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DRAFT REPORT (2023/2163(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Training Foundation for the financial year 2022

CONT-PR-753531

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Petri Sarvamaa

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This is a draft report by the Committee on Budgetary Control on granting discharge to the European Training Foundation for its 2022 budget. It proposes to grant the Director discharge and to close the accounts, and sets out observations on budget management, performance, staff, procurement and internal control. The draft notes the Foundation's 2022 budget was EUR 25 051 848, a 17,05 % increase on 2021, and that the Court of Auditors gave reasonable assurance on the accounts and transactions. It records a 99,98 % budget implementation rate and a 97,70 % payment execution rate, and notes the Foundation met all its Key Performance Indicators. It flags two irregular procurement procedures identified by the Court, involving a EUR one million framework contract and a EUR four million contract, and calls on the Foundation to ensure future procedures comply with the rules.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament grant the Director of the European Training Foundation discharge for the 2022 budget and approve the closure of the accounts, while setting out observations on budget management, performance, staff, procurement and internal control.

Key points

  1. Parliament would grant the Director of the European Training Foundation discharge for the 2022 budget and approve the closure of the Foundation's 2022 accounts.
  2. The Foundation's final 2022 budget was EUR 25 051 848, up 17,05 % on 2021, and derives entirely from the Union budget.
  3. The Court of Auditors obtained reasonable assurance that the Foundation's 2022 accounts are reliable and the underlying transactions legal and regular.
  4. Budget implementation reached 99,98 % and payment execution 97,70 %, and the Foundation met all its Key Performance Indicators.
  5. The Foundation delivered its work under three strategic objectives and three core services, and launched new initiatives including a Team Europe Initiative in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean.
  6. The Foundation supported Ukraine through an online resource hub for recognition of qualifications, skills and study periods of Ukrainian refugees.
  7. The Foundation pursued efficiency gains, including sharing accounting services with EU-OSHA and energy savings of 2,000 mc of gas and 49,107 KwH of electricity.
  8. On 31 December 2022 the establishment plan was 98,8 % filled, with 85 officials and temporary agents, plus 39 contract agents and 1 local agent.
  9. Parliament reiterates concern that geographical balance is a challenge, with 42 % of staff nationals of the Member State where the Foundation is located, and calls for balanced and fair representation.
  10. The Court found a EUR one million framework contract irregular because the winning tenderer's 2019 turnover did not meet the EUR 250 000 threshold; related 2022 payments were EUR 100 100.
  11. The Court found a EUR four million contract irregular because selection criteria were applied incorrectly and the winner's financial capacity was not demonstrated; related 2022 payments were EUR 70 500.
  12. Parliament calls on the Foundation to ensure future procurement procedures fully comply with rules on transparency, fairness and integrity, and notes the Foundation's anti-fraud strategy and conflict-of-interest declarations.

Who is affected

  • The European Training Foundation and its Director, who would receive discharge for the 2022 budget.
  • The Foundation's staff, affected by observations on geographical balance, gender balance and working conditions.
  • Contractors and tenderers in the Foundation's procurement procedures, which the Court found irregular in two cases.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 25 051 848 — the Foundation's final budget for 2022.
  • 17,05 % — increase in the 2022 budget compared to 2021.
  • 99,98 % — budget implementation rate in 2022.
  • 97,70 % — payment appropriations execution rate in 2022.
  • 93 % — activity completion rate, with 89 % timely completion.
  • 98,8 % — establishment plan filled on 31 December 2022, with 85 officials and temporary agents out of 86 authorised.
  • EUR one million — framework contract for content support services found irregular.
  • EUR 250 000 — turnover threshold for the last two financial years required of tenderers.

Legal basis: Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.