The Impact of the War in Ukraine on EU Border Regions: Socio-economic, Infrastructure and Cohesion Policy Implications

Planned negotiated procedure EP-CASP/2026/LVP/0001-EXA to commission a research study for the European Parliament Regional Development Committee on the impact of the war in Ukraine on EU border regions. The contract is estimated at €60,000 with a maximum duration of 18 months and requires delivery and presentation of an approximately 50-page study assessing socio-economic, infrastructure and cohesion policy implications and proposing post-2027 recommendations. Applicants must form a team of at least three experts with relevant qualifications and experience and submit an electronic expression of interest via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal between 24 March 2026 and 13 April 2026. This publication constitutes ex ante publicity announcing the intent to launch a negotiated low/middle value procedure and full tender documents will be provided to selected candidates when the procedure is launched.

Opportunity type and objective

Planned negotiated tender for a research study

Contract to deliver and present a ca. 50-page study to the European Parliament Regional Development Committee on how the war in Ukraine affects EU border regions. The study must assess socio-economic, infrastructure and cohesion policy impacts, identify regional vulnerabilities, and propose recommendations for post-2027 Cohesion Policy including crisis-response instruments for border regions exposed to geopolitical shocks.

Funding and contract value:Estimated total value approximately €60,000; nature of contract services; CPV 73110000 - Research services.

1. 1Lead contracting authority: European Parliament, CASP Directorate-General for Cohesion, Agriculture and Social Policies
2. 2Minimum team requirement: at least three experts with relevant education and experience in Cohesion Policy and Regional Development
3. 3Maximum contract duration: 18 months

Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically via EU Login to the address given in the tender notice. This publication is an ex ante notice announcing the intention to launch a low or middle value negotiated procedure; full tender documents will follow. Tender notice and details ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Procurement listing and procedural information available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. EU Login is required to subscribe and submit expressions of interest.

Basic Opportunity Details

Opportunity type:Tender (planned negotiated procedure for low/middle value contract). Contracting authority: European Parliament, CASP - Directorate-General for Cohesion, Agriculture and Social Policies. Procedure identifier: EP-CASP/2026/LVP/0001-EXA. Main CPV classification: 73110000 - Research services. Nature of contract: services. Estimated total value: €60,000. Maximum contract duration: 18 months. This publication is ex ante publicity announcing the intention to launch a negotiated low or middle value procedure, not a call for tenders itself.

Tender objective:Deliver and present a study of around 50 pages for Members of the European Parliament's Regional Development Committee (REGI) assessing the impacts of the war in Ukraine on EU border regions. The study must analyse socio-economic impacts, infrastructure effects and implications for cohesion policy, identify vulnerabilities of affected EU regions, and provide recommendations for the post-2027 Cohesion Policy, including potential crisis-response instruments tailored to border regions exposed to geopolitical shocks.

Key Dates and Milestones

1. 1Publication of ex ante notice: 03/10/2024 (page metadata) and repeated entries; portal publication updated 2026.
2. 2Start date for expression of interest: 24/03/2026 (Europe/Brussels).
3. 3Deadline for expression of interest: 13/04/2026 23:59 (Europe/Brussels).
4. 4Indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure: 29/04/2026 (Europe/Brussels).

Eligibility and Applicant Requirements

Minimum team requirement:team of at least three (3) experts with relevant educational/professional qualifications and demonstrable experience clearly relevant to Cohesion Policy and Regional Development. Submission method for expression of interest: electronic via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; an EU Login account is required for submission and portal interactions EU Login Help. ¹

Eligible applicant types:Public and private research organisations, consultancies, think-tanks, universities, research institutes, non-profit policy organisations, individual experts grouped in a bidder team, and private companies (including SMEs and larger consultancies) that can form a contracting team meeting the minimum expert requirement are eligible to express interest. The procurement is managed by the European Parliament and expects organisations able to contract with EU institutions.

Consortium requirement:Not explicitly required as a formal consortium, but minimum required composition is a team of at least three experts. Bidders may be single legal entities presenting an internal team or a consortium/consortium-like arrangement to demonstrate the required expertise and capacity.

