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1. The Commission shall adopt annual action programmes, based on the indicative programming documents referred to in Article 5. In the case of recurrent actions, it may also adopt multiannual action programmes for a period of up to three years. When necessary and duly justified, an action may be adopted as an individual measure before or after the adoption of annual or multiannual action programmes.

2. The action programmes and individual measures shall be prepared by the Commission with the partner country or region, involving the Member States locally represented and coordinating where appropriate with other donors, in particular in cases of joint programming, and with the EIB. Member States that are not locally represented will be informed about activities in the field. Action programmes shall contain a specific description of each foreseen operation. That description will specify the objectives pursued, the expected results and the main activities. The description shall set out the expected results in terms of outputs, outcomes and impacts, with quantified or qualified targets, and will provide explanations on the links between each as well as with the objectives set in the multiannual indicative programme. The outputs and, in principle, the outcomes shall have specific, measurable and realistic indicators, with baselines and time-bound benchmarks, aligning with the partner country or region's own outputs and benchmarks to the maximum extent possible. A cost-benefit analysis will be completed, where relevant. The description shall set out the risks, with proposals for their mitigation where appropriate, the analysis of the specific sector context and key stakeholders, methods of implementation, budget and indicative timetable and in the case of budget support, the criteria for disbursement, inclusive of possible variable tranches. It shall also specify any associated support measures as well as arrangements for monitoring, audit and evaluation. Where appropriate, the description shall indicate the complementarity with current or planned EIB activities in the partner country or region.

3. In the cases referred to in Article 4(3) and in cases of unforeseen and duly justified needs or exceptional circumstances, the Commission may adopt special measures, including measures to ease the transition from emergency aid to long-term development operations, or measures to better prepare people for dealing with recurring crises.

4. The action programmes and the individual measures provided for in paragraph 1 for which the Union's financial assistance exceeds EUR 5 million, and special measures for which the Union's financial assistance exceeds EUR 10 million, shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 14 of this Regulation. That procedure shall not be required for action programmes and measures below those thresholds, and for non-substantial amendments thereto. Non-substantial amendments are technical adjustments such as extending the implementation period, reassigning funds within the forecast budget, or increasing or reducing the size of the budget by less than 20 % of the initial budget, but not exceeding EUR 10 million, provided that those amendments do not substantially affect the objectives of the initial action programme or measure. In such cases, action programmes and measures and non-substantial amendments thereto shall be adopted by the Commission, which shall inform the EDF Committee within one month of their adoption. Each Member State may request the withdrawal of a project or programme from an action programme submitted to the EDF Committee in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 14 of this Regulation. If such a request is supported by a blocking minority of Member States as laid down in Article 8(3) in connection with Article 8(2) of the Internal Agreement, the action programme shall be adopted by the Commission without the project or programme concerned. Unless the Commission, in line with the views of the Member States in the EDF Committee, wishes not to pursue the withdrawn project or programme it shall, at a later stage, be resubmitted to the EDF Committee outside the action programme in the form of an individual measure which shall then be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 14 of this Regulation. On duly justified imperative grounds of urgency, such as crises, natural or man-made disasters or immediate threats to democracy, the rule of law, human rights or fundamental freedoms, the Commission may adopt individual or special measures or amendments to existing action programmes and measures, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 14(4) of this Regulation.

5. The Commission shall adopt specific action programmes for support expenditures referred to in Article 6 of the Internal Agreement in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 14 of this Regulation. Any changes in the action programmes for support expenditures shall be adopted in accordance with the same procedure.

6. Appropriate environmental screening, including for climate change, biodiversity and related social impacts, shall be undertaken at project level, including where applicable environmental impact assessment (EIA) for environmentally sensitive projects, in particular if they are likely to have significant adverse environmental and/or social impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented. That screening shall be guided by internationally recognised practices. Where relevant, strategic environmental assessments (SEAs) shall be used in the implementation of sectoral programmes. The involvement of interested stakeholders in environmental assessments and public access to the results shall be ensured.