Our projects

The EU has developed its own capacities to identify conflict risks early and contribute to strengthening the overall conflict prevention, peace building and mediation capacity of the international community. It strives to establish and promote the use of mediation as a tool of first response to emerging or ongoing crisis situations. As stated by the Concept on EU Mediation and Dialogue (2020), the EU is a uniquely placed actor on conflict prevention and mediation.

The EEAS aims to continue using mediation, conflict early warning and conflict analysis in a more systematic way as an efficient and cost-effective instrument to prevent and resolve conflicts.

The objective of the framework contract is to provide the EEAS.PCM.2 Division (Peace, Security and Defence Partnerships) high quality external expertise (technical assistance) at short notice and logistics support in the fields of conflict prevention and analysis, peace mediation and dialogue support

As outlined in the Joint Communication, the Gulf is a dynamic neighbouring region and an important gateway between Europe, Asia and Africa. Likewise, the EU has a lot to offer to the Gulf partners, as the world’s biggest single market, trading bloc and investor, a leader in research and innovation, and an important mediator and promoter of multilateralism, social transformation including human rights, gender equality, diversity and inclusion. As both regions navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, their partnership will continue to be shaped by economic interdependence, shared security interests, and a commitment to addressing global challenges collaboratively.

The overall objective to which the project contributes is to ++consolidate the EU-GCC partnership at regional and bilateral level, and improve the EU’s perception in the region.++

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

1) Strengthen the position of the EU as a key partner in the GCC region in areas of mutual interest.

2) Support the implementation and monitoring of EU–GCC partnership and cooperation initiatives.

3) Foster deeper cooperation and mutual understanding between non-state actors, academia, civil-society and citizens in the EU and the GCC region.

The expected outputs of the project are as follows:

++1) Outcome 1:++ Strengthen the position of the EU as a key partner in the GCC region in areas of mutual interest. ++Output:++ Increased awareness, exchange and collaboration between EU and GCC stakeholders in key strategic areas with a focus on joint initiatives, dialogues, and collaborative projects.

++2) Outcome 2:++ Support the implementation and monitoring of EU-GCC partnership and cooperation initiatives. ++Output:++ Enhanced analysis, knowledge, and expertise to support the implementation and monitoring of joint policy priorities.

++3) Outcome 3:++ Foster deeper cooperation and mutual understanding between non-state actors, academia, civil-society and citizens in the EU and the GCC region. ++Output:++ Expanded opportunities for people-to-people diplomacy, including joint cultural initiatives, academic exchanges, and cross-regional collaborations on mutually strategic sectors.

As outlined in the Joint Communication, the Gulf is a dynamic neighbouring region and an important gateway between Europe, Asia and Africa. Likewise, the EU has a lot to offer to the Gulf partners, as the world’s biggest single market, trading bloc and investor, a leader in research and innovation, and an important mediator and promoter of multilateralism, social transformation including human rights, gender equality, diversity and inclusion. As both regions navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, their partnership will continue to be shaped by economic interdependence, shared security interests, and a commitment to addressing global challenges collaboratively.

The overall objective to which the project contributes is to ++consolidate the EU-GCC partnership at regional and bilateral level, and improve the EU’s perception in the region.++

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

1) Strengthen the position of the EU as a key partner in the GCC region in areas of mutual interest.

2) Support the implementation and monitoring of EU–GCC partnership and cooperation initiatives.

3) Foster deeper cooperation and mutual understanding between non-state actors, academia, civil-society and citizens in the EU and the GCC region.

The expected outputs of the project are as follows:

++1) Outcome 1:++ Strengthen the position of the EU as a key partner in the GCC region in areas of mutual interest. ++Output:++ Increased awareness, exchange and collaboration between EU and GCC stakeholders in key strategic areas with a focus on joint initiatives, dialogues, and collaborative projects.

++2) Outcome 2:++ Support the implementation and monitoring of EU-GCC partnership and cooperation initiatives. ++Output:++ Enhanced analysis, knowledge, and expertise to support the implementation and monitoring of joint policy priorities.

++3) Outcome 3:++ Foster deeper cooperation and mutual understanding between non-state actors, academia, civil-society and citizens in the EU and the GCC region. ++Output:++ Expanded opportunities for people-to-people diplomacy, including joint cultural initiatives, academic exchanges, and cross-regional collaborations on mutually strategic sectors.

The current objective is to improve the performance of the Swiss HoA programme. This will be achieved thanks to a broad shift in posture, achieved through four highlevel outcomes: (a) improved monitoring and risk governance of the SDC HoA programme, (b) increased benefits for the most vulnerable people, including in hard-to-reach areas, through better targeting by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), (c) increased number and improved quality of partnerships with local actors, and (d) improved state-led national development plan (NDP) and sustainable development goals (SDG) monitoring.

