# Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014 of 7 January 2014 on the European code of conduct on partnership in the framework of the European Structural and Investment Funds, Article 5: Consultation of relevant partners in the preparation of the Partnership Agreement and programmes

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

1. In order to ensure transparent and effective involvement of relevant partners, Member States and managing authorities the relevant authority shall consult them on the process and timetable of the preparation of the Partnership Agreement and programmes. In doing so, they shall keep them fully informed of their content and any changes thereof.
2. As regards the consultation of relevant partners, Member States the relevant authority shall take account of the need for:
(a) timely disclosure of and easy access to relevant information;
(b) sufficient time for partners to analyse and comment on key preparatory documents and on the draft Partnership Agreement and draft programmes;
(c) available channels through which partners may ask questions, may provide contributions and will be informed of the way in which their proposals have been taken into consideration;
(d) the dissemination of the outcome of the consultation.
3. As regards the rural development programmes, Member States the relevant authority shall take account of the role that the national rural networks established in accordance with Article 54 of the Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council can play involving relevant partners.
4. Where formal agreements have been established between the different tiers of government below national level, the Member State relevant authority shall take account of these multi-level governance agreements in accordance with its institutional and legal framework.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2014/240/article/5 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2014-240/article-5
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.