OLAF - Pericles: exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting

Objectives and priorities of the Programme

The purpose of the programme is to strengthen the protection of euro banknotes and coins against counterfeiting taking into consideration transnational and multidisciplinary aspects. It seeks to promote content-convergence of the measures taken at European level to combat the counterfeiting of the euro and to ensure equivalence and homogeneity while observing the distinct traditions of each Member State.

The seven years of circulation of the euro cash have a bearing on the priorities for the implementation of the programme. In particular, during the current period, the increasing use of the euro as a global currency, especially outside the euro zone, as well as the improving quality and stable quantity of counterfeit banknotes and coins underline an urgent need for the establishment and completion of the relevant protection structures (e.g.: National Central Offices against counterfeiting) in the at “high risk” third countries with priority on Balkans, East Mediterranean and South America. In addition, it continues to be a priority for the Programme raising awareness of the Community dimension of the protection of the euro with a specific emphasis on new Member States, acceding countries and at risk countries. Particular emphasis will be given to highly specialised training for trainers and promotion of knowledge of the legislative framework for the protection of the euro. Finally, supporting multinational and multidisciplinary coordination among relevant authorities is among the priorities for this year.

Immediate priority actions would therefore include, in both technical and operational fields:

a. Technical, scientific and operational assistance
• Supporting the establishment and/or the functioning of national competent authorities specialised in the fight against currency counterfeiting in the most at risk states, with priority on Balkans, East Mediterranean and South America;
• Providing technical, operational and scientific operational back-up in the prevention and repression of euro counterfeiting;
• Continuous updating of prevention and repression systems;
• Improving technical support facilities for protection of the euro;
• Supporting the gathering of intelligence contributing to the increase in the protection of the euro;

b. Training
• Training trainers in the mechanisms for protecting the euro, including legislation, cooperation, investigation methods and security features of euro notes and coins;
• Contributing to the practical and tactical training of police, judicial and financial staff, with regard to the analysis of counterfeits, judicial cooperation and applicable legislation.

c. Strengthening cooperation
• Developing and strengthening mechanisms, and the exchange of information, for protecting the euro outside the Union by strengthening the role of the National Central Offices mainly with respect to the centralisation of information and the establishment of effective exchange of information with Member States and European Institutions ;
• Promoting convergence of training activities between National Authorities with similar penal structures and methods of investigation;
• Promoting closer cooperation between national experts working in the same field or in different specialisations by creating a network of correspondents at national and European level;
• Creating regional spheres of cooperation, including for third countries and regions;
• Supporting cooperation in cross-border operations.

d. Awareness raising
• Raising awareness of the Community dimension of the protection of the euro and the need for close cooperation between competent authorities to make for more effective protection at European level placing emphasis on sensitive areas, acceding countries and those at risk countries not yet covered by previous events;
• Promotion, within the EU and outside, of general knowledge of legislation on the protection of the euro and of the authorities competent in the field for the legal, technical and operational aspects;
• Increasing awareness among staff concerned with the security features of the new currency, priority being given to staff in the euro area required to handle cash as part of their job;
• Publishing the results achieved, as part of the exchange of information, experience and good practices.

Target groups and eligible actions

a. Target groups
The action shall be addressed to the following categories:
• Staff of services responsible for detecting and combating counterfeiting, in particular police forces and tax administrations, depending on their specific duties at national level;
• Staff of the intelligence services at national level;
• Representatives of national central banks, issuing institutions and other financial intermediaries (especially as regards the obligations of financial institutions);
• Representatives of the commercial banks (especially as regards the obligations of financial institutions);
• National law officers and legal experts specialising in this field;
• Customs
• Any other occupational group concerned (e.g. retailers, casinos, bureaux de change, chambers of commerce and industry or comparable structures acting as relays for SMEs, tradesmen and carriers).

b. Eligible actions
• Training and operational cross-border support activities based on a multidisciplinary, transnational approach covering security aspects, the exchange of technical/strategic information and technical/scientific assistance are eligible.
• Workshops, meetings, seminars and a targeted policy of traineeships and staff exchanges aimed at exchanging information at Community level, with regard in particular to methods of monitoring and analysis, so as to assess:
o the economic and financial impact of counterfeiting;
o the operation of databases;
o use of detection tools with computer back-up;
o enquiry and investigation methods;
o scientific assistance (in particular, scientific databases and new technologies);
o operation of early-warning systems;
o related questions such as the scope of the obligation to provide information;
o protection of personal data;
o the different aspects of cooperation;
o protection of the euro outside the European Union;
o research activities;
o the provision of specific operational expertise.
• Projects aimed at providing technical, scientific and operational assistance, in particular:
o measures to set up educational resources at Community level (collection of European Union legislation, information bulletins, practical manuals, glossaries, databases, especially in the field of scientific assistance or technology watching) or to create IT support applications (e.g. software);
o studies with a multidisciplinary, transnational dimension;
o technical studies and preparation of prototypes for technical infrastructure for the protection of the euro currency;
o development of technical support tools and methods, so as to facilitate detection activities at Community level.

To be eligible for co-financing, measures must have a transnational character involving at least two States.