Workshop Documentation on Budgetary Control of NGOs’ Financing from the EU Budget

Studie 15-02-2017

In the context of an own-initiative rapport (rapporteur: Markus Pieper, EPP), the CONT Committee decided last year to contract a study on “Democratic accountability and budgetary control of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) funded by the EU budget” to experts from the consultancy Blomeyer&Sanz. The study was presented in a pre-release version last November. It identified difficulties in terms of data availability and transparency, stemming from the fragmentation of European Commission’s systems. It also concluded that the existence of multiple, complex, overlapping NGOs networks pose significant challenges to accountability and transparency, as does the emergence of new and innovative funding mechanisms that do not involve large institutional donors. The workshop followed on the findings of the study and aimed at providing the CONT Committee with views of NGOs, in presence of European Commission’s and Court of Auditors’ representatives. The authors of the study, now finalised and updated with feedback received, were also present to comment. Considering the limited timing, the workshop focused on the examples of development policy, and environment policy (LIFE programme). This document can not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. The workshop was public and live webstreamed. The video record can be found under the following link: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/en/committees/video?event=20170206-1600-COMMITTEE-CONT