Award in the Prevention, Detection and Treatment of Errors in EU Funded Programmes

Learning Outcomes

Whole course

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The learner will be able to:

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• Define errors and common irregularities.

• Apply simplified cost options to reduce errors.

• Understand Annual Submission processes and their impact on error reduction.

• Use tools and techniques to prevent and detect errors.

• Understand irregularity principles and apply proportionate financial corrections.

• Interpret practical cases of errors in procurement stages.

• Understand mechanisms to reduce error and risks of fraud.

• Recognise the auditing perspective on errors and irregularities.

• Understand EU and Member State progress toward EU targets and key investment priorities.

• Analyse the performance framework, reserve and programme targets.

• Explore financial instruments as alternatives to grants in ESI funds.

• Understand and discuss performance audits in financial management.

• Become familiar with simplification measures proposed for 2021–2027.

Module I: Award in the detection and treatment of irregularities in EU funded projects

Competences

• Analyse fund‑management situations and key risks.

• Assess organisational risks and needed controls.

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Knowledge

• Core EU regulations and procurement rules.

• Common errors, fraud cases, and audit insights.

Skills

• Spot system loopholes and apply prevention.

• Safeguard procurement processes.

• Design proportionate verification checks.

• Evaluate robustness of controls and risks.

• Apply regulations to minimise error/fraud.

• Assess durability and value for money of EU funding.

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Module II: Award in financial corrections on public procurement and financial instruments

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Competences

• Interpret regulations holistically to minimise error and fraud.

• Create defensible, evidence‑based solutions aligned with regulatory and audit expectations.

Knowledge

• Latest guidelines on financial corrections for procurement and financial‑instrument errors.

Skills

• Apply financial corrections using EU guidance.

• Understand how audit authorities (EC, ECA, OLAF, national bodies) operate and how to respond to findings.

• Develop fact‑based, justifiable solutions that hold up under institutional and auditor scrutiny.

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Module III: Award in result orientation, verifications, evaluations for 2014-2020

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Competences

• Analyse EU progress and lessons from 2014–20 to improve financial management.

• Create defensible, evidence‑based solutions.

Knowledge

• Key EU regulations, procurement rules, performance framework, SCOs and financial instruments.

Skills

• Set SMART objectives.

• Apply SCOs and financial‑instrument approaches.

• Avoid procurement errors and assess efficiency/effectiveness.

• Managed by objectives; choose suitable SCOs; design financial‑instrument structures; critically analyse fund‑management situations.

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Module IV: Award in the simplification of programming, payments, sampling and monitoring for 2021-27

Competences

• Interpret 2021–2027 EU regulations to promote simplification and results.

• Balance simplification with proportionate controls.

• Assess and quantify savings from simplification measures.

Knowledge

• Proposed 2021–2027 Common Provisions Regulations.

• Annual submissions: management declaration, annual accounts, annual summary.

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Skills

• Design simplified, efficient financial management & control systems for 2021–2027.

• Implement systems aligned with annual closure and verification requirements.

• Establish clear communication and reporting structures for annual submissions.

• Apply new regulations holistically to reduce error/fraud and enhance results.

• Balance simplification with effective control measures.