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Ngasso - Community Stabilization and Economic Recovery for Women in Lac Province Through the creation of a women managed community garden with off grid and sustainable irrigation in Chad, this project aims to reduce the risk of gender-based violence towards women by increasing the availability of local economic opportunities for women. The main activities include: 1) the selection of women who benefit from the project and the creation of the group; 2) identification of cultivable space in coordination with local authorities; 3) provision of a borehole and installation of a solar water pump; 4) training on improved cultivation technics and solar pump maintenance; and 5) donation of seeds and tools for cultivation to the group. The creation of a community garden with solar powered pumps, tools, and furniture of seeds has been proven as an effective means of enhancing productivity even in soil without a high degree of fertility from experiences in other IOM Chad programs, and is a highly viable mean to contribute to community livelihoods under the management of women. IOM works in close collaboration with the local authorities and state specialists in the region including in the coordination of the location of the borehole, as well as its safety features and water quality. |
Provision of Life-Saving Protection, Gender Based Violence Services and Psychosocial Support to Drought Affected Population UNFPA, IOM and UNICEF are embarking on a cross-sectoral emergency response in protection to the disaster affected population by the ongoing drought and its consequences, such as food and water shortage, which has increased the protection needs of the vulnerable population. IOM, through inter-agency protection working, is providing life-saving information to the border communities which are close to South Africa towns which are especially vulnerable due to their poverty or their lack of knowledge or information on the risks of irregular migration and its consequences. Targeting at-risk border communities, schools, and other hot spots, IOM is conducting life-saving outreach campaigns to community members, school-going children, out-of-school children, and migrants among others to minimize the negative impact of the migration in the ongoing drought period, and ensure timely intervention, rescue and emergency services to the target population. |
Improving Epidemiological Surveillance for COVID 19 through an Inclusive Community Level Response in Mauritania This multi-agency project will intervene in three different areas, namely Nationwide Watch, Field Epidemiology and Case Management. For localities where an official point of entry (POE) is established and still functioning, community surveillance will be carried out in close collaboration with IOM and local authorities, who will provide the POE with the necessary capacity to carry out surveillance of suspicious health cases. IOM will train the border agents on the establishment of health measures to reduce the risks of spreading of COVID-19 and provide specific equipment and supplies for their implementation noting the need to consider protection and rights of women and girls. IOM will also assist the border agents posted at POE in establishing a Community Watch and Alert Committee (CWAC) with the border communities, respectful of age and gender specific consideration and support the POE in coordinating their response with regional health authorities (DRAS). |
Improving Operational Capacity of Kenyan Migration Authorities and Technology for Better Border Management Building on past achievements, this project will augment efforts to improve the capacities of the Government of Kenya to better manage borders in an effort to address emerging migration challenges along key Kenyan border points. In view of the budgetary restrictions the project will prioritize one key border point to be advised by GoK. With a view to strengthening border management and reducing irregular migration in Kenya, the project will improve the capacity of border management agencies to effectively manage borders and to prevent irregular migration by upgrading existing border infrastructure (facilities, equipment and information systems) at the priority border crossing point. IOM and the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration (NCM) will use established training curricula and conduct trainings to improve the capacity of individual officers in migration governance to better undertake border management which is expected to counter trafficking and smuggling, promote integrated border management, improve document examination, build the capacity of border officials to uphold human rights protect rights to privacy etc. |
Provision of Life Saving Humanitarian and Protection Assistance for Stranded and Destitute Migrants Through the project, IOM will ensure that Somali refugees have access to humanitarian and protection assistance through ensuring humane and dignified return for stranded Somali refugees to Somalia, through IOM’s and UNHCR’s Assisted Spontaneous Return (ASR) program. Activities include the provision of individual counselling, screening for vulnerabilities, medical pre-departure medical screening and fit to travel assessments on all refugees requesting assistance to return home and providing referrals and transportation assistance to any migrant in need of higher level care. Moreover, IOM will also provide support in organizing in-country travel (Yemen) as well as transportation to the designated port of departure as well as organizing transportation to the country of origin (Somalia), including pre-departure assistance within Yemen. Follow up and monitor arrival in the country of origin (Somalia) will be also provided through this project. |
Promote Personal Development and Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities of the National Registry of Reincorporation through the Strengthening of Agency for Reincorporation and Standardization (ARN) in Colombia The project promotes the personal development and social inclusion of those who self-recognize with a disability in accordance with the National Registry of Reincorporation, in order to equalize opportunities for their full participation in the offered programs, projects and benefits in Colombia. This is within the framework of the National Policy for the Social and Economic Reincorporation of the Former Members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People's Army (FARC-EP in Spanish). This is carried out through technical support to the Agency for Reincorporation and Standardization (ARN, by its Spanish acronym) for the implementation of the Program with Attention to the Specific Needs of Older Adults with Disabilities and High Cost Illness, Former Members of the FARC- EP called “CA-PAZ-CIDADES”. |
Support of Points of Entries into Cameroon through the Reinforcement of the Border Management System in its Attempt to Tackle the Transmission of COVID-19 The intervention will seek to improve the capacity of the border management system in its effort to mitigate the propagation of COVID-19. Following assessments at points of entries (PoEs), it was determined that the border agents lack the requirement equipment (handwashing facilities) and supplies (gloves, eye protection, facemasks) to properly process the movements of merchandise and travelers. Additionally, there is an urgent need of accurate data on events related to COVID-19 in the three targeted provinces bordering Cameroon and Central African Republic. Even though these borders are opened for only commercial purposes, Chadian nationals are still entering Chad and quarantined at PoEs for two weeks where they do not have the support to meet their daily needs and are forced to discreetly leave their quarantine locations. The project intends to support the government in information management by conducting data collection mainly on observed flow at PoEs, profiles and needs of quarantined individuals, preventive measures in place at PoEs and COVID-19 related knowledge at PoEs. |
Lesotho Migration Profile: Supporting Evidence-Based Migration-Related Policy Making and Planning in Lesotho (Phase I) The United Nations (UN) and other international organizations, governments and regional stakeholders recognize deficiencies in data collection and analysis aimed at, amongst others, understanding the nexus between migration and development. The Government of Lesotho has requested the assistance of IOM to strengthen its capacity to collect, analyse and utilize migration data, and ultimately to prepare a migration profile, i.e. a data repository, coordination and capacity-building tool, which is country-owned and prepared in consultation with a broad range of relevant stakeholders. Improving migration management at a national level has been identified as their priority. The request from the Government comes at a time when migration dynamics in the country, region and indeed globally, have become increasingly complex; however, at present in Lesotho there is a severe lack of reliable migration data and analysis on which to base policy formulation and planning. The project aims to strengthen the Bureau of Statistics capacity to coordinate among stakeholders and produce migration related data and analytical report. The Phase I (this project) will be the basis for the Phase II (production of Migration Profile). |
Missing Migrants Project: Global Data Collection and Analysis of Migrant Fatalities Since 2014, IOM's Missing Migrants Project has collected and analysed data on more than 32,000 migrant deaths and disappearances worldwide. However, data on missing migrants tends to be uneven, as there is far more media coverage and reporting of deaths occurring in the Mediterranean region than other parts of the world. Few data on migrant deaths are recorded in several regions with large volumes of irregular migrants, including much of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, despite reports that these pose many dangers to migrants. Gathering more and better-quality data on missing migrants is especially important at a time when states are discussing how best to achieve safer and more orderly migration. In order to overcome the challenges of collecting data on deaths during migration, the proposed project will improve upon the Missing Migrants Project's existing data sources and strengthen partnerships with relevant state and non-state actors in those regions where there is little information on migrant deaths and disappearances. |
Technical Capacity Building of Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation in Return and Reintegration This project builds the technical capacity of the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) on information management through the development and roll out of the Afghan Returnee Information System (ARIS) at four major border crossing points with Iran and Pakistan. This will facilitate the registration of all returning Afghans from which returnee certificates are issued, which then grants access to additional rights inclusive of land allocation schemes. IOM also supports the development of a reintegration referral mechanism at the provincial level in 12 provinces of high return from the initial phase now scaled up to 25 total provinces. IOM has established Reintegration Information Centers (RICs) to carry out secondary reintegration registration. The collected information is presented at monthly Provincial Reintegration Committee (PRC) meetings- multi-stakeholder forums attended by government agencies, UN and NGO partners to provide assistance and referrals to returnees. Given the COVID-19 pandemic a top up funding amount has been given to for migration health and DTM components under the original grant to address health screening/surveillance at points of entry, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), and continuity of basic primary health care services to underserved and marginalized migrant populations. |
Emergency Assistance to Conflict Affected Populations in Cameroon: Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) The proposed action aims to strengthen the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)-funded Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) exercise to better inform humanitarian interventions carried out by governmental and humanitarian partners. The Displacement Tracking Matrix will continue to provide vital information in order to bring efficient and effective provision of humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected populations. Moreover, IOM aims to enlarge the spectrum of data it is collecting in order to allow the publication of more specific information with regard to displaced populations needs. In 2018, the goal is to offer a more action-oriented information on the displaced populations. To do so, IOM will improve the existing reports and material it publishes through the DTM and add new elements to the already existing ones: Site Profiling tool, Events Tracking and ad hoc Flash Products. Those will be designed in accordance to the humanitarian community's inputs and the technical limitations inherent to the DTM. |
Promoting Reduction of and Improved Operational Response to Gender-based Violence Through Camp Management and Site Planning The objective of this project is threefold. Consolidate gender-based violence (GBV) mainstreaming initiatives within the camp coordination and camp management , shelter and site planning sectors, looking at priority gaps identified in the first four phases of the project and foster stronger localization, coordination, and collective action among sectors at the operational level - building on partnerships with the GBV area of responsibility, the implementation support team of the GBV guidelines and other inter-agency bodies. Pursue the institutionalization of actions to address GBV in crises within IOM, continuing to roll out the GBV in crisis framework, developing guidance contained in the toolkit, and providing technical support, with an increased focus on regional capacities. Increase assistance to in-country protection from sexual abuse and exploitation (PSEA) networks and continue engaging in IASC-UN platforms and dialogue on PSEA. |
Strengthening the Disaster Response and Preparedness Capacity in Niger through the Construction of a Multi-purpose Evacuation Site Since 2011, the Séno site located in the suburbs of Niamey has been designated by the Government of Niger as a temporary emergency evacuation site for flood victims. More recently, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is being used to accommodate the Nigerien returnees for their quarantine. However, due to the rainy season and the sandstorms, many of the emergency shelters have been damaged and require continuous reparations. Also, the site is facing many electricity as well as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) related challenges due to poor drainage. Floods represent a recurrent phenomenon in Niamey and other parts of Niger, which require dedicated and adequate solutions for systematic evacuation options. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered heavy operational challenges to IOM’s assisted voluntary return assistance to stranded migrants. Temporary shelter solutions for returning migrants from Niger to their countries of origin are necessary, while ensuring adherence to the required public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Capitalizing on the Séno site experience described above, there is an urgent need to build a multi-purpose site that would meet the quarantine and isolation minimum standards in terms of site management, site design and first aid needs. |
Asia Region: Promoting Ethical Recruitment and Decent Work Among Private Sector Partners by Strengthening Company Policies to Protect Domestic Workers The objective of the project is to contribute to eliminating and preventing exploitation and human trafficking by providing private sector partners with practical guidelines and solutions for the implementation of ethical recruitment and decent work practices. In pursuit of the objective, the project will work together with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China based private sector partners, in particular to multinational enterprises, to enhance their employment contract and code of conduct to ensure compliance of their employees with ethical recruitment and decent work principles. Additionally, the project will engage private recruitment agencies in Hong Kong and their partner agencies in countries of origin (Bangladesh and Philippines) to promote ethical recruitment principles as well as strengthen the capacity of respective governments and their consultants in Hong Kong in improving responses to unethical recruitment practices and agency misconduct. |
Mekong Region: Responding to Cross-Border Mobility Challenges at Points of Entry During the COVID-19 Outbreak This project seeks to contribute to effective control of COVID-19 transmission across the Greater Mekong Region countries (i.e. Cambodian, Myanmar, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Viet Nam and Thailand). Its main focus is to target points of entry (PoEs) by enhancing capacity of border officials, reducing risks at PoEs and supporting vulnerable migrants in order to ensure safe, regular and humane migration. The project builds on three interrelated components to be implemented across all target countries including (1) procurement and distribution of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for relevant frontline immigration officials and health staff at the PoE, according to WHO Standards and national guidelines; (2) capacity development for immigration authorities to implement health-compliant border procedures; and (3) information, education and communication material for migrants. In addition, intervention on special measures for migrants in immigration detention centres will be implemented in Thailand, where IOM Thailand current works to improve the situation of vulnerable migrants who are placed in detention centres operated by the Royal Thai Government. |
Special Measures to Support the Response to the Refugee and Migrant Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina The overall objective of the project is to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in managing migration flows in the context of increased number of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants entering the country since the end of2017. This will be achieved by: 1) Improving the capacity for identification, registration, direct protection and assistance provision, as well as referrals to basic services, such as health care, psychosocial support, education for children, and support for assisted voluntary return; 2) Ensuring adequate shelter and protection-sensitive accommodation non-food items and water, sanitation and hygiene (for Persons of Concern, including those in vulnerable situations; 3) Ensuring access to sufficient food and nutrition, including adequate nutrition for children below 2 years of age; and 4) Strengthening capacity of border control and surveillance, thereby also contributing to the fight against and prevention of migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings and other types of cross-border crime. |
NAFRI II National Agriculture and Forestry Research InstituDet nationella forskn.inst. för jord-& skogsbruk. NAFRI II National Agriculture and Forestry Research InstituPhase II - Sida-NAFRI II Det huvudsakliga syftet med programmet är att bidra till att minska fattigdom och hållbar användning av naturresurserna i de höglänta områden genom a) utveckla produktiva och hållbara höglänta teknik och mark rekommendationer för hantering och skapa socioekonomiska kunskapsbasen relevant för nationell nivå politik, b) stärka NAFRI förmåga att fullgöra sitt uppdrag The main objective of the programme is to contribute to the alleviation of poverty and sustainable use of the natural resource base in the upland areas by a) developing productive and sustainable upland technologies and land management recommendations and to generate socio-economic knowledge relevant for national level policy making; b) strengthening NAFRI capacity to fulfil its mandate |
Promoting jobs and the care economy Contract related to: Promoting jobs and the care economy - The action aims to facilitate progress in key areas of needed reforms required by the Western Balkans and Turkey to comply with Union¿s values, and their alignment with the Union¿s rules, standards and practices in the relevant areas. It includes three main areas of support:1) EU Integration Facility:The specific objective is to support flexible, preparatory/pilot actions that address specific priority and urgent/unforeseen needs in the region, including interventions in the context of the COVID-19 recovery that merit to be addressed rapidly in order to assure continuity in the European perspective and herewith related issues.It will support small interventions such as provision of technical assistance, preparatory, pilot or start up/bridging or follow up actions. It may also cover relevant studies, networking, visibility, evaluation activities, as well as training or capacity-building activities. Support to the smooth finalisation of the Regional Housing Programme (RHP) is foreseen as one such priority. Contribution to other initiatives is added.2) Participation in EU agencies:The specific objective is to ensure that IPA III beneficiaries are able to participate effectively in the activities of EU agencies by supporting the approximation to and adoption of the EU acquis in areas such as fundamental rights, transport, competitiveness, environment and climate change, chemicals management, health, food and medicines safety, inter alia.It supports EU agencies by allowing them to carry out preparatory measures with the IPA III beneficiaries and stakeholders in view of their future participation in those EU agencies upon membership or earlier. It will also support the development of reporting standards in the Beneficiaries in line with the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda and the Decarbonisation Roadmap. The support aims as well at knowledge transfer and capacity building in the area of expertise of those EU agencies.3) TAIEX:The Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument (TAIEX) aims to provide peer-to-peer technical assistance and capacity building by supporting the IPA III beneficiaries in the alignment with, and implementation of the EU acquis, according to the demands of beneficiaries and the strategic priorities of the EU.TAIEX supports short and medium term, demand-driven and strategically oriented assistance and is complementary to, and works alongside other instruments and programmes to help the IPA III beneficiaries move towards their goal of EU accession. In addition, TAIEX supports top-down requests based on jointly agreed priorities between the EU and the IPA III beneficiaries, in areas such as green and digital transition or COVID-19 recovery.The assistance is mainly provided by EU public sector experts sharing their knowledge and experience through workshops, expert missions and study visits. TAIEX assistance supports beneficiaries to align progressively with the EU acquis and to improve their working methods in line with EU standards, as monitored and verified by the European Commission's specific screening and / or annual progress reports, as well as through peer review missions.In specific circumstances, when expertise from beneficiaries is of particular significance to other beneficiaries and it provides an added value, experts from beneficiaries can take part in the activities to provide expertise in the approximation to EU legislation, standards and practices (e.g. adoption of green transition measures. This participation comes as an effective complement to the knowledge provided by the EU Member States¿ experts, which remains the core of the activities of TAIEX, while developing a multi-stakeholder approach enriching the instrument with regional cooperation.TAIEX has a longstanding and successful track record deploying EU Member States public expertise since 1996. |
