Knowledge production and knowledge sharing in the field of Human Capital Development (HCD)

The European Training Foundation (ETF) is initiating a call for tenders identified as ETF/2025/OP/0012 aimed at enhancing Human Capital Development (HCD) in countries outside the EU, including EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement regions, Central Asia, and in cooperation with the African Union. The objective is to acquire reliable knowledge, evidence, and analyses on HCD topics. The tender seeks two main types of services: knowledge production through the design and implementation of studies and research projects, and knowledge sharing through peer learning, capacity building, training, and networking activities.

The total estimated value of the contract is €12,000,000, and it covers a maximum duration of 48 months with a framework agreement that allows for the reopening of competition. It is an open procedure, and applications must be submitted electronically. Interested parties are encouraged to review all related documents, including specifications and drafts, available for download. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is essential for participation, whether as a single entity or as part of a group.

The deadline for tender submissions is October 15, 2025, with the public opening scheduled for October 16, 2025. The contracting authority is not obligated to respond to inquiries received after October 7, 2025. The procurement process is subject to a multi-stage evaluation, focusing on the best price-quality ratio as the award criterion. The opportunity is aimed at organizations with relevant expertise in HCD and strong capabilities to implement complex international projects.

The European Training Foundation (ETF) is launching a call for tenders, procedure identifier ETF/2025/OP/0012, to support its work in the area of Human Capital Development (HCD). The ETF is the European Union Agency that supports countries outside the EU in improving their human capital development, in the context of European Union (EU) external relations policies. The ETF cooperates with countries in the EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement regions, Central Asia, and contributes to EU external policies and programs in other regions and with the African Union.

The objective of this tender is to support the ETF's work with the production of reliable knowledge, evidence, and analysis in specific topics in the field of Human Capital Development, as well as to strengthen the ETF’s role in sharing it both within and outside the EU.

The main types of services requested are:

A. Knowledge production in the form of design and implementation of studies, research studies and projects.
B. Knowledge sharing in the form of design and implementation of peer learning, capacity building, training and networking activities.
C. Ad hoc services.

This is an open procedure. The estimated total value of the tender is 12,000,000 EUR. The TED publication date is 21/08/2025. The lead contracting authority is the European Training Foundation (ETF). The main classification (CPV) code is 73200000, which refers to research and development consultancy services. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 48 months. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio. This is a framework agreement, with reopening of competition.

Key milestones include:

TED publication date: 21/08/2025
Date and time of public opening: 16/10/2025 10:00 Europe/Rome
Deadline for receipt of tenders: 15/10/2025 16:00 Europe/Rome
Contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after: 07/10/2025 06:00 Europe/Rome

Submissions must be sent exclusively via electronic submission.

The following documents are available for download:

ENETF2025OP0012 Invitation letter (Invitation letter), published on 21/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENETF2025OP0012 Specifications Knowledge (Tender specifications), published on 21/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENETF2025OP0012 Annex C Declaration honour (Declaration on honour (tender)), published on 21/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENETF2025OP0012 Draft contract (Draft contract), published on 21/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENETF2025OP0012 Annex B1 (Other invitation to tender document), published on 21/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENETF2025OP0012 Annex B3 (Other invitation to tender document), published on 21/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENETF2025OP0012 Annex B2 (Other invitation to tender document), published on 21/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENTable on Financial Stability (Other invitation to tender document), published on 21/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENETF2025OP0012 Annex A Contact details (Other invitation to tender document), published on 21/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENDeclaration on Minimum Requirements (Other invitation to tender document), published on 21/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available

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In summary, this tender opportunity, ETF/2025/OP/0012, is an invitation from the European Training Foundation (ETF) for organizations to submit proposals for providing services related to knowledge production and sharing in the field of Human Capital Development (HCD). The ETF aims to enhance its capacity to generate and disseminate reliable knowledge and analysis both within and outside the EU. The tender is structured as a framework agreement with a total estimated value of 12 million EUR and a maximum duration of 48 months. The services requested encompass a range of activities, including designing and implementing studies, research projects, peer learning initiatives, capacity building programs, training sessions, and networking events. The submission process is electronic, and the deadline for submitting tenders is October 15, 2025. Interested parties should carefully review the tender specifications and related documents, including the invitation letter, draft contract, and annexes, to prepare a comprehensive and competitive proposal. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation. The award will be based on the best price-quality ratio.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but given the nature of the tender, it is likely that eligible applicants include research institutes, consultancy services, organizations with expertise in human capital development, and potentially universities or other entities with relevant knowledge and experience. The tender is open, suggesting a wide range of organizations can apply as long as they meet the minimum requirements.

Funding Type: The funding type is procurement, specifically a service contract. The tender is for the provision of services related to knowledge production and knowledge sharing in the field of Human Capital Development.

Consortium Requirement: The content does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. However, the FAQ section mentions that a Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory to participate in a call for tenders as a sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium). This suggests that both single applicants and consortia are eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The European Training Foundation (ETF) supports countries outside the EU. The ETF cooperates with countries of the EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement regions, Central Asia, other regions, and the African Union. Therefore, the geographic eligibility extends to these regions outside the EU.

Target Sector: The target sector is Human Capital Development (HCD). This includes knowledge production, knowledge sharing, research and development consultancy services, peer learning, capacity building, training, and networking activities.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity details mention countries within the EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement regions, Central Asia, and the African Union. No specific countries are listed, but the regions are explicitly mentioned.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on implementation and service provision. The tender seeks entities capable of designing and implementing studies, research projects, peer learning, capacity building, training, and networking activities. This suggests a focus on development, validation, and demonstration stages, rather than basic research or idea generation.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the tender is 12,000,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call for tenders, with electronic submission.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered. This is a service contract where payment is provided upon the successful delivery of the contracted services.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly mentioned, but it can be inferred that there are multiple stages. These likely include: submission of the tender, evaluation of the tender, potential clarification requests, and contract award. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio, indicating a detailed evaluation process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly mentioned.

Summary:

This is a call for tenders issued by the European Training Foundation (ETF) to procure services related to knowledge production and knowledge sharing in the field of Human Capital Development (HCD). The ETF aims to enhance its work by obtaining reliable knowledge, evidence, and analysis on specific HCD topics, and to strengthen its role in disseminating this knowledge both within and outside the EU. The tender is open to organizations with expertise in research and development consultancy services, particularly those with experience in designing and implementing studies, research projects, peer learning, capacity building, training, and networking activities. The geographic scope includes countries outside the EU, specifically within the EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement regions, Central Asia, and the African Union. The total estimated value of the tender is 12,000,000 EUR, and the contract duration is up to 48 months. The submission method is electronic, and the award will be based on the best price-quality ratio. The tender process involves multiple stages, including submission, evaluation, and contract award. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for all tenderers, whether they are single entities or consortia. The selected contractors will receive monetary compensation for the services they provide. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 15/10/2025 at 16:00 Europe/Rome. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 07/10/2025 at 06:00 Europe/Rome.