Agencies’ use of grants: not always appropriate or demonstrably effective

EFSA conducted a robust ex ante evaluation of its grant and procurement projects (Box 2), uses a guidance scheme to assist management in deciding upon the most appropriate funding mechanism and has made use of simplified cost options where appropriate. The verification procedures for financial grants implementation were further enhanced in spring 2015.

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For the recommendation on grant monitoring and reporting systems based on result and impact-oriented key performance indicators as well as ex-post evaluation results, EFSA recognises that there is room for further improvement to set relevant impact indicators in its programming documents.

EFSA notes that the recommendations made in this report are not agency specific.

The EFSA has a 6-point guidance scheme to assist management in deciding upon the most appropriate funding mechanism.

In cases where EFSA does not receive a satisfactory proposal under the grant route, it can decide to enlarge the audience and go for the procurement route that is open to all interested organisations (taking due care to avoid conflict of interests).

In 2013, EFSA carried out an extensive and dedicated ex-post evaluation of its science procurement and grants program and its contribution to EFSA core tasks.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Appropriate use of the grant funding tool

EFSA has a 6-point guidance scheme to assist management in deciding upon the most appropriate funding mechanism.

In cases where EFSA does not receive a satisfactory proposal under the grant route, it can decide to enlarge the audience and go for the procurement route that is open to all interested organisations (taking due care to avoid conflict of interests).

Special Report No 12/2016: Agencies’ use of grants: not always appropriate or demonstrably effective can be accessed on European Court of Auditors website http://www.eca.europa.eu/.

Source: European Court of Auditors