Technical Cooperation (TC)

Technical Cooperation (TC) refers to the grant-funded advisory and consultancy assignments that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development organises alongside its investment projects, paid for by donor funds that the bank administers, rather than by the borrowing client.

What is Technical Cooperation?

The EBRD manages a substantial portfolio of Technical Cooperation funds contributed by donor governments and the European Union. These funds finance advisory services that support the bank's investment projects, covering tasks such as feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, project preparation, institutional capacity building, and procurement support for the client. Because TC assignments are financed by the donor grant rather than the loan, they go through a separate selection process, often managed directly by the EBRD rather than the borrower.

TC assignments are selected through competitive processes published on ecepp and follow the bank's ppr rules, but they may also use simplified procedures for smaller engagements. Firms are typically selected against tor using quality-based or qcbs methods. Because TC work often occurs before the main investment project is approved or before the borrower has capacity to manage procurement, winning a TC assignment gives a consulting firm deep knowledge of the project design, the client, and the local context, often translating into a competitive advantage on the larger works or goods contracts that follow.

Why Technical Cooperation matters for bidders

For consulting firms and advisory companies, TC assignments are the most accessible entry point into EBRD project cycles. Contract values are smaller than main investment contracts, but the pipeline is active: the EBRD processes hundreds of TC assignments each year. More importantly, TC work builds the relationships and project-specific knowledge that inform strong bids on subsequent financed contracts. Firms that treat TC assignments as standalone revenue underestimate their strategic value; firms that treat them as relationship-building and intelligence-gathering tools use them to position for the larger procurement that follows.

FAQ

Who funds EBRD Technical Cooperation?

TC funds come from donor contributions, primarily EU institutions and bilateral donors such as Japan, the United Kingdom, and various European governments. The EBRD administers the funds but does not itself finance TC from its own capital.

Are TC assignments open to firms from all countries?

Yes. TC assignments follow the EBRD's open eligibility policy under the ppr, meaning firms from any country may compete regardless of membership status.

How do I find TC assignment notices?

TC assignment notices are published on ecepp alongside standard procurement notices. Some TC opportunities are also announced through the bank's project pipeline pages, which list upcoming advisory needs before a formal notice is issued.