Border regions Peer exchange on solving border obstacles

The European Commission, specifically through DG REGIO, is preparing to publish a call for tenders titled "Border regions Peer exchange on solving border obstacles." This initiative aims to establish a peer-to-peer exchange program allowing Interreg programs to engage in site visits to successful b-solutions cases that have addressed border obstacles. The program will consist of ten visits, each hosted by a different b-solutions case organization. Each visit will accommodate five supported visitors from Interreg programs, allowing for a total of 50 funded participants, with additional non-supported visitors also welcome.

The tender will operate under a procurement contract for services, indicating the selected contractor will be compensated for organizing these exchanges. Although specific applicant types are not explicitly outlined, it can be inferred that any legal entity qualified to provide these services, such as consulting firms, NGOs, or public institutions involved in Interreg programs, may apply. There is no stated requirement for a consortium, suggesting that a single entity can manage the contract.

Geographically, the opportunity is focused on EU member states and possibly associated countries, aimed at fostering cross-border cooperation, particularly among territories facing similar administrative or legislative challenges. The project will be in the implementation phase, concentrating on operational aspects rather than research.

As for funding, the total amount has not been disclosed, but given its classification as a middle/low value contract, estimates might range from €50,000 to €1 million. The application process will be an open call, and the nature of support provided will primarily be monetary compensation to the contractor.

There will not be a co-funding requirement from the contractor as the EU will fully fund the service. The application must be submitted electronically, with expressions of interest open from July 18, 2025, until August 7, 2025. The official launch of the negotiated procedure is tentatively scheduled for August 14, 2025.

Overall, this opportunity represents a significant effort to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaborative efforts among Interreg programs to address common border challenges, enhancing regional cooperation within the EU framework.

This is a publication announcing the European Commission's, DG REGIO - Regional and Urban Policy, intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. This is not a call for tenders. The procedure identifier is EC-REGIO/2025/MVP/0023-EXA. The call for tenders is titled "Border regions Peer exchange on solving border obstacles".

The description of the call is as follows: To further assist in the reduction of border obstacles and to enhance the synergy between b-solutions and territorial cooperation, the European Commission launches a call for tenders to set up a peer-to-peer exchange programme that would allow Interreg programmes to benefit from the experience of implemented b-solutions cases. The objective of the peer-to-peer exchange (henceforth the exchange) is for Interreg programmes to participate in visits to b-solutions cases. The exchange should include 10 visits, each organised by separate b-solutions case host organisations. Each visit should include 5 supported visitors from Interreg programmes up to a maximum of 50 supported visitors in total. Non-supported visitors from Interreg programmes would also be allowed to participate in the visits. Programmes that face similar challenges would visit a b-solutions case on the same topic. Both the visiting programmes and the host would benefit from sharing with peers from other territories that share similar challenges.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The estimated total value is not specified. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 12 months. There is no framework agreement.

The milestones are as follows: The start date for expression of interest is 2025-07-18 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 07/08/2025 04:59 Europe/Brussels. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-08-14 Europe/Brussels.

The method of expression of interest is electronic. To express interest, use the "Express interest" link.

The main classification (CPV) code is 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security.

A frequently asked question is: Where can I find the procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference? The answer is: References that feature an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders. They are a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intent to launch in the future a low or middle negotiated procedure. This was published on 03/10/2024 16:32.

In summary, this is a pre-announcement for a future call for tenders by the European Commission, DG REGIO, focusing on a peer-to-peer exchange program to help Interreg programs learn from successful b-solutions cases in overcoming border obstacles. The program will involve organizing 10 visits to different b-solutions case host organizations, with each visit accommodating both supported and non-supported visitors from Interreg programs. The goal is to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration between programs facing similar challenges in border regions. The actual call for tenders, which will be a negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract, is expected to be launched around August 14, 2025. Interested parties can express their interest electronically starting from July 18, 2025, with a deadline for expression of interest on August 7, 2025.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the description of the peer-to-peer exchange program involving Interreg programmes and b-solutions cases, it can be inferred that eligible applicants would likely include organizations capable of organizing and hosting visits, such as consulting firms, business service providers, or potentially the b-solutions case host organizations themselves. Interreg programmes are also mentioned as beneficiaries, but not as direct applicants for this tender.

Funding Type: This is a planned call for tenders, indicating a procurement process. The funding type is therefore a service contract.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required. However, the description mentions the need to organize 10 visits, each hosted by separate b-solutions case host organizations. This suggests that a single applicant capable of coordinating these multiple visits, or a consortium of organizations, would be suitable.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The opportunity focuses on Interreg programmes and b-solutions cases, which operate within the context of territorial cooperation across European border regions. Therefore, the geographic eligibility is likely focused on the EU and potentially associated countries participating in Interreg programmes.

Target Sector: The target sector is territorial cooperation, specifically addressing border obstacles and enhancing synergy between b-solutions and Interreg programmes. This falls under regional and urban policy, business services, consulting, and related areas.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus on Interreg programmes implies a European scope, particularly border regions within the EU.

Project Stage: The project stage is implementation and deployment. The call aims to set up a peer-to-peer exchange program to allow Interreg programmes to benefit from implemented b-solutions cases. This suggests the projects to be visited are already in the implementation or post-implementation phase.

Funding Amount: The opportunity is described as a "planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract." While the exact amount is not specified, this suggests the funding range is likely in the range of €50k–€200k or €200k–€1M.

Application Type: The application type is a planned negotiated procedure. The first step is to express interest electronically. After the expression of interest, a negotiated procedure will be launched.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries, Interreg programmes, will receive non-monetary services through participation in peer-to-peer exchanges and visits to b-solutions cases. The selected contractor will receive money for providing the service of organizing these exchanges.

Application Stages: There are at least two stages: first, an expression of interest, and second, participation in a negotiated procedure.

Success Rates: The success rates cannot be determined from the provided text. As this is a negotiated procedure, the success rate will depend on the number of candidates invited to negotiate and the quality of their offers.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This is a pre-announcement for a planned call for tenders by the European Commission, DG REGIO, concerning a peer-to-peer exchange program focused on solving border obstacles. The program aims to facilitate visits by Interreg programmes to successful "b-solutions" cases, fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration. The procedure will be a negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The first step for interested parties is to submit an expression of interest electronically, with a deadline of August 7, 2025. The indicative date for the launch of the negotiated procedure is August 14, 2025. The selected contractor will be responsible for organizing 10 visits, each involving 5 supported visitors from Interreg programmes, up to a maximum of 50 supported visitors in total. The contract duration is expected to be 12 months. This opportunity targets organizations with experience in organizing events, providing consulting services, and facilitating knowledge exchange within the context of European territorial cooperation.