Technical assistance to the MED-INVEST programme
The Commission has published a call for expressions of interest in the selection of a consultancy to provide technical assistance to the MED-INVEST programme. As part of its Mediterranean policy, under the special heading for operations promoting multilateral and regional or sub-regional cooperation in the Mediterranean, the Commission has launched MED-INVEST, a decentralized cooperation programme designed to foster an environment favourable to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Mediterranean non-member countries (MNCs) and to increase their competitiveness. MED-INVEST organizes contacts and cooperation between SMEs and professional bodies in the Community and their MNC counterparts and sets up pilot projects in various fields, such as export management companies, consultancy services and development agencies. Like the other MED programmes (MED-URBS, MED-CAMPUS, MED-MEDIA), MED-INVEST is based on the transfer of know-how by business networks involving professional bodies and organizations from the Community and MNCs with practical experience in business cooperation and economic development support. The pilot phase of the programme is currently in progress and will last until the end of 1995, when it will be succeeded by a consolidated phase. The Commission intends to hand over the running of the programme to a technical assistance consultancy, working under its supervision, on the basis of an annually renewable contract. The technical services required include the following operational tasks: - Assisting in monitoring the pilot phase of the MED-INVEST programme under the Commission's supervision, particularly the procedure for selecting the businesses for the pilot projects in liaison with the programme's steering committee; - Offering technical and methodological assistance to European and local businesses in starting up and developing their projects; - Monitoring projects to ensure they remain consistent with the other activities and goals of the programme and follow the work schedule agreed jointly with the Commission; - Monitoring and stimulating the running of the networks and cooperation correspondents (BC-NET and BCC); - Developing a procedure for implementing pilot projects concerning all MNCs; - Delivering technical opinions on the project leaders' interim and final reports; - Implementing an information strategy targeted at participants and potential partners. Participation is open on equal terms to any legal person (company, consortium or group) from the Community Member States. Applicants must provide evidence of: - Their status as a legal person; - Experience in decentralized cooperation programmes and in leading and working in networks; - Any knowledge they may have of the Commission's working methods; - The qualifications and professional experience of the organization and the staff who would fulfil the relevant tasks. Expressions of interest should be sent in triplicate by registered mail to: European Commission Mr. Jacques Giraudon Directorate-General for External Economic Relations Directorate I/H/2 200 rue de la Loi (SC 14/6-76) B-1049 Brussels Fax +32-2-2990204