Information provided by the European Commission on the performance of EU spending programmes at the end of 2019 shows mixed results, according to a report published on Friday 13 November by the European Court of Auditors.
The auditors examined whether the Commission has a robust process for determining the high-level information presented annually on the performance of EU spending policies and programmes and whether these policies and programmes are effective in achieving their objectives.
The auditors report that it is still not possible to make a full assessment of the performance of some programmes, mainly because not enough information is provided.
Competitiveness. There is no evidence that performance of the EU’s Horizon 2020 research programme is being compromised. According to the auditors, there are strong indications that the programme should be considered to be providing EU added value. And indicators show that the European Fund for Strategic Investments is in the process of generating €500 billion of investment. The auditors point out, however, that the market could have accommodated a share of these investments and that overstated multiplier calculations may contribute to an overly positive assessment.
Cohesion. The Commission’s own performance data for cohesion indicates that programmes are falling short of initial expectations.
Natural resources. The auditors believe that the Commission’s CAP performance report for the financial year 2019 provides an overly optimistic view of the situation and does not focus on results. CAP measures have only a small impact on combating climate change.
Security and citizenship. The information available highlights the relevance of the expenditure and the EU added value of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
Global Europe. The auditors state that the Commission did not provide sufficient information to allow a robust assessment of the performance of two funding instruments, one relating to cooperation with developing countries and the other to relations with the EU’s southern and eastern neighbours. The indicators for the second of these instruments nevertheless reveal a positive trend with regard to reducing poverty, education, gender equality and human development, and a worsening trend with regard to consolidating democracy, the rule of law and political stability.
The 2014-2020 EU budget funds 58 spending programmes to the tune of a total of €1.092 trillion.
The report from the Court of Auditors can be found at: https://bit.ly/38Kn6WB (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)