Pericles 2020

The Pericles programme is an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting. It is administered by OLAF.
The Pericles 2020 programme aims at combating euro-counterfeiting in Europe and worldwide. It funds exchanges, assistances and training for authorities, banks and others involved in the protection of euro coins and banknotes.
With the overall aim to protect the euro against counterfeiting, Pericles works to raise awareness and to act as a catalyst for closer cooperation between relevant structures and staff. It also seeks improving the general understanding of relevant European and international laws and instruments.

Objectives

The specific objective of the Programme shall be to protect the euro banknotes and coins against counterfeiting and related fraud, by supporting and supplement the measures undertaken by the Member States and assisting the competent national and European authorities in their efforts to develop between themselves and with the European Commission a close and regular cooperation, also including third countries and international organisations.
This objective shall be measured, inter alia, through the effectiveness of action by financial, technical, law-enforcement and judicial authorities, as measured through the number of counterfeits detected, illegal workshops dismantled, individuals arrested and sanctions imposed.

The short-term objectives of the Programme shall encompass:

raising awareness of the Union and international dimension of the euro; expanding general knowledge related to the protection of the euro;
supporting the prevention and contributing to repression of euro counterfeiting and related fraud through specialised training and assistance in these areas;
promoting convergence of high-level training activities for trainers, taking into consideration national operational strategies;
encouraging closer cooperation between the structures and staff concerned, developing mutual trust and exchanging information, inter alia of methods of action, experience and work practices;
supporting the development of specific legal and judicial protection of the euro;
increasing the level of protection of the euro in those countries that have been evaluated as being at risk by supporting the purchase of specific equipments.

Status

running

Target Group

Organizations

Activities

Demonstration and investment activities

Subjects

Business and economics, Security

Source Regions

European Union

Source Countries

Eligible Regions

World wide

Eligible Countries

Grant Types

Cooperation, collaboration

Funding Bodies

Languages

Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish Gaelic, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish

Support Types

Deadline Date

Programme

Programme Owner

European Commission

Managing Authority

European Commission

About

Services

Website

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/pericles/index_en.htm

Legal Source

Proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL Regulation establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the 'Pericles 2020' programme)

Supporting Programme

Resources

http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/index_en.htm

Refering Grants

Annual

yes

Focus

Programme shall encompass:

raising awareness of the Union and international dimension of the euro; expanding general knowledge related to the protection of the euro;
supporting the prevention and contributing to repression of euro counterfeiting and related fraud through specialised training and assistance in these areas;
promoting convergence of high-level training activities for trainers, taking into consideration national operational strategies;
encouraging closer cooperation between the structures and staff concerned, developing mutual trust and exchanging information, inter alia of methods of action, experience and work practices;
supporting the development of specific legal and judicial protection of the euro;
increasing the level of protection of the euro in those countries that have been evaluated as being at risk by supporting the purchase of specific equipments.

Duration

2014-2020

Proposal Submission

Supported activities

Awareness raising actions on the need for close cooperation between competent authorities
Awareness raising actions on legislation related to the protection of the euro
Training related to legislation, cooperation, investigation and security features of the euro
Develop and strengthen mechanisms and exchange of best practises
Purchase of equipment to be used by specialised anti-counterfeiting agencies in third countries for protecting the euro against counterfeiting;

The Programme provides financial support to the following actions (in the form of grants or public procurement):

Exchange and dissemination of information, in particular through organising workshops, meetings and seminars including training , targeted placements and exchanges of staff of competent national authorities and other similar actions;
Technical, scientific and operational assistance , as appears necessary as part of the programme
Grants to finance the purchase of equipment to be used by specialised anti-counterfeiting authorities for protecting the euro against counterfeiting

Implementation

Pericles is implemented and coordinated by the Commission/OLAF in close cooperation with the Member States. Coordination covers initiatives taken by other bodies, in particular the ECB and Europol. Calls for proposals are published annually. Member States' competent national authorities or the Commission can present proposals.

Terms And Conditions

Legal basis: Regulation (EU) No 331/2014 establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the 'Pericles 2020' programme)
Link: Regulation

Budget

€ 7 344 000 (current prices).

Available Calls

Total Funding Amount

Selection Criteria

The programme, besides Member States, is open for candidate or other third countries with existing agreements. The participation of countries, where the euro circulates as an official currency, is particularly encouraged.

The Programme shall target participation of the following groups:

	(a)	staff of agencies engaged in detecting and combating counterfeiting (in particular police forces and financial administrations, depending on their specific functions at national level);
	(b)	intelligence personnel;
	(c)	representatives of the national central banks, the mints, commercial banks and other financial intermediaries (particularly as regards the obligations of financial institutions);
	(d)	judicial officers, specialist lawyers and members of the judiciary in this field;
	(e)	any other group of specialists concerned (such as chambers of commerce and industry or comparable structures capable of providing access to small and medium-sized enterprises, retailers and cash-in-transit companies).

Pericles primarily provides assistance to:

national law enforcement agencies, national central banks and issuing institutions and judicial authorities in the public sector and
commercial banks, money exchange offices and the cash-operated industry in the private sector.

Pericles 2014-2020 will have an increased rate of cofinancing - up to a maximum of 90% of eligible costs, in duly substantiated exceptional cases.

Open To

EU countries and Thirs Countries with existing agreements.

Notes