Call for Proposals to develop Canine Capability under Standing Corps Cat2

Frontex, in terms of its statutory staff has not yet developed canine service capability under SC Cat1 due to lacking the infrastructure and the policies in the area of dog handling, therefore the sole source of coverage stems from Standing Corps Category 2 (SC Cat2) and Category 3 (SC Cat3) results in a limited coverage of operational needs and a disproportionate burden upon Member States.

The aim of this call is threefold. Firstly, to increase the number of canine teams of the European Border and Coast Guard with up to 20 canine teams belonging to the Member States, deployable under SC Cat2. Secondly to harmonise national CCC with Frontex CCC in the area of Dog Handling and thirdly Frontex to accumulate experience and knowledge for the possible future development of Frontex own capability.

Objectives 

• General objectives
  • The general objective of this call is to:
    • train and equip SC Cat2 enabling them to respond to current and emerging challenges at the external borders as per Frontex Single Programming Document (SPD) 2024 – 2026 under Strategic Objective “Safe, secure and Well-Functioning EU External Borders”
    • ensure that SC Cat2 match the operational needs by developing training, updating staff knowledge on a regular basis in line with the European policies for lifelong learning as per SPD 2024/2026 Strategic Objective “Sustained European Border and Coast Guard Capabilities”, Focus area 3.2: Development of Capabilities through Concept Development, Education and Training, Equipment Acquisition and Continuous Innovation.
• Specific objectives
  • The specific objective of this call is to:
    • To enhance MSs capability for provision of canine team services by additional trained canine teams (dog handlers paired with their dogs) under SC Cat2.
    • To improve the operational support of Frontex joint operations with additional 20 canine teams and decrease the existing gap.
    • To accumulate experience and knowledge for the possible future development of Frontex own capability.
    • To support sustainable development of education and training for border and coast guards in the area of canine training and contribute to national and European long-term strategic objectives in the field of cross-border crime prevention and detection.
    • To strengthen collaboration and cooperation between Frontex and national border and coast guards
    • To harmonise national Common Core Curriculum in the area of canine training with Frontex CCC for Dog Handlers

Funding Information

• The total budget earmarked for the financing of projects under this call for proposals is estimated at EUR 520 000. Frontex reserves the right not to distribute all the funds available, and to reduce the number of offered teams/ MS to adjust to the maximum need of 20 teams. In the latter case the applicant shall revise the budget estimate accordingly.

Supported Actions

• The supported actions under this shall support all the fulfilment of all the above mentioned objectives of this call. Additionally, will:
  • contribute to providing the appropriate learning and administrative environment for the delivery of the canine training for the Dog Handlers and to the service dogs paired with them, according to Frontex standards;
  • enhance cooperation between Member States, Schengen Associated Countries and the Agency in the field of training and education of canine teams;
  • enhance quality in education and training of border and coast guards;
  • ensure the efficient use of public resources for the best Agency’s benefit;
  • support the modernisation of training delivery for border and coast guards through cooperation and dissemination of best practices;
• The supported actions under this call are the followings:
  • Action 1: Each Beneficiary shall establish at least 3 new canine teams from sources of national authorities
  • Action 2: The Beneficiary shall train and certify the established canine teams under ACTION 1 in their own canine training centre able to carry out specific activities related to cross border crime under their specialised canine profile (drug-detection, explosive detection or other product scent profile based on Frontex request).
  • Action 3: The Beneficiary shall ensure that the training programme is harmonised with Frontex CCC for Dog Handlers (through designing or reviewing of national curriculum) and supports Frontex operational activities.
  • Action 4: The Beneficiary shall nominate for deployment of the trained canine teams to be seconded under SC Cat2 staff for at least 2 years in line with Art 56 of Frontex regulation and the relevant MB decision setting the specific numbers and profiles of staff per MS after the successful canine exams.

Eligible Activities 

• Action 1 – Selection of at least 3 new canine teams from national authorities
  • Run a selection procedure to identify and select officers with scope to work as Dog handlers under SC Cat2.
  • Select and purchase serviceable dogs that will compose the canine team ready for specialised training (under ACTION 2) under one of the product scent profile.
  • Register the selected dogs under the national law enforcement canine registration system
  • Organise coordination or planning meeting with Frontex staff in case Frontex request it.
  • Others justified activities related to the aim of the project.
• Action 2 – Training of the canine teams selected under ACTION 1 in future beneficiary’s canine training centre under one of the product scent profiles
  • Purchase training consumable materials both linked to dog handlers and dogs
  • Delivery of the Training/course for the canine teams, including fees related to trainers and learners needs and their (learners and trainers) transportation and accommodation
  • Purchase of necessary equipment for the aim of the training programme
  • Provision to learners -future dog-handlers accommodation and full board for the duration of their training
  • Activities linked to the maintenance and health of the dogs until the final canine exams
  • Coordination and planning meetings and reporting purposes organized upon the request of the Agency and/or the selected MS;
  • Publication and dissemination of training results without disclosing any personal data;
  • Others justified activities related to the aim of the project
• Action 3: Ensuring that the national training programme is harmonised with Frontex CCC for Dog handlers (through designing or revieing of national curricula) and supports Frontex operational activities
  • Design or review of national curriculum aligned to Frontex common core curricula; including translation of the training materials (to and from English or national language);
  • provide current national SOPs, concepts and lessons learned regarding canine teams deployment and logistic support.
  • Coordination and planning meetings and reporting purposes organized upon the request of the Agency and/or the selected MS;
  • Publication and dissemination of results;
  • Others justified activities related to the aim of the project
• Action 4: Nominating the canine teams to Frontex after the successful exam to be seconded under SC Cat2 in line with Article 56 of Frontex regulation and the relevant MB decision setting the specific numbers and profiles of staff per MS in line with Article 54(4) of Frontex regulation.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible for the grant the applicant must:
  • have legal personality under the applicable national law;
  • be a national law enforcement authority of an EU Member State (except Ireland) entitled to deliver and organise law enforcement training;
  • have a valid Letter of Commitment signed by a relevant national authority.

For more information, visit Frontex.