Project communication – implementation phase

All projects that receive European funding must comply with the publicity requirements stipulated in the regulations. Projects are responsible for informing of any support received from the EU and Interreg Aurora. Visibility requirements apply to all printed and digital material/products, websites, social media, use of influencers, activities, events and presentations at conferences. Specific regulations apply to the purchase of equipment.

Projects shall use the Interreg Aurora programme logo. It consists of three elements, the emblem of the European Union, the statement “Co-funded by the European Union” and the programme name “Interreg Aurora.” Projects can download the logo from the programme website together with guidance on how to use the elements in accordance with the technical specifications. The emblem must be visible and prominently featured. If additional logos are displayed, the emblem must be of at least the same height or width as the largest of the other logos. The logos can be downloaded from the webpage Interreg Aurora logotype – Interreg Aurora The Interreg Aurora Managing Authority also provides each approved project a logo with the project name as an annexed element.

Progress on communication activities and the mandatory publicity requirements is monitored through the progress reports and the final report. In the final report projects must write a short and clear dissemination of the results and how the cross-border project has impacted the life of the target groups and citizens.

Documents and communication material
Projects themselves are responsible for meeting the visibility requirements and informing of support received from the EU and Interreg Aurora in all printed and digital material and products such as publications, articles, exhibitions, roll-ups, newsletters and presentation material.

Due to the sustainable profile of the Aurora programme, promotional material/Giveaways such as bags, pens, notebooks, USB sticks, etc. should only be produced if there is a need for a very specific communication activity that is clearly explained and justified.

Websites and social media
All project partners must also include information about funding from EU and Interreg Aurora on their official website and social media sites if such exist. The Interreg Aurora logo must be included. This should take the format of a short description of the project, including its aims and results as well as highlighting the financial support received from Interreg Aurora.

When approved, projects are required to provide information to www.interregaurora.eu. Each project will have a dedicated project subpage hosted on the programme website. This includes a brief description of the project, its objectives, target groups, relevant images, information about where project results will be published and contact information. The programme Communication Officer will update the information on the subpage regularly.

In addition, Norwegian partners must fill in a project information form for www.interreg.no
You find more information on the webpage Interreg Aurora project bank and Interreg.no – Interreg Aurora

Mandatory Poster
All project partners in both small-scale and regular projects must, during the project duration, publicly display at their location at least one poster with information about the Interreg Aurora funding. This must be a printed poster of a minimum A3 size or equivalent electronic display. The Interreg Aurora programme Communication Officer will provide a specific template for each approved project. The Lead partner must provide information to the poster, you find more information on the webpage Mandatory poster – Interreg Aurora

Events
When organising events projects must ensure visibility of the EU and the Interreg Aurora funding.

If the total costs of a project exceed EUR 5 000 000 or is approved as an Operation of Strategic Importance, project partners must organise a communication event and involve the European Commission and Interreg Aurora Managing Authority in a timely manner. Projects that will be considered as an Operation of Strategic Importance (OSIs) will receive adequate communication support from the Managing Authority.

Representatives from projects are expected to attend events organised by the programme and European institutions, such as seminars for approved projects, training seminars, thematic events and European communication campaigns. The programme may ask the project representatives to present their project, results and achievements at events.

If the project partners present the Interreg Aurora funded project at external conferences/events the project partners must ensure visibility of the Interreg Aurora funding in the agenda/programme and presentation.

Media relations
The programme encourages all projects to inform the general public about their activities and achievements through media. When preparing material for the media, projects need to emphasise cross-border cooperation and the EU support received from the Interreg Aurora programme.

Open access to results
Results of all Interreg Aurora funded projects must be openly accessible, the results must be free of charge and available to anyone.

Research results must be available free of charge to anyone on the Internet. Any articles included when reporting on a grant from Interreg Aurora must be published with open access. Only articles that are published with open access will be accepted when reporting project activities and expenditure. Potential additional costs for publishing should be estimated when applying for a grant. All projects are responsible for informing about support received from the EU and Interreg Aurora on all digital and printed articles and publications. As an example, add a sentence in the preface that refer that the work on the article has been funded by the European Union and Interreg Aurora. If possible add the Interreg Aurora logo.

Note: If projects fail to comply with the regulations regarding visibility despite having received guidance from the Managing Authority and where remedial actions have not been put into place it can lead to cuts in funding. It can lead to cuts up to 2% in funding.

All communication and visibility material produced in a project financed by the Interreg Aurora Programme shall be made available for use by the Managing Authority and the Union institutions, bodies, offices or agencies upon their request.