#4 Project implementation

Implementing a project funded under the ESF+ SI+ initiative represents a significant chance to tackle urgent societal issues and promote sustainable development. This opportunity, however, comes with its own set of challenges, requiring meticulous planning and strategic oversight. Effective coordination of work among project partners is paramount in ensuring the successful execution of planned activities and achievement of predefined objectives within the constraints of time, budget, and resources.

Roles and responsibilities 

The beneficiaries, as signatories of the Grant Agreement, are fully responsible for the implementation of the project and for complying with all the obligations, terms and conditions set out in the Grant Agreement. Project partners shall make internal arrangements for how they will operate and coordinate to ensure that the project is implemented properly.

The beneficiaries need to have the appropriate resources to implement the project and implement it under their own responsibility. They are jointly responsible for the technical implementation of the project. Therefore, if one of them fails to implement their part, other beneficiaries must ensure that this part is implemented by someone else.

For consortium-based projects, as a rule, the coordinator will be responsible for:

• overall monitoring of the project
• informing project partners about any developments and decisions made by the Granting Authority
• keeping information stored in eSINNIS up to date.

Moreover, the coordinator will act as the intermediary for all communications between the consortium and the Granting Authority (unless the Grant agreement or Granting Authority specify otherwise).

The internal roles and responsibilities of each beneficiary generally encompass the following obligations:

• to inform the coordinator (and, where necessary, the other beneficiaries) immediately of any events or circumstances likely to affect significantly or delay the implementation of the project
• to provide documents or information required by the coordinator or the Granting Authority
• to ensure that the data provided in eSINNIS remains up to date (if such role has been delegated to him by the coordinator)
• to submit their contribution to the project deliverables and technical reports, including status of work package implementation.

Ethnics and values

The project has to be carried out in line with the highest ethical standards and the applicable EU, international and national law on ethical principles. 

The beneficiaries must commit to and ensure the respect of basic EU values, such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights, including the rights of minorities. 

Communication and dissemination

The beneficiaries must promote the project and its results by providing targeted information to multiple audiences (including the media and the public) in a strategic, coherent and effective manner.

Communication activities related to the project (including media relations, conferences, seminars, information material, such as brochures, leaflets, posters, presentations, etc., in electronic form, via traditional or social media, etc.), dissemination activities and any infrastructure, equipment, vehicles, supplies or major result funded by the ESF+ SI+ initiative must acknowledge EU support and display the European flag (emblem) and funding statement (translated into local languages, where appropriate) as well as ESF+ SI+ lettering.

The emblem must remain distinct and separate, and cannot be modified by adding other visual marks, brands, or text.When displayed in association with other logos the EU emblem and the ESF+ SI+ lettering must be displayed at least as prominently and visibly as the other logos. More extensive information and examples can be found in the Guidelines ‘The use of the EU emblem in the context of EU programmes 2021–2027’. The emblem and the funding statement will be available in the Grant Agreement and on the Europa website or can be downloaded from the European Commission’s website (see links in the ‘Useful resources’).

Specific communication, dissemination and visibility rules (if applicable) will be detailed in a relevant chapter of the Grant Agreement. 

Horizontal principles (gender equality and non-discrimination)

Projects shall ensure gender equality, equal opportunities, and non-discrimination on the grounds of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation throughout the project cycle. Projects shall take appropriate measures to prevent any discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation, in line with the aims, objectives, and priorities of a certain call. Accessibility for people with disabilities should also be duly taken into account. These principles aim to ensure that project participants, irrespective of their gender, limited abilities, or any other characteristics, are equally engaged in project activities. 

Record keeping 

The beneficiaries shall keep records and store other supporting documents to prove the proper implementation of the project in line with the accepted standards in the respective field (if any). For lump sum contributions, beneficiaries are not required to keep specific records of actual costs incurred. However, they must keep adequate records and supporting documents to prove proper implementation of the work. 

Detailed information and formal requirements for record keeping will be provided in the relevant chapter of the Grant Agreement.

Useful resources