Union Anti-Fraud Programme (UAFP)

Article 325 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states that fighting fraud and any other illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the EU is a common task for both the EU and the Member States.

The EU helps Member States to fight fraud by:

continuing to protect the EU’s financial interests through financial support (previously offered by the Hercule III programme), in particular technical support, operational support for investigations, specialised training and research activities;
organising mutual administrative assistance and cooperation in customs and agricultural matters, notably via the Anti-Fraud Information System (AFIS);
operating the Irregularity Management System (IMS) so Member States can report irregularities.

Explanation of the components of the Union Anti-fraud Programme

Bringing together these previously separate strands will: (i) help the UAFP to benefit from closer cooperation; (ii) promote budgetary flexibility; and (iii) simplify management. The UAFP is open to applications from EU Member States and from countries associated to the EU.

The programme has a budget of around EUR 181 million for the period 2021-2027, divided as shown in the graphic below.

Amount of available funding for each component of the EU Anti-fraud Programme

Evaluation of the Union Anti-Fraud Programme

Commission Report the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the Court of Auditors on the interim evaluation of the Union Anti-Fraud Programme - Staff Working Document accompanying the Commission Report