action plan;
2. Steps taken to ensure that the programme is publicised (Article 13 of this Regulation).

5. Actions taken to fulfil ex ante conditionalities (in 2017 and in 2016 where relevant)

Descriptions of actions taken by priority/focus area/measure to fulfil the applicable priority-linked and general ex-ante conditionalities not fulfilled or partially fulfilled at the time of the adoption of the RDP. Reference shall be made to the criteria which were not or only partially fulfilled, to any strategy, legal act or other relevant document including references to the relevant sections and articles, to the bodies responsible for fulfilment. Where necessary, Member States can provide explanations or additional information to complement that description.

6. Description of implementation of sub-programmes

The AIRs submitted in 2017 and 2019 shall also include the information on the implementation as measured by common and specific indicators including on the progress achieved in relation to the targets set in the indicator plan of the sub-programme as well as on realised output and expenditure compared to planned output and expenditure set in the sub-programme.

7. Assessment of the information and progress towards achieving the objectives of the programme

The AIRs submitted in 2017 and 2019 shall also include the following information resulting from evaluation activities:

Reporting and quantification of programme achievements, in particular through assessment of the complementary result indicators, and relevant evaluation questions.

The AIRs submitted in 2019 shall also include the following information resulting from evaluation activities:

Reporting on the progress towards the objectives of the programme and its contribution to achieving the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth through, inter alia, assessment of the programme’s net contribution to changes in CAP impact indicator values, and relevant evaluation questions.

8. Implementation of actions to take into account the principles set out in Articles 6, 7 and 8 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

The AIRs submitted in 2017 and 2019 shall also include the following information:

(a) Promotion of equality between men and women and non-discrimination (Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

Assessment of actions taken to ensure that equality between men and women and the integration of gender perspective are taken into account and promoted throughout the preparation and implementation of programmes, including in relation to monitoring, reporting and evaluation.

(b) Sustainable development (Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

Assessment of actions taken to ensure that the objectives and implementation of EAFRD is in line with the principle of sustainable development and with the Union’s promotion of the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the environment, as set out in Article 11 and Article 91(1) of the Treaty, taking into account the polluter pays principle.

In addition, information is provided on the support for climate change objectives (Climate change tracking).

(c) The role of the partners referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 in the implementation of the programme

Assessment of actions taken to ensure that the partners referred to in Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 are involved in the preparation of progress reports and throughout the implementation of programmes, including through participation in the monitoring committees for programmes in accordance with Article 48 of that Regulation and in the activities of the NRN.

9. Progress made in ensuring integrated approach

The AIRs submitted in 2019 shall also include the following information:

Description of progress made in ensuring an integrated approach to use the EAFRD and other Union financial instruments to support the territorial development of rural areas, including through local development strategies.

10. Report on Implementation of Financial Instruments (Article 46 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)

The AIRs shall also include as an annex:

a specific report covering the operations comprising financial instruments. The content of this report is set out in Article 46(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and this submission shall be done through the ESI Funds template.

 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 808/2014

Article 1

Subject matter

This Regulation lays down rules for the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 as regards the presentation of rural development programmes, procedures and timetables for approval and amendment of rural development programmes and national frameworks, the content of national frameworks, information and publicity for rural development programmes, implementation of certain rural development measures, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.

Article 2

Content of rural development programmes and national frameworks

The presentation of the content of rural development programmes as referred to in Article 27 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, of national programmes dedicated to joint instruments for uncapped guarantees and securitisation providing capital relief implemented by the European Investment Bank (‘EIB’) as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and of national frameworks as referred to in Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, shall be established in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation.

Article 3

Adoption of national frameworks

National frameworks as referred to in Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 shall be adopted in accordance with Article 29 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.

Article 4

Amendments of rural development programmes

1. Proposals to amend rural development programmes and specific programmes for the establishment and operation of national rural networks shall contain, in particular, the following information:

1. the type of amendment that is being proposed;
2. the reasons and/or implementation problems that justify the amendment;
3. the expected effects of the amendment;
4. the impact of the change on indicators;
5. the relationship between the change and the Partnership Agreement referred to in Chapter II of Title II of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.

