Protecting the EU’s financial interests from fraud and corruption — Hercule III programme

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) No 250/2014 establishing the Hercule III programme

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

The Hercule III programme funds projects to fight fraud, corruption and other illegal activities (e.g. cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting) that run counter to the EU budget and the EU’s financial interests, thus protecting EU taxpayers’ money.

The programme is managed by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

KEY POINTS

The programme’s focus is to:

• develop new actions both at EU level and in EU countries to counter fraud and counterfeiting activities;
• increase cooperation and coordination between EU countries, the Commission and OLAF;
• train staff in EU countries’ and non-EU countries’ administrations, courts and law enforcement systems, educational & research institutes, etc. with a view to fraud prevention.

In the joint procurement of specialised equipment and databases, Hercule III will generate savings for all the parties involved in protecting the EU’s financial interests.

Eligible actions

• 1.
  Technical assistance for EU countries’ authorities could involve, for example:

  • providing specialised knowledge, technically advanced equipment and information technology tools to enable cooperation with authorities in other EU countries and cooperation with the European Commission;
  • ensuring support for investigations, in particular the setting up of joint investigation teams and cross-border operations;
  • providing technical and operational support for the law enforcement authorities of the Member States, including, in particular, customs.
• 2.
  Organisation of targeted specialised training and risk analysis training to:

  • encourage exchanges of experience and best practices between relevant authorities in participating countries;
  • spread knowledge, particularly on better identification of risk for investigative purposes;
  • further raise the awareness of the judiciary and the legal profession of the need for the protection of the financial interests of the Union.

Budget

Hercule III’s budget is €104.9 million for the 2014-20 period. At least 70 % is earmarked for technical assistance and a maximum of 25 % and 5 % respectively for training and other actions to achieve Hercule III’s objectives.

The programme is also open to European Free Trade Association countries in the European Economic Area, European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries, acceding states and candidate and potential candidate countries.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 1 January 2014.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

• About the Hercule Programmes (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) No 250/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 establishing a programme to promote activities in the field of the protection of the financial interests of the European Union (Hercule III programme) and repealing Decision No 804/2004/EC (OJ L 84, 20.3.2014, pp. 6-13)

last update 03.11.2017