S.L. 595.30 Art. 8Management of programmes and projects. 

(1) The National Agency shall be responsible for the management of the programmes as set out in article 3(1) taking into account the Commission programmes’ guides and must minimally ensure:

(a) the provision of information and publicity on the various centralised and decentralised European Union educational, research and cultural programmes and programmes set out in article 3(1) and, where applicable, giving information on the calls for proposals;

(b) the provision of counselling services and guidance to potential applicants;

(c) receiving and assessing proposals;

(d) the setting-up and operation of an evaluation committee for the selection of project proposals as indicated in the Operational Handbooks;

(e) the provision of counselling and guidance services to rejected applicants;

(f) the publication of information on selected projects;

(g) committing funds for projects and signing of contracts with project beneficiaries;

(h) the pre-financing of payments to beneficiaries;

(i) the monitoring of projects including visits to projects and thematic monitoring meetings;

(j) analysing and controlling the final activity and the financial final reports;

(k) the balancing of payments and the recovery of funds;

(l) carrying desk checks, systems checks and on-the-spot checks on projects;

(m) reporting to the European Commission and the National Authority;

(n) ensure the setting up of an internal audit function to strengthen the management of the Programmes and ensure the smooth running of the Agency, in line with EU and national rules;

(o) ensure full co-operation with the National Authority and, where applicable, its engaged external auditors and implement relevant recommendations as instructed by the National Authority; and

(p) the publication and dissemination of an annual report showcasing annual achievements.

(2) The National Agency shall be also responsible for the management of the life-cycle of the Maltese projects financed under the various actions of the European Union programmes and shall contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the actions of the programmes as set out in article 3(1). (ESTABLISHMENT)

(3) The National Agency may not delegate any task of budget implementation.