AAP2023/Expenditure Verification of three service contracts <p>The Expenditure Verifier is expected</p><p class="ql-align-justify">- To carry out the agreed-upon procedures listed in Annex 2 and</p><p class="ql-align-justify">- To issue reports based on the template in Annex 3 which will support the Contracting Authority's conclusions on the eligibility of the reported expenditure and the related follow-up.</p><p>The expenditure verification will be performed as a desk review and fieldwork at the location indicated in Annex 1.</p><p><br></p><p>Additional specific objectives in the form of agreed-upon procedures on which the Expenditure Verifier is expected to perform a verification are:</p><p>¿ The expenditure verifier should select a representative sample with value of minimum 65% of all transactions reported with the Final financial report, covering expenditures from each budget line from fees and category of costs under incidentals. In this respect, given the higher risk associated to incidental expenditure, the auditor is expected to proportionally apply reasonable sampling ratio of incidental expenditure. If the error rate found is higher than 10% from sampled amount, the Auditor shall extend the verification procedures until the sample value is 85%.</p><p>¿ The auditor shall check the eligibility of the fees and incidental expenditures based on requirements of service contracts, by performing the additional procedures specified under 2.11 from Annex 2 to TOR.</p> |
Audio-visual manager and graphic designer for DG NEAR Contract related to: Audio-visual manager and graphic designer for DG NEAR - Raising public awareness on the EU enlargement and neighbourhood policies 2021-2023 (2021 budget)This programme sets out a range of measures to support the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations in raising public awareness about its policies, in line with the European Commission¿s institutional prerogatives and in line with its policy and communication priorities.In particular, it will provide the public with information about the enlargement process and the neighbourhood policy, as well as the countries involved, in order to stimulate an informed and facts-based debate on the political, economic and social impact of the two EU policies.It will also contribute to addressing the issue of disinformation and foreign information manipulation by raising awareness of relevant issues in the region and informing about the wide range of EU support for communication activities including press trips to and from the regions, training courses and support for media literacy programmes. These activities will build on the actions foreseen in the Action Plan against Disinformation12 and European Democracy Plan13 and will be implemented in cooperation with European External Action Service.The programme will also support the promotion of the European Commission¿s corporate priorities (¿a European Green Deal¿, ¿an economy that works for people¿, ¿a Europe fit for the digital age¿, ¿promoting our European way of life¿, ¿a stronger Europe in the world¿, and ¿a new push for European democracy¿)14. It will therefore complement and strengthen the European Commission's corporate communication actions.To that end, when executing the programme, the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations will ensure coordination with other Commission departments, including the Directorate-General for Communication and European Commission Representations, as well as the European External Actions Service and the EU Delegations and Offices in the region.Where feasible and appropriate, the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations will follow the Team Europe approach in its strategic communication and public diplomacy initiatives.The programme will support tools and channels that have proven particularly successful, including visibility events, stakeholder and media outreach, digital content production and online and social media activities. In the light of the specific communication context linked to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the long-term recovery, priority will be given to digital and hybrid means of communication, including online and hybrid events.In terms of target audiences, in addition to addressing the general public in the EU Member States and in the enlargement and neighbourhood regions, the awareness raising measures will address, where relevant, specific stakeholders and opinion multipliers, such as journalists, business organisations, civil society representatives, academia and think tanks, as well as youth representatives. |
EU Regional Support to Protection-Sensitive Migration Management Systems in the Western Balkans - Phase III (contract 1) Contract related to: EU Regional Support to Protection-Sensitive Migration Management Systems in the Western Balkans - Phase III (contract 1) - This action aims to contribute to a more effective protection-sensitive migration management in the region aligned to EU and international standards. Ultimately, the action will contribute to the effective and rights-based management of migrants and persons in need of international protection in the Western Balkans.To respond to continued challenges faced by the region in managing mixed migratory movements, the action will support the further development and strengthening of holistic and sustainable systems and capacities across the whole migration management process including identification, registration and referral at the border, asylum systems and reception capacities, as well as both voluntary and non-voluntary returns. The action will be implemented in full respect of human rights and take into account particularly the specific situation of vulnerable groups such as women, persons with disabilities and unaccompanied and separated children. It will have a strong regional approach including at a policy level to ensure increased coherence, coordination and cooperation both between the beneficiaries and between the beneficiaries and the EU. The action will at all times align with EU and international standards on migration management.The action has been designed to build upon the results of past phases of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) regional migration programme, taking into account lessons learned and best practices. It complements other IPA funded activities planned at the beneficiary level. The action is implemented by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (hereinafter referred to as Frontex), the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). |
AAP2023-Expenditure Verification of two grant contracts <p>The Expenditure Verifier is expected</p><p class="ql-align-justify">- To carry out the agreed-upon procedures listed in Annex 2 and</p><p class="ql-align-justify">- To issue reports based on the template in Annex 3 which will support the Contracting Authority's conclusions on the eligibility of the reported expenditure and the related follow-up.</p><p>The expenditure verification will be performed as a desk review and fieldwork at the location indicated in Annex 1.</p><p><br></p><p>For all Entities, there is additional specific objective in the form of agreed-upon procedures on which the Expenditure Verifier is expected to perform a verification are:</p><p>¿ The expenditure verifier should select a representative sample with value of minimum 65% of all transactions reported with the Final financial report, with minimum 10% sampled from each budget heading, sub-heading and budget line. If the error rate found is higher than 10% from sampled amount, the Auditor shall extend the verification procedures until the sample value is 85%.</p><p>¿ The auditor should check whether there are other projects implemented by the same Entity and financed by EC or other Donors, which projects overlap with the period of implementation of the verified contract. The auditor should check the potential double funding of expenditures reported.</p> |
EU support to strengthen the fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings in the Western Balkans Supporting the Western Balkans in increasing their capacity to fight the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings (THB) within the region, and in closer cooperation with EU Member States in line with EU standards, is a key priority of the EU. Supporting efforts to uphold the rule of law and provide a robust level of security, including through better equipping the region¿s partners to manage migration, is also a priority given the inter-connected nature of challenges facing the Western Balkans and the EU. This action is in support of the 2022 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy[1] and in line with the IPA III Programming Framework. To respond to these challenges, the action aims to deliver operational support to police, including border police, and judicial authorities to strengthen international cooperation, investigation and prosecution. It will be implemented by a consortium of Member States, in cooperation with relevant EU agencies and international actors, such as Frontex, Europol, Eurojust, CEPOL, the Council of Europe and the IOM. The primary objective is to bring operational assistance to the region in equipment, training, operational cooperation facilitation and possibly also in human resources, in order to decrease smuggling and trafficking activities by increasing the volume and effectiveness of investigations, prosecutions and related arrests of smugglers and traffickers. It will also seek to increase the engagement of EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies CEPOL/Europol and EBCGA/Frontex (hereafter Frontex) under Member States leadership and in closer coordination with them as well as to mobilise Member States¿ specific expertise in the fight against the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings in order to achieve an enhanced criminal justice response and border management capacity across the Western Balkans. The action will also increase the level of protection offered to victims of trafficking, especially minors. This will be achieved by assisting Western Balkan partners, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, in implementing the commitments made under the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, which aims to prevent trafficking in human beings, protect victims and prosecute traffickers.By increasing the Western Balkans¿s capacity to better identify, investigate and prosecute migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, including through strengthened cooperation within the Western Balkans, with Member States, and with Türkiye, as well as through enhanced border management, the action will strengthen the rule of law across the region and increase alignment with corresponding EU acquis, in particular Chapters 23 and 24. [1] COM(2022) 528 final 12.10.2022 |
Supporting Education Reforms & Skills in the Eastern Partnership region (SER) The objective of this action is to support the strengthening of education systems in the Eastern Partnership countries, with a particular focus on the governance and management of the systems, to contribute to improved equity, quality and relevance of education systems.The action will offer to partner countries the possibility to undertake diagnostics of their education sectors, providing a detailed analysis of the education system and sector performance, including an analysis of thematic areas such as equitable access to a quality and relevant education system, financing, governance. These diagnostics will support and inform the Education Ministries in their sector policy and planning work and contribute to reinforcing the relevance of EU engagement in the education sector in the Eastern Partnership countries, providing an analysis to reinforce the policy dialogue and the further prioritisation of EU interventions in the sector. Findings and recommendations made by the diagnostics will also serve as a basis for follow-up work within the programme, which will offer capacity development opportunities in areas related to the governance and management of the sector both at partner country level, tailor made to context needs, and through trainings and peer learning opportunities at regional level. The capacity development activities that will take place at partner country level will be on-demand and developed in complementarity with possible EU bilateral interventions in the education sector, and in coordination with other development partners¿ interventions. |
Activity under preparation Cross-border cooperation programme Bosnia and Herzegovina ¿ Montenegro for 2021-2027 The programme for cross-border cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro will be implemented under the framework of the 2021-2027 Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) with a view to promoting good neighbourly relations, fostering Union integration and promoting socio-economic development through joint local and regional initiatives.The legal provisions for the implementation of the programme are stipulated in the following EU legislation: Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III).The programme area is the same as in the period 2014-2020 and comprises territories in the southeastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the northwestern part of Montenegro and stretches over 30 022 km2 with over 1.4 million inhabitants. It is characterised by agriculture and forestry, coal mining, energy production, processing industries, construction and services. COVID-19 crisis negatively affected the regions¿ economy and employment. Tourism and travel sector were most hit. The area is one of the most biodiverse areas in Europe but also one of the most sensitive to climate change and increasingly vulnerable to natural hazards: droughts, heat waves, heavy precipitation, landslides, fires and floods. Overall objective: To promote good neighbourly relations, foster Union integration and contribute to social, economic and territorial development of the programme cross-border area by addressing climate change challenges and developing sustainable nature-and-culture tourism. |
Technical Assistance for Eastern Partnership Investment in Connectivity EPIC - EBRD Contract related to: Technical Assistance for Eastern Partnership Investment in Connectivity EPIC - EBRD - Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) ¿ 2021 East This action is the 2021 annual contribution to the Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) for the Neighbourhood East. The Overall Objective of the NIP is to facilitate additional investments in infrastructure in transport, energy, environment, with a particular focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to support social and private sector development in Eastern and Southern Partner countries. In particular, the NIP will support the growth of micro, small, and medium size enterprises (MSMEs) by making available a range of financial instruments notably through risk-sharing capital mechanisms.The NIP is designed to combine EU grants or financial instruments with other public and private financing. By reducing, through co-financing, the overall cost or risk of the project or by subsidising interest rates and/or financing technical assistance or providing financial instruments, the NIP will encourage the partner country governments, private sector and/or public institutions to carry out essential investments in sectors which would otherwise be postponed due to lack of resources.The NIP forms an integral part of the European Fund for Sustainable Development ("EFSD"), the purpose of which is to support investments and increase access to financing, primarily in the European Neighbourhood and Africa in order to foster sustainable, inclusive economic and social development and promote the socioeconomic resilience of partner countries. |
Partnership for Rule of Law and Good Governance Monitoring The overall objective of this action is to contribute to strengthened good governance and rule of law in the Eastern Neighbourhood. Despite some progress, Eastern neighbourhood partners continue to face challenges to varying degrees on the rule of law, good governance and human rights and further efforts are needed in each country. However, the applications for EU membership by Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have given a renewed emphasis to promoting and protecting democracy, the rule of law and human rights in the region. Russia¿s invasion of Ukraine and its consequences on the region¿s stability and security has also given new urgency to supporting these values and principles. This programme will take a comprehensive approach to monitoring state of play and progress in the good governance and rule of law area with a special focus on the role of civil society. It will also provide tailored technical capacity-building to Eastern neighbourhood countries to design and implement reforms. The action will also build on the achievements of the two previous EU-Council of Europe (CoE) Partnership for Good Governance Programmes (PGG), while focusing on the shortcomings and good practices identified under the current PGG. It will also address the immediate needs of Eastern Neighbourhood countries in the implementation of their domestic reforms, in line with European standards. The programme has two main components:The first component of the programme seeks to build on existing data such as the Justice Dashboard EaP to further promote evidence-based policy-making and to keep track of the progress of the key reforms through providing reliable data and developing necessary skills among the decision-makers and the civil society. In line with the ambitions of some of the partner countries, the focus will also be on measuring their alignment with the EU standards and where relevant their level of approximation to EU acquis. Systematic and reliable data will also allow for improved analysis of the results of the justice reform efforts and the impact of the support that has been provided within the framework of the Eastern Neighbourhood. Gender mainstreaming in the good governance and rule of law reforms will be facilitated by enhanced gathering and analysis of gender-sensitive and sex-disaggregated indicators and statistics. The second component aims to build on the achievements of previous cooperation and the regional analysis to further strengthen the rule of law, human rights and anti-corruption mechanisms. It will provide tailored support to partner countries to further align strategic, legal and institutional frameworks with international and European standards. It will continue to enhance the independence and competencies of relevant stakeholders and support the creation of stronger regional networks and cooperation through an increase of shared knowledge, information, and good practices. Ad hoc needs-based legal advice will be provided to partner countries to assist them with aligning their priority reforms with international standards and best practices.This programme will also support reforms in the area of human rights, including by strengthening the capacity of national stakeholders and civil society organisations, as well as by providing better redress mechanisms to victims of human rights abuses. It will promote gender equality and women¿s empowerment and support the prevention of gender-based violence. |
Programme for Strengthening the Central Bank Capacities in the Western Balkans with a view to the integration to the European System of Central Banks Phase II Contract related to: Programme for Strengthening the Central Bank Capacities in the Western Balkans with a view to the integration to the European System of Central Banks Phase II - The enlargement strategy has put renewed emphasis on the need for the enlargement region to improve their economic governance. Good economic governance is key to sustainable social and economic development and stability. In the course of the EU accession process, the EU candidate countries and potential candidates are expected to further expand their policy and administrative capacities for the adoption and correct implementation of the EU acquis.This action supports the development of administrations¿ and central banks¿ capacities to manage economic reforms, public finances and monetary policy with a view to economic recovery and more resilient sustainable socio-economic development. The action supports three areas:Area of support 1 aims at fostering beneficiaries capacities to integrate structural reform measures into the medium-term budgetary frameworks and through this process at reinforcing the link between the Economic Reform Programmes (ERPs) preparation, IPA programming and planning of the central budget.Area of support 2 aims at strengthening the capacities of the Ministries of Finance to plan, steer and monitor the implementation of their Public Finance Management (PFM) reform strategies. In addition, specific implementation capacities will be strengthened, in particular regarding fiscal responsibility frameworks, public investment and public asset management also in selected line ministries, local governments and state-owned enterprises, especially in the utility sector.Area of support 3 aims at enhancing technical and administrative capacities of the central banks on key technical topics, hereby enhancing their important roles in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, preserving macroeconomic stability and building up economic resilience in a long-term. |
NIP - Neighbourhood Investment Platform 2022 - East This action is the 2022 annual contribution to the Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) for the Neighbourhood East.The NIP forms an integral part of the European Fund for Sustainable Development ("EFSD+") being its blending arm in the Neighbourhood in complementarity of budgetary guarantees.The Overall Objective of the NIP is to mobilise investments in infrastructure in transport, energy, environment, with a particular focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to support social and private sector development in Eastern and Southern Partner Countries. In particular, the NIP will support the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) and its country flagships.The NIP is designed to combine EU grants or financial instruments with other public and private financing. By reducing, through co-financing, the overall cost or risk of the project or by subsidising interest rates or financing technical assistance or providing financial instruments, the NIP will encourage the partner country governments, private sector and/or public institutions to carry out essential investments that would otherwise not happen. |
