FPA for NGOs

The Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) presents the objectives of the Humanitarian Aid assistance financed by the Commission, lays down the principles, procedures and rules governing such assistance and defines the nature of the partnership relation between the Parties.

The FPA has the following Annexes, which shall be deemed an integral part of the FPA:

• Annex I Single Form
• Annex II Standard Format Grant Agreement
• Annex III General Conditions applicable to the Grant Agreement
• Annex IV Rules and procedures applicable to property, supply, works and service contracts awarded within the framework of humanitarian Actions financed by the European Communities.

By signing the FPA, the Humanitarian Organisation accepts the provisions of the various parts of the FPA and their application to any resulting Grant Agreement.

The text of the FPA takes precedence over the Annexes.

The main objectives of the FPA are:

1. To optimise the implementation and the results (see Results-oriented approach) of the humanitarian aid actions financed by the Commission and executed by the Humanitarian Organisation (“the Actions”). The Actions shall be implemented in accordance with the principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timed objectives shall be set out for all Actions. Performance indicators shall monitor the achievement of those objectives.
2. To promote the concept of quality partnership. The signature of the FPA is based on a selection procedure and on a commitment to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid. The Commission will support capacity building initiatives and other activities that aim to improve the quality of the humanitarian response of its partners.
3. To streamline the procedures and to set up the rules governing the relation between the Parties. The FPA implements the specific provisions for humanitarian aid included both in the Financial Regulation and its Implementing Rules.
4. To define the control framework providing DG ECHO reasonable assurance on the sound implementation of the budget, whilst maintaining the diversity of partners.

The FPA entered into force on 1st January 2008. In compliance with article 21, the FPA one-year extension has been availed and it shall remain valid until 31 December 2013

Without prejudice to the date of entry into force of the FPA, individual Framework Partnership Agreements shall enter into force following the Commission's acceptance of the Humanitarian Organisation's application for partnership. The Commission shall provide two signed originals of the FPA for signature to the Applicant. The FPA shall be considered to be concluded and enter into force on the date of reception by the Commission of one original signed and returned by the Applicant.

The application period starts on 1 January 2008 and remains open until 18 months before the expiry of the current FPA on 31 December 2013. Applications submitted as of 1 July 2012 would only be considered by DG ECHO on an exceptional basis, by NGOs working in an underrepresented sector and/or when there would be a need to fill urgently a gap in humanitarian assistance delivery. For more information on this possibility please contact ECHO-APPEL@ec.europa.eu

DG ECHO will re-open the application procedure as soon as the text of the new FPA, currently under preparation, is finalised. The date of re-opening of the application period will be published on DG ECHO's website.


References and useful links:

• FPA with Humanitarian Organisations