The European Union (EU) will support the sector of employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) through a programme with the overall objective to contribute to the mitigation of negative social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in BiH and support a green and digital socio-economic recovery. In specific terms, it is to facilitate post-pandemic employment and access to labour market fostered in support of an increasingly ‘resilient’/‘regenerative’/’circular’ economy in BiH.

In that respect, the Delegation of the European Union to BiH, building on the suggestions of BiH’s authorities, is looking into possibilities for indirect management with eligible entities to implement parts of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) for year 2021 “EU4 Mitigating Socio-Economic Consequences of COVID-19 pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Employment, Social Protection and Inclusion Policies”, foreseen for the country.

The financial rules applicable to the Union budget, specifically Financial Regulation (EU Euratom) No 2018/1046, Regulation (EU) No 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15/09/2021, establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III), Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2128 of 1/10/2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2236 of 15/12/2021 on the specific rules for implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1529, allow for a possibility for the Union's financial assistance to be implemented indirectly by entrusting budget implementing tasks to among others, international organisations as well as their agencies and Member States agencies.

Therefore, this request for Expression of Interest aims at identifying entities that could be later on invited to exploratory talks on a potential entrustment of the Union's budget implementation tasks (BIT) in respect to specific actions of the IPA 2021 Annual Action Programme for Bosnia and Herzegovina for EU Support to employment sector, “EU4EMPLOYMENT in BOSNIA AND  HERZEGOVINA – IPA 2021”.

The foreseen part of the IPA 2021 Annual Action Programme for Bosnia and Herzegovina related to employment sector “EU4EMPLOYMENT in BOSNIA AND  HERZEGOVINA – IPA 2021” (further referred as "Action") could be implemented by the Entrusted entity (with its implementing partner(s) and/or sub-delegate(s), if any) having the highest competences and specialisation in this given area and a proven track record in EU Member States, candidate and potential candidate countries. 

Whilst the organisation, in expressing an interest to this consultation, does not commit itself, the European Commission reserves the right to take its final decision on the delegated actions upon its discretion.

The organisations that would respond to this expression of interest will be assessed along a transparent set of criteria mentioned in the Expression of Interest. The best-placed entity will be invited to start negotiations, potentially leading to a Contribution Agreement. The selection would be made from responses to this notification.

The selection of the entities under indirect management should not to be compared with, and does not constitute, a full competitive procedure. However, the present Request for Expression of Interest with all potentially eligible/interested entities ensures a transparent selection process on objective grounds.

The potential Contribution Agreement signature is expected during 2024, following a negotiation procedure.