SERVICES FOR EU’s EXTERNAL ACTION (SEA, 2023-2026)

The Services for EU’s External Action 2023 (SEA 2023) framework contract is a key instrument for supporting the European Commission’s external action. The framework enables partners and experts to provide advisory, technical, and operational support services to the European Commission at its headquarters, in EU Delegations, or in partner country institutions such as ministries. Individual contracts under SEA 2023 can have a maximum duration of 48 months and are designed to enhance the effectiveness of the EU’s external action.

Divided into 17 thematic lots, SEA 2023 covers a wide range of areas, offering specialized and adaptable solutions to strengthen the EU’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to the evolving needs of its global partners. 

  • Lots 1 to 14: Service providers deliver technical strategic and operational support throughout the project cycle, including studies, detailed analyses, and advisory reports.
  • Lot 15: Intervention teams contribute to the monitoring, assessments and evaluation of EU-funded projects' performance across all regions and sectors, ensuring transparency and efficient implementation.
  • Lots 16 and 17: Evaluation teams play a key role by conducting external evidence-based evaluations to measure the impact and effectiveness of the EU’s external actions at both regional and global levels.

As part of SEA 2023, GFA Consulting Group plays a key role by actively contributing to seven specific lots. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality services and supporting the EC’s strategic priorities while promoting inclusive and sustainable practices.

  • Lot 3: Food system, sustainable agriculture and nutrition focuses on inclusive initiatives related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, promotion of sustainable energy solutions, and ensuring nuclear safety standards.
  • Lot 4: Sustainable transport, infrastructures, green cities, connectivity and sustainable mobility aims at developing sustainable transport systems, infrastructure projects, and promote green urban development and connectivity.
  • Lot 6: Macro-economic analysis, fiscal policies, budget support involves macro-economic assessments, formulation of fiscal policies, and provision of budget support mechanisms.
  • Lot 7: Micro-economic analysis, investment climate, private sector, trade and employment focuses on micro-economic evaluations, improves investment climates, private sector development, and trade facilitation, and promotes equitable employment opportunities.
  • Lot 8: Sustainable financing for development deals with mobilizing and managing financial resources for sustainable development projects.
  • Lot 15: Monitoring involves the monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes to ensure effective inclusive implementation and equitable outcomes.
  • Lot 16: Evaluation at intervention level conducts evaluations at the intervention level to assess the impact and effectiveness of specific projects or programmes.

These services can be rendered in any geographic area worldwide, encompassing all partner countries and communities and regions where the EU engages in external cooperation. Since the launch of SEA 2023, GFA has successfully tendered for projects in diverse regions, including Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

The partnership between SEA and GFA is highly beneficial as it combines SEA’s structured framework for EU external actions with GFA’s expertise across critical thematic areas. This collaboration ensures efficient project design, implementation, and evaluation, enabling the EU to address partner countries’ diverse and inclusive needs effectively. In combination, SEA and GFA enhance the impact of EU external actions and promote sustainable development, economic growth, and global cooperation.

INTER-INSTITUTIONAL MULTIPLE FRAMEWORK SERVICE CONTRACT (EPRS, 2024-2028)

In line with the Financial Regulation of 18 July 2018, the European Parliament launched a tender for an inter-institutional multiple framework service contract covering nine thematic lots. This contract sought external expertise in impact assessments, policy evaluations, European added value, the cost of non-Europe, civil society research, and stress-testing EU policies.

As the lead partner in a consortium, GFA is implementing a 48-month framework contract on behalf of the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS). This initiative provides specialized advisory services to support the European Parliament’s evidence-based policymaking. GFA contributes to two thematic lots, focusing on Lot 8 and Lot 9:

 
Lot 8: Development and international trade
This lot focuses on development and international trade, addressing key areas such as the promotion, implementation, and monitoring of EU development and cooperation policy, as well as the European Development Fund. It also encompasses international trade and economics, particularly the EU’s financial, economic, and trade relations with third countries. Additionally, the lot covers the EU's engagement within various international and regional organisations, fostering inclusive cooperation and equitable dialogue on global economic and trade matters. Through these efforts, the lot supports the advancement of EU objectives in development and trade, contributing to sustainable growth and global partnerships.

Lot 9: Foreign affairs, human rights, security and defence
This framework covers foreign affairs, human rights, security, and defence, with a particular focus on the operation of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. It includes political relations with third countries, the accession of states to the Union, and the promotion of human rights in non-EU nations. The lot also addresses human rights issues such as the equitable treatment and inclusion of marginalized communities and the advancement of democratic values in third countries. Additionally, it covers security and defence policy, especially the implementation of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy that contributes to the Union’s role in inclusive peace-building efforts and global stability.

MULTIPLE FRAMEWORK CONTRACT TO PROVIDE FOREIGN POLICY (EP-EXPO – 2024-2029)

GFA is a key partner in a consortium executing the 60-month Framework Contract for foreign policy services on behalf of the Directorate-General for External Policies of the European Parliament (DG-EXPO). DG-EXPO assists the European Parliament's Committees and delegations by delivering expert, inclusive, equitable advice and in-depth analysis. GFA contributes to three specific lots within this contract, focusing on the following fields:

  • Lot 2: EU enlargement, eastern neighbourhood, northern policies, non-EU European countries, EEA and Russia
  • Lot 4: Sustainable development and humanitarian aid
  • Lot 7: Human Rights and Democracy

The framework service contract addresses a range of current and emerging issues relevant to the responsibilities of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), along with its Subcommittees on Security and Defence (SEDE) and Human Rights (DROI), as well as the Committees on Development (DEVE) and International Trade (INTA). The specific topics covered in the lots GFA is involved with include, but are not limited to, the areas outlined below.

Lot 2: EU enlargement, Eastern neighbourhood, Northern policies, non-EU European countries, EEA and Russia

The framework service contract encompasses initiatives aimed at fostering confidence-building, inclusive regional dialogue, and concrete outcomes for the states and citizens in the Black Sea region. It also includes a focus on regional cooperation within the Baltic and Barents areas that promotes sustainable policies for the Arctic and Antarctic with a strong emphasis on climate and security concerns. The contract addresses developments in and relations between the EU and countries, including Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Russia. Key services provided in these regions involve implementing EU financial instruments, promoting human rights and democracy, and addressing critical issues such as energy, environment, and climate concerns, along with socio-economic and gender considerations, trade and economic matters, and security and defence policies.

Lot 4: Sustainable development and humanitarian aid
This lot covers a comprehensive range of areas, including governance, economic development, environment and climate change, social and human development, and the role of women in development. It also addresses issues of displacement, migration, and development, alongside international development cooperation, trade, and European development cooperation policies, instruments, and key actors. Moreover, it encompasses humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts, including food aid.

Lot 7: Human rights and democracy
This framework is dedicated to strengthening international human rights, promoting democracy, and ensuring a unified, impactful role for the EU in these areas worldwide. Key human rights themes addressed under this lot encompass international human rights standards, social and cultural rights, the impact of new technologies, the use of sanctions, corporate social responsibility, combating corruption and human trafficking, and supporting democratic governance.

The partnership between EP-EXPO and GFA strengthens the European Parliament's ability to address global challenges through expert analysis and advisory services. GFA's contributions across critical areas such as regional stability, sustainable development, and human rights enhance the EU’s role as a global actor. This collaboration ensures evidence-based policies and inclusive, sustainable initiatives, aligned to the EU’s foreign policy and development objectives.

Contact

Christian Caspar
FWC Unit Manager
E-mail: christian.caspar[at]gfa-group.de





Photo title: CGinspiration | istockphoto

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