RI-LINKS2UA - Strengthening Research and Innovation Links towards Ukraine

Target group
Beneficiaries eligible under Structural Funds, Cohesion Fund and IPA (national and regional), Managing Authorities, Certifying Authorities and Audit Authorities, Intermediate Bodies, as well as independent auditors and junior auditors dealing with or interested in EU-funded projects and programmes, and consulting companies specialised in audit of EU Funds or programmes and projects.

Description
In the previous programming period 2007-2013, the effective control systems and audit of EU Funds began one of the key issues in the framework of the whole architecture of the implementation of the EU Cohesion Policy. The administrations at national, regional and local levels had more responsibilities to build an effective control system and to ensure a proper spending of public money than in previous financial perspectives. 

Audit questions are even more important now, when we are closing programmes from 2007-2013 and starting the implementation of the current programming period 2014-2020. 

The seminar will focus not only on the EU Structural and Cohesion Funds, but also on the pre-accession instrument IPA II. Apart from the presentation of the relevant legislation, and methods of increasing efficiency of control and audits, the seminar will provide know-how on combating fraud and preventing irregularities, public procurement and State Aid. The very important element is the performance audit. 

The unique feature of this seminar is that it covers the experience of internal and external audit experts coming from the public sector, the EU Commission, as well as the European Court of Auditors and OLAF. 

Learning methodology
Apart from traditional training methods (lectures and presentations, including concrete examples and case studies), an interactive approach will be applied. There will be discussions in question and answer sessions after each practical part. Participants will work in small working groups on concrete practical exercises and case studies, with direct involvement of EU experts.

Objectives
The goal of this three-day practical seminar/workshop is to give participants a whole overview and detailed understanding of practical aspects of control (external and internal) and audit of EU Funds in the programming period 2007-2013 (closure) and 2014-2020.

Source of information, more details and registration: http://seminars.eipa.eu/en/activities09/show/&tid=5955