Update of the Local Autonomy Index 2025

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) is planning a procurement opportunity titled "Update of the Local Autonomy Index 2025." This contract aims to produce an updated and methodologically harmonized version of the Local Autonomy Index (LAI), covering the period from 1990 to 2025. It encompasses EU Member States, additional countries within the Council of Europe, and OECD countries. The updated dataset (LAI 3.0) will provide a robust evidence base for analyzing the degree, evolution, and patterns of local self-government over time.

Key details of the opportunity include an estimated contract value of 180,000 EUR and a maximum duration of 12 months. The procurement invites applicants from entities capable of delivering research or consultancy services in governance and public administration, though specific eligibility criteria are not outlined. It is set within the context of a planned open call for tenders, although further details and exact requirements will be released in the official call, expected to publish around August 5, 2025.

The project is categorized under research services, specifically related to the methodical documentation and analysis within the field of governance. Interested parties should keep an eye on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and the Official Journal of the European Union for the upcoming tender announcement, as currently only a prior information notice is available. The procurement structure implies that a single applicant can submit a proposal, although consortia may also participate unless restrictions are explicitly stated. There is no indication of any co-funding requirement for applicants.

Overall, this opportunity presents a significant chance for entities focused on public administration and governance research to contribute to a vital project aimed at enhancing the understanding of local self-governance through an upgraded analytical framework.

The European Commission, DG JRC Joint Research Centre, is planning a call for tenders with OJ S publication, procedure identifier EC-JRC/SVQ/2025/OP/3852-PIN, for the Update of the Local Autonomy Index 2025. The TED reference is 138/2025 476873-2025.

The overall aim of this contract is to produce an updated and methodologically harmonised version of the Local Autonomy Index (LAI), covering the period 1990–2025, for EU Member States and additional countries within the Council of Europe and OECD. The updated dataset (LAI 3.0) will provide a robust evidence base for analysing the degree, evolution, and patterns of local self-government in a comparative and longitudinal perspective.

The estimated total value of the contract is 180000 EUR. The TED publication date is 22/07/2025, and the estimated date of publication of a contract notice is 05/08/2025. The main classification (CPV) is 73000000 Research and development services and related consultancy services. The nature of the contract is services, and the maximum contract duration is 12 months. No framework agreement is mentioned.

A question was asked regarding where to find the procurement documents for this call for tenders. The answer provided states 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 available. This answer was published on 16/02/2024 23:54.

In summary, this is a planned call for tenders by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre to update the Local Autonomy Index (LAI) for the period 1990-2025. The project aims to create a harmonized dataset (LAI 3.0) covering EU Member States, Council of Europe, and OECD countries, providing a basis for comparative analysis of local self-government. The contract is for services related to research and development, with an estimated value of 180,000 EUR and a duration of 12 months. The actual call for tenders with all the details and application documents is expected to be published around August 5, 2025. Currently, only a pre-announcement is available.

Eligible Applicant Types: The information provided does not explicitly state the eligible applicant types. However, given the nature of the contract which involves research and development services and related consultancy services, it can be inferred that eligible applicants could include research institutes, universities, consulting firms, and other organizations with expertise in political science, public administration, and data analysis. The call is open to any entity capable of providing the requested services.

Funding Type: The funding type is procurement, specifically a service contract. The call is for tenders, indicating that the European Commission is seeking to procure services from an external contractor.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. It is possible that either a single applicant or a consortium could be eligible, depending on the specific requirements outlined in the full call for tenders when it is published.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The description mentions that the Local Autonomy Index (LAI) covers EU Member States and additional countries within the Council of Europe and OECD. Therefore, it is highly likely that applicants from these regions are eligible. This includes EU countries, countries in the Council of Europe, and OECD member countries.

Target Sector: The target sector is research and development services and related consultancy services, specifically in the area of political science, public administration, and comparative government. The project focuses on the Local Autonomy Index (LAI), which is related to the study of local self-government.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity details mention EU Member States, countries within the Council of Europe, and OECD member countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on updating and harmonizing an existing index (Local Autonomy Index). This suggests a development and validation stage, as the project involves refining and expanding upon an existing methodology and dataset.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the contract is 180,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is a planned call for tenders with OJ S publication, meaning it will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, Supplement S (for public procurement).

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered. This is a service contract where the contractor will be paid for delivering the updated Local Autonomy Index.

Application Stages: The number of application stages cannot be determined from the provided information. Typically, calls for tenders involve multiple stages, including submission of a proposal, evaluation, and contract negotiation. However, the specific number of stages will be detailed in the official call documents.

Success Rates: The success rates cannot be determined from the provided information, as this is a planned call for tenders and no historical data is available.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. It is likely that co-funding is not required, as this is a procurement contract where the European Commission is fully funding the service.

Summary:

This is a planned call for tenders from the European Commission, DG JRC - Joint Research Centre, for a service contract to update the Local Autonomy Index (LAI). The project aims to produce an updated and methodologically harmonized version of the LAI, covering the period 1990–2025, for EU Member States and additional countries within the Council of Europe and OECD. The updated dataset (LAI 3.0) will provide a robust evidence base for analyzing the degree, evolution, and patterns of local self-government in a comparative and longitudinal perspective. The estimated total value of the contract is 180,000 EUR, and the maximum contract duration is 12 months. The call for tenders is expected to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, Supplement S (OJ S). The TED publication date was 22/07/2025, and the estimated date of publication of a contract notice is 05/08/2025. The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, DG JRC - Joint Research Centre. The main classification (CPV) code is 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services. The call is open to entities capable of providing research and consultancy services in the field of political science and public administration. Interested parties should monitor the Official Journal of the European Union and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for the publication of the full call documents.