HERCULE II: Call for proposals � OLAF/2012/D5/07: Technical support for detecting the presence of cigarettes and tobacco

This call relates to the activities under Article 1a(a) of the Hercule II Decision, which consists of:
— technical assistance for national authorities through the provision of specific knowledge, equipment and information technology (IT) tools facilitating transnational cooperation and cooperation with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF),
— the support for joint operations, and
— the enhancement of staff exchanges,
in order to fight against fraud, corruption and other illegal activities as well as the development and implementation of fraud prevention and detection policies.

This call is aimed at national or regional administrations of an EU Member State or a country outside the EU which promote the strengthening of European action to protect the European Union's financial interests.

Eligible actions for technical assistance consist of:
— technical support to strengthen inspections of containers and trucks at the EU's external borders, dedicated to the fight against cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting,
— equipment as part of an action of law enforcement agencies to improve the detection and investigation of illicit consignments of tobacco products,
— equipment, animals and training as part of an action of law enforcement agencies to detect smuggled and counterfeited goods on the basis of the scent characteristics of the goods.

The budget available is €2.5 milion. The financial contribution will take the form of a grant and will not exceed 50% of eligible costs.

The deadline for applications is 14 February 2013.

Further details are available on the OLAF website

Reference: 2012/C 390/12

(Added 2012-12-18)