Canary Islands Government Approves Anti-Fraud Measures Plan

Date and Approval

• On May 22, 2025, the Canary Islands government officially approved a comprehensive Anti-Fraud Measures Plan for the Department of Universities, Science, Innovation, and Culture.

Objectives and Alignment

• The plan aligns with European Union directives and national regulations.
• Its primary aim is to prevent, detect, and correct fraudulent activities associated with the management of Next Generation EU funds and Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (MRR) projects.

Cultural Emphasis

• It emphasizes a proactive culture of ethics and transparency among high-level officials and staff.
• Key initiatives include:
  • Development of codes of conduct
  • Mandatory declarations of conflicts of interest
  • Mandatory training programs

Control System and Measures

• Central to the plan is a robust system of controls distributed across:
  • Prevention
  • Detection
  • Correction
  • Prosecution stages
• The system includes:
  • Risk assessments using matrices
  • Flags for alert ('banderas rojas')
  • Secure channels for whistleblowing
• Establishes clear responsibilities for:
  • Department heads
  • Units
  • External entities
• Incorporates mechanisms for:
  • Immediate response to suspicious activities
  • Reporting to European and state authorities

Review and Guidelines

• The plan mandates annual reviews and updates to adapt to:
  • Emerging risks
  • Changes in operational practices
• Contains specific guidelines for:
  • Managing conflicts of interest
  • Preventing double funding
  • Ensuring no significant environmental harm (DNSH principle)

Goals and Values

• The ultimate goal is to foster a culture of integrity
• Ensures:
  • Proper use of funds
  • Minimization of legal risks
  • Reinforcement of public trust in the responsible management of EU resources