On 18 November 2025, the House of Governance and Public Policy (GaPP) at the Stockholm School of Economics welcomed Eva Lindström, former member of the European Court of Auditors and long-time senior official in Swedish public administration, for an engaging Lunch & Learn talk titled “Money Well Spent? On Evaluation and Audit in Sweden and the EU.”

The event was co-organized with the Student Association at the Stockholm School of Economics and attracted strong student interest, with spots filling up quickly.

Eva together with the student co-organizers. Photo: Johanna Ståhlberg

Lessons from a career in public service

Drawing on her extensive career, from Budget Director at the Ministry of Finance to Auditor General at the Swedish National Audit Office, and later State Secretary for state-owned enterprises, Eva Lindström offered unique insights into how evaluation and audit underpin trust, transparency, and effective governance.

She described how Sweden’s administrative model, built on autonomous agencies and a high level of public-sector trust, relies on clear responsibilities and systematic follow-up to ensure results. The discussion also explored the role of the European Court of Auditors in monitoring the EU’s €200 billion budget and supporting accountability to the European Parliament.

“Public money is the means, not the end. In the public sector, success isn’t measured by profit but by impact and trust,” said Eva Lindström during the session.

Students during the lunch lecture. Photo: Sofia Fransson

Encouragement for the next generation

The talk concluded with practical career advice for students interested in governance, evaluation, and public-sector leadership. Eva encouraged students to “finish their studies, broaden their academic horizons, master multiple languages, build networks - and trust their gut.”

The session received extremely positive feedback from attendees, who appreciated both the personal reflections and the professional insights.

“Eva’s tips were very valuable for young people, and she gave an excellent overview of a field many hadn’t encountered before. We at GaPP are very grateful that she shared her time and experience with us,” said the event organizers.

The lecture concluded with a Q&A session, giving students the opportunity to engage directly with Eva and ask their own questions. Photo: Johanna Ståhlberg

About GaPP Lunch & Learn

GaPP’s Lunch & Learn series connects students with practitioners and policymakers who work at the intersection of governance, accountability, and economic policy. By bringing real-world perspectives into the classroom, the series aims to inspire students to explore careers in public administration and policy.