Projects • Glossary

See under Commission of the European Communities here

Hierarchically a part of the European Commission structure (DG RELEX), delegations serve European Union interests throughout the world and at international organisations. As diplomatic representations in the third countries they carry out tasks delegated by the EC Headquarters.

The fact that results were obtained at reasonable cost, i.e. how well means and activities were converted into results, and the quality of the results achieved.

A set of conditions for a candidate to be allowed to take part in a tender/call for proposal and to be awarded an EC funded contract. Nationality and origin are the main ones.

A set of documents annually defined by the European Commission comprising general policy framework for pre-accession. It includes the Accession Partnerships, the Progress Reports and the Strategy Paper for Enlargement. These documents provide general guidelines for pre-accession assistance. The package also includes strategic documents for IPA.

Directorate General of the European Commission in charge of implementing and monitoring external aid instruments of the European Commission which are funded by the European Community budget and the European Development Fund.

A periodic assessment of the efficiency, effectiveness, impact, sustainability and relevance of a programme/project in a context of stated objectives. It is usually undertaken as an independent analysis of the environment, objectives, results, activities and means deployed, with a view to drawing lessons that may guide future decision-making. It can be carried out as ex-ante evaluation before the implementation, interim evaluation during the implementation and ex-post evaluation after the implementation of the programme/project.

Control system for the EU financed projects in which an approval by the European Commission is necessary prior to the project start.

Evaluation of the impact of an activity before implementation.

Control system for the EU financed projects in which no approval by the European Commission is needed prior to the project start. The Commission randomly checks projects after they have started.

Evaluation of the impact of an activity after its completion.

Programmes which EU finances in third countries. Example thereof are geographically defined programmes such as CARDS (for SAp countries) or MEDA (for Mediterranean countries). DG RELEX and EuropeAid are in charge of these programmes in the Commission. Pre-accession programmes are also considered third country programmes by their nature, but they are in the area of responsibility of DG ELARG.