EU Regional Support to Protection-Sensitive Migration Management Systems in the Western Balkans - Phase III (contract 4) Contract related to: EU Regional Support to Protection-Sensitive Migration Management Systems in the Western Balkans - Phase III (contract 4) - This action aims to contribute to a more effective protection-sensitive migration management in the region aligned to EU and international standards. Ultimately, the action will contribute to the effective and rights-based management of migrants and persons in need of international protection in the Western Balkans.To respond to continued challenges faced by the region in managing mixed migratory movements, the action will support the further development and strengthening of holistic and sustainable systems and capacities across the whole migration management process including identification, registration and referral at the border, asylum systems and reception capacities, as well as both voluntary and non-voluntary returns. The action will be implemented in full respect of human rights and take into account particularly the specific situation of vulnerable groups such as women, persons with disabilities and unaccompanied and separated children. It will have a strong regional approach including at a policy level to ensure increased coherence, coordination and cooperation both between the beneficiaries and between the beneficiaries and the EU. The action will at all times align with EU and international standards on migration management.The action has been designed to build upon the results of past phases of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) regional migration programme, taking into account lessons learned and best practices. It complements other IPA funded activities planned at the beneficiary level. The action is implemented by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (hereinafter referred to as Frontex), the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). |
EU4 Good Governance: Support for Improvement in Governance and Management (SIGMA) in the Western Balkans and Türkiye (2024MCP) The aim of the Action is to facilitate more sustainable governance and public administration reforms (PAR) on national and sub-national level and strengthen public administrations in the region in line with the Principles of Public Administration, so that they correspond to European values of democracy, human rights and the Rule of Law, integrity, predictability, accountability, legality and transparency and provide quality policy outcomes and services to citizens and businesses in order to support socio-economic development.SIGMA assistance focuses on six core areas of public administration reform: strategic framework, policy development and coordination, public service and human resource management, accountability, service delivery, and public financial management. This action supports beneficiaries in improving management and monitoring of public administration reform efforts and contributes to building up administrative capacities for more evidence-based and inclusive alignment and implementation of the EU acquis. |
Addendum no. 4 to Service Contract no. 2018/403-501 - Cross-Border Institution Building (CBIB+) Phase III <p>This Action, programmed under Window 5 of the IPA III Programming Framework, aims to provide regional technical assistance to cross-border cooperation (CBC) programmes between IPA beneficiaries. The regional technical assistance, aiming at supporting regional coordination, harmonisation, monitoring and communication of CBC programmes, is an integral part of the architecture of CBC delivery. Page 3 of 14 In the Western Balkans, intra-regional CBC programmes aim to enhance socio-economic development of border areas, promote good neighbourly relations between those areas and foster European integration by preparing for the future management of European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) programmes in the Western Balkans. As such, CBC supports in a cross-cutting way delivery on the ambition of the Commission Communication on an Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans1 . The role of local authorities in implementing CBC will receive specific attention under this fourth phase of regional technical assistance. </p> |
Action Document for Supporting Decarbonisation, Climate Resilience and Energy Security in the Eastern Partnership The EU has supported climate policy reforms and investments by the Eastern partner countries in line with the shared commitments under the Paris Agreement, Energy Community Treaty and bilateral agreements. Within this new Action, the overall objective is to enable progress of the Eastern Partners towards climate resilience and neutrality, and strengthen their energy security, while directly responding to the needs created by the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the wider situation in the energy sector. The Action will contribute to the elaboration and implementation of policies and tools necessary to achieve the goals and targets related to national and international climate action ¿ such as long-term low emission strategies, green financing frameworks, adaptation planning and pilot projects, carbon pricing and robust emissions monitoring, reporting and verification frameworks. The Action will prepare the ground for municipal and other infrastructure investments in line with the Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership (EaP) and the projected needs for a green reconstruction of Ukraine. This will be done (i) by helping EaP countries to green their capital markets and (ii) pilot test climate adaptation and resilience projects. These demonstration projects will focus on climate adaptation and resilience, and demonstrate how cities could increase resilience to physical climate risks and become more liveable in practice.The Action will provide further support to strengthen legislative and regulatory frameworks, evidence-based policy design and promote a conducive environment for sustainable energy investments, increased production of renewable energy and grid interconnection, and climate neutrality in the longer-term perspective. In order to monitor progress, the Action will include cooperation with the European Environment Agency to support Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in the implementation of the Governance Regulation under the Energy Community Treaty, which includes considerable reporting obligations as regards contracting parties¿ decarbonisation efforts. All of these activities will be crucial to ensure that partner countries stay on the path to mid-century climate neutrality, undertake a green reconstruction after the cessation of hostilities, enable greater climate resilience, and ensure the creation of a credible green finance market. This is required to ascertain the highest level of preparation once the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) enters into force, and when the levy will have to be paid as of 2026. |
EU4Digital: Investing in Broadband Connectivity Contract related to: EU4Digital: Investing in Broadband Connectivity - The overall objective (Impact) of this action is to contribute to reducing the urban-rural digital gap in the Eastern Partnership region and support reconstruction and diversification of broadband networks, following the Russian unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The action will contribute to the joint target agreed by Eastern Partnership (EaP) leaders, the European Union and its Member States to reach at least 80% of Eastern Partnership households having access to affordable high-speed internet, with a particular focus on gender equality, bridging the urban-rural divide, and social inclusiveness.The action will support the set-up of a regional EU4Digital project preparation facility, whose role will consist in:1. Supporting EaP partner countries in preparing national bankable investment projects supporting specific broadband development needs;2. Mobilising public and private investments in broadband connectivity infrastructure for rural expansion and diversification of international backbone routes. The action proposes an extension to the programme ENI/2018/399-031 `EU4Digital: Broadband strategies in the EaP region¿ achieved in 2020, which laid the grounds for an update of broadband strategies, legal reforms, and enhanced policy dialogue in the EaP. This action will rely on a partnership with a selected International Financial Institution with the aim of having a catalytic effect and encouraging public-private cooperation. By supporting sustainable investments in quality infrastructure in line with the EU¿s values and standards, the action will contribute to the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Neighbourhood in the area of broadband connectivity, and to the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy. |
Structural Reforms Better Integrated Within Fiscal Frameworks Contract related to: Structural Reforms Better Integrated Within Fiscal Frameworks - The enlargement strategy has put renewed emphasis on the need for the enlargement region to improve their economic governance. Good economic governance is key to sustainable social and economic development and stability. In the course of the EU accession process, the EU candidate countries and potential candidates are expected to further expand their policy and administrative capacities for the adoption and correct implementation of the EU acquis.This action supports the development of administrations¿ and central banks¿ capacities to manage economic reforms, public finances and monetary policy with a view to economic recovery and more resilient sustainable socio-economic development. The action supports three areas:Area of support 1 aims at fostering beneficiaries capacities to integrate structural reform measures into the medium-term budgetary frameworks and through this process at reinforcing the link between the Economic Reform Programmes (ERPs) preparation, IPA programming and planning of the central budget.Area of support 2 aims at strengthening the capacities of the Ministries of Finance to plan, steer and monitor the implementation of their Public Finance Management (PFM) reform strategies. In addition, specific implementation capacities will be strengthened, in particular regarding fiscal responsibility frameworks, public investment and public asset management also in selected line ministries, local governments and state-owned enterprises, especially in the utility sector.Area of support 3 aims at enhancing technical and administrative capacities of the central banks on key technical topics, hereby enhancing their important roles in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, preserving macroeconomic stability and building up economic resilience in a long-term. |
EU support to the development of a Common Regional Market (CRM) 2021-2022 The Action aims to support the implementation of the Common Regional Market (CRM) Action Plan, in order to (i) increase socioeconomic growth in the region thanks to increased trade and investment; (ii) foster the implementation of the EU acquis pertaining to the EU Single Market in order to accelerate accession to the EU; and (iii) enhance good neighbourly relations. The CRM is structured around the four freedoms (free movement of goods, services, capital and people) while also covering aspects of digital, investment, innovation and industry policy, in order to address the economic fragmentation in the Western Balkans with a view to accelerating economic convergence with the European Union (EU). The Action will also include the support to a subset of regional aspects of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB)1. It will be implemented by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) Secretariat and the World Bank Group, building on the work done and lessons learned through the Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area (MAP REA).The objective thereof is the creation of a (i) regional trade area, (ii) regional investment area, (iii) regional digital area, and (iv) regional industrial and innovation area, with a view to forming a CRM, as a stepping-stone to integrate the region more closely with the EU Single Market prior to their accession to the European Union.The action is aligned with the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP)2, the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and the Western Balkan Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sports. It also buildson the achievements of the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans.1.SWD(2020) 223, 6.10.2020.2.COM(2020) 641, 6.10.2020. |
Final evaluation Police Budget Support Moldova - Extension Contract related to: Final evaluation Police Budget Support Moldova - Extension - The East Global Allocation for 2021-2022 is a support measure giving the European Commission the possibility to fund measures and small-scale activities in a flexible way. The aim is to strengthen the means of implementation for sustainable development in line with the objectives of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) of the European Neighbourhood Policy, within the framework of the Neighbourhood, Development and Page 4 of 15 International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) ¿ Global Europe - as well as its operational and policy priorities. The action contributes to SDG 17 to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development. The Specific Objectives (Outcomes) of this action are to 1. Strengthen the management, implementation and follow-up of external actions in the framework of the EaP objectives and priorities. 2. Enhance the information, communication and visibility activities towards awareness and understanding of the ENP |
Governance of public finances and economic reforms in the Western Balkans and Turkey - 2021 (2021-2022MCP) The enlargement strategy has put renewed emphasis on the need for the enlargement region to improve their economic governance. Good economic governance is key to sustainable social and economic development and stability. In the course of the EU accession process, the EU candidate countries and potential candidates are expected to further expand their policy and administrative capacities for the adoption and correct implementation of the EU acquis.This action supports the development of administrations¿ and central banks¿ capacities to manage economic reforms, public finances and monetary policy with a view to economic recovery and more resilient sustainable socio-economic development. The action supports three areas:Area of support 1 aims at fostering beneficiaries capacities to integrate structural reform measures into the medium-term budgetary frameworks and through this process at reinforcing the link between the Economic Reform Programmes (ERPs) preparation, IPA programming and planning of the central budget.Area of support 2 aims at strengthening the capacities of the Ministries of Finance to plan, steer and monitor the implementation of their Public Finance Management (PFM) reform strategies. In addition, specific implementation capacities will be strengthened, in particular regarding fiscal responsibility frameworks, public investment and public asset management also in selected line ministries, local governments and state-owned enterprises, especially in the utility sector.Area of support 3 aims at enhancing technical and administrative capacities of the central banks on key technical topics, hereby enhancing their important roles in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, preserving macroeconomic stability and building up economic resilience in a long-term. |
Activity under preparation EU and UNODC Joint Action Promoting Rule of Law and Good Governance through targeted Border Control Measures at Ports and Airports in South-Eastern Europe (Phase II) Contract related to: EU and UNODC Joint Action Promoting Rule of Law and Good Governance through targeted Border Control Measures at Ports and Airports in South-Eastern Europe (Phase II) - The Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to: Strengthen the rule of law and security in the Western Balkans through enhancing the fight against organised crime, corruption and terrorism and to foster cohesion and resilience by continued support to addressing the legacy of the past and bringing justice to victims of the wars of the 1990s.The action aims to increase the engagement of EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies, such as the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) in the fight against organised crime and terrorism in line with their respective mandates. It will also rely on the specific expertise of international partners, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in relevant areas. The action will also reinforce the institutional capacities of the beneficiaries¿ judicial sectors to respond effectively to organised crime and corruption cases. In particular, the action will provide a diagnostic of systemic challenges and gaps and formulate relevant and targeted recommendations for each beneficiary. In doing so, the action is expected to contribute to an improved track record of the prosecution and adjudication of organised crime, money laundering and corruption cases. The action will also strengthen criminal accountability and the rights of victims of the 1990s conflicts in the former Yugoslavia via the work of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). The action is expected to contribute to the overall objective of IPA III Window 1 to strengthen the rule of law, democracy, respect of human rights and international law, civil society and security as well as to improve border management and also to the overall objective of IPA III Window 2 to is to foster cohesion and resilience by continued support to addressing the legacy of the past and bringing justice to victims of the wars of the 1990s on the territory of the former Yugoslavia. |
EU support to fundamental rights of Roma in the Western Balkans and Turkey - 2021 (2021-2022MCP) The action supports fundamental rights of Roma. It will contribute to supporting implementation of inclusion policies and enhancing access to basic socio-economic rights. The action will also assist the progressive implementation in the enlargement region of the new ¿2020-2030 EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation¿; progress on fulfilment of Roma inclusion commitments taken under the negotiations chapter 23 and, as relevant the 2019 Declaration of Western Balkans partners on Roma integration within the EU enlargement process (Poznan declaration). The action consists of 3 components:Component 1: Roma Integration phase IIIIt will implement the third phase of the Roma Integration action. It will continue to support implementation of governmental policies for Roma inclusion in the enlargement region, mirroring the efforts for Roma equality, inclusion and participation taking place within the EU; and, in the Western Balkans, particularly focusing on the Poznan Declaration objectives, the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans[1] as well as the green agenda, digital agenda, renovation wave and investment facilities. This will be done through policy advice, technical support and implementation of pilot initiatives with direct effects on the ground. Component 2: EU Regional action for Roma Education and Employment: Increased education and employment opportunities for Roma students in Western Balkans and Türkiye, phase IIIt will support Roma children and youth in accessing better quality and long-term education, reducing drop outs, support the gender equality. It and will also contribute to increasing the potential and opportunities for employability of Roma the youth facilitating the transfer for education to employment. The action will actively cooperate with other relevant Roma inclusion projects, involve relevant local, national and international diverse stakeholders, (such as policymakers, project implementers and the beneficiary communities), and it will foster setting up Roma youth networks and regional knowledge transfer in the Western Balkans and Türkiye.Component 3: 5th EU Roma integration Award for Western Balkans and Türkiye 2023It is a continuation of what has become one of the most successful and visible communication tools on Roma inclusion both at local, national regional, and EU level. The Award contributes to improve positive visibility, self-perception and empowerment of Roma individuals and communities, as the awardees go back to their communities with prestige as interlocutors, strengthened in the conviction that their work matters and is appreciated.[1] COM(2020) 641, 6.10.2020. |
Structural Reform Facility. Competitiveness Policy Priorities for Western Balkans Contract related to: Structural Reform Facility. Competitiveness Policy Priorities for Western Balkans - In October 2020 the European Commission adopted a comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans, which aims to spur the long-term economic recovery of the region, support a green and digital transition, foster regional integration and convergence with the European Union.The EIP is accompanied by the Guidelines for implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB), which further detail investments and actions that can foster the green transition in the region under the EIP and beyond. With the EIP, the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and the Green Agenda, the EU provides strong support for economic recovery and reform for a modern, greener and more prosperous Western Balkans delivering better to their citizens on the road to the EU.The EIP also offers a path for a successful regional economic integration to help accelerate convergence with the EU and close the development gap between EU Member States and the Western Balkans region. The EIP will increase the competitiveness of the Western Balkans. Its implementation will have to be accompanied with the relevant reform measures.The Western Balkans Investment Framework members include the European Commission, member states, bilateral donors, financial institutions who altogether in partnership share the objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan for Western Balkans and together contribute to achieve common goals to spur the socio-economic cohesion of the region. In this context, the Western Balkans Investment Framework contributes to support the Team Europe Initiative.To achieve the aforementioned goals this action offers significant EU funding for the preparation and implementation of investment flagships in the areas of sustainable transport, clean energy, environment and climate, digital, innovation, competitiveness and private sector.The action includes 4 components:- Blending and technical assistance:1. EU4 Green and Digital Transition2. EU4 Green Growth3. EU4 Competitiveness and Innovation- Budgetary guarantee:4. Western Balkans Guarantee Facility (EFSD+ Guarantee and legacy ELM) in support of the 3 above components, the Sustainable Transport Connectivity action, and cutting across windows 3 and 4 of IPA III. |