2. Programme amendments of the type referred to in Article 11(a)(i) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 may be proposed no more than three times during the duration of the programming period.

For all other types of amendments combined:

1. a single amendment proposal may be submitted per calendar year and per programme, with the exception of the year 2023 in which year more than a single amendment proposal may be submitted for amendments concerning exclusively the adaptation of the financing plan, including any resulting changes to the indicator plan;
2. three additional amendment proposals per programme may be submitted during the duration of the programming period.

The maximum number of amendments referred to in the first and second subparagraphs shall not apply:

1. in case emergency measures due to natural disasters, catastrophic events or adverse climatic events formally recognised by the competent national public authority, or due to a significant and sudden change in the socioeconomic conditions of the Member State or region, including significant and sudden demographic changes resulting from migration or reception of refugees, need to be taken. Where an amendment of the rural development programme in response to the COVID-19 crisis is combined with amendments not linked to the crisis, this subparagraph shall apply to all combined amendments, provided that the proposal to amend the rural development programme is submitted to the Commission by 30 June 2021; 
2. in case an amendment is necessary following a change to the Union legal framework;
3. following the performance review referred to in Article 21 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;
4. in case of a change in the EAFRD contribution planned for each year referred to in Article 8(1)(h)(i) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 resulting from developments relating to the annual breakdown by Member State referred to in Article 58(7) of that Regulation; the proposed amendments may include consequential changes in the description of measures;
5. in case of changes related to the introduction of financial instruments referred to in Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013; or
6. in case of changes related to the introduction of the new delimitation referred to in Article 32(5)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. 

3. Member States shall submit their last programme amendment of the type referred to in Article 11(a)(iii) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 to the Commission by 30 September 2020.

Other types of programme amendments shall be submitted to the Commission by 30 September 2023.

4. When a programme amendment changes any of the data that is included in the table of the national framework referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, the approval of the programme amendment shall constitute approval of the corresponding revision of that table.

Article 5

Amendment of national frameworks

1. Article 30 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and Article 4(1)(b) and (c) of this Regulation shall apply mutatis mutandis to amendments of national frameworks.

2. Member States that have opted for the submission of national frameworks containing the table referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 may submit amendments of the national framework concerning that table to the Commission taking into account the degree of implementation of their various programmes.

3. The Commission, after approving the amendments referred to in paragraph 2, shall adapt the financing plans referred to in Article 8(1)(h) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the programmes concerned to the revised table, provided that:

1. the total EAFRD contribution per programme for the entire programming period is not altered;
2. the total EAFRD allocation to the Member State concerned is not altered;
3. the annual breakdowns of the programme for the years preceding the year of the revision are not altered;
4. the annual EAFRD allocation to the Member State concerned is respected;
5. the total EAFRD funding for environmental and climate related measures as set out in Article 59(6) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 is respected.

4. Except in cases of emergency measures due to natural disasters, catastrophic events or adverse climatic events formally recognized by the competent national public authority, or due to a significant and sudden change in the socioeconomic conditions of the Member State or region, including significant and sudden demographic changes resulting from migration or reception of refugees, changes to the legal framework, or changes resulting from the performance review referred to in Article 21 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, requests for amendment of the national framework referred to in paragraph 2 may be submitted only once per calendar year before 1 April. By way of derogation from the second subparagraph of Article 4(2), changes in programmes that result from such revision may be done in addition to the amendment proposals submitted in accordance with that subparagraph. 

5. The implementing act approving the amendment shall be adopted in due time for allowing to amend the respective budget commitments before the end of the year in which the revision was submitted.

Article 6

Knowledge transfer and information actions

1. Member States may provide for the possibility to cover the expenditure relating to the costs for travel, accommodation and per diem expenses of participants in knowledge transfer and information actions referred to in Article 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 as well as related costs for the replacement of farmers through a system of vouchers or another system of equivalent effect.

