The 25th IQ-Net meeting took place in Kifissia, Athens (Greece) on 19-21 November 2008. It was hosted by the Management Organisation Unit (MOU) and the Region of Attica.

The conference was centred on the topic of financial management, control and audit, but also provided an opportunity to review the progress with the implementation of 2007-2013 programmes, as well as the latest developments with respect to the closure of 2000-2006 programmes.

The plenary session started with the European Policies Research Centre (EPRC) review of the progress with the implementation of the 2007-2013 Operational Programmes (OPs). The report outlined the positive aspects and challenges the launch of the OPs has introduced as well as the methods developed by the partners to address these issues. In the face of approaching closure deadlines for the 2000-2006 programmes, the report also referred to the partners’ efforts on ensuring maximum absorption of funds while preparing the submission of the final closure documents.

The main topic of the conference was further elaborated with the EPRC presentation on the financial management, control and audit arrangements of the 2007-2013 partner programmes. Given the increasing emphasis on financial management, control and audit in European Union Cohesion policy in recent years, the presentation examined ongoing challenges and explored the experiences of authorities in 15 member-states in designing and implementing financial management, control and audit systems for the 2007-2013 programming period. Mr Nicholas Martyn, Director of the Audit Directorate of DG Regional Policy, contributed to the discussion by presenting the Commission’s perspective on the subject. 

The discussion continued during the interactive workshop session, conducted according to the format of the “World Café technique” with delegates divided into five groups and a group facilitator managing each group’s discussion. Organised around three discussion segments, this session provided partners the opportunity to exchange opinions, views and experiences in small working groups.

Apart from the meeting sessions, the 3-day conference agenda included visits of projects in Attica region, which have benefited from Structural Funds support.  Delegates had the opportunity to enjoy

• a projection in the Foundation of the Hellenic World’s virtual reality theatre “Tholos” and
• have a first-hand experience of the activities of the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens by visiting two of the Foundation’s numerous laboratories.