MedBridge: EU Regional communication programme in the Middle East, North Africa.

The European Commission is calling for tenders under the project "MedBridge: EU Regional communication programme in the Middle East, North Africa." This communication contract, estimated at 4,000,000 EUR, aims to enhance the EU’s strategic outreach and strengthen its image as a global partner in the specified regions, including the Mediterranean. The tender involves developing and implementing integrated communication campaigns, fostering a network of young multipliers and media partners, monitoring public perception, and countering disinformation.

Eligible applicants likely include entities with expertise in public relations and communication, such as SMEs, large enterprises, non-profits, and public-private partnerships. The awarded contract is service-based, with a focus on the public relations sector, and is categorized under public relations consultancy services. The procedure is classified as restricted, necessitating an initial selection based on suitability, economic standing, and technical ability before inviting selected candidates to submit full tenders.

The maximum duration of the contract is 72 months, and the deadline for submitting requests to participate is June 16, 2025. Participation requires registration for a Personal Identification Code (PIC), which is necessary for all applicants, whether single or in a consortium. The submission method is exclusively electronic through the EU's eSubmission portal, which supports various file types and adheres to specific technical requirements.

Moreover, the documentation outlines the selection criteria in detail and provides a Q&A section addressing common inquiries about the tender process and eSubmission system. The overall goal is to promote EU values and improve understanding of the EU’s role and actions in the relevant regions through comprehensive communication strategies. The best price-quality ratio will determine the award, and the call encourages a focus on effective public engagement and communication efforts.

The opportunity is a call for tenders for the MedBridge: EU Regional communication programme in the Middle East, North Africa. The procedure identifier is EC-MENA/2025/EA-RP/0002. The TED reference is 92/2025 311235-2025. The submission method is electronic and the call is open for submission.

The communication contract aims to enhance the European Union’s strategic outreach across the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf, while strengthening its image as a committed and influential global partner. The initiative will promote the EU’s core values by showcasing the tangible benefits of its partnerships through integrated communication campaigns, both on the ground and online, to raise awareness and improve understanding of the EU’s role and actions. Key activities include developing a dynamic network of young multipliers and media partners to foster public engagement and amplify messaging, regularly monitoring public perception through targeted surveys, and countering disinformation. Additionally, the contract will contribute to generating public momentum for transformational reforms while reducing fragmentation and reinforcing the EU’s strategic outreach across the region.

The procedure type is restricted. The estimated total value is 4,000,000 EUR. The TED publication date is 14/05/2025. The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, MENA - Middle East, North Africa, Gulf. The main classification (CPV) code is 79416200 - Public relations consultancy services. The nature of the contract is services. The maximum contract duration is 72 months. The award method is best price-quality ratio. It is not a framework agreement.

The selection criteria include: Suitability to pursue the professional activity, Economic and financial standing, and Technical and professional ability. Consult the procurement documents for details on these criteria. The place(s) of delivery or performance is the Mediterranean Region (31085494). The programme(s) are Neighbourhood (42921254).

The deadline for receipt of requests to participate is 16/06/2025 00:00 Europe/Brussels.

One document is available: Additional information about the Contract Notice Tender specifications (requests to participate), published on 14/05/2025, Version 1, with no translations available.

Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given. The submission method is electronic.

Questions and Answers:

Question 65572: Regarding criterion 1, may we assume that the €1.5M refers to the overall budget of the reference? If the tenderer has implemented...?
Answer: About the criterion 1: the 2 contracts implemented do not need to be related to the specific domain of strategic communication. The EUR 1,5 Million refers to the overall budget of 1 contract. Published on 27/05/2025 22:21.

Question 65248: Criteria 1 & 2 of Technical Capacity, request the tenderer has completed services for contracts implemented at any moment during...?
Answer: The tenderer can refer to projects completed or ongoing within the reference period. In case of ongoing projects, only the part completed during the reference period will be taken into account. Published on 22/05/2025 17:08.

Question 65246: Deadline until which the tender must remain valid: 190 Days. Is that correct under new PRAG?
Answer: Indeed, that's correct under the new PRAG. For service award procedures: 110 days + 20 (one-off extension) + 60 (successful) = 190 days. Please see the section 2.9.5 Period of validity. Published on 22/05/2025 17:01.

FAQ's related to the eSubmission system:

How to proceed if the system is slow or doesn’t work while uploading/downloading documents? Use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. If the issue persists, clear the cache and cookies on the Internet browser. Published on 13/02/2025 20:52.

Which Internet browsers does eSubmission support? Use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. For the most up-to-date technical recommendations, click on the link System Requirements. Published on 13/02/2025 20:52.

Is it possible to view the details of the submission after the deadline? No, the content of the submission is not accessible after submitting the tender as the system encrypts all attachments upon upload. Published on 13/02/2025 20:50.

Where can I find my submissions in Manage My Area, in the Funding & Tenders portal? In ‘My Submission(s)’: tenders in response to open calls for tenders, requests to participate. Published on 17/10/2024 20:40.

Which size should attachments have? eSubmission accepts files that are less than 50 MB in size. Published on 17/10/2024 20:36.

How should I name attachments in eSubmission? Name the attachments for your tender draft following the System Requirements. Published on 03/10/2024 16:39.

Can I submit a video in eSubmission? Which formats are supported? Check the System Requirements of eSubmission. Published on 03/10/2024 16:37.

I received an invitation from the F&T Portal but cannot view the procurement documents. Invited candidates can only see the procurement documents after having selected an organisation. Go to F&T Portal, “My Invitations”. Click on “Select Organisation” from the “Action”. Published on 03/10/2024 16:37.

