Falcone Programme Annual programme and call for applications for projects for 1998
30. 5. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 165/19 III (Notices) COMMISSION FALCONE PROGRAMME Annual programme and call for applications for projects for 1998 (98/C 165/09) and training On 19 March 1998 the Council of the European Union the multiannual Falcone programme of adopted exchanges, for persons responsible for action to combat organised crimeØ(˛). This programme focuses on activities contributing to the implementation and monitoring of the action plan to combat organised crime, adopted by the Council on 28 April 1997Ø(ˇ). cooperation - to encourage the exchange of experience acquired in the field, - to facilitate the organisation of joint projects, - to assess requirements in terms of cooperation and legislation for implementing the action plan, The programme covers the period 1998Ü2002 and has a proposed financial reference amount of ECU 10 million. The 1998 budget is ECU 2Ø000 000. - to involve the applicant countries in transnational projects. 1. Aims The Falcone programme is intended, through a multidisÜ ciplinary approach to prevention and enforcement, to support projects of benefit to the European Union and involving participants from more than one Member State. In particular it will support training measures and exchanges, research and studies and other ways of improving skills, with the aim of strengthening and faciliÜ tating the struggle against organised crime and reducing such obstacles as may exist to cooperation between the Member States. 2. Content of the programme The Falcone programme provides financial support for projects in the following areas as defined in Article 1(3) of the Joint Action adopted on 19 March 1998: - training, - joint projects improve skills and operational methods in cooperation in the fight against organised crime, to The programme supports the following specific aims: and seminars, - programmes of traineeships, organisation of meetings - to improve knowledge of the phenomena of organised crime, - research, specialised studies, including operational feasibility studies, and assessment, - to improve the professional skills of those responsible for combating organised crime by improving their knowledge of the procedures and legislation in force in the various European countries, - dissemination and exchange of information, - all other measures that may promote the implemenÜ tation of the action plan to combat organised crime. (˛) Joint Action 98/245/JHA (OJ L 99, 31. 3. 1998). (ˇ) OJ C 251, 15. 8. 1997. These measures are directed towards those responsible for the fight against organised crime, as defined in Article 1(2) of the Joint Action, namely judges, public C 165/20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 5. 98 including fight against prosecutors, police and customs departments, civil servants, public tax authorities, authorities responsible for the supervision of financial establishments and public procurement, fraud and the corruption, and representatives of professional circles who may be involved in the implementation of some of the recommendations in the action plan, as well as the academic and scientific world. The projects may involve those responsible in the applicant countries, with a view to helping them prepare for accession, or in other non member countries where it serves the aims of the projects. 3. Scope of the Falcone programme in relation to other programmes The Falcone programme has been set up alongside the other Commission programmes under Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, namely: - Oisin (programme for the exchange and training of, law enforcement authÜ and cooperation between, orities) (OJ L 7, 10. 1. 1997), - Grotius (programme of incentives and exchanges for legal practitioners) (OJ L 287, 8. 11. 1996), - Odysseus (programme of training, exchanges and cooperation in the field of asylum, immigration and crossing of external borders) adopted on 19 March 1998 (OJ L 99, 31. 3. 1998), - STOP (incentive and exchange programme for persons responsible for combating trade in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children) (OJ L 322, 12. 12. 1996). these programmes, To avoid duplication with the Commission will ensure, within the relevant committees, that the annual priorities of these programmes, starting in 1998, will exclude measures relating specifically to the implementation of for combating organised crime; this will ensure that such projects are normally financed only through the Falcone programme. the action plan Applicants are recommended, when drawing up their projects and before submitting a plan to the Falcone programme, these other programmes and their annual priorities to ensure that they have made the right choice. take account also of to Financial support under the Falcone programme may not from other programmes be combined with grants financed out of the exception of Community programmes specifically aimed at supporting the efforts of applicant countries for accession to the European Union. the Community budget, with Specific projects touching upon Community fields can be financed via Falcone when they cover complementary aspects relating to the fight against organised crime mentioned in the action plan. 4. Selection criteria Projects will be selected according to the following criteria: - compatibility of the project with work undertaken or planned under the Council’s priorities in the field of in particular the combating organised crime, and priorities of the action plan to combat organised crime, - input towards the framing or implementation of