Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 808/2014Show full title

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

• 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:

(a)

Description of any modifications made to the evaluation plan in the RDP during the year, with their justification.

(b)

A description of the evaluation activities undertaken during the year (in relation to section 3 of the evaluation plan).*

(c)

A description of activities undertaken in relation to the provision and management of data (in relation to section 4 of the evaluation plan).*

(d)

A list of completed evaluations, including references to where they have been published on-line.

(e)

A summary of completed evaluations, focussing on evaluation findings.

(f)

A description of communication activities undertaken in relation to publicising evaluation findings (in relation to section 6 of the evaluation plan).*

(g)

Description of the follow-up given to evaluation results (in relation to section 6 of the evaluation plan).*

* 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

a) 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;

b) 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.