Do I need to validate my PIC in order to submit a tender in eSubmission? The 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). Published on 03/10/2024 16:36.

I have an issue uploading a file in eSubmission and it’s giving me an error. What do I do? Make sure it follows the technical requirements of the system. Published on 03/10/2024 16:36.

How many attachments can I upload per submission? The maximum number of documents the system will allow you to upload per tender is 200 files. Published on 03/10/2024 16:35.

Why do tenderers need a PIC? It is mandatory to register for a PIC if you intend to submit a tender or a request to participate. Only one PIC per organisation must be used. Published on 23/04/2024 17:14.

How do I register my organisation and get a Participant Identification Code (PIC)? Check if the organisation is already registered using the Search PIC tool under 'How to Participate' > Participant Register. Published on 23/04/2024 16:07.

What is the validity period of a PIC? A PIC is unique and its validity is not limited in time. Published on 22/04/2024 22:55.

How many languages does the system support? The system is multilingual and supports all 24 official EU languages. Published on 01/04/2024 19:56.

Which is the character set encoding in the system? The character set encoding is UTF-8. Published on 22/02/2024 23:58.

Does the system use encryption to ensure the integrity and the confidentiality of the information? Yes, the system encrypts all uploaded documents, using an asymmetric key as an encryption mechanism. Published on 22/02/2024 23:57.

Which file types does the system support? The supported file types depend on the type of submission you want to make. The allowed file types are specified within the system requirements linked to the procedure in question. Published on 21/02/2024 23:55.

Can I view and edit my draft submission? Until the deadline for the submission has been reached, submissions in the draft status can be edited, viewed and deleted. Published on 24/03/2023 21:32.

In the submission report, under the name of our entity, "Legal form: UNKNOWN" is displayed while in the system, our legal form was correctly displayed. Is this a problem for the submission? No, it is just a display issue. This is not blocking for you: you can submit. Published on 03/08/2021 22:07.

I sent my submission on time and a few days later, I received an automatic email informing me that the deadline for the reception of submissions had been reached. Does this mean that my submission was not correctly sent? No, this is an auto-generated notification sent when the time limit of receipt defined for the call for tenders has been reached. Until then, you had the possibility of withdrawing. Published on 03/08/2021 22:05.

In summary, this opportunity is a call for tenders by the European Commission to enhance its strategic communication and outreach in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region. The project, named MedBridge, aims to improve the EU's image and promote its values through integrated communication campaigns, development of media partnerships, monitoring public perception, and countering disinformation. The total estimated value of the contract is 4 million EUR, and the maximum duration is 72 months. The procedure is restricted, meaning that only invited candidates can participate. The deadline for submitting requests to participate is June 16, 2025. Submissions must be made electronically through the EU's eSubmission portal, and applicants must have a valid PIC (Participant Identification Code). The tender will be awarded based on the best price-quality ratio. The documentation provides details on the selection criteria, submission requirements, and technical specifications. The Q&A section addresses specific questions about the tender requirements and the eSubmission system. The FAQ section provides guidance on using the eSubmission portal, including browser compatibility, file size limits, and troubleshooting tips.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of the tender, it is likely that eligible applicants include organizations with expertise in public relations, communication, media, and related fields. This could include SMEs, large enterprises, non-profits, and public-private partnerships with relevant experience. The selection criteria mention "Suitability to pursue the professional activity," "Economic and financial standing," and "Technical and professional ability," suggesting that the applicant must be a legally recognized entity capable of fulfilling the contract requirements.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a procurement contract for services.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity details do not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the FAQ section mentions that a Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory to participate as a sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium), implying that both single applicants and consortia are eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is focused on the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region, as the contract aims to enhance the European Union’s strategic outreach in these areas. The place of delivery or performance is indicated as the Mediterranean Region.

Target Sector: The target sector is public relations and communication, specifically focusing on enhancing the European Union’s strategic outreach and image in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region. This includes activities related to public relations consultancy services, integrated communication campaigns, media relations, countering disinformation, and fostering public engagement.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region. It also refers to the Mediterranean Region as the place of delivery or performance.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is implementation and execution. The tender seeks organizations capable of developing and implementing communication campaigns, managing media relations, conducting surveys, and countering disinformation. This suggests that the project is beyond the idea or research stage and requires practical implementation and management capabilities.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the contract is 4,000,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is a call for tenders, specifically a restricted procedure, and the submission method is electronic.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered, as this is a procurement contract for public relations and communication services.

Application Stages: The procedure type is "Restricted procedure" which implies at least two stages: a first stage where candidates submit a request to participate based on selection criteria, and a second stage where selected candidates are invited to submit a full tender.

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

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

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for tenders by the European Commission, specifically the MENA (Middle East, North Africa, Gulf) division, for a communication contract worth an estimated 4,000,000 EUR. The project, titled "MedBridge: EU Regional communication programme in the Middle East, North Africa," aims to enhance the European Union’s strategic outreach and strengthen its image as a committed global partner in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region. The contract involves developing and implementing integrated communication campaigns, fostering a network of young multipliers and media partners, monitoring public perception, and countering disinformation.

The procedure type is a restricted procedure, meaning that there will be an initial selection of candidates based on their suitability, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability, followed by an invitation to the selected candidates to submit a full tender. Submissions must be sent electronically. The maximum contract duration is 72 months.

The tender is open for submission, with a deadline for receipt of requests to participate on 16/06/2025. The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, MENA. The contract falls under the category of public relations consultancy services.

To participate, tenderers must register for a Personal Identification Code (PIC), which is mandatory for both single applicants and members of a consortium. The eSubmission system supports various file types and has specific requirements for naming attachments. The system also supports all 24 official EU languages and uses encryption to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the information.