natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
From a reading of the progress reports it appears, in fact, that expenditure for external consultants was entered under the heading of staff expenditure. 
From a reading of the progress reports it appears, in fact, that expenditure for external consultants was entered under the heading of staff expenditure.
The impact of the projects 110. 
The impact of the projects 110.
Measuring the real impact of actions such as those financed by the MED programmes is difficult: (a) the volume of resources devoted to these actions in their respective sectors is limited, and isolating the impact of these measures from other factors affecting them is often not feasible; Amount additional of subsistence remuneration allowances and 106. 
Measuring the real impact of actions such as those financed by the MED programmes is difficult: (a) the volume of resources devoted to these actions in their respective sectors is limited, and isolating the impact of these measures from other factors affecting them is often not feasible; Amount additional of subsistence remuneration allowances and 106.
The rates of subsistence allowances paid by ARTM were systematically higher than the rates paid and often authorized under the pay scales laid down in the national rules to which the European members of the networks are subject. 
The rates of subsistence allowances paid by ARTM were systematically higher than the rates paid and often authorized under the pay scales laid down in the national rules to which the European members of the networks are subject.
Consequently, instead of being used to pay for services rendered, the extra amounts paid by ARTM were used to refinance the budget of the coordinating body for the network concerned. 
Consequently, instead of being used to pay for services rendered, the extra amounts paid by ARTM were used to refinance the budget of the coordinating body for the network concerned.
As regards additional remuneration, the observa¬ tions concerning local authorities apply mutatis mutandis to the universities. 
As regards additional remuneration, the observa¬ tions concerning local authorities apply mutatis mutandis to the universities.
In their case the national regulations usually provide that contracts may be concluded with teachers for a number of additional hours of work. 
In their case the national regulations usually provide that contracts may be concluded with teachers for a number of additional hours of work.
The regulations specify the hourly rates and maximum number of extra hours authorized. 
The regulations specify the hourly rates and maximum number of extra hours authorized.
ARTM's misreading of these regulations led it to settle bills that were in excess of these maxima and also (in most cases) greater than the amounts actually received by the beneficiary mentioned in the refund application received. 
ARTM's misreading of these regulations led it to settle bills that were in excess of these maxima and also (in most cases) greater than the amounts actually received by the beneficiary mentioned in the refund application received.
The viability of the networks 109. 
The viability of the networks 109.
In view of the fact that the Commission funds the operation of the MED-Urbs, Campus and Media networks almost entirely by itself, it is doubtful whether they can continue to operate once the Community subsidy stops. 
In view of the fact that the Commission funds the operation of the MED-Urbs, Campus and Media networks almost entirely by itself, it is doubtful whether they can continue to operate once the Community subsidy stops.
In cases where the Commission had not renewed a subsidy, the network had thus ceased to function. 
In cases where the Commission had not renewed a subsidy, the network had thus ceased to function.
Networks' ability to release independent resources to joint projects should, therefore, be a determining factor in their selection. 
Networks' ability to release independent resources to joint projects should, therefore, be a determining factor in their selection.
Although the Community co-financing is intended to provide the initial impetus, and in some cases sustains it with a second grant of funds, it cannot make up for the networks' omissions indefinitely. 
Although the Community co-financing is intended to provide the initial impetus, and in some cases sustains it with a second grant of funds, it cannot make up for the networks' omissions indefinitely.
The Commission's selection procedure must ensure that the capacity exists, because without it the MED networks are doomed to disappear eventually or stagnate. (b) some of the actions courses, seminars, meetings to transfer knowledge and know-how have no concrete output: others for the . identification of projects, elaboration of physical development plans produce intermediate outputs, which may or may not lead to the realization of a final output; (c) some actions, within programmes with general goals such as reforming public administration, enhancing democracy, promotion and cooperation between media professionals in Europe and the Mediterranean coun¬ tries, form part of a long-term process designed to influence trends and change mentalities. 
The Commission's selection procedure must ensure that the capacity exists, because without it the MED networks are doomed to disappear eventually or stagnate. (b) some of the actions courses, seminars, meetings to transfer knowledge and know-how have no concrete output: others for the . identification of projects, elaboration of physical development plans produce intermediate outputs, which may or may not lead to the realization of a final output; (c) some actions, within programmes with general goals such as reforming public administration, enhancing democracy, promotion and cooperation between media professionals in Europe and the Mediterranean coun¬ tries, form part of a long-term process designed to influence trends and change mentalities.
In these circumstances, it is essential that specific objectives be defined carefully for the individual actions, which show how they are intended to contribute to die overall objectives. 