instruments adopted or to be adopted in this field, - European dimension of the project content (minimum of two Member States), and participation in terms of by Member States - operational purpose and practical value, the is placed on passing on extent to which stress knowledge of in carrying on the professional activity concerned, without overlooking the need thorough consideration of any obstacles to cooperation, immediate use for a i. e. - number and nature of the departments or categories of persons targeted and the number of professionals likely to derive some benefit from the project, either directly or through contact between those who have taken part and those who have not had the opporÜ tunity to participate, - the accessibility of the project, i. e. the approach taken the organisational existing and arrangements make participants’ knowledge and for professional constraints, allowance which the for - the degree of preparation and the standard of organiÜ sation, as well as clarity and precision as regards the objectives, design and planning of the project, - the involvement of different entities and combined use of their particular expertise organisation of the project, the in the 30. 5. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 165/21 - the openness to practitioners from different Member States and disciplines and the opportunity for them to benefit from each other’s experience, - the extent to which the projects complement each other, the way in which they contribute to creating a forward momentum rather than merely juxtaposing isolated operations, - scope for drawing on results achieved in order to reinforce cooperation between Member States. 5. General guidelines - added value, particularly in the case of multidisciÜ plinary projects, will be evaluated in terms of quality, not quantity, and attention will be given on how the contributions of the various professional categories fit into a single project, - linked projects described as being complementary, will have to be presented with clearly separated link between different budgets and to show the components, in order to determine whether they should be supported individually or in groups, - a high degree of interaction between the project organisers and the participants will be regarded as a positive feature. The following guidelines, based on the above criteria, should be of assistance to applicants: 6. Priority topics and themes for 1998 - ambitious schemes, schemes of long duration or those for which a large grant is being applied for should be supported by pilot projects or studies that justify and demonstrate their feasibility, - any plan for setting up a documentation network, databases, etc. , should state in detail the sources, the field of investigation, the methodological approach, the frequency of updates and the intended users of the information, etc. , - research projects should not be limited to studies based purely on written material but should be based on practical experience and aim to produce usable conclusions, - the knock on effect of a project will be assessed on the basis of the number of participants and their status and capacity to disseminate the results of the project, - justification will have to be shown as to the benefits likely to be derived from very small projects, the organisation of traineeships or exchanges for a small number of participants. Projects likely to benefit only the applicant organisation will not be considered, - meetings between institutions responsible for basic or continuing training should be considered only where they aim at a well defined purpose in relation to a particular project or policy, - the standard of preparation will be assessed both objectively, as regards project design and planning, and subjectively, as regards the experience and repuÜ tation of the applicant organisation. Previous records will be given attention if other applications have been Initiatives received submitted by organisations or associations having neither well established significant human and financial resources will be disregarded, same organisation. structures nor from the the Falcone programme and The following topics and themes, based on the Joint Action etablishing the recommendations of the action plan to combat organised crime, are put forward as being of particular interest; the participation of applicant countries in the projects will also be encouraged. (a) Comparability and circulation of information - feasibility studies on the collection of data and the creation of computer records on organised crime, - definition of methodology for collection and analysis, common and identifying phenomena, data standards - mobilisation of data via networks involving in particular criminology departments and univerÜ sities, - dissemination of the persons information responsible as defined in Articles 1Ü2 of the joint action. to (b) Studies, analyses and strategies specialised research and - activities in the field of scientific, technical or comparative studies dealing with the various areas of activity which could to combat criminal organisations, such as public procurement, public fraud, subsidies counterfeiting, vulnerable professions, money laundering, urban crime, new technologies, etc. , involve measures corruption, licences, and - analyses and conferences to promote general understanding and study the international scope of crime, particularly its economic dimension, phenomenon of organised the C 165/22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 5. 