2. In relation to the systems referred to in paragraph 1 Member States shall provide:

1. that the period of validity of the voucher or equivalent may not exceed one year;
2. rules for obtaining the vouchers or equivalent, in particular that they shall be linked to a specific action;
3. the definition of specific conditions under which vouchers can be reimbursed to the training or other knowledge transfer and information action provider.

Article 7

Selection of authorities or bodies offering advisory services

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 8

Business plans

1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. In the case of support under Article 19(1)(a)(i) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, where the business plan refers to the use of other rural development measures under that Regulation, Member States may provide that the approval of the application for support also gives access to support under those measures. Where a Member State makes use of that possibility it shall provide that the application for support supplies the necessary information to assess eligibility under those measures.

Article 9

1.  Where commitments made under Articles 28, 29 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 refer to livestock units, the conversion rates of the various categories of animals to livestock units as set out in Annex II apply.

2.  Where commitments under Articles 28, 29 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 are expressed in units other than those set out in Annex II to that Regulation, Member States may calculate payments on the basis of those other units. In such case, the Member States shall ensure that the maximum amounts per year eligible for EAFRD support set out in that Annex are complied with.

3.  Except for payments for commitments for the rearing of local breeds in danger of being lost to farming referred to in Article 28(10)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, payments under Articles 28, 29 and 34 of that Regulation cannot be granted per livestock unit. 

Article 10

Standard assumption of additional costs and income foregone

1. Member States may fix the amount of the payments for the measures or types of operations referred to in Articles 28 to 31 and Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 on the basis of standard assumptions of additional costs and income foregone.

2. Member States shall ensure that the calculations and the corresponding payments referred to in paragraph 1:

1. contain only elements that are verifiable;
2. are based on figures established by appropriate expertise;
3. indicate clearly the source of the figures used;
4. are differentiated to take account of regional or local site conditions and actual land use, where applicable;
5. do not contain elements linked to investment costs.

Article 11

Combination of commitments and combination of measures

1. Various agri-environment-climate commitments under Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, organic farming commitments under Article 29 of that Regulation, animal welfare commitments under Article 33 of that Regulation and forest-environmental and climate commitments under Article 34 of that Regulation may be combined provided that they are complementary and compatible. Member States shall attach the list of allowed combinations to their rural development programmes.

2. Where measures or different commitments under the same or different measures referred to in paragraph 1 are combined, in determining the level of support Member States shall take into account the specific income foregone and additional costs resulting from the combination.

3. Where an operation falls under two or more measures or under two or more different types of operations, Member States may attribute the expenditure to the dominant measure or type of operation. The specific contribution rate of that dominant measure or type of operation shall apply.

Article 12

National rural network

1. Member States shall provide for the establishment and operation of the national rural network referred to in Article 54 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and the start of its action plan at the latest 12 months after the approval by the Commission of the rural development programme or the specific programme for the establishment and operation of the national rural network, as applicable.

2. The structure needed for running the national rural network shall be established either within the national or regional competent authorities or externally, by selection through tendering procedures or as a combination of both. That structure must be able to perform at least the activities referred to in Article 54(3)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.

3. Where a Member State has opted for a specific programme for the establishment and operation of the national rural network, that programme shall include the elements referred to in Part 3 of Annex I to this Regulation.

Article 13

Information and publicity

1. The Managing Authority shall submit an information and publicity strategy as well as any amendments thereof to the Monitoring Committee for information. The strategy shall be submitted no later than six months after the adoption of the rural development programme. The Managing Authority shall inform the Monitoring Committee at least once a year on the progress in the implementation of the information and publicity strategy and on its analysis of the results as well as on the planned information and publicity to be carried out in the following year.

2. Detailed rules on the responsibilities of the Managing Authority and the beneficiaries concerning information and publicity are laid down in Annex III.

