A tiny banner, a missing logo, a vaguely worded sentence on a website or a Facebook post. At first glance—just a minor oversight. But in the context of EU-funded projects, such a “communication error” can have very real consequences: up to 3% deducted from your approved grant. This isn’t a metaphor or an empty bureaucratic threat—it’s a clearly defined mechanism in the European Union’s rules for the 2021–2027 funding period.
In this article, we’ll break down what exactly counts as a “communication error,” why the EU treats it as a financial violation, and how sanctions can arise—even in otherwise perfectly executed projects.
Communication Is No Longer Optional—It’s a Legal Obligation
For years, many beneficiaries saw communication in EU-funded projects as something secondary: a banner at the end, an EU logo tucked in the corner of a website, or a passing mention in reports. The new financial framework fundamentally shifts this perception.
In the official Communication and Visibility Rules – European Union Funding Programmes 2021–2027, the European Commission states unequivocally that communication and policy are “two sides of the same coin.” The EU doesn’t just fund activities—it requires that its support be clearly acknowledged, visible to citizens, and connected to concrete results and priorities.
As a result, all recipients of EU funding—from small NGOs to large infrastructure projects—are under a legally binding obligation to:
- Acknowledge the source of funding
- Ensure the EU’s visibility
- Use accurate and correct information
- Follow specific visual and textual requirements
Failing to meet these standards is no longer considered a technical glitch—it’s a breach of contract.
What Does a “Communication Error” Actually Look Like?
Perhaps the most deceptive aspect of communication-related violations is how minor they often seem to the beneficiary. But the European Commission’s guidelines are crystal clear about what counts as non-compliance.
Incorrect or Missing EU Logo
The EU emblem is the primary visual identifier of the funding source. It must be clearly visible, at least as prominent as other logos, and not modified or stylised in any way. If it’s missing from a sign, website, publication, or promotional material, that constitutes a violation.
Inaccurate or Modified Funding Text
Phrases like “EU funded,” “with the support of Europe,” or “EU project” are not acceptable unless they precisely follow the prescribed language: “Funded by the European Union” (or “Funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU” where applicable). Even abbreviations are considered non-compliant.
Communication Without EU Policy Context
Projects are not expected to exist in a vacuum. Communication must demonstrate how the project contributes to the EU’s broader goals—such as the green transition, digitalisation, social inclusion, or post-COVID recovery. Omitting this context can be interpreted as a failure to meet communication obligations.
Public Events Without Informing the Managing Authority
For projects with significant budgets or public impact, organisers are required to inform and, where appropriate, involve the relevant managing authority or EU representation. Holding a press conference or launch event “on your own” can lead to sanctions.
Why Exactly 3%?
The number isn’t arbitrary. It’s explicitly written into the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR) and the European Commission’s model grant agreements. If the visibility and communication requirements are not met—and corrective actions aren’t taken—the managing authority is obligated to apply a financial correction of up to 3% of the support for the operation in question.
It’s important to note that this correction is proportional, applied after assessing the severity and duration of the violation, and can be enforced even if the project activities themselves were flawlessly implemented.
In other words: you can construct a building, train people, and meet all your indicators—and still lose part of your funding over communication issues.
Communication as Part of Financial Management
One of the most interesting—and often overlooked—points in the EU’s communication rules is that communication is an eligible expense. The EU explicitly allows project budgets to include spending on banners, websites, design, videos, events, and promotional materials.
Here’s the paradox:
👉 You have the right to plan and finance communication,
👉 But if you do it incorrectly, you lose money.
This turns communication from a marketing task into a component of good financial governance.
How to Protect Yourself from the 3% Loss
The most effective strategy isn’t complex, but it does require consistency:
- Read the rules at the start, not the end
- Integrate communication into the project design—not as an afterthought
- Use official EU templates and resources for logos and texts
- Consult the managing authority before launching public campaigns
- Document everything—screenshots, photos, posts
A Small Mistake with a Big Price Tag
EU-funded projects are no longer judged solely by what they achieve, but also by how they tell their story. In an age of misinformation and public scepticism, the visibility of public spending is a political and democratic imperative.
That’s why a seemingly minor communication misstep can have measurable financial consequences—up to 3%.
And that’s a cost that can easily be avoided.