What principle of grant management indicates actions already completed are not eligible for EU funding?

The principle that indicates actions already completed are not eligible for EU funding is the non-retroactive principle. This principle asserts that funding can only be applied to costs that occur after the grant agreement has been signed and does not cover expenses incurred prior to that date. This is crucial for ensuring that the funding is directed towards new activities that meet the objectives of the grant rather than retroactively financing actions that have already been taken.

In the context of grant management, this principle aims to prevent the misuse of funds where applicants might have performed activities without the assurance of funding. By reinforcing the non-retroactive nature of funding, grant management organizations can ensure that their resources are being used effectively and for their intended purposes. This ultimately supports accountability and transparent use of public funds in projects financed by the EU.

Understanding this principle helps stakeholders in project management to plan and execute activities in alignment with funding requirements, allowing future tasks to be adequately financed while avoiding previous expenditures that do not qualify for support.