Activity under preparation Cross-border cooperation programme Serbia-Montenegro 2021-2027 The programme¿s overall objective is to promote good neighbourly relations, foster Union integration and strengthen the social, economic and territorial development of the programme cross-border area by improving health and social care services and developing sustainable tourism. The programme area stretches across South-Western Serbia and the North and Central parts of Montenegro. It covers 17 402 km² and has a population of 664 522 inhabitants. The programme addresses two thematic priorities (TPs):- TP1: Employment, labour mobility and social and cultural inclusion across borders, aiming to increase the socio-economic development potential of these areas.- TP5: Encouraging tourism and cultural and natural heritage, aiming to activate natural, cultural and human potentials of the programme area for sustainable, green and inclusive tourism. |
Promoting Sustainable and Socially Inclusive Labour Market Integration <p>Contract's objective is to increase formal employment of Syrians under Temporary Protection, Persons under International Protection and host community members and strengthen the harmonization process in Türkiye</p><p>Specific Objectives are:</p><ol><li data-list="ordered"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Improved level of employability of SuTPs, PuIPs and host community members </li><li data-list="ordered"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Strengthened capacity of government and non-government institutions as well as employers to improve access of SuTPs, PuIPs and host community members to information, employment opportunities, and protection safeguards.</li><li data-list="ordered"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Increased effectiveness of government and non-government institutions in providing employment support services to SuTPs, PuIPs and host community members </li><li data-list="ordered"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Improved level of social cohesion between SuTPs, PuIPs and host community members in their community and workplaces</li></ol> |
Evaluation of public administration reform with a focus on public finance management <p>This evaluation is part of the Directorate-general for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) multiannual strategic evaluation Work Programme 2023-2026.</p><p>The purpose of the evaluation is twofold:</p><p>ü The <strong>general objective</strong> of the evaluation is to provide the relevant EU Institutions and the wider public with an overall independent assessment of the EU support under IPA and NDICI to public administration reform with a focus on public finance management, which has the lion share in this evaluation from the period 2016 ¿ 2023, identify key lessons, share good practices, and produce recommendations to feed into ongoing and future policies and programmes.</p><p>The <strong>specific objective</strong> for this evaluation is to assess the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, EU added value and sustainability of the EU support to PAR focusing on PFM from the angle of policy and implementation.</p> |
Individual Measure to strengthen migration management capacities in the Western Balkans for 2023 In support of the 2021 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy[1] and in line with the IPA III Programming Framework, this Action will further strengthen the capacities of the Western Balkan beneficiaries to implement Integrated Border Management (IBM) that is aligned with EU standards and the Schengen acquis. In particular, it will further strengthen the Western Balkans¿ capacities for border surveillance, strengthened inter-agency cooperation, enhance capacities of law enforcement officials to tackle organised crime, with particular focus on combating and prevention of migrant smuggling and trafficking of human beings (THB), and cross-border crime while ensuring full respect of the rule of law and fundamental rights of migrants. Furthermore, the Action will strengthen the Western Balkans¿ capacities to manage migration flows and enhance capacities for effective identification and registration of migrants at the borders.The Action is an important component within the wider enlargement process and EU accession negotiations under Chapter 24 of the EU acquis to support the development of effective border management systems. It contributes to the enhancement of EU migration and integrated border management assistance across the areas covered by the Pact on Migration and Asylum[2] and responds to the conclusions of the special European Council meeting of 9 February 2023[3] which called on the Commission to increase external action in main migratory routes. The Action also contributes to the implementation of the EU Action Plan on the Western Balkans[4]. By improving capacities for migration and border management and contributing to the fight against organised crime, the Action directly contributes to increased safety and security in regions close to the EU's borders, in line with the EU enlargement policy. The Action will build on and complement bilateral IPA assistance and regional assistance.[1] COM(2021) 644 final 19.10.2021[2] COM(2020) 609 final 23.09.2020[3] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-1-2023-INIT/en/pdf[4] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/eu-action-plan-western-balkans_en |
EU support to facilitate just transition for Western Balkans regions, industries and workers (2024MCP) A just transition ensures that the substantial benefits of a green economy are shared widely, and the concerns faced by fossil fuel-dependent regions, industries and the affected communities are addressed during the transition process and beyond, in line with the 2050 target of achieving climate neutrality in line with the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans[1] (supporting the alignment of the Western Balkans with the goals of the European Green Deal[2]). This entails the adoption of necessary measures to protect those that are most vulnerable and affected by the changes. The present action ¿EU support to facilitate just transition for Western Balkans regions, industries and workers¿ aims to support the Western Balkans in managing the transition to a sustainable and climate-neutral economy, with a focus on just and fair transition away from coal and carbon-intensive industries. The planned activities are in the areas of energy, environment and climate resilience, economic development (including private sector, trade and macroeconomic support), and human development (including human capital and youth) in line with the Economic Investment Plan for the Western Balkans[3], the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the IPA III Programming Framework for the period 2021-2027[4]. The specific objectives of the action are to: i) improve the understanding of the challenges and opportunities linked to the just transition through coherent strategy and policy development; ii) strengthen the engagement with the private sector and international financing institutions to support implementation of projects that enable just transition, including the introduction of new technologies; and iii) foster dialogue and actively engage government authorities, municipalities and citizens and other relevant stakeholders in decision-making for just transition pathways. This action will deploy the necessary technical assistance to support the implementation of strategies that mitigate commercial, economic, social and environmental impacts of the transition and support human development and social assistance; mobilise finance from the private sector to support regional and industrial transformation and translate roadmaps into investment plans; facilitate and ensure the implementation of pilot projects; and enhance the dialogue on just transition between the Western Balkans partners and also with the EU Member States and other stakeholders.[1] SWD (2020) 223 final[2] COM(2019) 640 final[3] COM (2020) 641 final[4] COM(2021) 8914 final |
Strengthening Fiscal Governance in the Western Balkans <p><strong style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Component 1: Fiscal responsibility</strong><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> (fiscal rules, fiscal councils, macro-modelling and forecasting, spending reviews, climate-related fiscal risks);</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"><span class="ql-cursor">¿</span>Component 2: Public Investment and Asset Management</strong><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> with sectorial focus (PIAM) (Pillar 1: diagnostics including </span><em style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">InfraGov Western Balkans Baseline Assessment</em><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> looking also at sector specific challenges (e.g., SOE investments, transport, energy) &</span><em style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> Regional Climate Resilient Infrastructure Assessment</em><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">; and regional peer-learning network; and Pilllar 2: Institutional strengthening of PIAM with a focus on infrastructure, SOE and SNG sectors);</span></p><p><br></p><p class="ql-align-justify"> </p><p><br></p> |
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe - RYDE <p>The overall objective of the Action is to contribute to<strong> strengthening participatory democracy, EU integration and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans through increased impact of civil society organizations (CSOs) and particularly youth organizations</strong> in promoting democratic values, political, economic and social benefits of the EU integration of the WB.</p><p>More concretely, the Action will strengthen <strong>CSOs capacities for monitoring reforms and formulation of policy proposals in the areas that are of particular importance for youth</strong> in the region (education, employment, environmental protection, mobility, reconciliation and fundamental rights). The Action will <strong>encourage cooperation among CSOs and youth in the WB region, which will contribute to reconciliation efforts and good neighbourly relations, through education, exchange, sub-granting, internship program</strong>. The Action is relevant for the sectors/themes of the Lot2 as it intends to empower/include marginalised groups (particularly youth, girls and young women, ethnic youth groups ¿ the Action will target specific sub-groups within the youth which are in underprivileged position, deprived/discriminated). By addressing youth access to labour market, the Action will tackle young women/women participation at the labour market.</p> |
EU-Council of Europe Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Turkey ¿ Phase III (2022MCP) Tangible advancements on the path to rule of law-based democracies, in which fundamental rights are effectively protected, remain among the most pressing issues for the Western Balkans and Turkey. The Beneficiaries must embrace the fundamental EU values at the heart of the Stabilisation and Association Process and of the EU accession negotiations. In line with the Enlargement strategy and the IPA III Programming Framework, this action aims at further strengthening capacities, systems and institutions and engage with stakeholders who are instrumental in the realisation of rule of law and fundamental rights. While the related policy and legal frameworks in the Beneficiaries in the Western Balkans are relatively advanced, implementation in practice is not at a satisfactory level and in many instances the reform initiatives are not sufficiently locally owned. To progress on rule of law, a comprehensive approach is needed involving all key stakeholders, ranging from official justice sector representatives to civil society, catering to the needs of the duty bearers and the right holders alike. The action will be implemented by the Council of Europe through a third phase of the EU-Council of Europe Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey, which serves as a strategic cooperation tool between the EU and Council of Europe for the benefit of the targeted Beneficiaries. The Council of Europe offers a unique methodology of standard setting, monitoring and technical assistance in the areas pursued under this Facility. In line with the comprehensive approach, the action will support official reforms efforts as well as initiatives from civil society and the grass root, provide capacity-building, technical assistance, and expertise to the stakeholders in all Beneficiaries along the four themes of the Facility: 1) Strengthening justice2) Fighting corruption, economic crime, and money laundering3) Promoting anti-discrimination and protection of the rights of vulnerable groups; and 4) Promoting and protecting freedom of expression and media. Regional activities will be part of the Facility in areas where these regional exchanges provide an added value. They will foster peer to peer contacts for exchange of best practices, promote joined-up approaches and cooperation across the borders. Through the Council of Europe Expertise Co-ordination Mechanism (ECM) valuable expertise can be provided on constitutional matters or other areas, in which the Council of Europe has a unique expertise to offer. Small scale grants and investments complement support to the Beneficiaries in achieving the results envisioned under this action. The action is directly relevant to SDG 16 as it is contributing to peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development by promoting access to justice and supporting the building of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. |
Activity under preparation Contribution Arrangement CN IPA III/2024/700002045 - PC-36895 with respect to the European Western Balkans Joint Fund under the Western Balkans Investment Framework - Allocation 2023-2024 for DII, ENE, ENV and SOC infrastructure sectors Contract inherited from multiple actions, related to: Contribution Arrangement CN IPA III/2024/700002045 - PC-36895 with respect to the European Western Balkans Joint Fund under the Western Balkans Investment Framework - Allocation 2023-2024 for DII, ENE, ENV and SOC infrastructure sectors - The action has the objective to contribute to the long-term recovery of the Western Balkans - backed by a green and digital transition - leading to sustained and sustainable economic growth via supporting the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and the accompanying Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB), as well as the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. The action includes 3 components focused on blending and technical assistance:Sustainable Connectivity (Transport, Energy and Digital)Green TransitionCompetitiveness, Innovation, Digital transition and Inclusive growth |
EU Civil Society Facility and Media Programme Multi-country 2024-2025 (2024-2025CSF) The Civil Society Facility and Media Programme offers a single window of support to civil society and media freedom, bringing together EU support at bilateral and regional level. The present action intends to strengthen participatory democracies and EU integration and approximation in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, through an enhanced contribution by civil society and media (overall objective). In particular, the action aims at achieving the following specific objectives/outcomes:1. Strengthened and more gender-responsive civil society sector through a more conducive environment, a strengthened cooperation and partnership between Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and public institutions, and reinforced CSO capacity and resilience.2.Independence and pluralism of media fostered through a more conducive environment for the freedom of expression, improved internal governance of media outlets, and established professional and ethical standards of quality content production. To this end, the action includes a multi-faceted and integrated set of activities, providing different and complementary modalities of support to CSOs and media actors. Among these, the action includes regional action grants to CSOs, technical assistance, direct awards to intermediary organisations such as European Endowment for Democracy and the Western Balkans Fund, contribution agreements with organisations such as UNESCO. Extensive use of Financial Support to Third Parties¿ support modalities is also foreseen. The action is in line with the IPA III Programming Framework - thematic window (1) Rule of law, fundamental rights and democracy, with some cross-cutting impacts in other windows: (2) Good governance, EU acquis alignment, good neighbourly relations and strategic communication and (3) Green agenda and sustainable connectivity. It also is in line with the objectives and priorities of the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans, and the ¿DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society in the enlargement region 2021-2027¿. |
EU4 Rule of Law: Supporting evidence-based policy-making on justice system performance in the Western Balkans and Turkey - 2021 Pursuing reforms in the area of rule of law is the key benchmark against which the IPA III beneficiaries progress towards becoming an EU Member State is assessed by the EU. Over the recent years, progress on reforms enabling strong independent, accountable, efficient and qualitative justice systems has varied considerably across the IPA III beneficiaries. Strengthening the rule of law is not only a matter for institutions. It requires profound and sustainable societal transformation.In line with the Enlargement strategy1 and the IPA III Programming Framework, this action aims at contributing to improve the conditions for justice reforms in the IPA III beneficiaries. Through justice perception surveys complemented by in-depth analytical reports and awareness-raising, the action will (1) enhance conditions for targeted reforms in the justice system of each IPA III beneficiary and (2) enhance participation of justice users in assessing performance of justice systems in each IPA III beneficiary. The World Bank Group will implement this action.1.Communication from the Commisson to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions ¿An Economic and Investment plan for the Western Balkans¿, COM(2020)641 final of 6.10.2020 |
WeLead, EU Scheme for Young Professionals in the Western Balkans <p class="ql-align-justify">The overall objective of the Action is to encourage young civil servants to step out as emerging leaders of ideas, people and reforms in their societies thus enabling reconciliation and good neighborly relations, as well as the advancement of the EU integration process of the Western Balkans. This will be achieved through learning, improved regional cooperation and knowledge exchange, enhanced stronger professional network between them, and improved knowledge and experience of the EU accession process.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Concretely, the Action will support development of expertise of targeted young civil servants in key sectors in the Western Balkans in close consultations with the relevant public administrations including central and local levels, which will ensure dedicated involvement and clear ownership of the Action by the targeted public administrations. The action will consist of the following learning components: (1) <strong>WeLearn</strong> ¿ Skills and Capabilities Development; (2) <strong>WeExperience</strong> ¿ Study Visits in the Western Balkans and the EU; (3) <strong>WeWrite</strong> ¬ Policy Paper Writing Projects, Powered by Mentoring; (4) <strong>WeConnect</strong> ¿ Networking and Alumni Support; (5) <strong>WeShare</strong> ¿ Knowledge Sharing and Peer Review; and (6) <strong>WeCoach</strong> ¿ Executive Coaching. </p> |
EU4Digital - An accelerated digital transition for the Western Balkans (2024MCP) This action document contributes to the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans[1] underpinning the digital transition of the region through the initiative `EU4Digital - An accelerated digital transition for the Western Balkans¿.The EU4 Digital initiative is a new initiative that aims to foster the region digital transition through both political and policy dialogues and identification of areas for investments. The action will address secure and sustainable digital and telecommunication infrastructures across the region; digitalisation of public sector services and interoperability; digitalisation of businesses; digital skills. Pilots in each area will also be envisages. The action[MBMT(1] activities and outputs will have to address vulnerable segments of the population, including Roma. [1] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, COM (2020) 641 final, 6.10.2020. [MBMT(1]Can be capital or little, but consistently used |
EU contribution to the Western Balkans Investment Framework 2021-2023 (2021-2027 WBIF) In October 2020 the European Commission adopted a comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans, which aims to spur the long-term economic recovery of the region, support a green and digital transition, foster regional integration and convergence with the European Union.The EIP is accompanied by the Guidelines for implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB), which further detail investments and actions that can foster the green transition in the region under the EIP and beyond. With the EIP, the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and the Green Agenda, the EU provides strong support for economic recovery and reform for a modern, greener and more prosperous Western Balkans delivering better to their citizens on the road to the EU.The EIP also offers a path for a successful regional economic integration to help accelerate convergence with the EU and close the development gap between EU Member States and the Western Balkans region. The EIP will increase the competitiveness of the Western Balkans. Its implementation will have to be accompanied with the relevant reform measures.The Western Balkans Investment Framework members include the European Commission, member states, bilateral donors, financial institutions who altogether in partnership share the objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan for Western Balkans and together contribute to achieve common goals to spur the socio-economic cohesion of the region. In this context, the Western Balkans Investment Framework contributes to support the Team Europe Initiative.To achieve the aforementioned goals this action offers significant EU funding for the preparation and implementation of investment flagships in the areas of sustainable transport, clean energy, environment and climate, digital, innovation, competitiveness and private sector.The action includes 4 components:- Blending and technical assistance:1. EU4 Green and Digital Transition2. EU4 Green Growth3. EU4 Competitiveness and Innovation- Budgetary guarantee:4. Western Balkans Guarantee Facility (EFSD+ Guarantee and legacy ELM) in support of the 3 above components, the Sustainable Transport Connectivity action, and cutting across windows 3 and 4 of IPA III. |
