Mid-term evaluation of Regulation (EU) No 250/2014 establishing a programme to promote activities in the field of the protection of the financial interests of the European Union (Hercule III programme)

Background and further information:

The European Commission is conducting a reflection on the type of budget that is needed for the Europe of the future. An efficient and proper spending of the Union budget, including in the Member States, is a key element in building trust of the EU citizens and to boost the strength and added value of the European project. The Hercule programme fits that agenda as it is specifically dedicated to protecting the financial interests of the EU.

The current Hercule III programme, which is administered by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), was established by Regulation 250/2014. The general objective of the programme is 'to protect the financial interests of the Union thus enhancing the competitiveness of the Union's economy and ensuring the protection of taxpayers' money', whereas the programme's specific objective is 'to prevent and combat fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the Union'.

The Regulation requires that the Commission carries out a mid-term evaluation of the programme. The Commission has prepared a Staff Working Document (SWD) that contains the evaluation's detailed findings. As the Regulation requires an independent assessment, the SWD was supported by a study carried out by an external contractor. The evaluation's detailed findings and the methodology employed are described in the SWD. The time period covered by the evaluation is from 1 January 2014 (when the Regulation entered into force) until June 2017.

• Primary Source

EUR-Lex: SWD(2018)3: Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the report http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2018:003:FIN

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