Beneficiary geographic scope:The contracting authority is the European Parliament and the study focuses on EU border regions. Eligible bidders are expected to be able to contract under EU procurement rules; in practice this generally covers entities established in EU Member States. The opportunity is EU-focused (EU Member States) and targets analyses of EU border regions.

Financial and Contractual Information

Estimated total contract value:€60,000. Procedure type: planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract. Nature of award: services contract for research/analysis and presentation. Maximum contract duration: 18 months. This estimate represents the total budget available for the contracted study, inclusive of all fees and expenses to be charged by the contractor.

Funding type:This is a procurement contract (service contract) awarded following a negotiated procedure. It is not a grant, loan, equity or subsidy. Bidders will receive payment under the terms of the service contract awarded by the European Parliament.

Co-funding requirement:No explicit co-funding from the applicant is indicated in the ex ante notice. The contract will be funded by the contracting authority up to the estimated total value. Normal procurement rules apply regarding pricing, invoicing and allowable costs.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

Core deliverable:a study of approximately 50 pages addressing: socio-economic impacts of the war in Ukraine on EU border regions; infrastructure impacts (transport, energy, connectivity, logistics and cross-border infrastructure); implications for cohesion policy (effectiveness, gaps, adjustments needed); identification and analysis of vulnerabilities specific to affected border regions; and policy recommendations for the post-2027 Cohesion Policy, including options for crisis-response instruments tailored to border regions exposed to geopolitical shocks. The contractor will be required to present findings to Members of the Regional Development Committee.

Required expertise and team composition:Minimum: three experts with sound educational and professional qualifications and experience clearly relevant to Cohesion Policy and Regional Development. Expected expertise areas: regional development policy, EU Cohesion Policy design and implementation, socio-economic analysis, infrastructure and transport policy, crisis and resilience analysis, cross-border cooperation, and familiarity with Eastern European / border region dynamics. Experience in producing concise policy reports and presenting to parliamentary committees is an advantage.

Study content and methodological expectations (detailed)

1. 1A concise executive summary and clear policy recommendations targeted at REGI Members.
2. 2A mapping and typology of EU border regions affected by the war in Ukraine, including indicators of exposure and vulnerability.
3. 3Socio-economic impact assessment covering labour markets, population displacement and demographic changes, local economies, SMEs, cross-border trade and social services.
4. 4Infrastructure assessment including transport corridors, border crossings, energy and utilities interconnections, logistics hubs, and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities.
5. 5Analysis of how existing cohesion policy instruments and funds have been used or are inadequate in responding to these shocks.
6. 6Identification of gaps, lessons learned and design options for post-2027 Cohesion Policy and for crisis-response instruments targeted at border regions facing geopolitical shocks.
7. 7Concrete, actionable recommendations (short-, medium- and long-term) and potential indicators for monitoring effectiveness of proposed instruments.

Application and Submission Process

Method to express interest:electronic submission via the European Commission's EU Funding & Tenders Portal. An EU Login account is required. Submissions must be sent exclusively to the address for submission indicated on the Portal as part of the expression of interest process. This ex ante notice indicates the start and deadline dates for expressions of interest; the actual negotiated procedure will be launched indicatively on 29/04/2026.

Application type:Expression of interest followed by a negotiated procedure. This is not an open competitive call for proposals in the same manner as Horizon or standard grant calls; it is a planned negotiated procurement which typically involves a reduced tendering process where the contracting authority negotiates terms with selected bidders or invites selected bidders to submit final offers.

How to prepare the expression of interest:Prepare a concise submission demonstrating organisational capacity, proposed project team (CVs and roles for at least three experts), relevant experience in cohesion policy/regional development studies, examples of similar delivered studies or reports, methodology and work plan for producing a 50-page study and presenting to REGI, high-level budget indication within the €60,000 envelope and availability during the proposed contract period. Ensure EU Login and portal account are active before the start date for expressions of interest.

Selection, Evaluation and Contract Award

As a negotiated procedure for a low/middle value contract, the contracting authority will invite or select bidders from the expressions of interest to participate in negotiation or to submit final offers. Specific award criteria are not published in the ex ante notice; typical award criteria for such studies include relevance and clarity of methodology, quality and complementarity of the expert team, experience and track record, value for money, and capacity to meet deadlines and present to the committee. Detailed award criteria and scoring will be published in the tender documents when the negotiated procedure is launched.

