Italy developed new approaches to combating and preventing corruption, through administrative prevention which is the most advanced frontier of anti-corruption policies (since Law no.190/2012). This, combined with anti-Mafia measures, made Italy an interesting “laboratory” in which there are problems and attempts to solve them. Corruption prevention strategies have recently been proposed in several countries in east Europe and the Balkan area, and in particular in those that, like Italy, share an unsatisfactory position in the main international corruption rankings.
The Project has been established recognizing the importance of the safeguarding of the financial interests of the EU, as stated by EU primary legislation (see articles 325, 287, 86 TFEU) and secondary legislation (Council Regulation No 1311/2013 on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020; the Common Provisions Regulation No 1303/2013 (CPR) on structural funds; the new Public Procurement Directives; Regulation No 2015/1929 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union; Directive 2017/1371).
The Applying Department has recently produced operational studies which need to be developed following a comparative law approach and high-level studies and research activities, aiming to build up targeted anti-corruption models capable of working in the context of 4 candidate countries involved in the Project, which are experiencing corruption phenomena (Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia). The models answer the need to reduce corruption risk, particularly referring to EU funds. This is in preparation for these countries to enter the EU, when they will no longer manage only pre-accession funds (Regulation no 231/2014 on instrument for pre-accession assistance), but a large amount of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), thus protecting the Union’s financial interest.
The Project is funded by the HERCULE III Programme, which protects the EU’s financial interests by supporting action to combat irregularities, fraud and corruption affecting the EU budget. It is administered by the European Anti-Fraud Office, OLAF.
The Hercule I programme started in 2004 (Decision 804/2004/EC) and was extended under the Financial Perspectives for 2007-2013 (Decision 878/2007/EC), giving rise to Hercule II (2007-2013). The ongoing programme, Hercule III (2014-2020) was set up by Regulation (EU) No 250/2014. In the context of the new multiannual financial framework (2021-2027) the European Commission has adopted a proposal for a new EU Anti-Fraud Programme.