Translation glossary

A Certifying Authprity is the body responsible for submitting certified statements of expenditure to the Commission, and for ensuring eligibility with EU, national and programme rules. The CA sometimes also verifies the quality of the verifications carried out by Joint Secretariat desk officers and, on a sample basis, checks the correctness of the reports from the beneficiaries. The CA ensures that the statement of expenditure is accurate, results from reliable accounting systems, and is based on verifiable supporting documentation and that the expenditure declared complies with applicable EU-, Programme- and National Rules.

Check means the verification of a specific aspect of a revenue or expenditure operation.

Since 1994, the Cohesion Fund has been used to provide support for the poorer regions of Europe and stabilise their economies with a view to promoting growth, employment and sustainable development. The Fund contributes to financing environmental measures and trans-European transport networks - particularly high-priority projects of European interest - in the 13 Member States that have joined the EU since 2004, as well as in Greece and Portugal. The Cohesion Fund may also be used to finance the priorities of the EU's environmental protection policy. Member States with a Gross National Income (GNI) per inhabitant below 90 % of the EU average are eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund. The ceiling for the Cohesion Fund's contribution to public expenditure in the Member States is set at 85 %. The budget for the Cohesion Fund is worth around EUR 75 billion (2014 prices) for the period 2014-2020.

Cohesion Policy is the European Union's strategy to promote and support the ‘overall harmonious development’ of its Member States and regions. Enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Art. 174), the EU's cohesion policy aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion by reducing disparities in the level of development between regions. The policy focuses on key areas which will help the EU face up to the challenges of the 21st century and remain globally competitive. Approximately 32.5 % of the EU budget 2014-2020 (equivalent to ca. EUR 351.8 billion over seven years at 2014 prices) is allocated to financial instruments which support cohesion policy. These are managed and delivered in partnership between the European Commission, the Member States and stakeholders at the local and regional level.

A commemorative plaque is a plaque displayed in visible places on or at structures built with EU funding or co-funding. As part of the opening ceremony of permanent structures, contractors and partners should place a permanent plaque in the most visible part of the building, such as the main entrance or in front of the building. When appropriate, the plaque could contain the following sentence: “This [name of the structure] was funded by the European Union”, with the EU flag placed underneath it. Commemorative plaques must be placed in the entrance of Infrastructures such as houses, clinics, factories, institutions, training centres, roads, bridges, etc. built under the Project. For editable EU template for plaques: https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/node/44415