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Protecting the EU’s financial interest

The EU needs to ensure that every euro and every cent is spent for its proper purpose and in line with rule of law principles. EU funds are not allowed to seep away into dark channels.

President of the Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, in her State of the Union speech

Anti-corruption in the European Semester

Preventing and fighting corruption is an important aspect of the European Semester cycle of economic governance, which is the main dialogue on economic policy between the EU and national authorities.

The European Semester country reports include detailed analysis of corruption risks and associated challenges. In relevant cases, these challenges are also reflected in the Semester Annex on the Effective Institutional Framework, the Annex on the Single Market and  Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs), endorsed each year by national leaders in the European Council.

Protecting Next Generation EU funds

The changed context driven by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the temporary adaptation of the European Semester to coordinate it with the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The Recovery and Resilience Facility is the key instrument at the heart of Next Generation EU (a temporary recovery instrument) to help the EU mitigate the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic and make European economies and societies more sustainable and resilient.

The fight against corruption, fraud and the prevention of conflicts of interest are key measures integrated in the recovery and resilience plans of each EU country to protect the financial interests of the Union.

EU agencies and bodies that protect EU’s budget

At operational level, the EU works to protect the Union’s financial interests and to ensure that the Next Generation EU funds are safeguarded from corruption and fraud. In particular, a number of agencies and bodies have key roles to play in safeguarding the EU budget:

European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO)

Established by Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, EPPO is an independent EU body which investigates and prosecutes perpetrators of criminal offences affecting the EU’s budget, including active and passive corruption that damages, or is likely to damage, the EU’s financial interests.

The EPPO is operational since 1 June 2021

The last EPPO annual report can be found here.

European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)

The main responsibilities of OLAF:

  • carries out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe
  • contributes to strengthening citizens’ trust in EU institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff
  • develops a sound EU anti-fraud policy

OLAF is part of the European Commission, but has operational independence and is governed by Commission Decision (EU) 2015/2418.

The last OLAF annual report can be found here.

European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust)

Eurojust improves the coordination of cross-border investigations and prosecutions. It also boosts cooperation between national authorities who handle serious cross-border crime, including corruption, fraud, money laundering or organised crime.

Eurojust is actively involved in supporting judicial cooperation related to the specific field of corruption and has broad experience in supporting the competent national authorities in fighting corruption.

The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol)

Europol is the EU’s law enforcement agency and assists law enforcement authorities in EU countries. The agency offers a wide range of services, including:

  • support for law enforcement operations on the ground
  • a hub for information on criminal activities
  • centre of law enforcement expertise

Europol’s daily business is based on its strategy. Specific objectives are set out in the Europol annual work programme. Europol is designed to operate in partnership with law enforcement agencies, government departments and the private sector on serious international and organised crime. This cooperation is based on Europol’s Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA).

Related links

EU anti-fraud measures