Green Finance for Inclusion - GF4I Contract related to: Green Finance for Inclusion - GF4I - In October 2020 the European Commission adopted a comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans, which aims to spur the long-term economic recovery of the region, support a green and digital transition, foster regional integration and convergence with the European Union.The EIP is accompanied by the Guidelines for implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB), which further detail investments and actions that can foster the green transition in the region under the EIP and beyond. With the EIP, the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and the Green Agenda, the EU provides strong support for economic recovery and reform for a modern, greener and more prosperous Western Balkans delivering better to their citizens on the road to the EU.The EIP also offers a path for a successful regional economic integration to help accelerate convergence with the EU and close the development gap between EU Member States and the Western Balkans region. The EIP will increase the competitiveness of the Western Balkans. Its implementation will have to be accompanied with the relevant reform measures.The Western Balkans Investment Framework members include the European Commission, member states, bilateral donors, financial institutions who altogether in partnership share the objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan for Western Balkans and together contribute to achieve common goals to spur the socio-economic cohesion of the region. In this context, the Western Balkans Investment Framework contributes to support the Team Europe Initiative.To achieve the aforementioned goals this action offers significant EU funding for the preparation and implementation of investment flagships in the areas of sustainable transport, clean energy, environment and climate, digital, innovation, competitiveness and private sector.The action includes 4 components:- Blending and technical assistance:1. EU4 Green and Digital Transition2. EU4 Green Growth3. EU4 Competitiveness and Innovation- Budgetary guarantee:4. Western Balkans Guarantee Facility (EFSD+ Guarantee and legacy ELM) in support of the 3 above components, the Sustainable Transport Connectivity action, and cutting across windows 3 and 4 of IPA III. |
Action Document for Green Recovery and Pollution Reduction in the Eastern Partnership (EU4Green Recovery East) The dual green and digital transformations are at the heart of the EU cooperation with the Eastern partner countries. In this context, the action will support the partner countries¿ recovery by promoting green, circular economy and pollution reduction. With a contribution of EUR 20 million, the action will focus on measures necessary for the Eastern Partnership Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) to deliver. Primarily, such measures will concern the effective use of materials (circular economy) and water as key inputs for economic activity. The EIP foresee to mobilise up to EUR 850 million of investments in these two areas. The programme¿s aim is to accelerate such investments and make them climate-smart and nature-positive, as well as to boost competitiveness based on higher material and water productivity of economies. Support for legislative and institutional alignment with the European Green Deal will be provided with a focus on enlargement countries. In addition, a level playing field for businesses and investors will be further promoted through measures that transpose and ensure the implementation of international environmental commitments. This will be done in the context of the Global Gateway and the newly adopted Water Action Agenda. Both public and private actors will benefit from the action. The action will include five components as follows: (i) circular economy promotion; (ii) pollution reduction with a focus on water as a critical resource for the economy; (iii) legislative alignment with the European Green Deal, including, where relevant, with Chapter 27 of enlargement negotiations and facilitation of the accession process; (iv) institutional integration into EU-wide cooperation, and (v) promotion of compliance with international commitments relevant for the Global Gateway Strategy. Principally, the action will contribute to SDG 15 due to its significant focus on water management. Based on the achievements of previous EU-funded work, the action will help to complete river basin planning and help ensure that water management be aligned with the EU Water Framework Directive and commitments under the global Water Action Agenda. Per total, at the end of implementation, 30 river basins will be managed based on modern approaches by the end of the project. The latter has a high potential to reduce pollution thus its costs for human health, ecosystems, and the economy. The Action will also contribute to SDGs 5 (Gender equality), 8 (Decent work and economic growth), 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), 12 (Sustainable production and consumption), 13 (Climate action), and 17 (Partnership for the goals). It will be based on the outcomes of a gender analysis under the EU4Environment and will ensure that the identified gender gaps be addressed. The action was designed to be complementary to bilateral and other regional programmes funded by the EU, its Member States and other donors. It will build on the achievements of the EU4Environment programme. Synergies with EU global portfolios were also taken into account. The action will contribute to the implementation of the regional Team Europe Initiative on Water and Zero Pollution. |
EU4 Social Inclusion (2024MCP) The Action will support the implementation of the commitments made by the European Commission and IPA beneficiaries to leave no one behind in the enlargement process. The Action is aligned with the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP III) 2021-2025 and the IPA III Programming Framework, which both emphasise the importance of mainstreaming gender equality as a cross-cutting issue. The Action will also support the fulfilment of the Roma* inclusion commitments taken by the Western Balkans, including in the Berlin Process and the 2019 Poznan Declaration and subsequent annual Ministerial meetings. It is also directly relevant to Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced inequalities), SDG 1(End Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth). The Action is DAC gender marker 2.The six areas of support in this Action are:Improve women¿s economic empowerment: The Action will reinforce women¿s economic potential by strengthening their access to managerial and leadership roles, entrepreneurship, specialised employment opportunities (notably in the digital labour market and green transition) as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and employment.Increase access to digital essential services for women and girls¿ survivors of online and technology-facilitated violence: The Action will strengthen referral systems and support gender-sensitive legislation on cyber violence. It will also provide women and girls with tools to protect themselves from such violence. Integration of IPA beneficiaries into the core work areas of the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE): The Action will continue the inclusion of the IPA beneficiaries in EIGE¿s Gender Statistics Database, support the development and maintenance of Gender Equality Indices and their work on standardised administrative data on violence against women. This will strengthen their capacity to monitor and mainstream gender equality and facilitate regional cooperation.The Regional Roma Survey 2024: The Action will build upon the data collected in the 2011 and 2017 Regional Roma Survey by exploring core development changes for Roma. Specifically, it will gather quantitative and qualitative data and it will develop diagnostic reports on Western Balkans and Turkish Roma communities¿ needs in connection with the digital and green transitions.Support to Roma entrepreneurship phase II: The Action will provide Roma individuals, including youth and women, with technical assistance, skills and business development services, career guidance, support in the green and digital transition, and networking opportunities.The 6th EU Roma Integration Award for the Western Balkans and Türkiye (2025): The EU Roma Integration Award distinguishes individuals and groups that have achieved significant progress in the inclusion of Roma in their communities, combating discrimination. * In line with the terminology of European institutions, the umbrella term `Roma¿ is used here to refer to a number of different groups (e.g., Roma, Sinti, Kale, Gypsies, Romanichels, Boyash, Ashkali, Egyptians, Yenish, Dom, Lom, Rom, Abdal¿) without denying the specificities of these groups. |
Expenditure verification and Systems audit of contract NEAR-TS/2020/421-733 - ''ABC.GoV: Alliance for Better City Governance'' Contract related to: Expenditure verification and Systems audit of contract NEAR-TS/2020/421-733 - ''ABC.GoV: Alliance for Better City Governance'' - Support Measure (Action Document 4) - DG NEARSupport measures under this Action will reinforce efficiency, performance and impact of the thematic programme implementation. These measures will allow for preparation, follow-up, monitoring, audit and evaluation activities, as well as other relevant activities directly linked to the achievement of the thematic programme¿s specific objectives, such as studies, meetings and consultations, exchanges of best practices, networking, training, information sessions, communication and public diplomacy.This Action will entail support for programme implementation in both HQ and EU Delegations, including preparation, implementation and monitoring of the CSO Roadmaps.This action document frames the use of support measures, as envisaged in Article 24 of the Regulation (EU) 2021/947 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument - Global Europe and in the Multiannual Indicative Programme for Civil Society Organisations 2021-2027.The objectives of this action will mainly be achieved through services contracts directly managed by the competent European Commission services. This is justified by the nature of the activities (trainings, studies, events, evaluations or audits). |
Contribution Arrangement with respect to the European Western Balkans Joint Fund under the Western Balkans Investment Framework - Allocation 2022 - 2023 for Digital, Energy, Environment and Social infrastructure sectors Contract related to: Contribution Arrangement with respect to the European Western Balkans Joint Fund under the Western Balkans Investment Framework - Allocation 2022 - 2023 for Digital, Energy, Environment and Social infrastructure sectors - In October 2020 the European Commission adopted a comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans, which aims to spur the long-term economic recovery of the region, support a green and digital transition, foster regional integration and convergence with the European Union.The EIP is accompanied by the Guidelines for implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB), which further detail investments and actions that can foster the green transition in the region under the EIP and beyond. With the EIP, the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and the Green Agenda, the EU provides strong support for economic recovery and reform for a modern, greener and more prosperous Western Balkans delivering better to their citizens on the road to the EU.The EIP also offers a path for a successful regional economic integration to help accelerate convergence with the EU and close the development gap between EU Member States and the Western Balkans region. The EIP will increase the competitiveness of the Western Balkans. Its implementation will have to be accompanied with the relevant reform measures.The Western Balkans Investment Framework members include the European Commission, member states, bilateral donors, financial institutions who altogether in partnership share the objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan for Western Balkans and together contribute to achieve common goals to spur the socio-economic cohesion of the region. In this context, the Western Balkans Investment Framework contributes to support the Team Europe Initiative.To achieve the aforementioned goals this action offers significant EU funding for the preparation and implementation of investment flagships in the areas of sustainable transport, clean energy, environment and climate, digital, innovation, competitiveness and private sector.The action includes 4 components:- Blending and technical assistance:1. EU4 Green and Digital Transition2. EU4 Green Growth3. EU4 Competitiveness and Innovation- Budgetary guarantee:4. Western Balkans Guarantee Facility (EFSD+ Guarantee and legacy ELM) in support of the 3 above components, the Sustainable Transport Connectivity action, and cutting across windows 3 and 4 of IPA III. |
Strategic communication about the European Union and the EU accession process 2021-2023 The objective of the action is to raise public awareness and contribute to public support for the European Union and its actions and the EU accession process. The action provides funding for the European Commission, the EU delegations in the Western Balkans and Turkey and the EU Office in Kosovo* to continue effective, strategic communication based on clear objectives, a common and compelling EU narrative and thematic communication on key priorities. The action will comprise, among others: (i) EU image-building (`EU-branding¿) campaigns to position the EU as the main political and economic partner and the biggest financial donor, and as a major engine of positive change, through investments and reforms that benefit society and are firmly attached to EU values; (ii) thematic campaigns on priority areas of cooperation (e.g. green agenda, digital agenda, connectivity, economy, human capital, fair society); (iii) a network of information centres and information points; (iv) web and social media presence; (v) direct outreach to the targeted audiences (events, festivals, TV and radio programmes, student debates, etc.); (vi) media relations; (vii) opinion polls and surveys.The communication activities implemented by the European Commission and the EU delegations and office are complementary to the communication efforts of the national authorities and civil society. |
Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility for Resilient and Inclusive Societies for 2023-2024 The Eastern Partnership (EaP) Civil Society Facility is the EU¿s landmark programme on support to civil society in the EaP countries and Russia, combining regional and country-based actions. Empowered civil society is a crucial component of an inclusive and resilient, gender equal and democratic system and a key contributor to the democratic and economic transformation of the partner countries. The Joint Communication on the future of the EaP of March 2020 and the Joint Staff Working Document on Recovery, resilience and reforms: post 2020 Eastern Partnership priorities of July 2021 confirm the EU¿s commitment to enhance engagement and sustainability of civil society in all partner countries, particularly local, grassroots organisations, to meaningfully participate in policy dialogue, promote reforms and public accountability. Furthermore, the 2022 Commission opinions on the application for membership of the European Union, which confirm the European perspective for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, stress an enhancement of the involvement of civil society in decision-making processes at all levels as priority. Against the backdrop of Russia¿s war of aggression against Ukraine and increased political instability across the countries, this action aims to strengthen inclusive resilient democratic societies in the Eastern Partnership region by capacitating Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to participate meaningfully in European and national policy dialogue (including reforms, accountability and socio-economic recovery), as well as by enabling civic actors to engage in pro-democracy and human rights and environment/climate activism. This is in line with the objectives of the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) to strengthen resilient, gender equal, fair and inclusive societies in the EaP countries. To achieve its objectives, the action proposes the following intervention areas:- Capacity development and financial sustainability of the local CSOs to empower them to effectively promote reforms, accountability, democratic development and play an active role in the sustainable socio-economic recovery;- Enabling civic actors to engage in pro-democracy, pro-gender equality and human rights activism;- Strengthening resilience of local CSOs to sustain democratic progress and react/respond to sudden shocks in the political or social context;The design of the intervention will further build on the EU¿s strategic approach to supporting civil society and will establish framework partnership agreements with key CSOs to channel support more effectively and increase overall support.The action contributes directly to achieving the SDG 16 ¿Promote peaceful & inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels¿.The programme will also contribute towards SDG 5, ¿Achieving gender equality and empower all women and girls¿, through support to women¿s rights and other organisations promoting gender equality. |
Strategic communication about the European union and the EU accession process (Western Balkans and Türkiye) - 2024-2027 Strategic communication about the European Union and the EU accession process (Western Balkans and Türkiye)Multi-country multiannual support measure in favour of the IPA III beneficiaries for 2024-2027The objective of the action is to raise public awareness and contribute to public support for the European Union and its actions and the EU accession process. The action provides funding for the European Commission, the EU Delegations in the Western Balkans and Türkiye and the EU Office in Kosovo* to continue effective, strategic communication based on clear objectives, a common and compelling EU narrative and thematic communication on key priorities. The action will comprise, among others: (i) EU image-building (`EU-branding¿) campaigns to position the EU as the main political and economic partner and the biggest financial donor, and as a major engine of positive change, through investments and reforms that benefit society and are firmly attached to EU values; (ii) thematic campaigns on priority areas of cooperation (e.g. sustainable transport, clean energy, environment and climate, digital future, human capital, private sector); (iii) a network of Europe Houses, information centres and information points; (iv) web and social media presence; (v) direct outreach to the targeted audiences (events, festivals, TV and radio programmes, student debates, competitions, awards etc.); (vi) media relations; (vii) opinion polls and surveys (inc. focus groups research). The communication activities implemented by the European Commission and the EU Delegations and Office are complementary to the communication efforts of the national authorities and civil society.Budget Total estimated cost: EUR 72.460.000Total amount of EU budget contribution EUR 72.460.000The contribution is for an amount of EUR 16.360.000 from the general budget of the European Union for 2024 and for an amount of EUR 21.800.000 from the general budget of the European Union for 2025 and for an amount of EUR 17.200.000 from the general budget of the European Union for 2026, and for an amount of EUR 17.100.000 from the general budget of the European Union for 2027, subject to the availability of appropriations for the respective financial years following the adoption of the relevant annual budget, or as provided for in the system of provisional twelfths. |
Addendum no. 10 to Contract IPA/2018/402-893 - Technical Assistance to Civil Society Organisations (TACSO 3) in the Western Balkans and Turkey <p>This activity will enhance civil society capacity in cross-cutting themes such as resilience, management and organisation and thematic sector specific capacity building. Additionally this activity will support a People-to-People programme which offers the opportunity for CSOs in the region to expand their knowledge about the EU and the accession process, as well as the opportunity to network internationally and regionally. The support will improve the ability of CSOs to advocate for their rights and support IPA III beneficiaries in complying and respecting international and domestic standards for an enabling environment. Additionally the activity will boost CSOs¿ capacities and increase their participation in tackling various thematic societal challenges, improve the effectiveness of their activities and their partnership with IPA beneficiaries¿ decision makers. The addendum will ensure the continuation of the services provided by the contractor beyond the initial contract (IPA/2018/402-893), in conformity with the initial project for which the original contract was awarded after publication of a contract notice.</p> |
Eco - Industrial Parks in the Western Balkans Contract related to: Eco - Industrial Parks in the Western Balkans - In October 2020 the European Commission adopted a comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans, which aims to spur the long-term economic recovery of the region, support a green and digital transition, foster regional integration and convergence with the European Union.The EIP is accompanied by the Guidelines for implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB), which further detail investments and actions that can foster the green transition in the region under the EIP and beyond. With the EIP, the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and the Green Agenda, the EU provides strong support for economic recovery and reform for a modern, greener and more prosperous Western Balkans delivering better to their citizens on the road to the EU.The EIP also offers a path for a successful regional economic integration to help accelerate convergence with the EU and close the development gap between EU Member States and the Western Balkans region. The EIP will increase the competitiveness of the Western Balkans. Its implementation will have to be accompanied with the relevant reform measures.The Western Balkans Investment Framework members include the European Commission, member states, bilateral donors, financial institutions who altogether in partnership share the objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan for Western Balkans and together contribute to achieve common goals to spur the socio-economic cohesion of the region. In this context, the Western Balkans Investment Framework contributes to support the Team Europe Initiative.To achieve the aforementioned goals this action offers significant EU funding for the preparation and implementation of investment flagships in the areas of sustainable transport, clean energy, environment and climate, digital, innovation, competitiveness and private sector.The action includes 4 components:- Blending and technical assistance:1. EU4 Green and Digital Transition2. EU4 Green Growth3. EU4 Competitiveness and Innovation- Budgetary guarantee:4. Western Balkans Guarantee Facility (EFSD+ Guarantee and legacy ELM) in support of the 3 above components, the Sustainable Transport Connectivity action, and cutting across windows 3 and 4 of IPA III. |
