EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS

NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE

How the EU adapts to climate change

Has the EU done enough for gender equality?

Outreach to key users of our work – what’s the uptake?

Accountability and transparency: Keeping power in check?

COMING UP SOON

How the EU adapts to climate change

The ECA will assess whether EU funding addresses the threat of climate extremes effectively

Unprecedented forest fires in France and Spain in 2022, floods in Belgium and Germany in 2021, heatwaves and devastating droughts across Europe in 2022 and 2023 – the frequency and severity of climate and weather extremes is increasing. This has caused a surge in the number of disasters and the scale of the resulting damage over the last two decades. Because mitigation actions alone cannot prevent the climate impacts that are already occurring, climate adaptation has become essential. Our auditors will check whether EU action in this area addresses the impacts of climate change effectively. (Read more)

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Has the EU done enough for gender equality?

Our auditors found that the reality sometimes falls short of the EU's noble goals

As we’re sure you’re all aware, 8 March is International Women’s Day! A day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, but equally a day to reflect on the long road that still lies ahead to achieve parity between genders. At EU level, legislation continues to be proposed and passed to advance the rights of women and girls. To the extent that EU funds are involved, we at the ECA scrutinised this policy to assess its effectiveness. Our findings were mixed. (Read more)

REACHING OUT

Outreach to key users of our work – what’s the uptake?

How political authorities are informed about the ECA’s findings and suggestions

You of course already knew that the European Court of Auditors is the EU’s financial watchdog. To live up to our name and our mission, our institution regularly raises the alarm when things do not go according to plan. But did you know that we also make concrete suggestions on how to improve EU finances and the plethora of EU programmes across Europe and the world? In order to make a difference in EU citizens’ day-to-day lives, we need to be sure that the authorities in charge of crafting EU laws and ensuring scrutiny of EU finances are listening. In most cases, these are the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and national parliaments, and they find our work impactful. But how do we reach out to them and keep them informed, and why is this crucial for the financial interests of EU citizens? (Read more)

ECA JOURNAL

Accountability and transparency: Keeping power in check?

In this edition we examine the two principles indispensable for effective governance from different angles

The next edition of the ECA Journal, to be published in mid-March, will provide a wide array of perspectives on accountability and transparency in general and on arrangements and practices in the EU in particular. What does the concept of accountability entail, why is it important in the democratic process and what role does audit play in this? What is needed in terms of governance to ensure effective accountability? (Read more)