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DRAFT OPINION (2023/2129(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022, Section III – Commission and executive agencies

CULT-PA-753716

Committee on Culture and Education · Rapporteur: Romeo Franz

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The Committee on Culture and Education sets out its suggestions to the Committee on Budgetary Control on the 2022 budget discharge for the Commission and executive agencies. It welcomes efforts to adapt Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps and Creative Europe, and notes new initiatives such as the European Education Area and Culture Moves Europe. It asks the European Court of Auditors to audit possible misuse of EU funds through Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps by networks presenting false projects. It raises concerns about the backloaded Erasmus+ budget, the EACEA's carry-overs and e-Grant IT problems, and urges full anti-fraud strategies and more sustainability work.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that the Committee on Budgetary Control incorporate these suggestions into its motion for a resolution: welcoming adaptations and new initiatives, requesting an audit on possible misuse of funds, and pressing the Commission and EACEA on budget profile, carry-overs, IT tools and anti-fraud and sustainability efforts.

Key points

  1. Welcomes Commission and EACEA efforts to adapt Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps and Creative Europe, including higher individual support rates, longer deadlines and project duration, and a voluntary refocusing on Ukraine.
  2. Notes the launch or roll-out in 2022 of the European Education Area, the MediaInvest blending facility, the Culture Moves Europe mobility scheme and the 2022 European Year of Youth.
  3. Reiterates concern about the strongly backloaded Erasmus+ budget profile and welcomes the extra EUR 35 million awarded to Erasmus+ in 2022.
  4. Requests the European Court of Auditors to audit possible misuse of EU funds through Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps by networks of associations presenting false projects.
  5. Notes the continued frontloading of the Creative Europe budget in 2022 to mitigate the persisting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cultural and creative sectors.
  6. Encourages DG EAC and DG CNECT to implement their Anti-Fraud Strategies fully.
  7. Is concerned that the EACEA's recurrent high rate of carry-overs could point to structural issues in its implementation or budget planning cycles, which the EACEA should address.
  8. Notes with concern persisting 2022 challenges with e-Grant tools for beneficiaries of EACEA-managed calls and strongly urges the Commission and EACEA to resolve these IT issues.
  9. Welcomes the EACEA's efforts to implement EMAS and encourages it to further implement a sustainability plan and publish the agency's sustainability report.

Who is affected

  • The Commission and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, which must address carry-overs, e-Grant IT issues and anti-fraud strategies.
  • Beneficiaries of Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps and Creative Europe, including those using e-Grant tools.
  • The European Court of Auditors, asked to carry out an audit on possible misuse of EU funds.
  • DG EAC and DG CNECT, encouraged to implement their Anti-Fraud Strategies fully.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 35 million: extra amount awarded to Erasmus+ in 2022.