MPJD subsidies scandal: Money is spent without control and documentation

The National Audition Office (ZKA) has ascertained serious weaknesses in the management of subsidies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspore (MPJD) for 2024, where a budget of 1,241,200 euros for subsidies and transfers has been spent around 1.168,623 euros, mainly on projects supporting the diaspora.

According to regulations no. 04/2017 for public financing of non-governmental organisations, MPJD is obliged to seek full tax documentation and financial reports from the beneficiaries of subsidies. But during the audit, ZKA found that this is not being implemented properly.

In the case of the 17,500-euro “Youth Camp from the Rural Zones of Kosovo and the Diaspore” project, the beneficiary presented an expired tax check and did not provide evidence for tax statements delivered, neither the financial nor the narrative report, as the contract predicts.

According to the audience, these violations are the result of apparent weaknesses in the MPJD's internal controls, which, while preparing the annual financial support plan for 2024, had not delivered it to the prime minister's office, as required by regulations, writes Democracy. com, Transmitt Periscope.

This situation raises serious doubts about transparency and accountability in the use of public funds and risks the money going to subjects that do not meet legal criteria. The lack of reporting and auditing could compromise the achievement of the goals for which these means are destined.

ZKA recommends that the ministry undertake urgent measures to improve monitoring and control of the subvention process, ensuring that only beneficiaries meeting clear criteria will receive financial support and that public money be used properly.

The MPJD management has accepted auditing findings and has pledged to improve the processes, but the lack of concrete actions so far leaves room for suspicion of seriousness and accountability in managing these funds. /Periscope