Exchange of Audit Findings and Anti-Fraud Measures Application in RRF and ESIFs 2021-2027: AA, EC, OLAF and ECA

This highly practical 2,5-day course for audit authorities has as its main objective the exchange of experiences, audit findings and problems faced during the auditing of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIFs) and the Resilience and Recovery Facility (RRF). During the course, we also discuss conflicts of interest, double financing, audit results based on Arachne or other similar tools used by AAs, and measures applied in different Member States to ensure effective and efficient control systems at the national level for the RRF. In addition, audit results of the 2014-2020 programming period and the current 2021-2027 period will be presented.

What you will learn

This course has a very practical and interactive character. All the presentations will be delivered by audit and fraud prevention experts, including concrete examples and real-life case studies and will focus on the following topics:

• Changes in the 2021-2027 programming period: simplified costs and financing not linked to costs, proportionate control arrangements, annual accounts and audits, conditionalities, and performance and proportional anti-fraud measures.
• The Recovery and Resilience Facility: measures applied in Member States to prevent, detect and correct conflicts of interest, double financing, and corruption and fraud. Review of the similarities and differences of internal control systems created for audits of RRF. How to put in place effective and efficient controls and anti-fraud measures for the RRF and what are the most common RRF audit findings in MS.
• RePowerEU and the modifications of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans.
• The role of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in fraud detection and prevention in ESIFs and the RRF co-financed projects and programmes in the current programming period 2021-2027, including the presentations of real-life fraud examples with special focus on the RRF.
• The European Commission’s and the ECA’s approach to ESIFs and RRF audits, audit of milestones and targets, main findings of already performed RRF audits, shortcomings and irregularities detected, and the EC’s and the ECA’s past and upcoming RRF audits.
• Practical use of Arachne and similar tools in Member States: How to effectively use Arachne to detect irregularities and fraud in RRF. What are the advantages of data mining programmes.
• Main conflicts of interest and fraud risks in the selection process of project proposals and management verifications in the current programming period. The possible risks and fraud schemes in the RRF, and recent audit findings.

• Audit authorities, managing authorities, national authorities; first-level controllers and independent auditors dealing with projects or programmes funded by ESIFs
• 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

Project number: 2520602

Course venue – to be determined
Zagreb (HR)

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

Fee
The fee includes documentation,  refreshments, lunches, 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
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.