Support to Public Administration Capacity Building in EaP The underlying intervention logic for this action is that peer-to-peer learning within the region and with the European Union bears tremendous potential, and is therefore strongly reflected in the entire programme. The Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to provide better public services in the Eastern Partnership region. A well-functioning and modern administration is a key element of any democracy and good governance. At the same time, an accountable, transparent and efficient public administration at all levels of government is not only a democratic right of citizens but also a key driver of economic growth. To ensure that the benefits of growth are shared equally and that the priorities and needs of all members of society is adequately reflected, women¿s equal participation in decision-making and gender-responsive policy making is crucial. The action also aims to strengthen Ukraine¿s, Moldova¿s and Georgia¿s resilience to respond to urgent needs by the Ukrainian, Moldovan and Georgian central and local authorities as well as the population resulting from the war situation following the Russian aggression. The programme proposes two main components to achieve the overall objective. Firstly, to better align Public Administration Reform related processes to EU and international standards. This component aims to better train civil servants particularly in matters of accountability, ethics, public administration efficiency and European values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights including gender equality and minority rights¿ through a scaled-up job shadowing in EU Member States and possibly EU Institutions. The exchange seeks to deepen knowledge, transfer of competences and expertise in the field of European affairs, EU, policies, EU institutions, decision-making processes and integration mechanisms. Secondly, the action aims to increase knowledge of European values and principles of good administration leading to more transparency. As a first step towards achieving the desired result, a scoping study will research, propose and widely consult options of establishing a regional network of public administration reform capacity building institutions and assess possible formats and implementation modalities. There is an evident need for additional capacity building and training but further research is needed to identify the added benefits of a regional initiative, organisation and coordination mechanisms with existing initiatives. The priority will be focusing on changing the administrative culture towards a values-based and citizen-centred administration in line with international standards. Furthermore, this component seeks to foster engagement and local ownership through a series of multi-stakeholder conferences. This intervention is relevant for the Agenda 2030. It contributes primarily to the progressive achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 16: promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. It also actively contributes make societies more gender-equal, fair and inclusive by improving the functioning of public administrations in the long-term.[1]The intervention will also assist in strengthening Ukraine¿s, Moldova¿s and Georgia¿s resilience to respond to urgent needs by the Ukrainian, Moldovan and Georgian central and local authorities as well as the population resulting from the war situation following the Russian aggression.[1] Joint Staff Working Document SWD(2021) 186 final) of 02.07.2021 ¿Recovery, resilience and reform: post 2020 Eastern Partnership priorities¿ |
EU for Rule of Law, Security and Reconciliation (2024MCP) The Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to: Strengthen the rule of law and security in the Western Balkans through enhancing the fight against organised crime, corruption and terrorism and to foster cohesion and resilience by continued support to addressing the legacy of the past and bringing justice to victims of the wars of the 1990s.The action aims to increase the engagement of EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies, such as the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) in the fight against organised crime and terrorism in line with their respective mandates. It will also rely on the specific expertise of international partners, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in relevant areas. The action will also reinforce the institutional capacities of the beneficiaries¿ judicial sectors to respond effectively to organised crime and corruption cases. In particular, the action will provide a diagnostic of systemic challenges and gaps and formulate relevant and targeted recommendations for each beneficiary. In doing so, the action is expected to contribute to an improved track record of the prosecution and adjudication of organised crime, money laundering and corruption cases. The action will also strengthen criminal accountability and the rights of victims of the 1990s conflicts in the former Yugoslavia via the work of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). The action is expected to contribute to the overall objective of IPA III Window 1 to strengthen the rule of law, democracy, respect of human rights and international law, civil society and security as well as to improve border management and also to the overall objective of IPA III Window 2 to is to foster cohesion and resilience by continued support to addressing the legacy of the past and bringing justice to victims of the wars of the 1990s on the territory of the former Yugoslavia. |
Fiscal Reforms in Southeast Europe. PHASE III: January 2023-December 2026. (SEE III) <p><strong>The proposed 4-year capacity development (CD) program (SEE III) will build on the achievements of previous phases (SEE I and SEE II)</strong>. The program will support the consolidation of ongoing reform progress and further advance reforms to develop transparent, effective, and resilient institutions in key areas of tax policy (TP), RA and PFM. </p><p>The short-term focus aims to provide critically required technical expertise to reinforce the recovery from the multipronged, post-pandemic impact and from spillover effects. Consolidating fiscal risk management practices, enhancing the efficiency of public investments, improving revenue efficiency by eliminating unproductive tax incentives, addressing structural issues to raise revenues in an equitable manner, strengthening taxpayer compliance, and enhancing core RA functions are key, including to fully recover from the pandemic. </p><p>The medium-term priorities will be shaped by: (i) the need to achieve fiscal consolidation and (ii) the enabling role of fiscal institutions to support impactful recovery programs. </p><p><strong>The program will also expand to incorporate CD in emerging areas. </strong>Priority will be given to familiarizing authorities with good practices and supporting reforms in the areas of TP, climate, digitalization, and gender inclusion.</p> |
NDICI East Global Allocation 2021-2022 The East Global Allocation for 2021-2022 is a support measure giving the European Commission the possibility to fund measures and small-scale activities in a flexible way. The aim is to strengthen the means of implementation for sustainable development in line with the objectives of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) of the European Neighbourhood Policy, within the framework of the Neighbourhood, Development and Page 4 of 15 International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) ¿ Global Europe - as well as its operational and policy priorities. The action contributes to SDG 17 to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development. The Specific Objectives (Outcomes) of this action are to 1. Strengthen the management, implementation and follow-up of external actions in the framework of the EaP objectives and priorities. 2. Enhance the information, communication and visibility activities towards awareness and understanding of the ENP |
2023-Expenditure Verification of one twinning and three grant contracts <p>The Expenditure Verifier is expected</p><p class="ql-align-justify">- To carry out the agreed-upon procedures listed in Annex 2 and</p><p class="ql-align-justify">- To issue reports based on the template in Annex 3 which will support the Contracting Authority's conclusions on the eligibility of the reported expenditure and the related follow-up.</p><p>The expenditure verification will be performed as a desk review and fieldwork at the location indicated in Annex 1.</p><p><br></p><p>For Entities 2, 3 and 4, there is additional specific objective in the form of agreed-upon procedures on which the Expenditure Verifier is expected to perform a verification are:</p><p>¿ The expenditure verifier should select a representative sample with value of minimum 65% of all transactions reported with the Final financial report, with minimum 10% sampled from each budget heading, sub-heading and budget line. If the error rate found is higher than 10% from sampled amount, the Auditor shall extend the verification procedures until the sample value is 85%.</p><p>¿ The auditor should check whether there are other projects implemented by the same Entity and financed by EC or other Donors, which projects overlap with the period of implementation of the verified contract. The auditor should check the potential double funding of expenditures reported.</p> |
Addendum 2 to Additional Support to the Regional Housing Programme (RHP) NB Technical Assistance and Partners Implementing Structures Contract related to: Addendum 2 to Additional Support to the Regional Housing Programme (RHP) NB Technical Assistance and Partners Implementing Structures - The action aims to facilitate progress in key areas of needed reforms required by the Western Balkans and Turkey to comply with Union¿s values, and their alignment with the Union¿s rules, standards and practices in the relevant areas. It includes three main areas of support:1) EU Integration Facility:The specific objective is to support flexible, preparatory/pilot actions that address specific priority and urgent/unforeseen needs in the region, including interventions in the context of the COVID-19 recovery that merit to be addressed rapidly in order to assure continuity in the European perspective and herewith related issues.It will support small interventions such as provision of technical assistance, preparatory, pilot or start up/bridging or follow up actions. It may also cover relevant studies, networking, visibility, evaluation activities, as well as training or capacity-building activities. Support to the smooth finalisation of the Regional Housing Programme (RHP) is foreseen as one such priority. Contribution to other initiatives is added.2) Participation in EU agencies:The specific objective is to ensure that IPA III beneficiaries are able to participate effectively in the activities of EU agencies by supporting the approximation to and adoption of the EU acquis in areas such as fundamental rights, transport, competitiveness, environment and climate change, chemicals management, health, food and medicines safety, inter alia.It supports EU agencies by allowing them to carry out preparatory measures with the IPA III beneficiaries and stakeholders in view of their future participation in those EU agencies upon membership or earlier. It will also support the development of reporting standards in the Beneficiaries in line with the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda and the Decarbonisation Roadmap. The support aims as well at knowledge transfer and capacity building in the area of expertise of those EU agencies.3) TAIEX:The Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument (TAIEX) aims to provide peer-to-peer technical assistance and capacity building by supporting the IPA III beneficiaries in the alignment with, and implementation of the EU acquis, according to the demands of beneficiaries and the strategic priorities of the EU.TAIEX supports short and medium term, demand-driven and strategically oriented assistance and is complementary to, and works alongside other instruments and programmes to help the IPA III beneficiaries move towards their goal of EU accession. In addition, TAIEX supports top-down requests based on jointly agreed priorities between the EU and the IPA III beneficiaries, in areas such as green and digital transition or COVID-19 recovery.The assistance is mainly provided by EU public sector experts sharing their knowledge and experience through workshops, expert missions and study visits. TAIEX assistance supports beneficiaries to align progressively with the EU acquis and to improve their working methods in line with EU standards, as monitored and verified by the European Commission's specific screening and / or annual progress reports, as well as through peer review missions.In specific circumstances, when expertise from beneficiaries is of particular significance to other beneficiaries and it provides an added value, experts from beneficiaries can take part in the activities to provide expertise in the approximation to EU legislation, standards and practices (e.g. adoption of green transition measures. This participation comes as an effective complement to the knowledge provided by the EU Member States¿ experts, which remains the core of the activities of TAIEX, while developing a multi-stakeholder approach enriching the instrument with regional cooperation.TAIEX has a longstanding and successful track record deploying EU Member States p |
Western Balkans Partnership Against Crime and Terrorism - WB PACT II Contract related to: Western Balkans Partnership Against Crime and Terrorism - WB PACT II - The Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to: Strengthen the rule of law and security in the Western Balkans through enhancing the fight against organised crime, corruption and terrorism and to foster cohesion and resilience by continued support to addressing the legacy of the past and bringing justice to victims of the wars of the 1990s.The action aims to increase the engagement of EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies, such as the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) in the fight against organised crime and terrorism in line with their respective mandates. It will also rely on the specific expertise of international partners, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in relevant areas. The action will also reinforce the institutional capacities of the beneficiaries¿ judicial sectors to respond effectively to organised crime and corruption cases. In particular, the action will provide a diagnostic of systemic challenges and gaps and formulate relevant and targeted recommendations for each beneficiary. In doing so, the action is expected to contribute to an improved track record of the prosecution and adjudication of organised crime, money laundering and corruption cases. The action will also strengthen criminal accountability and the rights of victims of the 1990s conflicts in the former Yugoslavia via the work of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). The action is expected to contribute to the overall objective of IPA III Window 1 to strengthen the rule of law, democracy, respect of human rights and international law, civil society and security as well as to improve border management and also to the overall objective of IPA III Window 2 to is to foster cohesion and resilience by continued support to addressing the legacy of the past and bringing justice to victims of the wars of the 1990s on the territory of the former Yugoslavia. |
EU support to the development of a Common Regional Market (CRM) <p>This Action will support the socio-economic growth in the Western Balkans (WB) with an overall objective of boosting economic and investment, strengthening the region¿s competitiveness in the European and global marketplace, facilitating the region¿s efforts in the implementation of EU acquis to accelerate the EU accession process, supporting the digital and green transition as constituent part of the accession process, and fostering good neighbourly relations among Action¿s beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders included in the implementation of the activities. As a specific objective, the implementation of the EU four freedoms constitutes one of the fundaments of this Action Grant, which is to be achieved through the implementation of the Common Regional Market (CRM) and Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB), as specified in this Action Grant. This Action also foresees featuring more prominently gender aspects, particularly women economic empowerment as a core value of the EU and one of the universal recognised human rights as a cross-cutting element in all below-mentioned agendas under CRM and GAWB, but particularly under industrial development and innovation area. This specific objective of the Action will aim to bring more spotlight onto strengthening and promoting economic rights and empowerment of girls and women in business and education trajectories, in particular.</p> |
Reporting Digital Rights and Freedoms <p><strong>Overall Objective:</strong> Contribute to enhancing knowledge and skills of media and civil society to methodically decipher intersections between digital rights violations and disinformation, assert the right to information and respond to abuses in the digital sphere.</p><p><strong>Specific Objectives: </strong>1) Increased efforts to determine patterns in digital freedoms violations in the targeted region that will serve as a basis for developing protection and prevention mechanisms, policy recommendations and legal framework improvements; 2) Better informed societies on current digital freedom violations and awareness raised on critical threats in digital ecosystems; 3) Enhanced digital safety and increased media and civil society capacities to respond to digital threats through training, workshops and grants; 4) Increased citizen engagement in internet governance through specialised software, an engaged citizen reporting tool, meet-ups and conferences. </p> |
Activity under preparation Supporting Health Resilience in the Eastern Partnership The Action¿s Overall Objective is that health systems in Eastern Partnership countries are more interconnected and resilient to health emergencies and core health challenges. The Action will ensure that lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the response to the health emergency consequences of the Russian aggression towards Ukraine are consistently applied region-wide, by creating the Eastern Partnership ¿Community of Practitioners and Policy Makers in Health Resilience¿ (or ¿Community of Practitioners") ¿ a venue for relevant health actors to meet and collectively advance the health resilience of the region. The ¿Community of Practitioners¿ will address common challenges through dedicated regional sub-groups including on health preparedness, mental health burden and health workforce imbalances. The ¿Community of Practitioners¿ will link existing entities and focus on strengthening their institutional and operational capacities to ensure sustainability and enhance detection, prevention, and response to eventual health related disasters. The action foresees the evaluation of threats, mapping of the countries¿ capacities and defining recommendations in all three areas. The Action will further enhance the compliance of the Eastern Partnership countries with the International Health Regulations and achieve synergies with global health initiatives, such as the World Health Organisation's Universal Health Coverage Partnership, which the European Commission supports as means to reduce inequalities worldwide. By supporting health systems that are effective, resilient and accessible the Action will directly contribute to the ambition of the EU¿s Global Health Strategy launched on 30th November 2022 and thereby support EU¿s leadership in global health. The Action will compliment ongoing regional and bi-lateral programmes, such as the EU4Health Programme, in particular the activities where Eastern Partnership countries are eligible to participate and the ones relevant to the objectives of this Action. |
EU Support to Cybersecurity Capacity Building in the Western Balkans - 2022 (2021-2022MCP) - amendment The EU is committed to support increased resilience of the Western Balkans to cyber threats as a strategic geopolitical investment including in view of the European perspective of the region. An investment in the region¿s cyber resilience and support to EU alignment is key to ensure the stability of IPA III beneficiaries and ensure trustworthy and reliable services and digital tools for citizens and businesses. The global cyber threat landscape has further been aggravated by Russia¿s war of aggression against Ukraine, with direct impacts for the EU and its neighbours. The cyber threats arising from the war underline the need to boost sharing of information and expertise between the EU and the Western Balkans and across cybersecurity communities, including in view of hybrid threats. The overall objective of this action is to enhance cyber resilience of the Western Balkans through regional cooperation and specific, beneficiary-targeted capacity building activities. Cybersecurity capacity building is identified as a priority in the IPA III Programming Framework Window 1 Thematic Priority 3. Direct institutional and operational gaps in cyber prevention, preparedness and response will be targeted. The action will facilitate EU engagement on cybersecurity with the region. The EU¿s approach to cybersecurity capacity building in the Western Balkans uses a right-based and whole-of-government approach to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and resilience to cyber threats with a strong focus on institution-building. The action is developed in support of the Enlargement strategy[1] and complements foreseen EU crisis response support to Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia as well as on-going support to cybercrime capacity. The action is designed in response to a cybersecurity capacity building needs exercise conducted in 2022 in the Western Balkans IPA III beneficiaries. [1] An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans .COM (2020) 641 final. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0641 |
Individual measure to strengthen border management capacities in favour of the Western Balkans - IM2022 Supporting the capacities of the Western Balkans to effectively manage their borders, safeguard security, reduce cross-border crime and tackle irregular migration are key priorities given both the geographical location of the region vis-à-vis the European Union (EU), as well as the region's European perspective. In support of the 2021 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy and in line with the IPA III Programming Framework, this Action aims to contribute to further strengthening the capacities of the Western Balkan beneficiaries to implement Integrated Border Management (IBM) that is aligned with EU standards and the Schengen acquis. The Action further contributes to strengthening the operationalisation of migration facilities including reception and detention facilities in Kosovo. This Action is designed to respond to the priority needs of the Western Balkan beneficiaries, in particular Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo and Serbia. It focuses particularly on capacities for border surveillance, strengthened inter-agency cooperation, more efficient combating and prevention of migrant smuggling, better detection of trafficking of human beings (THB) and cross-border crime while ensuring full respect of the rule of law and fundamental rights of migrants. An important aspect to enhancing IBM is the establishment and operationalisation of National Coordination Centres, which are a key deliverable identified by the 2018 Strategy for the Western Balkans. The Action is an integrated component within the wider enlargement process and EU accession negotiations under Chapter 24 of the EU acquis to support the development of effective border management systems. It contributes to the rebalancing of EU migration and integrated border management assistance across the areas covered by the European Commission New Pact on Migration and Asylum.Support will dovetail with other IPA funded activities planned at both the beneficiary and regional level. The Action will at all times align with EU and international standards on migration and border management. |
