Article 11Monitoring
1
The Commission shall ensure that:
a
for any action financed by the Programme under an action grant, the beneficiary submit annually a technical and financial report on the progress of work and a final report after completion of the action; and
b
for any work programme financed by the Programme under an operating grant, the beneficiary submit annually an activity and financial report on the implementation of the work programme and a final report after the end of the period of eligibility for Community funding.
The Commission shall determine the form and content of the reports referred to in points (a) and (b).
2
Without prejudice to the audits carried out by the Court of Auditors in liaison with the competent national audit bodies or department pursuant to Article 248 of the Treaty, or any inspection carried out pursuant to point (b) of the first subparagraph of Article 279(1) of the Treaty, officials and other staff of the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks, including sample checks, on actions financed under the Programme and in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities12. Where necessary, investigations shall be conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and these shall be governed by Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and the Council13.
3
The Commission shall ensure that contracts and agreements resulting from the implementation of the Programme provide, in particular, for supervision and financial control by the Commission (or any representative authorised by it), including by OLAF, and for audits — if necessary on-the-spot — by the Court of Auditors.
4
Commission staff and outside personnel authorised by the Commission shall have appropriate right of access, in particular to the beneficiary’s offices and to all the information, including information in electronic format, needed in order to conduct such audit.
5
The Court of Auditors and OLAF shall enjoy the same rights, in particular as regards access, as the Commission.
6
The beneficiary of an operating or action grant shall keep available for the Commission all the supporting documents, including the audited financial statement, regarding expenditure incurred during the grant year, for a period of 5 years following the last payment. The beneficiary of such a grant shall ensure that, where applicable, supporting documents in the possession of partners or members are made available to the Commission.
7
On the basis of the results of the reports and sample checks referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the Commission shall ensure that, if necessary, the scale or the conditions of allocation of the financial support originally approved and the timetable for payments are adjusted.
8
The Commission shall ensure that all steps necessary to verify that the actions financed are carried out properly and in compliance with this Decision and the Financial Regulation are taken.