What is Project Publicity?

Why the EU Requires Publicity for Grant Projects

Because European Union projects are funded through public financial resources contributed by member states, ensuring that project outcomes remain visible and accessible to the public is a priority. Key objectives of project visibility include:

• Transparency: Citizens have the right to know how public European funds are invested.
• Awareness: Proper publicity highlights the wide range of funding opportunities offered by EU programs.
• Building trust: Demonstrating tangible project outcomes strengthens public confidence in the efficiency of European funding and improves its overall image.

Mandatory Publicity Tools

All beneficiaries receiving European grant support are required to implement specific publicity measures, including:

• A temporary billboard or permanent commemorative plaque,
• An A3-sized poster at minimum, or an electronic display poster,
• Dedicated communication events for strategic operations or projects with total costs exceeding EUR 10 million,
• Information published on the beneficiary's website and official social media channels (where such platforms exist).

How Beneficiaries Must Implement Publicity

Across all information and communication channels, grant recipients are required to acknowledge support received for their activities from EU funds. This is achieved by:

Displaying the official European Union emblem in accordance with technical graphic standards, accompanied by the mandatory statement "Co-funded by the European Union" (or "Funded by the European Union" in cases of 100% EU funding). Together, the emblem and statement constitute the official "European Union logo".

Where the EU Logo Must Be Displayed

• Official websites and social media platforms: Websites must feature a brief overview of the project, detailing its objectives and benefits while highlighting EU co-financing. On social media platforms, this obligation is fulfilled by publishing at least one post informing followers about the EU funding received.
• Project documents and public communication materials: These include materials created for the general public or project participants (such as training or seminar attendees, excluding suppliers), such as event invitations, brochures, print or digital advertisements, and media articles.

Conversely, these mandatory publicity details do not need to be included on internal project management files, procurement documentation, or accounting records. Beneficiaries must archive all outputs featuring the EU logo—in either printed or digital format—for audit and inspection purposes throughout the entire sustainability period of the project.

When Publicity Measures Must Be Carried Out

The required form of promotion varies according to the specific project type and total budget. Project visibility must be maintained throughout the entire execution period and, in certain cases, after completion. Specific timelines are specified in the grant agreement. Permanent measures, such as commemorative plaques, must remain in place permanently following project completion.

Where to Find Promotional Templates and Assets

Official resources and templates required for mandatory publicity during the 2021–2027 programming period are available through the Mandatory Publicity Tool Generator.

Penalties for Failing to Ensure Project Publicity

Failure to fulfill publicity requirements constitutes a serious breach of the grant agreement terms. Potential sanctions include:

• Reduction of grant funding: Financial support may be partially reduced or completely revoked.
• Clawback of funds: In severe cases, beneficiaries may be required to repay funds that have already been disbursed.
• Reputational damage: Non-compliant organizations may face difficulties securing future financial support from EU funding programs.

Publicity for EU-funded projects is not merely a legal requirement; it also offers a valuable opportunity to highlight project achievements to the public. Neglecting publicity obligations can result in serious legal and financial consequences.