Article 14

Monitoring and evaluation system

1. The common monitoring and evaluation system referred to in Article 67 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 includes the following elements:

1. an intervention logic showing the interactions between priorities, focus areas and measures;
2. a set of common context, result and output indicators, including indicators to be used for the establishment of quantified targets in relation to rural development focus areas and a set of pre-defined indicators for the performance review;
3. common evaluation questions, as set out in Annex V;
4. data collection, storage and transmission;
5. regular reporting on monitoring and evaluation activities;
6. the evaluation plan;
7. the ex ante and ex post evaluations and all other evaluation activities linked to the rural development programme, including those required to fulfil the increased requirements of the 2017 and 2019 annual implementation reports referred to in Article 50(4) and (5) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 75(3) and (4) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;
8. support to enable all actors responsible for monitoring and evaluation to fulfil their obligations.

2. The common set of context, result and output indicators for rural development policy is set out in Annex IV. That Annex also identifies the indicators which are to be used for the establishment of quantified targets in relation to rural development focus areas. For the purpose of the setting of the performance framework milestones and targets referred to in point 2 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, the Member State shall either use the pre-defined performance framework indicators set out in point 5 of Annex IV to this Regulation or replace and/or complete these indicators by other relevant output indicators defined in the rural development programme.

3. The technical support documents set out in Annex VI shall form part of the monitoring and evaluation system.

4. For types of operations where a potential contribution to focus areas referred to in Article 5, first paragraph, point (2)(a), Article 5, first paragraph, points (5)(a) to (d), and Article 5, first paragraph, point(6)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 is identified, for types of operations where a potential contribution to the integration of third-country nationals is identified, or for types of operations supporting mitigation of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and recovery actions, the electronic record of the operations referred to in Article 70 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 shall include flag(s) to identify those cases where the operation has a component contributing to one or more of those focus areas or goals. 

Article 15

Annual implementation report

The presentation of the annual implementation report referred to in Article 75 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 is set out in Annex VII to this Regulation.

Article 16

Evaluation Plan

The minimum requirements for the evaluation plan referred to in Article 56(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 are set out in point 9 of Part 1 of Annex I to this Regulation.

Article 17

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

ANNEX I

PART 1

Presentation of the content of rural development programmes

1. Title of the rural development programme (RDP)

2. Member State or administrative region

3. Ex ante evaluation

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

4. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (‘SWOT’) and identification of needs

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

5. Description of the strategy

6. Assessment of ex ante conditionalities comprising the following structured tables:

7. Description of the performance framework

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

In case the total EAFRD amount allocated to the performance reserve differs from the pro-rata distribution(5) of the total national EAFRD performance reserve allocation in the partnership agreement to all national and regional programmes, with the exception of national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and specific programmes for the establishment and the operation of the national rural network referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 54(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, justification of the amount of the performance reserve allocation.

8. Description of the measures selected

(1) Description of the general conditions applied to more than one measure including, where relevant, definition of rural area, baselines, cross-compliance, intended use of financial instruments, intended use of advances and common provisions for investments, including the provisions of Articles 45 and 46 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.

Where relevant, the list of allowed combinations of commitments referred to in Article 11(1) shall be annexed to the RDP.

(2) Description by measure including:

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

(1) Objectives and purpose

A statement of the objectives and purpose of the evaluation plan, based on ensuring that sufficient and appropriate evaluation activities are undertaken, in particular to provide information needed for programme steering, for the annual implementation reports in 2017 and 2019 and the ex-post evaluation, and to ensure that data needed for RDP evaluation are available.

(2) Governance and coordination

Brief description of the monitoring and evaluation arrangements for the RDP, identifying the main bodies involved and their responsibilities. Explanation of how evaluation activities are linked with RDP implementation in terms of content and timing.

(3) Evaluation topics and activities

Indicative description of evaluation topics and activities anticipated, including, but not limited to, fulfilment of evaluation requirements provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. It shall cover:

(4) Data and information

Brief description of the system to record, maintain, manage and report statistical information on RDP implementation and provision of monitoring data for evaluation. Identification of data sources to be used, data gaps, potential institutional issues related to data provision, and proposed solutions. This section shall demonstrate that appropriate data management systems will be operational in due time.