Institutional capacity building through Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX INTPA 2022) The overall aim of TAIEX INTPA as part of the institution building instruments, is to provide peer-to-peer technical assistance and capacity building to support partner countries in the harmonisation of their regulatory frameworks and sustainable policy reform and to share best practices in EU policy related fields, according to the demands of beneficiaries from partner countries and the strategic priorities of the EU, and in line with EU values. As a result, it contributes to strengthening inclusive societies and good governance in partner countries.TAIEX provides short and medium-term, needs-driven and strategically oriented assistance and is complementary to and works alongside other programmes to help partner countries in reinforcing their institutions and supporting sustainable policy reforms. TAIEX has a longstanding and successful track record deploying public expertise since 1996. The assistance is provided mainly by EU public sector experts, who share their knowledge and experience with beneficiaries through workshops, expert missions, study visits and work from home. The purpose of these activities is to share with EU partners experience, know-how and information on EU policies, EU legislation and its application in order to assist beneficiary institutions strengthening good governance. In specific circumstances, when expertise from beneficiaries in a partner country is of particular significance to other partner countries and it provides an added value, experts from the relevant partner countries can take part in the activities to provide expertise in sustainable policy reforms and standards. This participation comes as an effective complement to the knowledge provided by the EU Member States¿ experts, which remains the core of the activities of TAIEX, while developing a multi-stakeholder approach enriching the instrument with other forms of peer learning (trilateral or ¿South-South¿ cooperation).TAIEX INTPA enhances a Team Europe approach to technical cooperation by providing a mechanism to quickly mobilise public expertise from all Member States, including those that may not have significant development cooperation structures, presence in partner countries or ODA programming. TAIEX INTPA can effectively contribute capacity building elements to Team Europe Initiatives. By providing technical assistance through the public sector, TAIEX INTPA promotes European standards, norms and policy models in an increasingly contested context. As such, it enhances EU policy strategies and supports the EU Global Gateway Initiative through capacity building and enhancing reform and an enabling environment in critical EU priority sectors. |
European Union/Council of Europe Partnership for Good Governance for Eastern Partnership countries - Phase III Contract related to: European Union/Council of Europe Partnership for Good Governance for Eastern Partnership countries - Phase III - The overall objective of this action is to contribute to strengthened good governance and rule of law in the Eastern Neighbourhood. Despite some progress, Eastern neighbourhood partners continue to face challenges to varying degrees on the rule of law, good governance and human rights and further efforts are needed in each country. However, the applications for EU membership by Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have given a renewed emphasis to promoting and protecting democracy, the rule of law and human rights in the region. Russia¿s invasion of Ukraine and its consequences on the region¿s stability and security has also given new urgency to supporting these values and principles. This programme will take a comprehensive approach to monitoring state of play and progress in the good governance and rule of law area with a special focus on the role of civil society. It will also provide tailored technical capacity-building to Eastern neighbourhood countries to design and implement reforms. The action will also build on the achievements of the two previous EU-Council of Europe (CoE) Partnership for Good Governance Programmes (PGG), while focusing on the shortcomings and good practices identified under the current PGG. It will also address the immediate needs of Eastern Neighbourhood countries in the implementation of their domestic reforms, in line with European standards. The programme has two main components:The first component of the programme seeks to build on existing data such as the Justice Dashboard EaP to further promote evidence-based policy-making and to keep track of the progress of the key reforms through providing reliable data and developing necessary skills among the decision-makers and the civil society. In line with the ambitions of some of the partner countries, the focus will also be on measuring their alignment with the EU standards and where relevant their level of approximation to EU acquis. Systematic and reliable data will also allow for improved analysis of the results of the justice reform efforts and the impact of the support that has been provided within the framework of the Eastern Neighbourhood. Gender mainstreaming in the good governance and rule of law reforms will be facilitated by enhanced gathering and analysis of gender-sensitive and sex-disaggregated indicators and statistics. The second component aims to build on the achievements of previous cooperation and the regional analysis to further strengthen the rule of law, human rights and anti-corruption mechanisms. It will provide tailored support to partner countries to further align strategic, legal and institutional frameworks with international and European standards. It will continue to enhance the independence and competencies of relevant stakeholders and support the creation of stronger regional networks and cooperation through an increase of shared knowledge, information, and good practices. Ad hoc needs-based legal advice will be provided to partner countries to assist them with aligning their priority reforms with international standards and best practices.This programme will also support reforms in the area of human rights, including by strengthening the capacity of national stakeholders and civil society organisations, as well as by providing better redress mechanisms to victims of human rights abuses. It will promote gender equality and women¿s empowerment and support the prevention of gender-based violence. |
Contribution Arrangement with respect to the European Western Balkans Joint Fund under the Western Balkans Investment Framework - Allocation 2022 for Technical Assistance Contract related to: Contribution Arrangement with respect to the European Western Balkans Joint Fund under the Western Balkans Investment Framework - Allocation 2022 for Technical Assistance - In October 2020 the European Commission adopted a comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans, which aims to spur the long-term economic recovery of the region, support a green and digital transition, foster regional integration and convergence with the European Union.The EIP is accompanied by the Guidelines for implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB), which further detail investments and actions that can foster the green transition in the region under the EIP and beyond. With the EIP, the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and the Green Agenda, the EU provides strong support for economic recovery and reform for a modern, greener and more prosperous Western Balkans delivering better to their citizens on the road to the EU.The EIP also offers a path for a successful regional economic integration to help accelerate convergence with the EU and close the development gap between EU Member States and the Western Balkans region. The EIP will increase the competitiveness of the Western Balkans. Its implementation will have to be accompanied with the relevant reform measures.The Western Balkans Investment Framework members include the European Commission, member states, bilateral donors, financial institutions who altogether in partnership share the objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan for Western Balkans and together contribute to achieve common goals to spur the socio-economic cohesion of the region. In this context, the Western Balkans Investment Framework contributes to support the Team Europe Initiative.To achieve the aforementioned goals this action offers significant EU funding for the preparation and implementation of investment flagships in the areas of sustainable transport, clean energy, environment and climate, digital, innovation, competitiveness and private sector.The action includes 4 components:- Blending and technical assistance:1. EU4 Green and Digital Transition2. EU4 Green Growth3. EU4 Competitiveness and Innovation- Budgetary guarantee:4. Western Balkans Guarantee Facility (EFSD+ Guarantee and legacy ELM) in support of the 3 above components, the Sustainable Transport Connectivity action, and cutting across windows 3 and 4 of IPA III. |
GO DIGITAL IN THE WESTERN BALKANS Contract related to: GO DIGITAL IN THE WESTERN BALKANS - In October 2020 the European Commission adopted a comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans, which aims to spur the long-term economic recovery of the region, support a green and digital transition, foster regional integration and convergence with the European Union.The EIP is accompanied by the Guidelines for implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB), which further detail investments and actions that can foster the green transition in the region under the EIP and beyond. With the EIP, the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and the Green Agenda, the EU provides strong support for economic recovery and reform for a modern, greener and more prosperous Western Balkans delivering better to their citizens on the road to the EU.The EIP also offers a path for a successful regional economic integration to help accelerate convergence with the EU and close the development gap between EU Member States and the Western Balkans region. The EIP will increase the competitiveness of the Western Balkans. Its implementation will have to be accompanied with the relevant reform measures.The Western Balkans Investment Framework members include the European Commission, member states, bilateral donors, financial institutions who altogether in partnership share the objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan for Western Balkans and together contribute to achieve common goals to spur the socio-economic cohesion of the region. In this context, the Western Balkans Investment Framework contributes to support the Team Europe Initiative.To achieve the aforementioned goals this action offers significant EU funding for the preparation and implementation of investment flagships in the areas of sustainable transport, clean energy, environment and climate, digital, innovation, competitiveness and private sector.The action includes 4 components:- Blending and technical assistance:1. EU4 Green and Digital Transition2. EU4 Green Growth3. EU4 Competitiveness and Innovation- Budgetary guarantee:4. Western Balkans Guarantee Facility (EFSD+ Guarantee and legacy ELM) in support of the 3 above components, the Sustainable Transport Connectivity action, and cutting across windows 3 and 4 of IPA III. |
EU4Business: Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility Development Facility (EDIF) and European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) - 2020MCP - part 1 The action aims to provide access to finance and capacity building for innovative and high-potential small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), through equity, lending, guarantees and technical assistance programmes. The activities will ensure a synergetic financing for entrepreneurship via the European Fund for Southeast Europe and a follow-on venture capital investment under the Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (WB EDIF). In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic these initiatives play an important role to support crisis adaptation and alleviation and are included in the Commission response outlined in the ¿Communication on the Global EU response to COVID-19¿. The action includes two components: Component I - EU contribution to second-generation equity funding under the WB EDIF to provide for the financing of phase II of the EDIF equity funding for the region - for start-ups and innovative companies and for more mature, expanding businesses. Component II ¿ EU contribution to the EFSE Development Facility to ensure EU funding for the EFSE Development Facility, as to maximize development finance impact and outreach for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSEs). Contributing to the EFSE Technical Assistance programmes (advisory services, market research, business ventures, investor relations, support to youth, start-ups and business ecosystem) will increase the impact of the EU investment in the fund (C shares). |
Regional technical assistance to cross-border cooperation activities in the Western Balkans - Cross-border Institution Building (CBIB+) Phase IV - 2021 This Action, programmed under Window 5 of the IPA III Programming Framework, aims to provide regional technical assistance to cross-border cooperation (CBC) programmes between IPA beneficiaries. The regional technical assistance, aiming at supporting regional coordination, harmonisation, monitoring and communication of CBC programmes, is an integral part of the architecture of CBC delivery.In the Western Balkans, intra-regional CBC programmes aim to enhance socio-economic development of border areas, promote good neighbourly relations between those areas and foster European integration by preparing for the future management of European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) programmes in the Western Balkans. As such, CBC supports in a cross-cutting way delivery on the ambition of the Commission Communication on an Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans1.The role of local authorities in implementing CBC will receive specific attention under this fourth phase of regional technical assistance.1 COM(2020) 641, 6.10.2020. |
EU4Innovation East - Support to Digital Innovation in the Eastern Partnership region The overall objective is to strengthen the innovation ecosystems of the Eastern Partnership countries. The action will set up a regional programme, with a focus on: Enhancing the maturity and sustainability of the region¿s start-up ecosystem, Promoting convergence with the EU market and start-up ecosystems; Providing targeted support to the Ukraine¿s digital tech sector. Boosting innovation and the resilient digital transformation of the Eastern Partnership economies is one of the key objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Eastern Partnership, with a joint target of mobilising up to 1.5 billion euro in support of the digital transformation, including 100 million euro in support of high-performance start-ups in the region10. The proposed project will contribute to the integration of the Eastern Partnership countries into the EU start-up ecosystem and deliver on the jointly identified flagship initiatives related to support to the private sector, innovation, green, digital economy and society, as part of the renewed Eastern Partnership agenda. Promoting women entrepreneurship will be mainstreamed throughout all activities of the action, including dedicated trainings for women to raise funds as well as cooperation with female business angel networks. As a horizontal objective, the action will promote specialisation of EaP countries in high-value added sectors related to the use of digital solutions, such as in the fields of agritech, smart cities, fintech, or govtech. In doing so, the action will contribute to convergence towards the joint EU and EaP objectives with regard to environment, climate change, local development, and digital governance. |
Support for the participation of the Western Balkans in Union programmes (2022MCP) The Union programmes are a series of integrated measures promoted by the European Union, aimed at strengthening the cooperation among the Member States regarding EU policies for a period of time. Union programmes are financed from the general budget of the European Union covering different areas inter alia: environmental protection, research and innovation, energy and transport to the development of entrepreneurship and competitivenessThe participation of IPA beneficiaries in Union programmes has the objective of preparing them for full membership upon accession, ensuring a closer integration of the partners with the EU, accelerating integration and ¿phasing-in¿ as part of the accession process. It enables citizens, institutions, civil society and the private sector to become acquainted and benefit from different European Union policies such as research, competitiveness and innovation, media, education, health, youth, culture, environment, customs policy, fight against poverty, fight against youth unemployment, and others. This Action focuses on fostering the participation of candidate and potential candidates in the new generation of Union programmes for the 2021-2027 period, contributing to the payment of the cost of participation in those programmes ¿ i.e. a financial contribution (entry tickets). |
Final Evaluation of Mayors for Economic Growth (phase 1) <p>The main objectives of this evaluation are to provide the relevant services of the European Union and the interested stakeholders with:</p><p>· an overall independent assessment of the past performance of the M4EG Initiative<em>,</em> paying particular attention to its results measured against its expected objectives; and the reasons underpinning such results;</p><p>· key lessons learned, conclusions and related recommendations in order to improve future Interventions.</p><p>In particular, this evaluation will serve to better prepare the next phase of this initiative, expected to start in January 2021. </p><p>The main users of this evaluation will be DG NEAR C1, the EU Delegations of the 6 EaP countries, DG GROW, DG REGIO, DG DEVCO C5. Additionally, the evaluation will benefit the direct and final beneficiaries of M4EG as well as the consortium of the next phase of the initiative.</p><p><br></p><p>The evaluation will assess the Intervention using the six standard DAC evaluation criteria, namely: relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and early signs of impact. In addition, the evaluation will assess one EU specific evaluation criterion, which is:</p><p>- the EU added value (the extent to which the Intervention brings additional benefits to what would have resulted from Member States' interventions only);</p><p>The definition of the 6 DAC + 1 EU evaluation criteria is contained for reference in the Annex VII.</p><p>The evaluation team shall furthermore consider whether gender, environment and climate change were mainstreamed; the relevant SDGs and their interlinkages were identified; the principle of Leave No-One Behind and the rights-based approach methodology was followed in the identification/formulation documents and the extent to which they have been reflected in the implementation of the Intervention, its governance and monitoring.</p> |
Further support to the Integrative Internal Security Governance (IISG) in the Western Balkans Contract related to: Further support to the Integrative Internal Security Governance (IISG) in the Western Balkans - The Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to: Strengthen the rule of law and security in the Western Balkans through enhancing the fight against organised crime, corruption and terrorism and to foster cohesion and resilience by continued support to addressing the legacy of the past and bringing justice to victims of the wars of the 1990s.The action aims to increase the engagement of EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies, such as the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) in the fight against organised crime and terrorism in line with their respective mandates. It will also rely on the specific expertise of international partners, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in relevant areas. The action will also reinforce the institutional capacities of the beneficiaries¿ judicial sectors to respond effectively to organised crime and corruption cases. In particular, the action will provide a diagnostic of systemic challenges and gaps and formulate relevant and targeted recommendations for each beneficiary. In doing so, the action is expected to contribute to an improved track record of the prosecution and adjudication of organised crime, money laundering and corruption cases. The action will also strengthen criminal accountability and the rights of victims of the 1990s conflicts in the former Yugoslavia via the work of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). The action is expected to contribute to the overall objective of IPA III Window 1 to strengthen the rule of law, democracy, respect of human rights and international law, civil society and security as well as to improve border management and also to the overall objective of IPA III Window 2 to is to foster cohesion and resilience by continued support to addressing the legacy of the past and bringing justice to victims of the wars of the 1990s on the territory of the former Yugoslavia. |
Enhancing the functioning mechanisms of Sustainable Smart Cities and Regions and Green Economy centres Contract related to: Enhancing the functioning mechanisms of Sustainable Smart Cities and Regions and Green Economy centres - The East Global Allocation for 2021-2022 is a support measure giving the European Commission the possibility to fund measures and small-scale activities in a flexible way. The aim is to strengthen the means of implementation for sustainable development in line with the objectives of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) of the European Neighbourhood Policy, within the framework of the Neighbourhood, Development and Page 4 of 15 International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) ¿ Global Europe - as well as its operational and policy priorities. The action contributes to SDG 17 to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development. The Specific Objectives (Outcomes) of this action are to 1. Strengthen the management, implementation and follow-up of external actions in the framework of the EaP objectives and priorities. 2. Enhance the information, communication and visibility activities towards awareness and understanding of the ENP |
