Selection of partners
Eligibility and suitability criteria
The selection of partners under the new FPA is carried out on the basis of precise eligibility and suitability criteria. These have been established taking into account:
- the existing legal and financial requirements, including those newly introduced by the recast Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities;
- the quality standards resulting from the debate developed over the years between ECHO and its partners on achieving quality partnership.
As concerns the legal eligibility and suitability requirements, the selection criteria are guided by three EC regulations: the Regulation on humanitarian aid (RHA), the new Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (FR) and its new Implementing Rules (IRFR).
In particular, the legal bases used are:
- For eligibility
- Art. 7.1 RHA (country of registration in a Member State)
- Art. 93 FR (declaration of moral integrity)
- Art. 173.4 IRFR (2 years external audit obligation)
- For suitability
- Art. 7.2 RHA (administrative, financial and operational capacity)
Methods of assessment
The fulfilment of these criteria can be verified by ECHO through:
- relevant supporting documents provided by the applicant organisation;
- if available, information from other sources, such as other Commission services or national authorities of the NGO's country of registration;
- verification missions carried out by ECHO staff on the organisation's premises if considered as necessary
