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

The European Training Foundation (ETF) is preparing to issue a call for tenders under the reference ETF/2025/OP/0012-PIN, focusing on knowledge production and sharing in the field of Human Capital Development (HCD). The tender aims to support countries outside the EU, specifically addressing regions in the EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Central Asia, and the African Union. The estimated total value of the contract is 12 million EUR, with a maximum duration of up to 48 months.

The main services requested include:
1. Knowledge production, which involves designing and implementing studies, research projects, and initiatives related to HCD.
2. Knowledge sharing activities, including peer learning, capacity building, training, and networking.
3. Ad hoc services that may arise during the execution of the contract.

This opportunity is structured as a procurement contract, meaning that the ETF will pay for the delivered services. Interested applicants must be capable of providing the specified services and can range from research institutes and consulting firms to educational organizations. While the tender is not restricted to SMEs, the specifics will be outlined in the forthcoming official call documentation.

The tender is expected to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union Supplement (OJ S), with the anticipated contract notice publication on July 30, 2025, following an initial publication in the TED system on June 26, 2025. This would follow a framework agreement model, allowing multiple contractors to be selected initially, with future assignments awarded through competition.

No co-funding requirements have been indicated, and there is an open call format for the application process, although detailed application stages are not yet defined. The success rates or specific applicant eligibility criteria, such as geographic restrictions, will be clarified in the full tender documentation. Interested entities are encouraged to monitor official channels for updates regarding the publication and further details related to this significant tender opportunity.

The European Training Foundation (ETF) is planning a call for tenders with the procedure identifier ETF/2025/OP/0012-PIN. This is a forthcoming opportunity related to knowledge production and sharing in the field of Human Capital Development (HCD). The TED reference is 120/2025 414327-2025.

The ETF is the European Union Agency that supports countries outside the EU in improving their human capital development, within the context of EU external relations policies. The ETF currently cooperates at country and regional level with the countries of the EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement regions, and in Central Asia. It also contributes to EU external policies and programmes in other regions and with the African Union, responding to specific requests from the European Commission.

The objective of this tender is to support the ETF's work by producing reliable knowledge, evidence, and analysis on specific topics within Human Capital Development. It also aims to strengthen the ETF’s role in sharing this knowledge both within and outside the EU.

The main types of services requested are:

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

The procedure type is a planned call for tenders with OJ S publication. The estimated total value is 12,000,000 EUR. The TED publication date is 26/06/2025, and the estimated date of publication of a contract notice is 30/07/2025. 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. This is a framework agreement with reopening of competition.

A question and answer section is available, where interested parties can log in to create questions, access public Q&As, FAQs, and download Q&As in XLS format. Currently, there are no items found in the public Q&A.

A frequently asked question is: Where can I find the procurement documents of this call for tenders? The answer provided is that the planned call for tenders announces the intention of the contracting authority to publish a future call for tenders, and no other information or documents other than those published are currently available. This answer was published on 16/02/2024 23:54.

In summary, this is a pre-announcement of a significant upcoming tender from the European Training Foundation (ETF). The tender focuses on obtaining services related to knowledge production and sharing in the field of Human Capital Development (HCD). The ETF aims to gather reliable knowledge and analysis, and to enhance its role in disseminating this information both internally and externally to the EU. The tender will involve a framework agreement with multiple potential service providers competing for specific assignments within the scope of knowledge production, knowledge sharing, and ad hoc services. The estimated budget is substantial, and the contract duration can be up to 48 months. The official contract notice is expected in late July 2025, following the initial TED publication in late June 2025. Interested parties should monitor the official publications for the release of the tender documents.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is a call for tenders, suggesting that eligible applicants are likely to be organizations or companies capable of providing the requested services. This could include research institutes, consulting firms, educational organizations, or other entities with expertise in human capital development, knowledge production, and knowledge sharing. The specific types of organizations that can apply will be detailed in the official call for tenders documentation when it is released.

Funding Type: The funding type is procurement, specifically a call for tenders. This means the European Training Foundation (ETF) is seeking to purchase services from a contractor.

Consortium Requirement: The description does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the nature of the services requested (knowledge production, knowledge sharing, ad hoc services), both single applicants and consortia could potentially be eligible, depending on the specific requirements outlined in the forthcoming call for tenders. The framework agreement with reopening of competition suggests that multiple contractors may be selected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The ETF supports countries outside the EU. The description mentions cooperation 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, indicating international eligibility beyond the EU.

Target Sector: The target sector is Human Capital Development (HCD). This includes knowledge production and sharing in this field. The specific services requested involve research, studies, projects, peer learning, capacity building, training, and networking activities related to HCD.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity description refers to the EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement regions, Central Asia, and the African Union. No specific countries are named, 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 activities, capacity building, training, and networking activities. This suggests a focus on development, implementation, and knowledge sharing rather than basic research or early-stage idea development.

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

Application Type: The application type is a planned call for tenders with OJ S publication. This means the call will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union Supplement.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered. The contract is for services related to knowledge production and sharing in the field of Human Capital Development.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated. However, as a call for tenders with OJ S publication, it is likely to involve multiple stages, including submission of a tender, evaluation, and contract award. The framework agreement with reopening of competition suggests that there will be an initial selection of contractors for the framework agreement, followed by further competition for specific assignments.

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

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not mentioned in the provided text.

Summary: This is a planned call for tenders from the European Training Foundation (ETF) focused on knowledge production and sharing in the field of Human Capital Development (HCD). The ETF is seeking contractors to provide services such as designing and implementing studies, research projects, peer learning activities, capacity building, training, and networking activities. The tender is valued at an estimated 12,000,000 EUR. The geographic scope includes countries outside the EU, particularly those in the EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement regions, Central Asia, and the African Union. The call for tenders will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union Supplement (OJ S), with an estimated contract notice publication date of 30/07/2025. The TED publication date is 26/06/2025. The contract duration can be up to 48 months. This opportunity is relevant for organizations with expertise in HCD, research, consulting, and training, particularly those with experience working in the specified geographic regions. The procedure involves a framework agreement with reopening of competition, suggesting that multiple contractors may be selected initially, followed by further competition for specific tasks.