To better achieve this it is believed that third-party monitoring should be applied at the project, portfolio and strategy level, backed up by community feedback mechanisms to increase accountability to beneficiaries, and implementing partner risk assessments, audit field spot checks, in addition to training and capacity building of implementing partners. SDC will therefore be able to improve the tracking of its projects in Somalia, and also to extend the mix of aid modalities, and allow the management of projects to focus to a greater extent on risk management and trust.

Through its Whole-of-Government Regional Cooperation Strategy Horn of Africa (CS Horn of Africa) 2018-2021, Switzerland has the following priorities:

• Geographic target: At risk regions of the Horn of Africa, mainly Somalia (including Somaliland), and the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) of Kenya (i.e. North-Eastern Kenya) and Ethiopia (i.e. South-Eastern Ethiopia). Switzerland aims at stronger focusing its intervention to rural and harder-to-reach areas.
• Population target: pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, most vulnerable parts of population (including displacement-affected communities). Switzerland aims at better including marginalized and disadvantaged groups, such as minority groups in Somalia.
• Thematic target: Governance, Food Security, Health, Protection/Migration.
• A new Regional Cooperation Programme for the Horn of Africa will be developed in 2021 for the period 2022-25. It is expected that only minor adjustments to the mentioned geographic, population and thematic targets will occur.

Project Components and Phases. FRAP is made up of the following elements:

a) Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) (subject of this tender) and a Digital Platform

b) Support to the International NGO Safety Organization (INSO)

c) Possibly support to the Somalia UN Risk Management Unit (UN RMU)

d) Possibly direct or indirect support to the National Bureau of Statistics of Somalia

As part of the first element, the Kulmis Support Team (KST) works with SDC, implementing partners and digital platform developers to ensure all SDC M&E tools and IP progress data are accurately transferred to the digital platform. This task also including supporting implementing partners during this transaction process, as providing trainings, supporting on filling and uploading specific progress monitoring tools, undertaking the initial QA-QC in data management, etc. In addition to that, KST regularly provides feedback to developers to ensure the digital platform is user friendly and reflects the accurate data, along with regular updates on data protocol to be adopted.

The current objective is to improve the performance of the Swiss HoA programme. This will be achieved thanks to a broad shift in posture, achieved through four highlevel outcomes: (a) improved monitoring and risk governance of the SDC HoA programme, (b) increased benefits for the most vulnerable people, including in hard-to-reach areas, through better targeting by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), (c) increased number and improved quality of partnerships with local actors, and (d) improved state-led national development plan (NDP) and sustainable development goals (SDG) monitoring.

To better achieve this it is believed that third-party monitoring should be applied at the project, portfolio and strategy level, backed up by community feedback mechanisms to increase accountability to beneficiaries, and implementing partner risk assessments, audit field spot checks, in addition to training and capacity building of implementing partners. SDC will therefore be able to improve the tracking of its projects in Somalia, and also to extend the mix of aid modalities, and allow the management of projects to focus to a greater extent on risk management and trust.

Through its Whole-of-Government Regional Cooperation Strategy Horn of Africa (CS Horn of Africa) 2018-2021, Switzerland has the following priorities:

• Geographic target: At risk regions of the Horn of Africa, mainly Somalia (including Somaliland), and the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) of Kenya (i.e. North-Eastern Kenya) and Ethiopia (i.e. South-Eastern Ethiopia). Switzerland aims at stronger focusing its intervention to rural and harder-to-reach areas.
• Population target: pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, most vulnerable parts of population (including displacement-affected communities). Switzerland aims at better including marginalized and disadvantaged groups, such as minority groups in Somalia.
• Thematic target: Governance, Food Security, Health, Protection/Migration.
• A new Regional Cooperation Programme for the Horn of Africa will be developed in 2021 for the period 2022-25. It is expected that only minor adjustments to the mentioned geographic, population and thematic targets will occur.

Project Components and Phases. FRAP is made up of the following elements:

a) Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) (subject of this tender) and a Digital Platform

b) Support to the International NGO Safety Organization (INSO)

c) Possibly support to the Somalia UN Risk Management Unit (UN RMU)

d) Possibly direct or indirect support to the National Bureau of Statistics of Somalia

As part of the first element, the Kulmis Support Team (KST) works with SDC, implementing partners and digital platform developers to ensure all SDC M&E tools and IP progress data are accurately transferred to the digital platform. This task also including supporting implementing partners during this transaction process, as providing trainings, supporting on filling and uploading specific progress monitoring tools, undertaking the initial QA-QC in data management, etc. In addition to that, KST regularly provides feedback to developers to ensure the digital platform is user friendly and reflects the accurate data, along with regular updates on data protocol to be adopted.

The overall objective (impact) to which this action contributes is: to increase the Commission’s capacity to strengthen resilience and better link humanitarian, development and peace actions (HDP nexus approach) in a conflict-sensitive way in fragile and conflict-affected countries, and in partner countries affected by a sudden shock.

