NGEU and safeguarding the EU’s financial interest: the challenging roles for the European and the Italian Court of Auditors at the dawn of new paradigms in auditing and protecting the European budget

Unipi Team Leader: Vanessa Manzetti, Department of Political Science 

This project will address one of the most crucial aspects in the field of EU studies: the protection and the safeguarding of the EU financial interest. Following the unprecedented economic shock of the Covid pandemic, the launch of the ‘Next Generation EU’ reinforces the EU Budget to accelerate Member States recovery and create a more resilient European economy. Many citizens hold high expectations regarding the impact of this uniquely high EU Budget and raise their concern on the sound management of funds. This project, embedded in the solid framework of the University of Pisa, will lead to the creation of a unique teaching experience to its students and yet reach far beyond the classroom. It will create a true cluster of knowledge in the protection of the EU and national budgets by bringing together academia with leading experts in the field of public administration. This project designs an innovative teaching experience that creates a lasting cooperation between public administration and academia to discuss, develop and disseminate the best practices of good governance. Over the course of eight dedicated teachings per academic year, students will engage in this field of EU studies and interact with distinguished experts from the national and European institutions. Within this teaching framework, a strong, experienced beneficiary and a reliable network of experts come together to dedicate themselves to fostering the knowledge on the protection of the EU and national budget. This will serve as the starting point of a developing international cluster on excellence in public accountability. Clearly identified target groups will benefit from tailored, sustainable measures to bring this utmost pressing issue from public awareness to profound knowledge. A sophisticated dissemination strategy and genuinely public approach of involvement will strengthen the EUs standing and its recognition in a time that is often considered a “make or break” moment in history.

Start date: 01-10-2022

End date: 30-09-2025

EU Grant: 30.000 € 

Project website: https://nexgen-pfi.sp.unipi.it