PREFACE
This is a compilation of Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) and their respective answers provided by the legal and financial staff of the Commission's Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (“ECHO”).
The questions have been identified from real questions posed by both ECHO staff members and ECHO's humanitarian organisation partners in the course of their work proposing, implementing and closing humanitarian aid actions to which the European Union (EU) contributes.
The purpose of the FAQs is to clarify some of the existing rules and procedures of ECHO. They do not override or supplement these rules and is not to be construed as a legal instrument.
If you can't find the answer to your question in these FAQs you are advised to write to the Partner's Helpdesk to receive an individual response.
Table of Contents
1. HUMANITARIAN AID REGULATION
1.1 The Territorial Scope of Humanitarian Aid Actions
2. THE ECHO FRAMEWORK PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
2.1 Control mechanisms A and P
…… 2.1.1 Implications for Procurement
3. PREPARING HUMANITARIAN ACTIONS
3.1 Financing Decisions – Worldwide Decisions, HIPs...
3.2 Letters of Intent
3.3 Action Proposals – The ECHO Single Form
…… 3.3.1 The Logical Framework
…… 3.3.2 Financial Matters
3.4 The Grant Agreement
3.5 Co-financing
3.6 Pre-financing
3.7 Consortia
3.8 E-Tools
4. IMPLEMENTING HUMANITARIAN ACTIONS
4.1 Amendments to the Grant Agreement
4.2 Suspension of Actions – Force Majeure
4.3 Alternative Distribution Methods – Cash Transfers, Vouchers
4.4 Working with Implementing Partners
5. PROCUREMENT
5.1 Mandatory principles
5.2 Procurement Rules, Procedures and Derogations
5.3 Special Rules
…… 5.3.1 Application
…… 5.3.2 Procurement of medicines
…… 5.3.3 Procurement of food
…… 5.3.4 Humanitarian Procurement Centres
6. REPORTING
6.1 Intermediate Report
6.2 Final reports
…… 6.2.1 Submission of final reports
…… 6.2.2 Narrative final report
…… 6.2.3 Financial final report
7. COST ELIGIBILITY ISSUES
7.1 Cost Eligibility principles
7.2 Eligible Direct Costs
7.3 Eligible Indirect costs
7.4 Headquarter costs of Humanitarian Organisations
8. CLOSING HUMANITARIAN ACTIONS
8.1 Winding-Up Costs & Activities
8.2 End Use of Remaining Supplies