AI and Data Mining Tools in Management and Audit of EU Funds. Practical use of Arachne+ : Part II

This highly practical 2,5-day course follows the course AI and Data Mining Tools in the Audit of EU Funds Work: Part I, taking place in September 2026.

In this second part, we will continue to concentrate on recent developments in the use of AI and data analytics tools in the EU and how these can help in our daily work.

The course will cover:

• The legal framework and state of play of the implementation of the EU AI Act
• EU Funds and the complexity of the EU Budget 2028-2034: use of AI and data mining tools in our daily work after 2027
• EC-DG BUDG and DG DIGIT: Arachne+ presentation, followed up by practical workshop, where you will be able to practice the use of the updated version of the tool on your own laptop, guided by Arachne+ experts
• Best practices in the use of AI and data mining tools in MS: presentation of data mining and AI tools created by audit authorities in MS
• Future AI outlook

This course will be very practical and interactive. All presentations conducted by audit experts will include specific examples and will be followed by a practical workshop handled in small working groups.

You will learn about the practical use of already existing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data mining tools by EU Institutions and EU Member States, and their future development.

You will have the unique opportunity to be directly trained on your laptop about the effective use of the new ARACHNE + tool by experts from DG BUDG and DG DIGIT, and learn how it can help you to spot errors, irregularities and possible fraud cases in EU Funded projects.

You will also learn about best practices in use of AI and data mining tools created by audit authorities in MS and how this knowledge could be applied in your organisation.

The course will also cover the legal framework and the complexity of the EU Budget 2028-2034 and how the use of AI and data mining tools could help us after 2027.

Who will benefit most?

• Managing authorities, audit authorities, intermediate bodies, national authorities, public bodies dealing with EU Funds, joint secretariats, and controllers under cross-border programmes, including auditors and experts from the IPA countries;
• Internal auditors, independent auditors, and private audit companies dealing with or interested in EU-funded projects and programmes;
• Managers and potential beneficiaries interested in EU-funded projects and programmes.

Project number: 2620608

Course venue
Housing and Urban Rehabilitation Institute (IHRU)
Av. Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, n.º 5
1099-019 Lisbon
Portugal

Senior Project Officer
Ms Rafaella Giussani
Tel: +31 43 32 96 372
r.giussani@eipa.eu

Laptop
Please bring your laptop for the practical workshop on day 1.

Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments,  lunches, a sightseeing tour of Lisbon, and a dinner. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Discounts
EIPA member fee
EIPA offers a discount to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s supporting countries, and civil servants working for an EU institution, body or agency.

Who are the supporting countries?
Civil servants coming from the following EIPA supporting countries are entitled to get the reduced fee: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Early bird discount
EIPA offers 10% off on registrations made eight weeks or more before the start of a course. The early bird discount is not cumulative with other discounts or promo codes, except for the EIPA member fee.

Loyalty coupon
As a token of appreciation we offer all our participants a loyalty coupon for one of our future courses. The offer can be shared with colleagues and relevant networks. The coupon will expire one year after its release. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts, except for the EIPA member fee.

Meals
Dietary preferences can be indicated on the registration form.

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed online registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation.

Cancellation policy
For administrative reasons you will be charged €150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants.

EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 2 weeks before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, accommodation, etc.).

A few days before the start of the course you will receive the log-in details for accessing the course materials. You can log in here.