Management verifications
Management verifications are an integral part of any organisation's internal control system.
The managing authority (MA) is fully responsible for managing and implementing an Interreg programme and organising the management verification. MA responsibilities are covered by CPR, Article 74 (1).
The MA of each Interreg programme is responsible for organising the system of financial control, which makes sure that projects respect spending rules. Expenditures of each project partner, including a lead partner, must be checked by a controller approved by the country in which they are based. The lead partner then collects certified statements of expenditure from each project partner, adds his own and compiles a joint report, known as a project progress report. A project progress report, submitted to the JS, is a base for a project to claim money for reimbursement.
Where to start
The responsibilities of the MA are set out in Articles 74 (1) of the CPR and offer a good starting point. In the 2021-2027 funding period, management verifications shall be risk-based. The Commission's Reflection paper on Risk Based Management Verifications art 74(2) CPR 2021-2027 provides further insight into the proposed approaches to this topic.
For Interreg Programmes, a Guidance on the risk-based management verifications and HIT methodology was developed as part of the HIT - harmonised implementation tools.
Interact events which explored this topic further can also provide additional insight.
- Management verifications in Interreg (Greek controllers's network, Thessaloniki, Greece, 13-14.07.2023)
- Risk-based management verifications in Interreg (event, Tallin, Estonia, 28.09.2023)
- Risk-based management verifications in Interreg (event, Budapest, Hungary, 07.11.2024)
At the Interreg Knowledge Fair 2024, a session explored the effectiveness of the simplifications introduced in 2021-27, and supported an exchange of 'on the ground' experiences. A controller workshop dedicated to management verification took place in May 2024.
What we are working on
A certified training for Management verification has been developed within the framework of Interact Academy. It is specifically designed to support controllers of Interreg programmes. Its first cohort has been completed in late 2024. New cohorts of the certified training are starting every half year.
In addition to annual network events for Controllers, Interact offers advisories upon request to support the exchange within a defined geography.
Contact
For more information please contact Alexandra Kulmer.
Exchange Community
Interact offers an online space for controllers working in Management Verification to share information and exchange. If you would like to learn more about this, please contact Alexandra Kulmer.
If you are already a member of the Community, you can access it here.