The EEA and Norway Grants have financed a multi-purpose sports facility in Senec, Slovakia, with the aim of ensuring access to out-of-school sports activities to improve the health of children and young people in the city.
Following allegations of fraud in the project, the donor states commissioned audits of the project. The audit reports clearly indicated that fraud had taken place, and investigations by Slovak authorities confirmed these suspicions.
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have therefore requested Slovak authorities to reimburse the € 668 184 which was paid out in a grant to the project. Slovak authorities are responsible for any follow-up with the project promoter ŠK SFM Senec.
The EEA and Norway Grants practice a zero-tolerance policy with regard to misuse of funds. There is a systematic follow-up on projects and programmes. The donors will impose sanctions no matter how small amounts involved in fraudulent behaviour.
An irregularities report is updated quarterly and published online.