Romania: The NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network decided to set up a communication plan to prevent fraud with European funds

The Fight Against Fraud Department - DLAF coordinated the second meeting of the NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network, held virtually on 22 October.

DLAF opened the discussions on the establishment of a joint Communication Plan, which will create an integrated communication of all the member institutions of NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network. The implementation of the Communication Plan is occasioned by the adoption, in December 2023, of the „National Anti-Fraud Strategy for the protection of the Financial Interests of the European Union in Romania 2023-2027” (NAFS), which establishes that one of the main objectives is the prevention of fraud with European funds. Communication is involved in achieving this goal. As a result, the implementation stages aimed at creating the NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network at the beginning of 2024, which includes communication and PR specialists from several public institutions engaged in the fight against fraud with European funds and setting up annual communication plans. At this stage, the Network has undertaken to finalise, by the end of the year, a joint strategic document (target audience, messages, logo, communication channels, etc.) and the 2025 action plan.

During the meeting, DLAF presented to the communication specialists the model of good practice of the Anti-fraud Communicators Network (OAFCN), created and coordinated by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Participants were able to find out details about Network’s history, about the flow of relevant information between member institutions and about the communication campaigns carried out by OLAF and the institutions of the OAFCN Network. As an OAFCN member, DLAF highlighted the good collaboration between the Department and OLAF, as also appreciated at the 33^rd Meeting of the OLAF-OAFCN Anti-Fraud Communicators Network (2-3 July 2024). 

As a guest of the meeting, the Ministry of European Investments and Projects (MIPE) provided details on the communication strategy, dedicated to promoting and disseminating information about the programmes financed by the Cohesion Policy, for the programming period 2021-2027, carried out by the Ministry. The institution also provided information on how the National Network of Responsible for the communication of the 2021-2027 programmes works, which it coordinates.

Both the example of the functioning of the OLAF's OAFCN Network and the model of cooperation in the InformEU Network, created by the European Commission, of which MIPE is also part and it presented at the meeting, may be useful in drawing up a strategic and action plan for the NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network.     

Background:

The Fight Against Fraud Department - DLAF is the national coordinator for the communication and dissemination of information on the protection of the financial interests of the European Union in Romania.

The „National Anti-Fraud Strategy for the protection of the Financial Interests of the European Union in Romania 2023-2027” offers the opportunity for Romanian public institutions to set up a joint strategic framework in the fight against fraud with European funds, on several areas.

Read the original press release (in Romanian)