The European Court of Auditors (ECA) today published its work programme for 2023 and beyond, listing its audit priorities for the near future. These will cover a broad range of issues, reflecting the EU’s main challenges and key concerns in its response to the multiple crises it is facing. The auditors will continue to check whether the EU is making good use of taxpayers’ money to achieve the intended results.

The ECA’s 2023+ work programme contains a list of 82 topics linked to strategic priority areas. For example, 12 audits cover the €800 billion “NextGenerationEU” (NGEU) pandemic recovery package, mainly covering the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Under “climate change, the environment and natural resources”, the work programme lists 21 audits, including on energy security, pollution, animal transport and sustainable food production. The ECA will also look into the EU’s external action, such as the aid for refugees, military mobility and the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

“Every citizen of the EU and its Member States is being confronted with the effects of multiple crises: the global pandemic, rapid climate change and, more recently, a massive energy, security and migration crisis caused by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine”, said ECA President Tony Murphy. “We, as the EU’s independent auditor, will therefore check that the EU funds were well spent to help overcome the effects of these multiple crises.”