As new regulations, procedures, forms of support and controls are introduced, EU programme managers face further challenges in ensuring that the EU budget is safe from error or cleaned up properly if adversely affected.
We are quite familiar with the financial corrections procedures for systemic errors and errors in public procurement. Years of implementation and audits may have even taught us the hard way. Yet, the interpretation and application of regulations and guidance still vary from one person to another, and knowledge and experience on the matters is not equally thorough across all national and regional authorities.
The usual questions still surface: What correction should be applied? Is my judgement correct? Is this correction enough (and proportionate)? Would the auditors be happy with my approach?
This online course is designed to analyse the common errors at the crucial stages of public procurement procedures, the design and implementation of financial instruments and the EU programme management system in general. We analyse all possible entry points of error and discuss how these may be prevented and corrected, allowing participants to gain confidence in their interpretation and judgement.
The sessions will be delivered live from our offices in Malta through the Zoom application (see https://zoom.us/), which may be downloaded either on a personal computer, laptop or smartphone. A reliable internet connection is important, but the sessions will also be recorded.
EU institutions; CF, ERDF, ESF+, EMFF, AMIF, ISF and EAFRD Managing Authorities, First Level of Control Bodies, Intermediate Bodies, Certifying Authorities, Audit Authorities, Central Coordination Bodies, Methodology Departments, Central or Regional Ministries, Procurement specialists, Finance Officers, Auditors, Methodology Departments, Irregularities officers
Delivering knowledge, experience and good feelings!
Our Plan for the day
Connecting and setting up through Zoom
EC guidance note on avoiding the most common errors in Public Procurement This session discusses the most important aspects of the note, with essential guidance on and new examples of procurement cases across the EU.
Live Q&A session and break
Determining financial corrections to public procurement errors The main guidance note for the application of financial corrections provides the basis for our discussions in the workshops which follow. This session analyses the principles behind it and how to interpret the different corrections.
Live Q&A session and break
Workshop: Applying financial corrections || Tender specifications In this workshop we analyse and discuss different practical cases related to errors in the planning stage of any tendering procedure and the recommended financial corrections.
Live Q&A session
Concluding remarks and wrap-up of Online Live Session Day 1
Connecting and setting up through Zoom
Workshop: Applying financial corrections || Evaluations of Tenders We proceed by analysing cases in the evaluation of tenders.
Live Q&A session and break
OLAF & ECA audits & the application of financial corrections We recall the main lessons learnt from OLAF and ECA audits, analysing the audit approach adopted and the interpretation of the cases audited.
Live Q&A session and break
Options and flexibilities under the public procurement framework This session explores how Contracting Authorities can avail themselves of possibilities to substantially reduce the deadlines to accelerate open or restricted procedures.
Live Q&A session
Concluding remarks and wrap-up of Online Live Session Day 2
2021 Training Programme