(5) Timeline

Major milestones of the programming period, and indicative outline of the timing needed to ensure that results are available at the appropriate time.

(6) Communication

Description of how evaluation findings will be disseminated to target recipients, including a description of the mechanisms established to follow-up on the use of evaluation results.

(7) Resources

Description of the resources needed and foreseen to implement the evaluation plan, including an indication of administrative capacity, data, financial resources, IT needs. Description of capacity building activities foreseen to ensure that the evaluation plan can be fully implemented.

10. Financing plan, comprising separate structured tables setting out:

1. The annual EAFRD contribution
   1. for all types of the regions referred to in Article 59(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013,
   2. for the amounts referred to in Article 59(4)(f) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, and funds transferred to the EAFRD, referred to in Article 58(6) of that Regulation,
   3. for resources allocated to the performance reserve in accordance with Article 20 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;
2. The single EAFRD contribution rate for all measures broken down by type of region as referred to in Article 59(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;
3. The breakdown by measure or type of operation with a specific EAFRD contribution rate:
   1. total Union contribution, EAFRD contribution rate, and indicative breakdown of the total Union contribution by focus area,
   2. for the measures referred to in Articles 17 and 30 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 the total Union contribution reserved for operations referred to in Article 59(6) of that Regulation,
   3. for technical assistance the total Union contribution and the EAFRD contribution rate used in accordance with Article 51(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013,
   4. for the expenditure related to legal commitments to beneficiaries incurred under the measures of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, which have no correspondence in the programming period 2014 to 2020, the total Union contribution and the EAFRD contribution rate,

   5. for the operations implemented in accordance with Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 where the minimum loss threshold is set to 20 % and for operations implemented in accordance with 39a of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 the indicative total Union contribution and the indicative contribution rate.
      
      When a measure or a type of operation with specific EAFRD contribution rate contributes to the financial instruments referred to in Article 38(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, the table shall indicate separately the contribution rates for financial instruments and for other operations and an indicative EAFRD amount corresponding to the planned contribution to the financial instrument.
      
      For the measure referred to in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, the EAFRD contribution reserved for operations falling within the scope of Article 59(6) of that Regulation corresponds to the contribution of the measure to the priorities laid down in Article 5(4) and (5) of that Regulation.
      
      For the purpose of interim payments referred to in Article 36 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, the payment of the balance referred to in Article 37, and the clearance of accounts referred to in Article 51 of that Regulation, the EAFRD contribution to be paid in respect of the eligible public expenditure of the programme concerned shall be respected at the measure level;

4. For each sub-programme an indicative breakdown by measure of the total Union contribution by measure.

11. Indicator plan, comprising separate structured tables setting out:

12. Additional national financing:

For measures and operations falling within the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty, a table on additional national financing per measure in accordance with Article 82 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, including the amounts per measure and indication of compliance with the criteria under that Regulation.

13. Deleted 

14. Information on complementarity containing the following sections:

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

(1) Description of means for the complementarity and coherence with:

• other Union instruments and, in particular with ESI Funds and Pillar 1, including greening, and other instruments of the common agricultural policy;
• where a Member State has opted to submit a national programme and a set of regional programmes as referred to in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, information on complementarity between them.

(2) Where relevant, information on the complementarity with other Union instruments, including LIFE(13).

15. Programme implementing arrangements, containing the following sections:

For national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 only points (a), (b) and (c) of this point are applicable

16. Actions taken to involve partners

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

List of actions taken to involve partners, subject and summary of the outcome of the corresponding consultations.

17. National rural network

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

Description of:

18. Ex ante assessment of verifiability, controllability and error risk

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

• statement by the Managing Authority and the paying agency on the verifiability and controllability of the measures supported under the RDP;
• statement by the functionally independent body referred to in Article 62(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 confirming the adequacy and accuracy of the calculations of standard costs, additional costs and income foregone.

19. Transitional arrangements

Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013

• description of the transitional conditions by measure;
• indicative carry-over table.