In these circumstances, it is essential that specific objectives be defined carefully for the individual actions, which show how they are intended to contribute to die overall objectives.
Objectively verifiable indicators that permit evaluation of the results should be identified. 
Objectively verifiable indicators that permit evaluation of the results should be identified.
The evaluation reports of the first-year pilot phases of MED-Urbs and MED-Media, which were carried out in 1994(0, both identify key weaknesses in the formulation and prioritizing of the purposes and goals of the programmes, and translating these into specific and concise objectives. 
The evaluation reports of the first-year pilot phases of MED-Urbs and MED-Media, which were carried out in 1994(0, both identify key weaknesses in the formulation and prioritizing of the purposes and goals of the programmes, and translating these into specific and concise objectives.
Although the evaluation report for MED-Campus did not examine the programme in the same way as the other two (2), concentrating primarily on the way in which the programme had been implemented, there are indications in the report that the same weaknesses applied. 
Although the evaluation report for MED-Campus did not examine the programme in the same way as the other two (2), concentrating primarily on the way in which the programme had been implemented, there are indications in the report that the same weaknesses applied.
1 12. 
1 12.
It was, therefore, difficult for the evaluators to measure the impact of the programmes. 
It was, therefore, difficult for the evaluators to measure the impact of the programmes.
The MED-Urbs report identified positive results for some of the individual projects it examined, while the MED-Media report con¬ cluded that after the first year the impact of the programme had been limited, but that lessons had been learned for the (') 'Évaluation à mi-parcours du programme MED-Urbs', Abatons Sri, Italy October 1994, and 'MED-Media pilot phase evaluation', SPAN consultants BV, 6 October 1994. 
The MED-Urbs report identified positive results for some of the individual projects it examined, while the MED-Media report con¬ cluded that after the first year the impact of the programme had been limited, but that lessons had been learned for the (') 'Évaluation à mi-parcours du programme MED-Urbs', Abatons Sri, Italy October 1994, and 'MED-Media pilot phase evaluation', SPAN consultants BV, 6 October 1994.
(2) 'Rapport d'Évaluation système de la phase pilote du programme MED-Campus', Éuro-Perspective, 15 July 1993. for example certain training 19. 
(2) 'Rapport d'Évaluation système de la phase pilote du programme MED-Campus', Éuro-Perspective, 15 July 1993. for example certain training 19.
8. 96 ΓΈΝΙ Official Journal of the European Communities No C 240/17 future. 
8. 96 ΓΈΝΙ Official Journal of the European Communities No C 240/17 future.
The MED-Campus report did not examine the projects themselves. 
The MED-Campus report did not examine the projects themselves.
The Commission has used the results of the three evaluation reports to strengthen the formulation of the programmes and the projects, but at the time of the Court's audit it was too early to see whether this had led to a significantly greater impact for the programmes. 
The Commission has used the results of the three evaluation reports to strengthen the formulation of the programmes and the projects, but at the time of the Court's audit it was too early to see whether this had led to a significantly greater impact for the programmes.
As explained in paragraph 4, the Court's audit concentrated on the serious irregularities and weaknesses in financial management identified atan early stage of its work. 
As explained in paragraph 4, the Court's audit concentrated on the serious irregularities and weaknesses in financial management identified atan early stage of its work.
It has, however, found the following in terms of the impact of the measures: (a) during the first two years of the programmes, when the majority of the network coordinators and the organiza¬ tions carrying out activities for the networks were located in Europe, the bulk of the funds provided by the Commission were consumed in Europe; (b) the freedom of operation of certain local authorities within the networks, was limited by the absence, in whole or in part, of legal and/or financial autonomy in relation to the central government: the ultimate effectiveness of the actions carried out, particularly where investments are required, depends in such circumstances on obtaining the agreement and support of the central government, which in most cases will not have been involved in the initial action; (c) there is undoubted enthusiasm amongst the participants for the actions, where contacts between professionals in the same sector are developed: however, positive evaluations of meetings, seminars, and other actions by the participants do not necessarily mean that the activities have had the intended impact; more systematic evaluation is necessary; (d) as noted in paragraph 110, the sustainability of some of the networks when Commission support is withdrawn is doubtful. 
