Feasibility study for a potential use of budget support in the delivery of the European Structural and Investment Funds

Cohesion Policy has undergone a far-reaching reform in the 2014-2020 period. The reform establishes the policy as the EU's main investment policy to deliver European priorities and puts a strong emphasis on increased effectiveness and result orientation. It put in place a range of mechanisms to simplify  implementation and reduce the administrative burden for beneficiaries.

For the preparation of the policy proposals for post-2020 and related impact assessments, the Commission wishes to identify and assess alternative delivery mechanisms for cohesion policy while maintaining the objectives of the 2014-2020 reform. In this context DG REGIO has launched another study, jointly with other DGs, that will provide an overview of alternative delivery mechanisms and assess their strengths and weaknesses for the delivery of policy objectives.

The purpose of this request for services is to explore the feasibility of the application of budget support mechanisms, especially, but not exclusively, those applied in EU external aid (managed by DG DEVCO and DG NEAR), for the use of European and Structural Investment Funds (ESI Funds).