One Year of the New EU Financial Regulation: Impacts and Challenges in Public Procurement

This two-day course explores the significant changes introduced by the recast of the EU Financial Regulation (FR), which entered into force on 29 September 2024. How does the FR shape the way public procurement is carried out across EU institutions and bodies – and how can professionals ensure compliance while avoiding common pitfalls? This course provides participants with a clear and structured understanding of the rules and procedures set by the FR, with a special focus on procurement. It will explore current challenges, helping participants navigate its practical implications.

Through interactive casework and guided exercises, participants will strengthen their ability to apply the FR in daily practice – ensuring transparency, efficiency, and legal soundness in their procurement operations. It offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the first year of implementation, and anticipate upcoming developments across the EU institutional landscape.

The FR is the cornerstone legal instrument governing the establishment, implementation, and control of the EU budget. The latest revision codifies multiple targeted amendments adopted since 2022 and reflects the need for a more transparent, agile, and crisis-responsive budgetary framework. Key innovations include the unified funding approach for borrowing, enhanced protection of EU financial interests, and clearer, simplified rules for beneficiaries.

Our discussion will be focused on:

• the main legal and procedural innovations introduced in the 2024 FR recast;
• core principles such as sound financial management, proportionality, and transparency;
• budgetary and procurement procedures in light of the updated rules;
• PP contract phases and modifications under the new FR;
• recent public procurement case law under the FR;
• performance and retention guarantees in procurement;
• joint procurement, interinstitutional cooperation, and procurement on behalf of Member States;
• updates to grant procedures, indirect management, and contribution agreements;
• risk areas and lessons learned from audits and early implementation;
• a forward-looking, values-based approach to FR using artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable public procurement (SPP).

What you will learn:

This is a unique opportunity for EU officials to deepen their understanding of the new framework and its impacts and challenges in public procurement. It will allow participants to engage with peers, and prepare for what lies ahead in the financial governance of the Union.

Course methodology

This course is designed to blend theoretical and operational insights through:

• expert-led lectures on the key legal changes and policy rationale;
• practical sessions featuring real-life examples, case studies, and implementation feedback;
• Q&A sessions to allow interaction and clarification with speakers and peers;
• a discussion on the future of EU financial governance, including simplification, digital tools, and AI.

You will gain access to the EIPA Moodle platform, where you will have all the presentations used during the course and additional reading material.

At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance. You will have access to the slides as well as additional learning material for a duration of six months after the course.

This course is intended for officials from EU institutions, bodies, and agencies involved in financial management, procurement, legal affairs, auditing, or grant coordination. It is also relevant for those implementing or supervising EU budgetary procedures, including authorising officers, as well as national and sub-national authorities working with EU funds – particularly under joint or indirect management. Professionals engaged in legal review, internal control, external audit, or risk management of EU financial rules will also benefit.

While no prior legal training is required, a basic understanding of EU budgetary or procurement procedures is recommended.

Project number: 2530813

Course venue
European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)
O.L. Vrouweplein 22
6211 HE, Maastricht
The Netherlands

Project Management Officer
Ms Belinda Vetter
Tel: +31 43 3296382
b.vetter@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments, and lunches. 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.

Hotels
EIPA has a special price arrangement with a few hotels. The hotels are within walking distance of EIPA. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel upon checking out.

• Derlon If you wish to take advantage of this special price, please click on the hotel name to book directly using the link
  info@derlon.com
  +31 (0)43 321 67 70
• Townhouse If you wish to take advantage of the special price, use the word ‘EIPA’ in the promotion code field
  info@townhousehotels.nl
  +31 (0)43 323 30 90
• Mabi If you wish to take advantage of the special price, use the word ‘EIPA’ in the promotion code field
  info@hotelmabi.nl
  +31 (0)43 351 44 44
• Kaboom Hotel If you wish to take advantage of the special price, use the word ‘EIPA’ in the promotion code field
  info@kaboomhotel.nl
  +31 (0)43 325 33 40
• Leonardo Boutique Hotel
  reservations.maastrichtcitycenter@leonardo-hotels.nl

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.