It has, however, found the following in terms of the impact of the measures: (a) during the first two years of the programmes, when the majority of the network coordinators and the organiza¬ tions carrying out activities for the networks were located in Europe, the bulk of the funds provided by the Commission were consumed in Europe; (b) the freedom of operation of certain local authorities within the networks, was limited by the absence, in whole or in part, of legal and/or financial autonomy in relation to the central government: the ultimate effectiveness of the actions carried out, particularly where investments are required, depends in such circumstances on obtaining the agreement and support of the central government, which in most cases will not have been involved in the initial action; (c) there is undoubted enthusiasm amongst the participants for the actions, where contacts between professionals in the same sector are developed: however, positive evaluations of meetings, seminars, and other actions by the participants do not necessarily mean that the activities have had the intended impact; more systematic evaluation is necessary; (d) as noted in paragraph 110, the sustainability of some of the networks when Commission support is withdrawn is doubtful.
The impact of the MED programmes, therefore, remains to be proven. 
The impact of the MED programmes, therefore, remains to be proven.
Even if the concept of decentralized cooperation of this sort may be innovative and attractive, it is essential that rigour should be applied in formulating objectives, in deciding how those objectives are to be achieved and measured and then in evaluating whether or not they have been achieved. 
Even if the concept of decentralized cooperation of this sort may be innovative and attractive, it is essential that rigour should be applied in formulating objectives, in deciding how those objectives are to be achieved and measured and then in evaluating whether or not they have been achieved.
The causes of this situation 116. 
The causes of this situation 116.
The causes of the situation described above are various. 
The causes of the situation described above are various.
They consist not only of weaknesses in network management, but also of weaknesses in the planning of projects and the shortcomings of the monitoring tools. 
They consist not only of weaknesses in network management, but also of weaknesses in the planning of projects and the shortcomings of the monitoring tools.
Weaknesses in the planning ofprojects 117. 
Weaknesses in the planning ofprojects 117.
The network concept was adopted as a way of fostering multilateral cooperation between the countries on the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. 
The network concept was adopted as a way of fostering multilateral cooperation between the countries on the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean.
Its purpose was both to prevent delays at intergovernmental level and to provide a common workplace for European and southern Mediterranean partnerships, where they could operate on a basis of equality. 
Its purpose was both to prevent delays at intergovernmental level and to provide a common workplace for European and southern Mediterranean partnerships, where they could operate on a basis of equality.
The actual execution of a project nevertheless presupposes that all those involved have real legal and financial autonomy. 
The actual execution of a project nevertheless presupposes that all those involved have real legal and financial autonomy.
Generally speaking, however, as mentioned in paragraph 114, the governments of the non-member Mediterranean countries supervise their local authorities closely, though to varying extents. 
Generally speaking, however, as mentioned in paragraph 114, the governments of the non-member Mediterranean countries supervise their local authorities closely, though to varying extents.
The same is true of press freedom. 
The same is true of press freedom.
These constraints strongly influence the results that can be expected from programmes such as MED-Urbs and MED-Media. 
These constraints strongly influence the results that can be expected from programmes such as MED-Urbs and MED-Media.
For example, members of the Med-Urbs 29 and Med-Media.15 networks from one southern Mediterranean country were required to obtain the consent of the Ministry of the Interior before they could send even a fax to the network coordinator. 
For example, members of the Med-Urbs 29 and Med-Media.15 networks from one southern Mediterranean country were required to obtain the consent of the Ministry of the Interior before they could send even a fax to the network coordinator.
From that point of view, the situation of the other MED programmes is less adverse. 
From that point of view, the situation of the other MED programmes is less adverse.
A second limit is imposed by the status of the 119. networks. 
A second limit is imposed by the status of the 119. networks.
With the exception of some MED-Avicenne networks, the relationship between the various members of the networks is simply an ad hoc association, so that network coordinators have no legal means of compelling members to fulfil their obligations. 
With the exception of some MED-Avicenne networks, the relationship between the various members of the networks is simply an ad hoc association, so that network coordinators have no legal means of compelling members to fulfil their obligations.
Furthermore, these obligations are only defined in the contract between ARTM/Commission and the coordinator, to which the other network members are not party. 
Furthermore, these obligations are only defined in the contract between ARTM/Commission and the coordinator, to which the other network members are not party.
Their only commitment is in the form of a simple letter which is usually very loosely worded. 
Their only commitment is in the form of a simple letter which is usually very loosely worded.
1 20. 
1 20.
A third limit concerns the operating costs associated with networking a method which requires finance for the organization of regular meetings between the widely separated members of the network. 
A third limit concerns the operating costs associated with networking a method which requires finance for the organization of regular meetings between the widely separated members of the network.
The number of meetings varies, but was rarely less than two or three a year in the case of the networks audited by the Court. 
The number of meetings varies, but was rarely less than two or three a year in the case of the networks audited by the Court.