Expenditure verification of grant contract NEAR-TS/2019/409-168 Contract related to: Expenditure verification of grant contract NEAR-TS/2019/409-168 - Support Measure (Action Document 4) - DG NEARSupport measures under this Action will reinforce efficiency, performance and impact of the thematic programme implementation. These measures will allow for preparation, follow-up, monitoring, audit and evaluation activities, as well as other relevant activities directly linked to the achievement of the thematic programme¿s specific objectives, such as studies, meetings and consultations, exchanges of best practices, networking, training, information sessions, communication and public diplomacy.This Action will entail support for programme implementation in both HQ and EU Delegations, including preparation, implementation and monitoring of the CSO Roadmaps.This action document frames the use of support measures, as envisaged in Article 24 of the Regulation (EU) 2021/947 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument - Global Europe and in the Multiannual Indicative Programme for Civil Society Organisations 2021-2027.The objectives of this action will mainly be achieved through services contracts directly managed by the competent European Commission services. This is justified by the nature of the activities (trainings, studies, events, evaluations or audits). |
EU4Digital: Investing in broadband connectivity The overall objective (Impact) of this action is to contribute to reducing the urban-rural digital gap in the Eastern Partnership region and support reconstruction and diversification of broadband networks, following the Russian unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The action will contribute to the joint target agreed by Eastern Partnership (EaP) leaders, the European Union and its Member States to reach at least 80% of Eastern Partnership households having access to affordable high-speed internet, with a particular focus on gender equality, bridging the urban-rural divide, and social inclusiveness.The action will support the set-up of a regional EU4Digital project preparation facility, whose role will consist in:1. Supporting EaP partner countries in preparing national bankable investment projects supporting specific broadband development needs;2. Mobilising public and private investments in broadband connectivity infrastructure for rural expansion and diversification of international backbone routes. The action proposes an extension to the programme ENI/2018/399-031 `EU4Digital: Broadband strategies in the EaP region¿ achieved in 2020, which laid the grounds for an update of broadband strategies, legal reforms, and enhanced policy dialogue in the EaP. This action will rely on a partnership with a selected International Financial Institution with the aim of having a catalytic effect and encouraging public-private cooperation. By supporting sustainable investments in quality infrastructure in line with the EU¿s values and standards, the action will contribute to the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Neighbourhood in the area of broadband connectivity, and to the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy. |
EU-Council of Europe Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and T¿rkiye - Phase III <p>In line with the Enlargement strategy and the IPA III Programming Framework, this action aims at further strengthening capacities, systems and institutions and engage with stakeholders, who are instrumental in the realisation of rule of law and fundamental rights. While the related policy and legal frameworks in the IPA III beneficiaries in the Western Balkans are relatively advanced, implementation in practice is not at a satisfactory level and in many instances the reform initiatives are not sufficiently locally owned. To progress on rule of law, a comprehensive approach is needed involving all key stakeholders, ranging from official justice sector representatives to civil society, catering to the needs of the duty bearers and the right holders alike.</p><p>The action will be implemented by the Council of Europe through a third phase of the EU-Council of Europe Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye (hereafter: Facility or HF), which serves as a strategic cooperation tool between the EU and Council of Europe for the benefit of the targeted IPA III beneficiaries.</p><p>The Council of Europe offers a unique methodology of standard setting, monitoring and technical assistance in the areas pursued under this Facility. In line with the comprehensive approach, the action will support official reforms efforts as well as initiatives from civil society and the grass root, provide capacity-building, technical assistance, and expertise to the stakeholders in all Beneficiaries along the four themes of the Facility:</p><p>1) Strengthening justice</p><p>2) Fighting corruption, economic crime, and money laundering</p><p>3) Promoting anti-discrimination and protection of the rights of vulnerable groups; and</p><p>4) Promoting and protecting freedom of expression and media.</p><p>Regional activities will be part of the Facility in areas where these regional exchanges provide an added value. They will foster peer to peer contacts for exchange of best practices, promote joined-up approaches and cooperation across the borders. Through the Council of Europe Expertise Co-ordination Mechanism (ECM) expertise can be provided on constitutional matters or other areas, in which the Council of Europe has a unique expertise to offer. Small scale grants and investments complement support to the IPA III beneficiaries in achieving the results envisioned under this action.</p><p>The action is directly relevant to SDG 16 as it is contributing to peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development by promoting access to justice and supporting the building of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.</p><p>The action will be implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye.</p> |
Preparatory measures for the future participation of IPA III beneficiaries in the network of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work Contract related to: Preparatory measures for the future participation of IPA III beneficiaries in the network of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work - The action aims to facilitate progress in key areas of needed reforms required by the Western Balkans and Turkey to comply with Union¿s values, and their alignment with the Union¿s rules, standards and practices in the relevant areas. It includes three main areas of support:1) EU Integration Facility:The specific objective is to support flexible, preparatory/pilot actions that address specific priority and urgent/unforeseen needs in the region, including interventions in the context of the COVID-19 recovery that merit to be addressed rapidly in order to assure continuity in the European perspective and herewith related issues.It will support small interventions such as provision of technical assistance, preparatory, pilot or start up/bridging or follow up actions. It may also cover relevant studies, networking, visibility, evaluation activities, as well as training or capacity-building activities. Support to the smooth finalisation of the Regional Housing Programme (RHP) is foreseen as one such priority. Contribution to other initiatives is added.2) Participation in EU agencies:The specific objective is to ensure that IPA III beneficiaries are able to participate effectively in the activities of EU agencies by supporting the approximation to and adoption of the EU acquis in areas such as fundamental rights, transport, competitiveness, environment and climate change, chemicals management, health, food and medicines safety, inter alia.It supports EU agencies by allowing them to carry out preparatory measures with the IPA III beneficiaries and stakeholders in view of their future participation in those EU agencies upon membership or earlier. It will also support the development of reporting standards in the Beneficiaries in line with the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda and the Decarbonisation Roadmap. The support aims as well at knowledge transfer and capacity building in the area of expertise of those EU agencies.3) TAIEX:The Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument (TAIEX) aims to provide peer-to-peer technical assistance and capacity building by supporting the IPA III beneficiaries in the alignment with, and implementation of the EU acquis, according to the demands of beneficiaries and the strategic priorities of the EU.TAIEX supports short and medium term, demand-driven and strategically oriented assistance and is complementary to, and works alongside other instruments and programmes to help the IPA III beneficiaries move towards their goal of EU accession. In addition, TAIEX supports top-down requests based on jointly agreed priorities between the EU and the IPA III beneficiaries, in areas such as green and digital transition or COVID-19 recovery.The assistance is mainly provided by EU public sector experts sharing their knowledge and experience through workshops, expert missions and study visits. TAIEX assistance supports beneficiaries to align progressively with the EU acquis and to improve their working methods in line with EU standards, as monitored and verified by the European Commission's specific screening and / or annual progress reports, as well as through peer review missions.In specific circumstances, when expertise from beneficiaries is of particular significance to other beneficiaries and it provides an added value, experts from beneficiaries can take part in the activities to provide expertise in the approximation to EU legislation, standards and practices (e.g. adoption of green transition measures. This participation comes as an effective complement to the knowledge provided by the EU Member States¿ experts, which remains the core of the activities of TAIEX, while developing a multi-stakeholder approach enriching the instrument with regional cooperation.TAIEX has a longstanding and successful track record deploying EU Member |
Support to TAIEX activities EaP - 2021-2022 The overall aim of TAIEX, as part of the Institution Building Instruments, is to provide peer-to-peer technical assistance and capacity building to support the Eastern Neighbourhood beneficiaries in the harmonisation of their regulatory frameworks and sharing best practices in EU policy related fields, according to the demands of beneficiaries and the strategic priorities of the EU.TAIEX provides short and medium-term, needs-driven and strategically oriented assistance and is complementary to and works alongside other programmes to help partner countries in the implementation of EU bilateral cooperation related agreements (such as Association or Partnership and Cooperation Agreements or any other bilateral agreement or cooperation framework with the EU).TAIEX has a longstanding and successful track record deploying public expertise since 1996. The assistance is provided mainly by EU public sector experts, who share their knowledge and experience with beneficiaries through workshops, expert missions, study visits and work from home. The purpose of these activities is to share with the Eastern Neighbourhood beneficiaries experience, know-how and information on EU policies, EU legislation and its application in order to assist beneficiary institutions to implement their commitments under their country¿s agreement or cooperation framework with the EU.In specific circumstances, when expertise from beneficiaries is of particular significance to other partner countries and it provides an added value, experts from beneficiary countries can take part in the activities to provide expertise in the approximation to EU legislation, standards and practices (e.g. implementation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas ¿DCFTAs-, adoption of green transition measures etc.). This participation comes as an effective complement to the knowledge provided by the EU Member States¿ experts, which remains the core of the activities of TAIEX, while developing a multi-stakeholder approach enriching the instrument with other forms of peer learning (triangulation or ¿South-South¿) |
NIP - Neighbourhood Investment Platform 2021 - East share contribution Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) ¿ 2021 East This action is the 2021 annual contribution to the Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) for the Neighbourhood East. The Overall Objective of the NIP is to facilitate additional investments in infrastructure in transport, energy, environment, with a particular focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to support social and private sector development in Eastern and Southern Partner countries. In particular, the NIP will support the growth of micro, small, and medium size enterprises (MSMEs) by making available a range of financial instruments notably through risk-sharing capital mechanisms.The NIP is designed to combine EU grants or financial instruments with other public and private financing. By reducing, through co-financing, the overall cost or risk of the project or by subsidising interest rates and/or financing technical assistance or providing financial instruments, the NIP will encourage the partner country governments, private sector and/or public institutions to carry out essential investments in sectors which would otherwise be postponed due to lack of resources.The NIP forms an integral part of the European Fund for Sustainable Development ("EFSD"), the purpose of which is to support investments and increase access to financing, primarily in the European Neighbourhood and Africa in order to foster sustainable, inclusive economic and social development and promote the socioeconomic resilience of partner countries. |
Enhancing support for civil society and independent media in Turkey and the Western Balkans Contract related to: Enhancing support for civil society and independent media in Turkey and the Western Balkans - In a vision of enhanced regional cooperation, the overall objective of the Action is to strengthen participatory democracies and the EU integration and approximation process in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, through a strengthened contribution by civil society and media. To this end, a variety of activities are foreseen:Support to large and small CSO regional networks¿ and their capacities and engagement opportunities in policy- and decision making across various thematic areas, including those addressed by the Economic Investment Plan;Capacity-building of CSOs¿ in crosscutting and thematic areas; support to governments¿ provision of an conducive environment for CSOs activities; and a People-to-People programme allowing CSOs in the region to expand their knowledge about the EU and the accession process, and an opportuniy to network internationally and regionally;Support for improved cooperation between civil society and local authorities, in particular enhancing transparency and impact of local level funding for CSOs;Support to Media Information Literacy and media self-regulation; and support to enhanced professional capacity of journalists, media outlets and media institutions;Support for the economic sustainability of independent media; and support for media initiatives, grass-roots and community based organisations, activists and emerging actors in the region. |
Technical Assistance to Civil Society Organisations (TACSO 3) in the Western Balkans and Turkey The main tasks of TACSO 3 will be to: support CSOs organizational and operational capacity development through training, Training of Trainers and other capacity building activities; improve public image of CSOs in the region with effective communication and visibility activities; strengthen cooperation and regional networking among CSOs and between CSOs, the media and other stakeholders; coordinate thorough civil society needs assessments and monitor progress in the enabling environment in line with the ''DG ELARG Guidelines for EU support to civil society and media in the enlargement countries 2014-20''; disseminate relevant EU information related for example to calls for proposals; facilitate consultation processes; monitor and assist EU funded projects; manage a database of all (national and regional) CSF funded projects; manage People to People events and other kind of events (partnership and networking events, study visits, etc.) |
Activity under preparation Individual measure to strengthen return management systems in the Western Balkans for 2024 Supporting the capacities of the Western Balkans to effectively manage their borders, safeguard security, reduce cross-border crime and tackle irregular migration are key priorities given both the geographical location of the region vis-à-vis the European Union (EU), as well as the region's European perspective. In support of the 2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy[1], the EU Action Plan on the Western Balkans[2] and in line with the IPA III Programming Framework[3], this Action aims to contribute to further strengthening the capacities of the Western Balkan beneficiaries to operationalise returns management systems in line with EU standards.This Action is designed to respond to the priority needs of the Western Balkan beneficiaries with regards to operationalisation of returns of irregular migrants, who have no legal grounds to remain. It focuses particularly on strengthening institutional systems and capacities to lead effective and rights-based return management operations, strengthen cooperation on return, readmission and reintegration, including with key Countries of Origin (CoO) and increase access of migrants to return and reintegration assistance and information before and after return. The Action is an important component within the wider enlargement process and EU accession negotiations under Chapter 24 of the EU acquis to support the development of effective migration management systems. It contributes to the enhancement of EU migration management assistance in the area of returns in line with the Pact on Migration and Asylum[4], which recognises the importance of the Western Balkans for the EU¿s migration and asylum policy and that the cooperation with the region is already long-standing, tailor-made and comprehensive, and the EU strategy on voluntary return and reintegration. |
Support to COP27, TAIEX and strategic foresight (TAIEX priority) Technical assistance and information exchange (TAIEX) supports EU¿s policy objectives, by promoting exchanges between public administrations and thus facilitating adoption of EU legislation, norms, standards and best practice in partner countries. The instrument helps in the legal harmonisation process and administrative capacity building. It can strengthen existing policy dialogues and help in creating new ones. It can support the implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements, Association Agreements and Agendas or other existing and future agreements and jointly agreed action plans with strategic partners. By doing so it can help to ensure early action to address EU foreign policy needs and priorities in particular in high-income countries and territories.TAIEX support is delivered through short and medium term assistance with the participation of experts primarily from the EU Member States public administrations, ensuring the exchange of knowledge, practices and ideas at peer-to-peer level. In exceptional cases, officials of EU institutions, agencies or international organisations can also be engaged; and, when required, and specific expertise is not available from Member States public institutions, it can be mobilised from the private sector. In specific circumstances, when expertise from beneficiaries is of particular significance to other partner countries and it provides an added value, public experts from partner countries can take part in the activities to provide expertise in the approximation to EU legislation, standards and practices. This participation comes as an effective complement to the knowledge provided by the EU Member States¿ experts, which remains the core of the activities of TAIEX, while developing a multi-stakeholder approach enriching the instrument with other forms of peer learning. |
Technical Assistance for the management of the IPA III bilateral Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes Montenegro - Albania and Montenegro - Kosovo* Contract inherited from multiple actions, related to: Technical Assistance for the management of the IPA III bilateral Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes Montenegro - Albania and Montenegro - Kosovo* - The programme for cross-border cooperation between Montenegro and Kosovo will be implemented under the framework of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III). IPA III supports cross-border cooperation with a view to promoting good neighbourly relations, fostering union integration and promoting socio-economic development through joint local and regional initiatives. The objective is to promote good neighbourly relations, foster Union integration and contribute to social, economic and territorial development of the programme cross-border area by improving environment protection and preservation of resources, and developing sustainable nature-and-culture tourism. TP 1: Employment, labour mobility and social and cultural inclusion across borders; TP 5: Tourism and cultural and natural heritage. |
EU4Youth: EU Scheme for Young Professionals in the Western Balkans - 2021 (2021-2022MCP) The action will contribute to reconciliation and good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans by increasing people-to-people contacts and regional cooperation opportunities for young professionals, notably young civil servants. It will further promote good governance and support administrative capacity of the IPA beneficiaries in the Western Balkans to take on the obligations of the EU membership in particular public administration reform (PAR) at all levels of government by improving the knowledge of young civil servants of the European enlargement process. Overall, this coordinated approach will contribute to enabling environment for an improved future for young people in the region.Concretely, the action will support development of expertise of targeted young civil servants in key sectors in the Western Balkans in close consultations with the relevant public administrations including central and local levels, which will ensure dedicated involvement and clear ownership of the action by the targeted public administrations. The action will develop and strengthen capacities, knowledge, and skills of young civil servants and contribute to the improvement of service delivery and enhancement of public administration reform. The action will consist of the following components: executive training; study visit in the EU; intraregional exchange and study visits; and cross-cutting activities comprised of networking, mentoring and support measures. |
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