EPR Response to the European Court of Auditors’ Report on EU Funding for NGOs

EPR Response to the European Court of Auditors’ Report on EU Funding for NGOs

As an NGO that relies partially on EU funding, in EPR we acknowledge the European Court of Auditors’ (ECA) recent report highlighting concerns about transparency in funding processes. We commend the ECA’s commitment to ensuring that EU funds are utilised effectively and are in alignment with the established funding allocations and EU values.

Contrary to over sensationalist media headlines, it is necessary to highlight that the ECA’s audit, which examined a sample of 90 contracts, found no evidence of NGOs breaching EU-funding schemes.

Based on years-long experience, EPR can testify to the established strict and comprehensive framework for reporting and proving proof on how EU funds are spent. Civil society organisations (CSOs) are a fundamental and crucial actor to the existence of democracy. They not only monitor compliance to EU law (in this specific case) but contribute to make governments accountable in face of their citizens. They do so with first-hand expertise, research and highly trained professionals in the areas they work in. When civil society organisations are attacked, democracy is attacked.

To quote a growing number of CSOs expressing concern (including the European Disability Forum (EDF), of which we are members):
“For a strong civil society, the development of a framework for civil dialogue based on Art.11 TEU is a priority for this five-years term for the EU institutions. Properly resourcing civil society organisations to engage in this dialogue by involving their constituencies across Europe is crucial. In the EU, as in any democracy, public funding is needed to support the work of civil society organisations whose mission and objectives are strengthening the values enshrined in the treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.”