WORKING WITH DG ECHO AS MEMBER STATES' SPECIALISED AGENCIES | 2021 - 2027
WORKING WITH DG ECHO AS A MEMBER STATE’S SPECIALISED AGENCY
Credit: © 2018 European Union Dominique Catton
This section is dedicated to the rules and procedures regulating the partnership between DG ECHO and Member States’ Specialised Agencies (MSSAs).
 
DG ECHO does not usually intervene directly on the ground. The humanitarian actions are implemented through organisations that share common general objectives with DG ECHO.
 
In accordance with Article 9 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid (Humanitarian Aid Regulation), humanitarian aid actions financed from the European Union budget may, where necessary, be implemented by Member States’ Specialised Agencies (MSSAs).
 
As defined in Article 2(42) of the Financial Regulation, Member State Organisations/Member States’ Specialised Agencies are entities established in Member States as:
 
- public law bodies; or 
- bodies governed by private law entrusted with a public-service mission and provided with adequate financial guarantees from the Member State.
 
Applicant MSSA should have appropriate operational experience in the field of humanitarian aid, as outlined in Article 2 of the Humanitarian Aid Regulation. Applicant MSSA must also commit to respect the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence when delivering humanitarian aid funded by the EU.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
To obtain recognition as an MSSA by DG ECHO, entities need to submit an application form. It is to be accompanied by supporting documentation through which the applicant demonstrates compliance with the above criteria.
The Application form and the supporting documents must be sent to DG ECHO (ECHO-APPEL@ec.europa.eu).
The application will be considered formally received when the signed application form, together with all the required supporting documents, is registered by DG ECHO. This will be communicated to the applicant.
 
In case of questions related to the application procedure you may write to ECHO-APPEL@ec.europa.eu.
 
PILLAR-ASSESSED ENTITIES
If your entity is already pillar assessed by the European Commission, please contact DG ECHO expressing an interest in becoming a recognised MSSA at ECHO-APPEL@ec.europe.eu before you start preparing an application.
RECOGNITION AS MSSA
DG ECHO will then assess the application. During the assessment, if needed, DG ECHO will request specific documents and additional information from the applicant or the national authorities of the applicant's Member State of establishment. Failure to provide DG ECHO with the requested information or documentation may be considered by DG ECHO as a renunciation of the application and the assessment process will be discontinued and closed. In such a case, the applicant will be informed in writing thereof.
If the outcome of the assessment is successful, the applicant will be informed in writing thereof and the applicant will be recognised as an MSSA by DG ECHO. It will be asked to acknowledge its acceptance of the relevant terms and conditions (contractual template) to be used in the event where the MSSA will be awarded EU humanitarian funding.