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Definitions

Standardised websites

EC branded standardised websites host thematic content such as policies for which the owner DG/Agency is responsible. Web information systems are permanent websites providing a user-friendly interface to generate, disclose and/or filter large, detailed amounts of data stored in different systems. These websites must also use the EC branded standardised websites design templateStandardised websites are:

• DG websites: the main entry point describing a DG's or an executive agency's work around policy and their daily activity.

It is mandatory to use the Europa Web Publishing Platform (EWPP) for the development of policy websites but optional when building a web information system standardised websites.

Harmonised websites

EC branded harmonised websites host specific content that answers a particular communication purpose. Hamonised websites are:

• Web information systems: permanent websites providing a user-friendly interface to generate, disclose and/or filter large, detailed amounts of data stored in different systems. 
• Network websites: websites or platforms set up and managed by the European Commission (as a service provider) to encourage and facilitate interaction among a specific, non-EC target audience. 
• Event websites: websites advertising a specific or repeatedly occurring activity that is open to the public, organised and/or hosted by the European Commission. The website can be temporary and provide information about an event before, during and after it takes place. It can be complemented by a campaign. Event websites are only allowed for large and complex events that cannot be accommodated by the events content type. See SCIC tools available for registration.
• Campaign websites:

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• a temporary, online communication endeavour dedicated to promoting a single or several thematically linked activities, initiatives, services or products. The website may form the online part of a broader campaign, communicated by other channels such as print and social media.
• Blogs: regularly updated websites dedicated to publishing general features and news items about specific European Commission activities, from an individual perspective or via a corporate (DG/Agency-managed) newsletter/magazine.
• Communities: virtual community with its own members sharing content on a comment topic. Check DIGIT's solution for online communities: Europa Community Platform (ECP SaaS, the version of Open Social for the EC).
• Databases: a structured set of data made public through a website.
• Web tools and applications: a software application that runs in a web browser and is made available to users with an active network connection. 

It is optional to use the Europa Web Publishing Platform (EWPP) for the development of harmonised websitesPartnership websites: when the European Commission shares the ownership of a website with one or several non-EU institution(s), it is a partnership website. The European Commission and its partners co-decide on the content and cooperate in terms of budget, maintenance and management of the website. As a result, the design is a based on an agreement between partners.

Rules

The EC branded core standardised and harmonised website uses the components of the Europa Components Library (ECL) as this template shows:

EC branded standardised and harmonised websites templates

EC branded standardised and harmonised anatomy table

Partnership

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websites 

When the European Commission shares the ownership of a website with one or several non-EU institution(s), it is a partnership website. The European Commission and its partners co-decide on the content and cooperate in terms of budget, maintenance and management of the website. As a result, the design is a based on an agreement between partners.

This category is an exception amongst the harmonised websites as and there is no imposed design template. However, we strongly recommend to pay particular attention to:

• the partnership website header: it is recommended to have the site name next to the partnership logo in the header
• the partnership website footer: the logos of all partners including the European Commission should be displayed at the same level

Contact and support

Need further assistance on this topic? Please contact the team in charge of the Europa domain: Comm Europa Managementof Europa Domain Management (EU Login required).