Audit and Anti-Fraud in RRF and ESIFs 2021-2027 – Exchange of First Audit Experiences Between AAs, EC, OLAF and ECA

Practical 3 days workshop for Audit Authorities having for objective the exchange of experiences regarding fraud measures in EU fundings (ESIFs + RRF), conflict of interest, double financing, audit results based on Arachne or other similar tools used by AAs, measures applied in different Member States in order to ensure effective and efficient control systems at the national level for the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Audit results of 2014-2020 programming period and the current one 2021-2027.

What will you learn

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

• Changes in the 2021-2027 programming period: 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) – measures applied in Member States to prevent, detect and correct conflict of interests, double financing, corruption and fraud, similarities and differences of internal control systems created and audits for RRF. How to put in place effective and efficient controls and anti-fraud measures for the RRF
• RePowerEU and modification of National Recovery and Resilience Plans
• European Anti-Fraud office (OLAF) in the programming period 2021-2027 – fraud in ESIF co-financed projects with real-life fraud examples; what can be expected from OLAF in relation to the inspections of the RRF
• ECA approach to ESIF and RRF audits, audit of milestones and targets, main findings of already performed by ECA RRF audits and shortcomings and irregularities detected, ECA’s upcoming RRF audits
• Practical use of Arachne and similar tools in Member States, how to use effectively Arachne to detect irregularities and fraud in RRF, advantages from the data mining programmes
• 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 possible risks and fraud schemes in the RRF
• Main errors and irregularities in projects co-funded by the ESIF and significant risks related to RRF projects

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 European Commission, European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), European Court of Auditors and national AA, include concrete examples and real-life case studies. First RFF audit fundings will be presented and discussed.

You will learn and discuss with the EC, ECA, OLAF and AA colleagues about audit findings in ESIFs and RRF (main errors, irregularities and fraud). You will also discuss the effectiveness of internal control systems established for the new instrument Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This includes the presentation of colleague from different MS about their way 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 and learn about similar tools created in Romania.

• managing authorities, audit authorities, national authorities; 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;

Course venue
Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Old Town
Bucharest, Romania

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
Special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic) can be indicated once you receive the confirmation of the course.

Hotel reservations
EIPA has a special price arrangement with Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Old Town. Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please book directly via this link.

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.).