Fraud fight statement
September 2016
The City of Vienna, acting as Managing Authority of the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme, is – according to its administrative capacity - committed to protect the EU and public funds entrusted against fraud and corruption.
The term fraud is commonly used to describe a wide range of misconducts including theft, corruption, embezzlement, bribery, forgery, misrepresentation, collusion, money laundering and concealment of material facts. It often involves the use of deception to make a personal gain for oneself, a connected person or a third party, or a loss for another – intention is the key element that distinguishes fraud from irregularity.
Fraud does not just have a potential financial impact, but can also cause damage to the reputation of organisations responsible for effectively and efficiently managing funds. This is of particular importance for a public organisation responsible for the management of public funding in general and EU funding in particular.
Corruption is the abuse of power for private gain.
Conflict of interests exists where the impartial and objective exercise of the official functions of a person are compromised for reasons involving family, emotional life, political or national affinity, economic interest or any other shared interest with e.g. an applicant for or a recipient of EU funds.
The Managing Authority has a zero tolerance policy to fraud and corruption.
We have identified the most likely areas for fraud in our Programmes and projects and have set up robust control systems, measures and procedures in order to follow-up on all suspected cases that will be highlighted to us.
With our Member State representatives, we will furthermore seek action on national level in line with their administrative and legal proceedings, wherever need arises.
The Managing Authority expects all employees and representatives of the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme to act as good examples in ensuring adherence to legal requirements, regulations, codes of conduct, administrative procedures and practices.
Through this anti-fraud policy we clearly put forward our intention to:
- Promote a culture which deters fraudulent activities
- Facilitate the prevention and detection of fraud
- Develop procedures which will aid in the investigation of fraud and related offenses and which will ensure that such cases are dealt in a timely, transparent and appropriate manner
The responsibility for an anti-fraud culture is the joint work of all those involved in the EU programmes and projects.
We therefore also encourage all partners, contractors, employees, or the general public to assist in preventing fraud from taking place, putting into place proportionate measures to detect it and making it transparent.
