The Council adopted its position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting for the period 2021-2027 (Pericles IV programme) and repealing regulation (EU) No 331/2014.
The proposed Regulation establishes a programme on exchanges, assistance and training for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (Pericles IV programme), for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027.
Objectives
The aim of the Pericles IV programme is to protect euro banknotes and coins against counterfeiting and related fraud by supporting and supplementing the measures undertaken by the Member States and by assisting the national and competent Union authorities in their efforts to develop close and regular cooperation and exchange of best practices with each other and with the Commission, involving, where appropriate, third countries and international organisations.
The Pericles IV programme will replace the Pericles 2020 programme to ensure its continuation beyond 2020.
Budget
The financial envelope for the implementation of the Pericles IV programme for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 is set at EUR 6 193 284 in current prices. The annual appropriations will be authorised by the European Parliament and the Council within the limits of the multiannual financial framework.
Implementation and forms of EU funding
The Pericles IV programme will be implemented by the Commission in cooperation with the Member States, through regular consultations at different stages of the programme's implementation. In preparing the work programmes, the Commission will have to take into account the ongoing and planned activities of the European Central Bank (ECB) and Europol to combat euro counterfeiting and related fraud.
The exchange of information on best practice in the prevention of counterfeiting and fraud involving the euro is one of the actions eligible for financial support. Technical, scientific and operational assistance that appears necessary in the framework of the programme is also eligible, as is the purchase of equipment to be used by specialised anti-counterfeiting authorities of third countries for protecting the euro against counterfeiting.
Co-financing rates
The co-financing rate for grants awarded under the Pericles IV programme shall not exceed 75 % of the eligible costs. In exceptional and duly justified cases, defined in the annual work programmes, the co-financing rate shall not exceed 90 % of the eligible costs.
Work programmes
The work programme should be adopted by means of implementing acts and the Commission could adopt delegated acts to supplement the Regulation in order to develop the provisions for a monitoring and evaluation framework, and to amend the Annex in order to revise and supplement the indicators where necessary for the purpose of evaluation.
Evaluation indicators
The programme would be closely monitored on the basis of the following key indicators:
- the number of counterfeit euros detected;
- the number of illegal workshops dismantled;
- the number of competent authorities applying for the programme;
- the satisfaction rate of participants in actions financed by the programme; and
- feedback from participants who have already taken part in previous Pericles actions on the impact of the programme.
The collection of data for the key performance indicators should be carried out by the Commission and/or the beneficiaries of the programme.