gave European Court of Auditors has highlighted a potential time bomb: the risk of double financing. In a detailed report, the court explained that the union’s existing control system was insufficient to prevent It is possible that some projects may receive funding multiple times.. And Italy has come under scrutiny for some concrete examples.
Billions at stake: cohesion, connecting Europe and Pnrr
At stake are figures that have never been seen before: 358 billion euros for cohesion, 34 billion per Connecting Europegood 648 billion for recovery fund and National Pnrrs. Such a large overlap of funds exposes the EU to an increased risk of double financing, particularly with the use of “financing not linked to cost” schemes. According to the court report, cases of double financing will be difficult to detect given the complexity of the context.
The Court’s analysis also points to the control mechanisms adopted by Brussels and individual countries as insufficient to mitigate a problem that threatens to become chronic. While the recovery fund aims to achieve more efficient results and simplify management practices, the report raises doubts about the effectiveness of a mechanism that relies on spending on instruments such as that the Commission has recommended, They are not linked to specific costs. A combination that, according to the audit, not only reduces the administrative burden, but also increases the risk of overlap.
To date, according to accountants, the commission has failed to clarify how to develop adequate control systems to ensure that funding not linked to expenditure does not result in double distribution.
The case of Bicocca-Catenanuova and the revision of Pnrr
Among various examples, Bycoca-Catnanova routeA section of the Palermo-Catania high-speed line. Given that separating the two European funding sources was complicated, Italy proposed a proportional calculation to establish the share attributable to the recovery fund. However, to avoid complications, that line was complete Removed From the revised plan till December 2023.
Harmony or chaos? Italy between Pnrr and regional funds
The Court’s report does not spare criticism of the coordination between the various Italian programs: on the one hand, i National Operational ProgrammeWith a single body that manages and oversees, as with the Ministry of Infrastructure. On the other hand, i Regional programswhere direct communication between administrative authorities and central mission units is often absent. Nevertheless, by cross-referencing the data, they were detected Registration errors and potential overlap.
Programs for Quality of Life: Funding Risks
In the Advanced Living Standards Program, at least 15 regions and autonomous provinces have signed agreements to redevelop social housing stock. The checks, however, were not painful: There are 34 Certified projects, 32 revealed registration issues.And. In two cases there was a risk of benefiting from ERDF funds or other PNRR initiatives, but thanks to the cooperation between the Italian authorities and Brussels, it was decided not to count the ERDF projects to avoid duplication.
Regis: Digital surveillance between Italy and Greece
Meanwhile, the court praised Italy and Greece for their centralized IT systems. Monitor Pnrr objectives.. The Italian ReGis system, which collects project data, allows connection with the 2014-2020 Cohesion Funds database. Although not all authorities had access to the system at the time of the audit, all administrations for the period from November 2023 to 2021-2027 were obliged to record data, increasing transparency and monitoring.