Next Generation EU komunikacija (antras etapas)

The grant opportunity is a call for tenders titled "Next Generation EU komunikacija (antras etapas)," which is designed to enhance communication services aimed at promoting the EU's recovery initiatives within Lithuania. The objective is to engage the public and stakeholders concerning the Next Generation EU (NGEU) program, particularly in the context of green and digital transformations and economic resilience.

Eligible applicants for this tender predominantly include communication agencies, public relations firms, and advertising specialists capable of conducting large-scale campaigns. Notably, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not considered suitable, indicating a preference for more established entities.

Funding for this initiative is structured as a service contract rather than a traditional grant, which stipulates that the successful applicant will be compensated for delivering specific services, such as advertising campaigns and media production. The tender requires only a single applicant rather than a consortium, as indicated by the framework agreement format of the procurement.

While the project is centered on Lithuania, its eligibility likely extends to EU member states, given the EU-funded nature of the program. The target sectors are primarily communication-related areas, particularly public relations and advertisement campaigns that align with NGEU themes like green and digital transformation, energy security, and overall economic resilience.

The first phase of the communication campaign achieved significant reach, impacting over 31 million contacts through various media outputs. The second phase, which this tender pertains to, aims to promote four new projects alongside two notable projects from the prior campaign.

The estimated funding for this tender falls within an approximate range of €200,000 to €1 million, though specific figures are not disclosed. The application process is structured as an open call for submissions through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, with a single-stage submission process expected.

There is no requirement for co-funding mentioned within the tender. The expression of interest period is scheduled to commence on May 15, 2025, with a subsequent deadline of May 30, 2025, and the anticipated launch date for the negotiated procedure is set for May 31, 2025. The initiative primarily aims at increasing public engagement and awareness about EU recovery projects relevant to the ongoing challenges faced in Lithuania and Europe.

Overall, this tender represents an important opportunity for communication service providers to contribute to EU initiatives focused on sustainable economic growth and resilience amidst contemporary challenges facing the region.

This is a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure, not a call for tenders. More information can be found via a provided link. Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given below.

The procedure identifier is EC-COMM/VNO/2025/LVP/0258-EXA. The title of the planned call for tenders is Next Generation EU komunikacija (antras etapas), which translates to Next Generation EU communication (second stage).

The description of the planned call for tenders is as follows: "Next Generation EU" (abbreviated as "NGEU", "NextGen") is more than just a European economic recovery plan. The ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine has shifted the focus from post-pandemic recovery to new challenges, such as security, including energy security. To become more resilient to energy price and supply shocks, Lithuania must make efforts to accelerate the green and digital transformations. At the same time, Lithuania must ensure a continued transition to a higher value-added economy to ensure a higher standard of living for its citizens.

In order for Europe's (including Lithuania's) green and digital transformation and a more sustainable European vision to become a reality, the involvement and participation of the public and all stakeholders in the changes is essential. It is important to communicate about the implementation of "Next Generation EU", the challenges and opportunities with stakeholders and the wider public.

In the autumn-winter of 2024, the European Commission Representation (hereinafter referred to as EKA) implemented the first phase of the "Next Generation EU" publicity campaign, during which 6 selected Next Generation EU projects were communicated. Video recordings, photos for outdoor advertising, audio advertising, articles and products for social media were created about the projects' heroes. In total, the campaign reached 31 million contacts (gross reach).

This year, EKA plans to initiate the second part of the campaign, during which 4 new projects and the 2 most successful projects from the first part of the campaign will be communicated.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The estimated total value is not specified. The lead contracting authority is Europos Komisija, DG COMM Communication. The main classification (CPV) code is 92111250 Information film production. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 12 months. There is no framework agreement.

The start date for expression of interest is 2025-05-15 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 30/05/2025 03:59 Europe/Vilnius. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-05-31 Europe/Vilnius.

The method of expression of interest is electronic. The address for expression of interest is "Express interest".

