Request for Proposals: CEI Know-how Exchange Programme

The KEP is a development instrument aimed at supporting the transfer of expertise, best practices and benchmarks from public/private entities in the EU to peers in the non-EU countries within the CEI region. The Programme is primarily aimed at contributing to securing stable, prosperous, and wellfunctioning democratic societies on a steady path towards the EU. By co-financing capacity building and technical assistance projects, the KEP offers grants to help non-EU members to advance towards EU standards and policies. The KEP focuses on areas of intervention where EU CEI countries demonstrate strong-rooted experience, and where beneficiary states exhibit the strongest need for assistance according to the areas of cooperation outlined in the CEI Plan of Action 2024-2026.

Funding Information

• The overall indicative amount for this Call for Proposals is up to a maximum cumulative amount of six hundred thousand euro (600,000 EUR) that will be made available through the CEI Fund at the EBRD, entirely financed by the Italian Government.
• Any grant awarded under this Call for Proposals shall not exceed fifty per cent (50%) of the total cost of a given project, and the maximum grant amount allocated to a single project cannot exceed forty thousand Euros (40,000 EUR). The balance must be financed from the project partners’ own resources or from other sources, including in-kind contributions.

Eligible Activities

• Project activities are to be designed to transfer know-how aimed supporting the beneficiary countries in their path towards the EU integration process. Types of eligible activities are on-the-job training, workshops, staff secondment, study visits, peer review missions, assistance in the preparation of strategic documents (e.g. development plans, reforms, strategic studies, etc.), technology transfer, technical and capacity building assistance. Applicants are requested to clearly state when the activity is expected to begin and end, how it will be organised, who will be responsible for its implementation, and the expected outputs in relation to the project objectives. Project activities are strongly recommended to include the organisation of a final event (e.g. conference, workshop or promotional gathering) aimed at disseminating and promoting the project outcomes to stakeholders, policy‑makers and the wider public. The applicant shall also describe any planned follow-up activities after the official conclusion of the project. All project activities shall take place in the CEI region and the CEI shall approve any exceptions to this rule. The applicant is required to present a realistic and verifiable work plan and timetable. The project implementation phase can start as of 1 January 2026. The project duration should not exceed 24 (twenty-four) months, while the minimum duration is 6 (six) months.

Eligible Projects

• Call for Proposals intends to support projects aimed at boosting the EU integration of CEI Member States that are EU candidates by accelerating reforms and adopting the acquis communautaire, in the sectors outlined in the CEI Plan of Action 2024-2026. Projects promoting regional cooperation and integration within the CEI region will be given a high score in the evaluation phase. All project objectives stated in the Application Form must be well defined, attainable and linked to tangible project activities. Overambitious objectives, not directly linked to activities of the project or impossible for post-evaluation, are likely to be poorly scored.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants:
  • The applicant institution can be registered in all CEI Member States.
  • It might coincide with a know-how provider or with a know-how beneficiary institution.
    • If the applicant coincides with a know-how provider, it shall be registered in an EU CEI Member State, namely: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
    • If the applicant coincides with a know-how beneficiary, it shall be registered in a non-EU CEI Member State, namely: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine.
• Know-how providers:
  • The know-how providers shall be registered in an EU CEI Member State, namely Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The following types of know-how providers are eligible: all public and private sector bodies (not individuals), international and non-governmental organisations operating in the public interest. The know-how provider shall prove to have a broad experience in the specific sector addressed by the project proposal.
• Know-how beneficiaries
  • The know-how beneficiaries shall be registered in a non-EU CEI Member State, that are also EU candidates, namely: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine. The following types of know-how providers are eligible: all public and private sector bodies (not individuals). In case of more than one beneficiary, projects will be assessed on their potential to effectively and sustainably affect all beneficiaries, according to the overall budget and objectives. Whenever a project engages more than one beneficiary, the project is to address the know-how needs of all beneficiaries.

For more information, visit CEI.