How we manage EU Framework Contracts

The EU’s Directorate for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) uses FWCs as a procurement tool for service contracts to facilitate formulation and implementation of EU’s international partnership and development policy, with the ultimate goal to reduce poverty, ensure sustainable development, and promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across the globe. 

The FWCs set out the terms under which specific contracts can be awarded during a project’s lifecycle and allows the EU to mobilise expertise at short notice. Such expertise may be required at any stage of the project cycle and may cover any sector(s) within a technical lot. The “Framework Contract for Services for the Implementation of External Aid 2018” (FWC SIEA 2018) is divided into six “lots” covering different technical sectors. Groups of contractors form consortia to deliver contracting services for each lot with one firm as the designated lead, coordinating proposals once the contracting process has begun.  

NIRAS is part of five out of six awarded lots in the FWC SIEA 2018: 

Lot 1: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Resilience, where NIRAS is lead 

As consortium lead, NIRAS works to manage, conserve, and sustain natural resources while ensuring resilience by drawing on our extensive experience in agriculture, renewable energy, water management, and rural development combined with a drive for innovation and sustainability.  

Among the projects NIRAS has implemented under Lot 1 are: 

Lot 2: Infrastructure, Sustainable Growth and Jobs, where NIRAS is co-lead 

As co-lead in Lot 2, we apply our extensive experience in infrastructure, growth, urban and rural development projects, and sustainable energy installations, in our work around the world with a strong commitment to the principles of sustainability.  

NIRAS-led projects under Lot 2 include: 

Lot 3: Human Rights, Democracy and Peace, where NIRAS is lead 

NIRAS is consortium lead in Lot 3, where we work to ensure respect for human rights, representative government, and lasting peace around the world based on our cross-cutting competencies and our strong local presence represented by our offices around the world.  

Projects where we have strengthened democratic institutions, the rule of law, the integration of gender perspectives and peace and stabilisation include: 

Lot 4: Human Development and Safety Net 

NIRAS is partner in Lot 4, where we draw on the decades of experience in working around the world to improve skills, build individual and organisational capacity, and support marginalised people in their quest to be included in society.  

Over the past eight years, NIRAS has implemented 44 projects worth almost EUR 88 million, including:  

• Provision of direct practical training to youth as a part of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development 
• Creation of a land registration project in Ethiopia which focuses on helping women gain recognition for their land use claims and access to finance 
• Establishment of a nationwide Legal Support Facility in Tanzania which helps provide access to justice for all in need, in particular women 

Lot 6: Innovative Financing for Development 

As partner in Lot 6, NIRAS works to narrow the gap between the resources needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the resources actually available by mobilizing additional private capital for development investments. We have long running experience in setting up and managing various innovative funding facilities all around the world.  

NIRAS-managed facilities and efforts within assessing and advising policymakers and private entities on financing-related needs, risks, and opportunities include: 

• Leveraging of development assistance funds at a 1:6 ratio in Vietnam to enhance renewable energy 
• Started efforts to facilitate transactions for a Euro 400 million loan to the Ukrainian agricultural sector 
• Evaluation of financial systems in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon to assess potential future projects