Application stages:Two main stages are expected: 1) Expression of interest (mandatory electronic submission by deadline). 2) Negotiated procedure with invited bidders leading to final offers and contract award. The process may include clarification rounds or negotiation meetings between contracting authority and shortlisted bidders.

Success rates:Not specified. Success rates for negotiated low/middle value procurements depend on the number of expressions of interest and the contracting authority's selection of bidders to negotiate with. Typical procurement success rate cannot be reliably estimated from the published ex ante notice.

Practical Considerations and Recommendations for Bidders

Ensure an EU Login account is active well before 24/03/2026. Prepare team CVs and past deliverable samples that clearly demonstrate expertise in Cohesion Policy, regional development, cross-border issues and geopolitical risk impacts. Provide a clear, concise methodological approach tailored to producing a 50-page policy-oriented study and to presenting findings to MEPs. Budget proposals should fit within the €60,000 total estimated value while demonstrating value for money and realistic allocation of effort. Anticipate requirement to present results in person or virtually to REGI and to respond to committee feedback.

Categorisation Answers

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: Research organisations, consultancies, think-tanks, universities, research institutes, non-profit policy organisations, private companies (SMEs and larger firms) and coordinated teams of individual experts able to contract with EU institutions; effectively any legal entity or consortium able to meet procurement and contracting requirements and present the minimum three-expert team.
2. 2Funding Type: Procurement service contract (service contract) awarded through a negotiated procedure. This is not a grant or loan.
3. 3Consortium Requirement: Other (single legal entities may apply but must present a team of at least three experts; consortium arrangements are permitted but not mandated).
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): EU-focused; bidders should be able to contract under EU procurement rules (typically entities established in EU Member States). The study addresses EU border regions.
5. 5Target Sector: Public policy / regional development / cohesion policy research; thematic sectors include regional development, socio-economic analysis, infrastructure and transport, crisis resilience and governance.
6. 6Mentioned Countries: No individual countries are explicitly listed in the opportunity text; the geographic focus is EU border regions and the contracting authority is the European Parliament (EU).
7. 7Project Stage: Research / policy analysis and recommendation stage (analysis, synthesis, policy design) aimed at informing post-2027 policy (research and policy formulation).
8. 8Funding Amount: Estimated total value €60,000 (contract budget).
9. 9Application Type: Expression of interest followed by a negotiated procedure; electronic submission via EU Funding & Tenders Portal (EU Login required).
10. 10Nature of Support: Money (paid service contract) for services; deliverable is a commissioned study and presentation obligations.
11. 11Application Stages: Two main stages expected (expression of interest; negotiated procedure with invited bidders leading to award) although procedural clarifications may add micro-stages.
12. 12Success Rates: Not specified in the notice; depends on number of expressions of interest and selection process during negotiated procedure.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: No co-funding indicated; the contract will be financed by the contracting authority within the €60,000 envelope.
14. 14Templates: No application templates published in this ex ante notice. Bidders should prepare: organisational profile, proposed team and CVs, methodology and workplan for a 50-page study, past relevant deliverables, budget estimate and confirmation of availability. Formal tender documents and any templates (technical and financial forms) will be published with the negotiated procedure launch.

Relevant portals and practical links:expressions of interest and submissions use the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and require EU Login. When the negotiated procedure is launched, full tender documents, award criteria, contractual conditions and submission templates will be published on the Portal. Bidders should consult the Portal entry for EP-CASP/2026/LVP/0001-EXA and the European Parliament committee pages for REGI for contextual information.