A question and answer section is available, requiring login to create questions. There are also FAQ's available for download in xls format.

A public question and answer entry states that references that feature an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders but 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 negotiated procedure related to the second phase of a communication campaign for the Next Generation EU program in Lithuania. The European Commission Representation in Lithuania (EKA) intends to launch a campaign to communicate about ongoing projects related to green and digital transformation, energy security, and economic development. The first phase of the campaign in 2024 involved creating various media products to promote selected projects. The second phase will focus on new projects and successful projects from the first phase. The contracting authority is planning a negotiated procedure for a middle or low value contract. Parties interested in participating in this future procedure can express their interest electronically, with a start date for expression of interest of May 15, 2025, and a deadline of May 30, 2025. The actual call for tenders is expected to be launched around May 31, 2025.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given that it is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract related to communication services for the Next Generation EU program, it is likely that eligible applicants could include communication agencies, media production companies, marketing firms, and potentially other service providers with relevant expertise.

Funding Type: The funding type is a service contract, as indicated by "Nature of the contract: services". This means the selected applicant will be contracted to provide specific services in exchange for payment.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. Given that it is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract, it is possible that both single applicants and consortia could be eligible, but this would need to be confirmed in the full call for tenders when it is published.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but the project focuses on communicating the Next Generation EU program in Lithuania. Therefore, it is highly likely that applicants from the EU, and potentially EEA countries, would be eligible. The involvement of local entities in Lithuania might be preferred or even required.

Target Sector: The target sector is communication, specifically related to the Next Generation EU program. This includes public relations, media production (video, audio, photography), content creation (articles, social media products), and campaign management. The thematic areas covered within the communication efforts are the green and digital transformations, and increasing the resilience of Lithuania to energy price and supply shocks.

Mentioned Countries: Lithuania is explicitly mentioned as the country where the communication campaign will be focused.

Project Stage: The project stage is implementation. The European Commission Representation (EKA) already implemented the first phase of the Next Generation EU public awareness campaign in autumn-winter 2024. This call is for the second phase of the campaign.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value is described as a "middle/low value contract". The specific funding range is not provided, but it can be inferred that the funding amount is relatively modest compared to large-scale EU projects. It is likely to be under €200k, but this is only an estimation based on the "middle/low value" descriptor.

Application Type: The application type is an expression of interest, followed by a planned negotiated procedure. This means that interested parties must first express their interest electronically. Subsequently, the contracting authority will likely invite a select number of candidates to submit a full proposal through a negotiated procedure.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for providing communication services.

Application Stages: There are at least two stages: 1) Expression of interest, and 2) Submission of a full proposal following invitation to the negotiated procedure. There may be further stages within the negotiated procedure itself, such as clarification meetings or revisions of the proposal.

Success Rates: The success rates cannot be determined from the provided text, as the number of applicants and the selection criteria are not yet available.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not mention any co-funding requirement. It is likely that no co-funding is required, but this should be confirmed in the full call for tenders.

Summary: This is a pre-announcement for a planned call for tenders by the European Commission, DG COMM, specifically the European Commission Representation in Lithuania (EKA). The call will be for a "middle/low value contract" related to communication services for the Next Generation EU program in Lithuania. The aim is to raise public awareness and engagement regarding the implementation of Next Generation EU, the challenges, and the opportunities it presents, particularly in relation to the green and digital transformations and energy security. The first phase of the campaign reached 31 million contacts. The second phase will communicate about 4 new projects and 2 successful projects from the first phase. The procedure will be a negotiated procedure, meaning that interested parties will first need to express their interest electronically. The start date for expression of interest is planned for 2025-05-15, with a deadline of 2025-05-30. The indicative date for the launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-05-31. The contract duration is a maximum of 12 months. The CPV code is 92111250, which relates to information film production. This announcement is not a call for tenders itself, but rather a notification of the contracting authority's intention to launch a call in the future.