Call for proposals � Joint Harmonised European Union Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys

As part of the Joint Harmonised EU Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys, the European Commission is launching a call for proposals (ECFIN/A4/2012/008) for carrying out surveys in Ireland, Iceland and Serbia.

The programme is designed to gather information on the state of the economies in the EU Member States and the candidate countries, so as to be able to compare their business cycles for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) management purposes. It has become an indispensable tool in the EMU economic surveillance process, as well as for general economic policy purposes.

The Joint Harmonised EU Programme involves specialised bodies/institutes carrying out opinion surveys on a joint financing basis. The Commission is looking to conclude agreements with bodies and institutes suitably qualified to carry out one or more of the following surveys for the next two years:
— investment survey in Ireland, Iceland and Serbia,
— construction survey in Ireland, Iceland and Serbia,
— retail trade survey in Ireland, Iceland and Serbia,
— services survey in Ireland, Iceland and Serbia,
— industry survey in Ireland, Iceland and Serbia
— consumer survey in Iceland and Serbia,
— ad hoc surveys on topical economic issues. These ad hoc surveys are by definition more occasional and are carried out in addition to the monthly surveys, using the same established samples as the monthly surveys, to obtain information on specific economic policy issues.

The surveys target managers in the industry, investment, construction, retail trade and services sectors, as well as consumers.

The Commission wishes to establish a long-term cooperation with the successful applicants. For this purpose, a framework partnership agreement will be concluded between the parties, which will specify the common objectives and the nature of the actions planned. The framework partnership agreement will be for two years (1 May 2013 to 30 April 2015).

Two annual specific grant agreements may be concluded, with the first being for the period 1 May 2013 to 30 April 2014. The total budget available for that period is in the region of €450,000. The amount for the following year could be increased, subject to budgetary resources, by about 2%.

The Commission’s share in the joint financing may not exceed 50% of the eligible costs incurred by the beneficiary on each survey.

The deadline for applications is 17 September 2012.

Reference: 2012/C 171/10

(Added 2012-06-16)