Chaos in the management of public funds at the National Culture Fund
A new report by the National Audit Office reveals staggering facts about the management of the National Culture Fund (NCF) in the period 2021-2023. The main conclusion is that administrative compliance was prioritized over the artistic merit of projects when distributing subsidies.
"Lack of rules and subjectivity in evaluation, cost overruns, and payment of invoices for underwear and hiking boots as work clothing" – these are some of the auditors' findings.
Main violations:
- Subjectivity in evaluation: Lack of a methodology for evaluating artistic potential; the focus was primarily on the technical formatting of documents.
- Financial abuse: Over 600,000 BGN in salary overruns above the limits approved by the Ministry of Culture.
- Bizarre expenses: 13,779 BGN paid out for "work clothing," including women's underwear, boxer shorts, leggings, and dresses.
- Unauthorized transport cards: Funds spent on cards for individuals who are not employees of the fund.
Lack of control and delays
The audit points out that checks on beneficiary reports have been delayed for years, which has led to financial losses for the state. There is also a serious management vacuum, including an expired term for the governing body.
Although steps have been taken to improve operations as of 2024, the report remains a harsh indictment of the administrative capacity and ethics of the fund's leadership over the past three years.