In the specific case of MED-Urbs, the meetings include elected representatives and technical staff, either separately or together, which inevitably increased the cost! 
In the specific case of MED-Urbs, the meetings include elected representatives and technical staff, either separately or together, which inevitably increased the cost!
In addition to the meetings for each network, there were also programme conference(s). 
In addition to the meetings for each network, there were also programme conference(s).
The project leaders whom the auditors met during visits usually complained that the number of such conferences was too high and that the financial resources available for the actual project were reduced proportionately in consequence. 
The project leaders whom the auditors met during visits usually complained that the number of such conferences was too high and that the financial resources available for the actual project were reduced proportionately in consequence.
In extreme cases the existence of the network may become an end in itself. 
In extreme cases the existence of the network may become an end in itself.
Leaving aside the numerous criticisms generated by its management, the Med-Urbs 38 network has practically reached this extreme (see paragraph 103 (b)). 
Leaving aside the numerous criticisms generated by its management, the Med-Urbs 38 network has practically reached this extreme (see paragraph 103 (b)).
96 The volume of funding 121. 
96 The volume of funding 121.
Each financing decision concerns a relatively high number of beneficiaries. 
Each financing decision concerns a relatively high number of beneficiaries.
Since the overall funding for each programme is only a few million ecus, the amount of the individual subsidies awarded to networks is inevitably limited to a few hundreds, or even tens, of thousands of ecus. 
Since the overall funding for each programme is only a few million ecus, the amount of the individual subsidies awarded to networks is inevitably limited to a few hundreds, or even tens, of thousands of ecus.
The amount is relatively small, so it is not ah obstacle in itself if the project being financed concerns a training measure, feasibility study or other similar, small-scale operation. 
The amount is relatively small, so it is not ah obstacle in itself if the project being financed concerns a training measure, feasibility study or other similar, small-scale operation.
When financing studies of this kind, however, the Commission must be careful to check that the beneficiaries will subsequently be able to obtain the loans needed to complete the proposed operation from other sources and that it will not be blocked in any way by the local government. 
When financing studies of this kind, however, the Commission must be careful to check that the beneficiaries will subsequently be able to obtain the loans needed to complete the proposed operation from other sources and that it will not be blocked in any way by the local government.
The Med-Urbs 30 network may be mentioned in this connection. 
The Med-Urbs 30 network may be mentioned in this connection.
The cost of carrying out one of the proposed measures was estimated to be about ECU 230 million. 
The cost of carrying out one of the proposed measures was estimated to be about ECU 230 million.
There appears to be some doubt as to the network's ability to raise such a sum and the beneficiary town's ability, to assume the corresponding debt burden, either legally or financially. 
There appears to be some doubt as to the network's ability to raise such a sum and the beneficiary town's ability, to assume the corresponding debt burden, either legally or financially.
The annual framework The delays inherent in the selection process, combined with the necessity of consulting the MED Committee in advance of the financing decision, make it virtually impossibkTfor projects to be carried out satisfactorily within the one-year framework initially laid down for the MED programmes. 
The annual framework The delays inherent in the selection process, combined with the necessity of consulting the MED Committee in advance of the financing decision, make it virtually impossibkTfor projects to be carried out satisfactorily within the one-year framework initially laid down for the MED programmes.
For all the networks visited, the problem of the timetable was advanced as one of the major hurdles that had to be surmounted when putting projects into effect. 
For all the networks visited, the problem of the timetable was advanced as one of the major hurdles that had to be surmounted when putting projects into effect.
The problem is particularly acute in the case of the MED-Campus networks, because of the constraints imposed by the contracts which, theoretically, were legally binding on them, but the question of the contradiction was never raised officially with ARTM and/or the Commission. 
The problem is particularly acute in the case of the MED-Campus networks, because of the constraints imposed by the contracts which, theoretically, were legally binding on them, but the question of the contradiction was never raised officially with ARTM and/or the Commission.
ARTM's structure, size and staff profile are such that it was impossible for it to be aware of all the legal constraints affecting the managers of networks whose members were from different countries of the Union and southern Mediterranean. 
ARTM's structure, size and staff profile are such that it was impossible for it to be aware of all the legal constraints affecting the managers of networks whose members were from different countries of the Union and southern Mediterranean.
The Commission, ' on the other hand, is responsible for checking that any measures which it puts into effect are fully legal. 
The Commission, ' on the other hand, is responsible for checking that any measures which it puts into effect are fully legal.
It must be aware of conflicts of legislation and, moreover, it has the necessary powers. 
It must be aware of conflicts of legislation and, moreover, it has the necessary powers.