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Economy and Finance

Pericles 2020 programme – Exchanges, assistance & training

About the Pericles 2020 programme

The Pericles 2020 programme funds staff exchanges, seminars, trainings and studies for law enforcement and judicial authorities, banks and others involved in combating euro-counterfeiting. Actions can take place in the euro area, in EU countries outside the euro area and in third countries. Since 2015 applications by all EU Member States' competent authorities can be introduced to receive co-financing. The DG ECFIN can also initiate actions to complement Member States' initiatives. The Pericles 2020 programme dedicates a bit more than € 7,3 million for the implementation of the programme, for the period between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2020.

Aim and objectives

The aim of the Programme is to prevent and combat counterfeiting and related fraud, thus enhancing the competitiveness of the Union's economy and securing the sustainability of public finances. The specific objective of the 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 assisting the competent national and Union authorities in their efforts to develop among themselves and with the Commission a close and regular cooperation and an exchange of best practice, where appropriate including third countries and international organisations.

Legal basis:

Council Regulation (EU) No 331/2014

Council Regulation (EU) No 2015/768

Annual reports:

'Pericles 2020' Annual Report concerning the implementation and the results of the Pericles programme for 2020

'Pericles 2020' Annual Report concerning the implementation and the results of the Pericles programme for 2019

'Pericles 2020' Annual Report concerning the implementation and the results of the Pericles programme for 2018

'Pericles 2020' Annual Report concerning the implementation and the results of the Pericles programme for 2017

'Pericles 2020' Annual Report concerning the implementation and the results of the Pericles programme for 2016

'Pericles 2020' Annual Report concerning the implementation and the results of the Pericles programme for 2015 (Annex 1/ Annex2)

'Pericles 2020' Annual Report concerning the implementation and the results of the Pericles programme for 2014

Report concerning the implementation and the results of the Pericles programme 2006-2013

Evaluation of the Pericles programme 2006-2013, final report

Mid-term Evaluation under Article 13 (4) of the 'Pericles 2020' Regulation

COM Communication (COM(2017) 741 final)

Staff Working Document (SWD(2017) 444 final) Executive Summary

Staff Working Document (SWD(2017) 443 final)

Evaluation Roadmap

Terms of References for the external study

The report by the external contractor

Final evaluation under Article 13 (6) of the 'Pericles 2020' Regulation

Staff Working Document (SWD(2022) 208 final) Executive Summary

Staff Working Document (SWD(2022) 0207 final) EVALUATION REPORT on the final evaluation of the Programme for exchange, assistance and training for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting ('Pericles 2020' Programme)

4 AUGUST 2022
The report by the external contractor
English
(2.6 MB - PDF)
Download

What assistance is available?

The technical, scientific and operational support provided by Pericles takes two forms:

  • grants – co-financing for specific projects proposed by the relevant national authorities in response to its calls for proposals. This includes:
    • 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 of third countries for protecting the euro against counterfeiting.
  • projects initiated by the Commission – transnational conferences, training and workshops, in EU countries and outside the EU.

Who is eligible?

Bodies eligible for funding under the Programme shall be the competent national authorities as defined in point (b) of Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001.
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.

Past grants & projects
In previous years, Pericles has funded training seminars, workshops and conferences, staff exchanges, operational cross-border activities, scientific studies and the development of technical support tools and educational materials. For a complete list of the projects financed in previous years please follow the links below.

26 JANUARY 2021
Pericles Programme 2020
English
(270.38 KB - PDF)
Download
14 JANUARY 2020
Pericles Programme 2019
English
(256.86 KB - PDF)
Download
8 FEBRUARY 2019
Pericles Programme 2018
English
(252.83 KB - PDF)
Download
27 FEBRUARY 2018
Pericles Programme 2017
English
(201.93 KB - PDF)
Download
17 FEBRUARY 2017
Pericles Programme 2016
English
(242.78 KB - PDF)
Download
22 FEBRUARY 2016
Pericles Programme 2015
English
(229.78 KB - PDF)
Download
19 MARCH 2015
Pericles Programme 2014
English
(223.36 KB - PDF)
Download
30 JANUARY 2014
Pericles Programme 2013
English
(192.43 KB - PDF)
Download
10 NOVEMBER 2012
Pericles Programme 2012
English
(43.8 KB - PDF)
Download

How to apply?

The Pericles 2020 programme - 2020 ECFIN 003/C5

Contact us

Contact us at ECFIN-PERICLESatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ECFIN-PERICLES[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)