20. Thematic sub-programmes

20.1. SWOT and identification of needs

20.2. Description of the strategy

20.3. Indicator plan, comprising separate structured tables setting out:

PART 2

Presentation of the content of national frameworks

1. Title of the national framework

2. Member State

1. Geographical area covered by the framework;
2. Classification of the regions.

3. General presentation of the relations between national framework, partnership agreement and RDPs

4. Table summarising, by region and by year, the total EAFRD contribution to the Member State for the whole programming period

5. Description of the measures

(1) Description of the general conditions applied to more than one measure including, where relevant, definition of rural area, baselines, cross-compliance, intended use of financial instruments, intended use of advances.

(2) Description by measure including:

6. Where relevant, additional national financing:

For measures and operations falling within the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty, a table on additional national financing per measure in accordance with Article 82 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, including the indication of compliance with the criteria under that Regulation.

7. Where relevant, elements needed for State aid assessment:

For the measures and operations which fall outside the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty the table of aid schemes falling under Article 81(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 to be used for the implementation of the programmes, including the title and the references of the aid scheme, the EAFRD contribution, national cofinancing and additional national financing. Compatibility with Union State aid rules must be ensured over the entire duration of the programmes concerned.

The table shall be accompanied by a commitment from the Member State that, where required under State aid rules or under specific conditions in a State aid approval decision, such measures will be notified individually pursuant to Article 108(3) of the Treaty.

Statement whether the measure/operation has State aid cover under the national framework or under the rural development programmes concerned.

PART 3

Presentation of the content of the NRN programme

1. Title of the specific NRN programme

2. Member State or administrative region

3. Ex ante evaluation

1. description of the process, including timing of main events, intermediate reports, in relation to the key stages of the NRN programme development.
2. Structured table containing the recommendations of the ex ante evaluation and how they have been addressed.
3. The complete ex ante evaluation report shall be annexed to the NRN programme.

4. Evaluation plan, containing the following sections

(1) Objectives and purpose

A statement of the objectives and purpose of the evaluation plan, based on ensuring that sufficient and appropriate evaluation activities are undertaken, in particular to provide information needed for programme steering, for the annual implementation reports in 2017 and 2019 and the ex-post evaluation, and to ensure that data needed for the NRN programme evaluation are available.

(2) Governance and coordination

Brief description of the monitoring and evaluation arrangements for the NRN programme, identifying the main bodies involved and their responsibilities. Explanation of how evaluation activities are linked with the NRN programme implementation in terms of content and timing.

(3) Evaluation topics and activities

Indicative description of evaluation topics related to the NRN and activities anticipated, including, but not limited to, fulfilment of evaluation requirements provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. It shall cover activities needed to evaluate the contribution of the programme to the NRN objectives, assessment of result indicator values, analysis of net effects. Programme specific elements such as work needed to develop methodologies or to address specific policy areas.

(4) Data and information

Brief description of the system to record, maintain, manage and report statistical information on the NRN programme implementation and provision of monitoring data for evaluation. Identification of data sources to be used, data gaps, potential institutional issues related to data provision, and proposed solutions. This section shall demonstrate that appropriate data management systems will be operational in due time.

(5) Timeline

Major milestones of the programming period, and indicative outline of the timing needed to ensure that results are available at the appropriate time.

(6) Communication

Description of how evaluation findings will be disseminated to target recipients, including a description of the mechanisms established to follow-up on the use of evaluation results.

(7) Resources

Description of the resources needed and foreseen to implement the evaluation plan, including an indication of administrative capacity, data, financial resources, IT needs. Description of capacity building activities foreseen to ensure that the evaluation plan can be fully implemented.

5. Financing plan, setting out:

6. Programme implementing arrangements, containing the following sections:

7. NRN

Description of:

PART 4

Indicative list of priorities/focus areas and measures of particular relevance to ex-ante conditionalities (rural development priority-linked and general) referred to in point 6(b)(ii) of Part 1