Overall summary

This opportunity is a planned procurement by the European Parliament's CASP DG to commission a roughly 50-page policy study on how the war in Ukraine affects EU border regions, focusing on socio-economic impacts, infrastructure vulnerabilities and implications for cohesion policy. The study must identify vulnerabilities, evaluate current policy responses and propose recommendations for the post-2027 Cohesion Policy including crisis-response instruments for border regions. The procurement will be carried out via a negotiated procedure for a low or middle value contract with an estimated budget of €60,000 and maximum contract duration of 18 months. Bidders must submit an electronic expression of interest within the stated dates, and must be able to demonstrate a minimum team of three experts with clear, relevant experience in cohesion policy and regional development. The ex ante notice does not include full tender documents or templates; these will be published when the negotiated procedure is launched. Interested organisations should prepare concise evidence of relevant experience, CVs for the core team, a clear methodology and a budget proposal compatible with the available envelope, and ensure an active EU Login account for submission.

Footnotes

1. 1EU Login is required for electronic submission and Portal interactions. See the EU Login help page on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for account creation and guidance: ec.europa.eu

Opportunity Overview

This is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract (EXA reference EP-CASP/2026/LVP/0001-EXA) to deliver and present a study of approximately 50 pages for Members of the European Parliaments Regional Development Committee. The study focuses on the socio-economic, infrastructure, and cohesion policy implications of the war in Ukraine on EU border regions, including assessment of vulnerabilities and recommendations for post-2027 Cohesion Policy with crisis-response instruments for border regions exposed to geopolitical shocks.

Key Details and Timeline

Procedure Identifier:EP-CASP/2026/LVP/0001-EXA

Estimated Total Value:€60,000

Contract Nature and Classification:Services under CPV 73110000 - Research services

Maximum Contract Duration:18 months

Key Milestones:Start date for expression of interest: 24/03/2026 (Europe/Brussels); Deadline for expression of interest: 13/04/2026 23:59 (Europe/Brussels); Indicative launch of negotiated procedure: 29/04/2026 (Europe/Brussels)

Contracting Authority

European Parliament, CASP - Directorate-General for Cohesion, Agriculture and Social Policies. This is not a full call for tenders but ex ante publicity announcing intent to launch a negotiated low/middle value procedure. Primary Opportunity

Eligibility and Minimum Requirements

Teams must consist of a minimum of three experts with sound educational and professional qualifications and experience clearly relevant to Cohesion Policy and Regional Development. This procurement targets consultancies, research firms, or expert teams capable of producing high-quality policy analysis and recommendations.

Application Process

Expression of interest must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. An EU Login account is required (create with email and password if needed). Submissions are exclusive to the designated electronic address: Express interest button on the portal.

1. 1Create or log in to EU Login account.
2. 2Subscribe to the opportunity on the portal.
3. 3Submit expression of interest electronically by 13/04/2026 23:59 Brussels time.
4. 4Monitor for invitation to negotiated procedure around 29/04/2026.

Relevant Context on EU Border Regions

EU border regions in nine Member States (Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria) face challenges from the war including hybrid threats, economic disruption, infrastructure strain, and demographic decline. Recent EU strategies emphasize security, resilience, connectivity, and cohesion policy adaptations, aligning with this studys focus.¹²

Affected Regions and Challenges

• Slower growth, investment decline, depopulation, labour shortages, higher security costs.
• Hybrid warfare, weaponised migration, trade disruptions.
• Needs for infrastructure upgrades, energy connectivity, defence capabilities.

The Mid-Term Review of Cohesion Policy (2025) and proposals for 2028-2034 budget allocate extra resources to these regions. This study will inform post-2027 policy, including tailored crisis instruments.¹

Strategic Considerations for Applicants

• Demonstrate expertise in Cohesion Policy, regional development, and geopolitical impact analysis on EU borders.
• Highlight experience with similar studies for EU institutions, especially European Parliament committees.
• Prepare team CVs emphasizing qualifications in socio-economic analysis, infrastructure assessment, and policy recommendations.
• Note the negotiated procedure: shortlisting based on expressions of interest; full tender documents provided to selected candidates.
• Q&A available on portal; log in to submit questions.

For guidance on ex ante publicity and negotiated procedures, refer to official EU documents.³

Footnotes

1. 1European Commission strategy on eastern border regions, 19/02/2026.
2. 2Summary of EU support priorities including security, connectivity, and cohesion adaptations.
3. 3Information ex ante publicity for planned negotiated low and middle value contracts: Ex Ante Publicity