The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) concluded its inquiry in December 2024 with a financial and administrative recommendation for the recovery of funds related to a conflict of interest in the “Polos de Inovação Digital” projects under Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), according to the IAPMEI, the intermediary managing these projects.
IAPMEI emphasized its full cooperation with OLAF’s investigation into potential conflicts of interest in project evaluations, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and proper management of European funds, and ensuring compliance with PRR obligations.
Reports indicate OLAF identified a conflict of interest involving a digital innovation project evaluated by an expert connected to a university within one of the consortia selected for PRR support.
OLAF’s 2024 annual report unearthed a conflict during the early selection stages of PRR funding applications, communicating the issue to the responsible implementing body, yet remaining unresolved.
The report suggests the responsible body failed to suspend the implicated activities, breaching Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (MRR) and Financial Regulation rules, as per OLAF.
Though specifics on the project and responsible entity remain undisclosed in OLAF’s report, the project referred to concerns ‘Digital Innovation Hubs’ managed by IAPMEI, with PRR funding of 362,104 euros.
‘Digital Innovation Hubs’ consist of collaborative networks including universities and digital competence centers, aimed at aiding SMEs and public administration in developing and testing digital solutions.
