Audit, Anti-fraud Prevention, and Detection in RRF and ESIFs 2021–2027: Practical Use of Arachne

How can we ensure effective and efficient control systems at the national level for the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)?
What are fraud risks and how do we combat them?
How do we apply Arachne effectively to detect fraud in the management verifications of managing authorities (MA)?
What are the audit rules for the RRF and for the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIFs) in the 2021–2027 programming period? What audit findings have there been?

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

The unique feature of the course is the engagement of experts from the European Commission, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Audit Authority of a MS, whose combined experience will provide invaluable and practical insights.

After the course, you will be knowledgeable about:

• The changes in the 2021–2027 programming period (CPR and other regulations) such as simplified costs/financing not linked to costs, proportionate control arrangement, annual accounts and audits, conditionalities, performance, and proportional anti-fraud measures.
• Where we are with the preparation for the new programming period 2028–2034.
• The RRF – the requirements of the European Commission in relation with the measures of the Member States to prevent, detect, and correct conflicts of interest, corruption, fraud and double financing, and to ensure sound financial management of the RRF funds.
• When internal control systems are effective and efficient, and when it is a good idea for Member States to rely on the control systems for the national budget funds.
• The results of audits of RRF and NEXTGENERATION EU funds, and what were the proportional anti-fraud measures under RRF.
• The new fraud risks and corruption practices, and how to prevent and combat them.
• The organisation, mission, procedures, and vision of OLAF for the programming period 2021–2027. What to expect from OLAF in relation to the inspections of the RRF and existing fraud cases.
• Fraud cases in Structural and Cohesion Fund co-financed projects, with real-life examples presented by an OLAF expert.
• Arachne – a practical tool for fraud prevention and detection for MS. How to use Arachne effectively in the management verifications of the Managing Authorities and how to use Arachne in the sampling methodology of the Managing Authorities if they decide to perform checks on a sample basis.
• ESF/ERDF/CF audits: their differences, how they function in the programming period 2021–2027, and what audit findings there have been. This includes the main elements of the ESF/ERDF/CF audits and how to plan efficient ESF/ERDF/CF audits.
• The main conflicts of interest and fraud risks in the processes of selection of project proposals and management verifications in the current programming period.
• 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, including real case studies.

You will learn about the main errors, irregularities and fraud cases in European Structural and Cohesion Fund co-financed projects and about the way in which 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 of the RRF, how to prevent, detect, and correct conflict of interests, corruption, fraud, and double financing and to ensure sound financial management of the RRF funds.

• Managing authorities, audit 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 Funds, co-funded projects and programmes, and RRF;
• Experts in charge of 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 Structural and Cohesion Fund, RRF and IPA III;
• Universities, NGOs, and consulting companies.

Project number: 2520604

Course venue
Instituto Nacional de Administración Pública (INAP)
Calle de Atocha 106
28012 Madrid (ES)

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

Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments, lunches, a dinner and walking tour of Madrid.  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
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.