98 improving cooperation on - studies on strategies, legislation and regulations for prevention, enforcement and prosecution, and in particular the possibility of drawing up common policies and identifying areas of possible convergence or harmonisation which a long term objective of the European Union, constitute could These joint projects, of limited duration, may be organised for the categories of person referred to in Article 1(2) of the Joint Action establishing the the Convention has Falcone programme. Once the entered Europol Drugs Unit and Europol when these projects fall within their sphere of responsibility. they may also include force, into - feasibility studies on the setting up of multidisciÜ plinary information networks. 7. General financing rules and 1998 budget (ˇ) (c) Training and exchanges - preparation and implementation of programmes of in service training and exchanges, - organisation conferences, of meetings, seminars and - preparation of teaching modules and manuals with a view to promoting: - reciprocal knowledge of regulations and legislation on prevention and enforcement, and procedures applicable to the different fight aspects and actors against organised crimeØ(˛); involved the in - reciprocal knowledge of and methods for prevention, detection, investiÜ gation and prosecution of the various forms of organised crime, employed by those responsible for combating it. practices These events and measures may be concerned either with general and multidisciplinary questions relating to organised crime or with specific aspectsØ(˛). (d) Joint projects to improve skills and operating methods - Preparation and implementation of innovative joint projects designed to improve skills and operating methods in the field of cooperation in the fight against organised crime. (˛) With the exception of specific aspects addressed in the STOP Programme (trafficking in human beings) and the Odysseus Programme falsified documents). immigration and (illegal Up to 80Ø% of expenditure arising directly from the implementation of the project and committed during the period laid down in the contract may be met. Expenditure contracted before the committee meeting at which the financing decision is taken is not eligible. Any project for which financing is provided out of the Community budget for 1998 must have made a significant start on its work before the end of 1998. All projects must be finalised within twelve months of the date of dispatch of the letter confirming the granting of the subsidy. Applicants should note that, owing to the payment procedures of the Commission, pre financing of projects is presumed; the pace of instalments will not enable applicants to cover expenditure directly from the grant paid under the Falcone programme. Project organisers may be public authorities or instiÜ tutions or private operators, notably in the field of initial or continuing training and research. Projects submitted by private individuals are not eligible under this programme. The projects can include persons and institutions in the candidate countries for accession, which are responsible for the fight against organised crime in order to familÜ iarise them with the policies of the European Union and to facilitate their accession as well as persons and organiÜ sations in other third States, if this lies in the interest of the project. It needs to be stressed, however, that it is not the purpose of the Falcone programme to give assistance the the Central and Eastern European States, to financing of which falls under the Phare programme. (ˇ) This programme is sent to the European Parliament who on the basis of which, will decide on the transfer of the amount foreseen for the year 1998, currently entered in Chapter BÜ0 40. 30. 5. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 165/23 The budget for 1998 is ECU 2Ø000 000 and, as a guide, could be distributed as follows: Forms may be requested from the above address by post or by fax (32Ü2) 29Ø50 174 or by electronic mail from jean jacques. nuss-sg. cec. be - information - studies - training - joint projects - evaluation of the programme 150Ø000 400Ø000 750Ø000 600Ø000 100Ø000 Total 2Ø000 000 8. How to apply Applications for grants must be submitted by 15 August 1998 to the: European Commission, Justice and Home Affairs Task Force, (for the attention of Mr JeanÜJacques Nuss), N 9Ü6/23A, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200, BÜ1049 Brussels, using the application form and in one of the eleven European Union languages. A translation may be added in a second working language. The original application, duly signed, must be submitted in real time (not by fax), together with a brief outline of the project not exceeding two to three pages. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The purpose of the project must be described as briefly and accurately as possible. The application must be accompanied by a detailed and comprehensive budget estimate in ecus. The budget must show the expected overall cost of the project. The grant applied for may not exceed 80Ø% of the final cost. The grant actually awarded may be for a lower amount than the percentage requested. The running costs of an organisation are not eligible. Beneficiaries of Community financing are required to state in all advertising, publications or programmes that the project is in receipt of financial support from the Falcome programme and the European Union. Within three months of the completion of the project, recipients must submit to the Justice and Home Affairs Task Force a report on the execution of the project, the results the obtained, obstacles encountered, assessments by participants, the dissemination of the results and the conclusions drawn from the project