The specific objectives (Outcomes) of this contract are as follows:

• To support the preparation and implementation of the resilience component of the RRP and the mainstreaming of resilience in geographic and thematic projects and programmes.
• To strengthen coordination and synergies between DG INTPA, DG ECHO, FPI, EEAS, and wherever relevant and possible “Team Europe” following a HDP nexus approach. Similarly, strengthen coordination and synergies with other humanitarian, development and peace actors on the ground.
• To support the Commission efforts to ensure that all actions in fragile and conflict affected countries are conflict sensitive, as per NDICI-GE and good international practice.
• To support the Commission´s effort to advance different policy areas related to resilience, peace and security and their implementation.

The overall objective (impact) to which this action contributes is: to increase the Commission’s capacity to strengthen resilience and better link humanitarian, development and peace actions (HDP nexus approach) in a conflict-sensitive way in fragile and conflict-affected countries, and in partner countries affected by a sudden shock.

The specific objectives (Outcomes) of this contract are as follows:

• To support the preparation and implementation of the resilience component of the RRP and the mainstreaming of resilience in geographic and thematic projects and programmes.
• To strengthen coordination and synergies between DG INTPA, DG ECHO, FPI, EEAS, and wherever relevant and possible “Team Europe” following a HDP nexus approach. Similarly, strengthen coordination and synergies with other humanitarian, development and peace actors on the ground.
• To support the Commission efforts to ensure that all actions in fragile and conflict affected countries are conflict sensitive, as per NDICI-GE and good international practice.
• To support the Commission´s effort to advance different policy areas related to resilience, peace and security and their implementation.

Overall objective of the project is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the “Inclusive Lesotho” Action’s implementation by setting up a tailored monitoring & evaluation framework for the programme. The “Inclusive Lesotho” Action aims to achieve systemic, participatory improvements in the way elections are conducted by promoting targeted civic education, enhancing transparency measures, and supporting broad-based participation, particularly among underrepresented groups such as women, youth, people with disabilities, and those experiencing multidimensional poverty, as well as to improve the voter registry and to enhance the capacity of the Independent Electoral Commission to administer fair, transparent, and inclusive elections through targeted capacity building.

Specific objectives of the monitoring & evaluation assignment are as follows:

• To design and implement a monitoring system at action level, based on the action’s logical framework, on the basis of the agreed data and information collected in collaboration with the project implementers (International IDEA and UNDP);
• To set up a learning mechanism that provides feedback to involved stakeholders at regular intervals, and allows progressive adjustments of the programme when needed;
• To provide a mid-term review of the programme, including support to the implementing partners in the definition of a sustainability/exit strategy.

Overall objective of the project is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the “Inclusive Lesotho” Action’s implementation by setting up a tailored monitoring & evaluation framework for the programme. The “Inclusive Lesotho” Action aims to achieve systemic, participatory improvements in the way elections are conducted by promoting targeted civic education, enhancing transparency measures, and supporting broad-based participation, particularly among underrepresented groups such as women, youth, people with disabilities, and those experiencing multidimensional poverty, as well as to improve the voter registry and to enhance the capacity of the Independent Electoral Commission to administer fair, transparent, and inclusive elections through targeted capacity building.

Specific objectives of the monitoring & evaluation assignment are as follows:

• To design and implement a monitoring system at action level, based on the action’s logical framework, on the basis of the agreed data and information collected in collaboration with the project implementers (International IDEA and UNDP);
• To set up a learning mechanism that provides feedback to involved stakeholders at regular intervals, and allows progressive adjustments of the programme when needed;
• To provide a mid-term review of the programme, including support to the implementing partners in the definition of a sustainability/exit strategy.

The project is designed to strengthen civil society organizations (CSOs) in Sri Lanka in their diverse roles, contributing to the enhancement of democratic governance and sustainable development. The framework service contract is aimed at providing technical assistance to facilitate civil society's involvement in governance processes and ensure their capacity to engage effectively with public authorities. This project aligns with the European Union's priorities for Sri Lanka under the Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2021-2027.

General Objective:

The overall objective of the framework service contract is to strengthen Sri Lankan civil society actors, in their full diversity, in their roles to enhance democratic governance and promote sustainable development. By doing so, the project seeks to empower CSOs to effectively participate in policy dialogue, promote inclusive development, and ensure a more accountable and transparent governance system in Sri Lanka.

Specific Objectives:

1.) Establish and Maintain an Inclusive Structured Dialogue:

The first specific objective is to establish and maintain an inclusive structured dialogue between the EU, Member States, and civil society. This dialogue aims to improve the analysis and monitoring of the enabling environment and development cooperation landscape in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, it will feed into future EU political and policy dialogues with public authorities and EU services, ensuring that civil society's perspectives are included in shaping development policies and governance reforms.

2.)

Enhance Partnership Between CSOs and the Government:

The second specific objective focuses on enhancing the partnership between CSOs (including associations representing women, youth, and persons with disabilities) and the Sri Lankan government, including provincial and local authorities. This objective aims to strengthen the collaboration and coordination between civil society and public authorities at various levels, creating a more inclusive and participatory governance structure in Sri Lanka.