Is the billions of EU funds sent to Turkey for refugee assistance actually making an impact?

European Union auditors are raising concerns about the effectiveness of the billions of euros sent to Turkey to help with Syrian refugees. Despite the EU committing at least €6 billion to Turkey in 2016 to prevent migrants from crossing into Europe, auditors are unable to determine if the money is being used as intended.

Turkey initially reported a significant decrease in the number of migrants crossing into Greece after the deal was implemented. However, recent audits have revealed a lack of transparency regarding the impact of EU-funded projects in Turkey. The European Court of Auditors found that Turkey’s education ministry refused to provide crucial information needed to assess the effectiveness of the projects.

Specifically, auditors are seeking data on the schools receiving EU support, the number of refugee students enrolled, and the success rates of these students compared to Turkish pupils. Without this information, auditors are unable to measure the impact and sustainability of the education projects funded by the EU.

While some progress has been made in providing support to refugees and host communities in Turkey, auditors also identified weaknesses in the EU’s assessment of project budgets. The European Commission, responsible for ensuring the proper use of EU funds, did not systematically evaluate project costs or compare expenses across different projects.

As questions linger about the allocation and impact of EU funds in Turkey, auditors are calling for greater transparency and accountability to ensure that the money is effectively supporting refugees and host communities in need.