May272022

Unisocietat Requena debates on Next Generation funds

#TrainingAVAF

The Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency participated on May 26, 2022, in the Unisocietat training activity of the University of Valencia organized in Requena to discuss the control of the Next Generation.

This activity is carried out within the framework of the collaboration agreement between the Agency and the University of Valencia and aims to raise social awareness of collective ethics and the prevention of fraud and corruption in all areas of public life throughout the Valencian territory.

The conference was given by the professor of Administrative Law at the University of Valencia, Reyes Marzal Raga, who delved into the Next Generation European mechanism or European Recovery Fund created to overcome the consequences of the Covid-19 health crisis. In this sense, it must be remembered that Spain, through Royal Decree Law 36/2020, of December 30, approved urgent measures for the modernization of the Public Administration and for the execution of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.

During the conference, Professor Marzal analyzed all aspects of the new regulatory framework, and the need to articulate adequate control mechanisms to avoid cases of fraud or corruption.

The representative of the Agency, Anselm Bodoque, none of the Training Service, focused the speech by explaining the functions and independence of the AVAF, as well as talking about the complaint’s mailbox and the protection of people who, in the face of potential cases, alert about corruption. Likewise, he recalled that the annual economic costs of corruption and fraud in Spain are, according to the IMF, 60,000 million euros, an amount that multiplies by four the annual contributions that Spain will receive for the Next Generation funds in the next five years.

The conference was attended by 17 people in person and generated a debate on the difficulties of reporting based on fear, ignorance and the effects of reporting. The interventions of the attendees insisted on the value of the quality of public services, as well as on the social and economic costs of corruption.

 

May262022

The UMH and the Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency carry out joint actions in the field of prevention and fight against fraud

Elche, may 25, 2022.- The rector of the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) of Elche, Juan José Ruiz, and the director of the Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency (AVAF), Joan Llinares, have signed a collaboration framework agreement. Through this agreement, both entities will develop joint actions in the field of prevention and fight against fraud.

On behalf of the UMH, the signing was also attended by the manager, Emma Benlloch, and the head of the Internal Control Service, Francisca Moya. For its part, representing the AVAF have been present the deputy director and Legal Affairs, Teresa Clemente, and the director of Prevention and Training, Víctor Almonacid.

Among the actions that will be carried out, the carrying out of outreach, training and research activities stand out; access to bibliographical and documentation collections; the use of premises and facilities for holding specific activities; or collaboration and assistance in the field of new technologies. This framework agreement also includes the possibility of signing specific agreements for carrying out internships for UMH students at the Valencian Agency itself, as well as training actions for University staff.

May252022

The Alicante Provincial Council and the Agency sign a collaboration protocol to prevent corruption and defend public integrity

Alicante. May 24, 2022.- The Alicante Provincial Council and the Agency have signed a collaboration protocol with which the development of joint projects begins. The document has been signed by the first vice president and deputy for the transparency area, Julia Parra, and the director of AVAF, Joan Llinares.

The first action to be implemented as a result of this protocol will be to set up an external complaints mailbox that could be operational within two months. Work has already begun on this new resource that will be accessible from the Diputación’s electronic headquarters and also through the Transparency Portal (https://abierta.diputacionalicante.es/).

This tool is mainly aimed at the strategic areas of hiring, subsidies and access to the public function, which includes different profiles such as contractors, applicants for public aid or participants in personnel selection processes. The channel complies with the new applicable regulations and will allow any third party, and also any employee, to file complaints with guarantees and while maintaining their anonymity, so that an impartial body can resolve their claim.

In a later phase, the Diputación’s Transparency area will implement the internal complaints channel, for which collaboration with AVAF will also be sought. This second initiative, which will be put into operation next year, is aimed at Provincial Council employees with the aim of implementing mechanisms to guarantee public integrity. It is also planned to develop other projects such as a code of ethics for the staff of the Provincial Council.