The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has launched an interactive map that allows the public to access audit findings on the EU’s 43 agencies. These agencies, located in 23 member states and employing over 17,000 people, are responsible for implementing technical, scientific, and managerial tasks that support EU policies. Together, they account for about 4% of the entire EU budget.
The ECA says it aims to promote transparency, accountability, and sound financial management across these agencies. “At the European Court of Auditors (ECA), we work to enhance transparency, accountability, and good financial management in the EU – the aim is to earn citizens’ trust in how the EU spends their money. This also extends to the EU agencies, of course. Have you ever wondered what our audits reveal about them? Now you can find out with just one click!”
EU agencies perform a range of functions from law enforcement cooperation to food safety and environmental protection. The best-known include Frontex in Warsaw, EUIPO in Alicante, and Europol in The Hague.
The new interactive map enables users to explore audit results by agency or country. It provides information on whether agency accounts are reliable, if financial transactions comply with legal standards, and how efficiently funds are managed according to policy objectives.
According to the ECA’s latest audits, “the auditors have found that the financial management of the EU’s 43 agencies is slightly better than in previous years.” However, ongoing problems remain: “once again, the auditors have detected issues with budgetary management, management and control systems, and public procurement procedures – still by far the main source of irregularities. 33 agencies need to improve in several areas, the auditors warn.”
Findings from these audits inform decisions by both the European Parliament and Council regarding discharge—the formal approval of each agency’s financial management.
“Our findings are not merely critical: they help agencies to evolve and improve, thereby enhancing trust in EU public administration,” said an ECA spokesperson.
The interactive map consolidates all audit results into a single visual tool designed for easy navigation. Users can zoom into any country or agency for detailed reports.
Feedback on both audits and this new tool is welcomed by the ECA: “We would be happy to know what you think of our audits and our interactive map. Just click here, and your feedback will reach us directly.”