Audit and Anti-Fraud Measures in ESI Funds and NextGeneration EU 2021-2027 Arachne

How could we ensure effective and efficient control systems at the national level for the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)? What are the audit rules for RRF and ESI Funds in the 2021-2027 programming period? What are the new fraud risks and how do we combat them? How do we apply Arachne effectively in the management verifications of Managing Authorities?

This highly practical two-and-a-half day course and workshop will provide you with answers to the above questions and more.

The unique feature of the course is the combined experience of experts from the European Commission, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Court of Auditors and National Audit Authorities.

What will you learn

The goal of this highly practical course and workshop extending over two and a half days is to present the following topics:

• Changes in the 2021-2027 programming period (Common Provisions Regulation [CPR] and other regulations) will be presented, such as: simplified costs and financing not linked to costs, proportionate control arrangement, annual accounts and audits, conditionalities, performance and proportional anti-fraud measures.
• The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) – what are the requirements of the European Commission in relation to the measures of the Member States to prevent, detect and correct conflict of interests, corruption, fraud and double financing? How do we ensure sound financial management of the RRF funds, and how do we establish effective and efficient internal control systems? Is it a good idea for Member States to rely on the control systems for the national budget funds? Who will audit RRF funds? What will the audit look like, and what are the proportional anti-fraud measures under RRF?
• What are the new fraud risks and corruption practices, and how do we prevent and combat them?
• The organisation, mission, procedures and vision of the European Anti-Fraud office (OLAF) for the new programming period 2021-2027 – what can we expect from OLAF in relation to the inspections of the RRF?
• Fraud in Structural and Cohesion Fund co-financed projects will be presented, with real-life examples from an OLAF expert.
• Arachne: practical tool of fraud prevention and detection for MS. How do we use Arachne effectively in the management verifications of the Managing Authorities? How do we use Arachne in the sampling methodology of the Managing Authorities if we decide to perform checks on a sample base?
• ESF/ERDF/CF audits: where are differences? How does it function in the programming period 2021-2027?
• Main elements of the ESF/ERDF/CF audits will be presented, and how to plan an efficient ESF/ERDF/CF audit.
• What are the main conflicts of interests and fraud risks in the processes of selection of project proposals and management verifications in the current programming period?
• What are the main errors and irregularities in projects co-funded by the ESF/ERDF/CF and significant risks related to RRF projects?
• ESF/ERDF audit findings in different Member States will be presented, including real case studies.

After the presentations, you will work in small groups with experts on practical case studies.

Course methodology/highlights

The course has a very practical and interactive character. All presentations, given by audit and fraud prevention experts from the European Commission, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), The European Court of Auditors and National Audit Authorities, include concrete examples and real-life case studies. First RFF audit fundings will be presented.

You will learn in a practical way about the main errors, irregularities and fraud in European Structural and Cohesion Fund co-financed projects and how ESF/ERDF/CF audits should be carried out. You will also learn how to put in place effective and efficient control systems for the new instrument Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This includes how to prevent, detect and correct conflicts of interests, corruption, fraud and double financing and to ensure sound financial management of the RRF. In addition, you will discover the practical applications of the Arachne tool in management verifications and fraud detection.

• managing authorities, audit authorities, national authorities, joint secretariats for cross-border programmes and intermediate bodies; first-level controllers and independent auditors dealing with or interested in the European Structural and Cohesion Fund, and co-funded projects and programmes;
• experts in charge of the fraud investigations and experts from national contact points with OLAF;
• internal auditors and other experts in charge of the control and audit of RRF projects, where Member States decided to rely on the control systems for the national budget funds;
• beneficiaries of the Structural and Cohesion Fund, RRF and IPA III;
• universities, NGOs and consulting companies.

Course venue – to be determined
Barcelona, Spain

Programme Organiser
Ms Isabela Puscasu
Tel: +31 43 3296240
i.puscasu@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation and refreshments. Lunches, a reception or dinner are included if mentioned in the programme. 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, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Early bird discount
The early bird discount is not cumulative with other discounts or promo codes, except for the EIPA member fee.

Meals
Lunches, the reception or dinner will be served at a restaurant in town. Special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic) can be indicated once you receive the confirmation of the course.

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.).