1.   Objectives and description

With the objective of supporting the operation of the European network of expertise in VET – ReferNet –, this call aims at selecting one applicant from the following eligible 6 countries: Czechia, Spain, Ireland, Sweden, Malta and Iceland, with which Cedefop will conclude a 45-month framework partnership agreement, and at concluding with each successful applicant a specific grant agreement for a 9-month work plan to be carried out in 2024.

Founded in 1975 and based in Greece since 1995, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) is an agency of the European Union (EU). Acknowledged as an authoritative source of information and expertise on VET, skills and qualifications, its mission is to support European vocational education and training (VET) policy development and contribute to its implementation.

ReferNet is Cedefop’s European network for information on VET. Since 2008, Cedefop’s cooperation with ReferNet has been taking place through four-year FPAs (Framework Partnership Agreement). Under the new FPA (2024-2027) ReferNet will be the main source of information on national VET systems and developments contributing annually to Cedefop monitoring of policy developments in line with the EU priorities in VET, skills, and qualifications. Its role has been strengthened in the integrated approach to policy monitoring and reporting of the Council Recommendation on VET and the Osnabrück Declaration as agreed by the ACVT Committee in its meeting of 8-9 June 2021, calling for a close cooperation of ReferNet with the Directors General for Vocational Training in the EU Member States.

Framework partnership agreements are implemented through annual specific grant agreements. Therefore, applicants shall not only submit a proposal for the 45-month framework partnership (which, if successful, will lead to the signature of a Framework Partnership Agreement for the years 2024 to 2027) but also the grant application for the 2024 action (which may lead to the signature of a Specific Grant Agreement for 9 months in 2024). The applicant must demonstrate its capacity to carry out all the activities foreseen over the 45-month period and ensure adequate co-financing for the implementation of the requested tasks.

2.   Budget and project duration

The estimated budget available for the 45-month duration of the framework partnership agreements amounts to EUR 766 900, depending on the annual decisions of the Budgetary Authority.

The total available budget for the 2024 annual work plan (project duration: 9 months) will be EUR 191 725 for the 6 above-mentioned partners.

The grant varies according to the country population and is awarded for carrying out an annual work plan. The total available budget for the 2024 work plan will be distributed on the basis of three country groups based on country population:

The Union grant is a financial contribution to the beneficiary’s (and/or co-beneficiaries’) costs which must be supplemented by own financial contribution and/or local, regional, national and/or private contributions. The total Union contribution shall not exceed 70 % of the eligible costs.

Cedefop reserves the right not to award the total budget available.

3.   Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, applicants should meet the following requirements:

4.   Deadline

Applications for the framework partnership agreement and Specific Agreement for ReferNet action 2024 must be submitted at the latest by 26 February 2024.

5.   Further information

The detailed specifications of the call for proposals, the application form and its annexes will be available as of 19 January 2024 on Cedefop’s website at the following address:

http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/about-cedefop/public-procurement

Applications must comply with the requirements set out in the full text of the call and be submitted using the official forms provided.

The evaluation of proposals will be based on the principles of transparency and equal treatment.

All submitted applications will be evaluated by a committee of experts against the eligibility, exclusion, selection and award criteria defined in the full text version of the call.