On Monday 20 June, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) will publish a special report on the durability of investments to improve and diversify the EU’s rural economy.

Since 2007, the Commission has spent about €24 billion of rural development funds to diversify its rural economy and improve infrastructure. Funded projects were required to remain operational for at least five years.

The auditors examined whether these investments delivered durable benefits. They will show that durability of EU-funded projects varied across sectors and member states, and that there may be the risk of diversion of projects for private use, for instance in the tourist accommodation field.