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        Facility for Eastern Partnership Investment in Connectivity

        Improving transport networks in the Eastern Neighbourhood

        Calls for application

        The present call for applications for technical assistance support is open.

        Submission deadline: 10 November 2023

        The EPIC support application form is available here

        For more information on EPIC and the application process, please find detailed guidelines here.

        Contact us  

        The Facility for Eastern Partnership Investment in Connectivity (EPIC) offers Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine free advisory support and technical assistance to improve transport connections.

        Road, rail, air, maritime and intermodal transport projects are time and cost-intensive investments, which have an impact on economies and peoples’ lives for decades. Therefore, it is in everyone’s interest that project promotors plan thoroughly, according to current requirements and best international practices.

        EPIC is an initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and managed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the World Bank.

        We offer two types of support:

        • Advisory Support 
          Guidance and coaching provided directly by the EPIC Advisory Team, mainly drawing on the experience of the Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions (JASPERS).
        • Technical Assistance 
          Services provided by consultancy companies.

        These two types of support are highly complementary and lead to the best results when combined.

        The EPIC Advisory Team usually works as follows:

        • Identify 
          Help beneficiaries identify promising projects.
        • Assess and scope 
          Help beneficiaries assess gaps in project preparation and scope the technical assistance needed to fill these gaps.
        • Assign and monitor 
          Assign consultants to provide the technical assistance and help beneficiaries monitor the consultant’s work to ensure high-quality outputs.

        EPIC support can cover

        Strategic orientation

        Support can be provided for transport sector studies, infrastructure investment programming, as well as project identification and prioritisation.

        Support for project preparation

        Advisory support and technical assistance can be provided to promoters related to the preparation of transport infrastructure projects, including  for instance pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, preliminary designs, Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs), Environmental (and Social) Impact Assessments (EIAs/ESIAs), Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessments (CCVRA), safety audits.

        Methodological guidance

        Methodological guidance is available, for example, for the preparation of cost-benefit analyses, environmental and social impact assessments, multi-criteria analyses, climate proofing of infrastructure, etc.

        Support for project implementation

        Support to project implementation is available through on the job advice at arm’s length on selected issues, such as procurement strategies and processes, the preparation of tender documents and the establishment of Project Implementation Units (PIUs).

        Capacity strengthening and knowledge transfer

        The hands-on approach of the EPIC Advisory Team in its work with EaP promoters will strengthen institutional capacity in the countries concerned. Knowledge transfer will further be facilitated through dedicated training events, workshops and thematic working papers.

        Who is eligible

        EPIC can provide advisory support and technical assistance to public or private bodies in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

        Typically, these may be:

        • Sub-sector authorities (e.g. roads authorities)
        • Public companies (e.g. railway companies)
        • Programme Management Units (PMUs) or similar
        • Private sector entities (e.g. intermodal transport centres owners/operators)

        EPIC’s central points of contact are typically the ministries of transport and infrastructure, or equivalent, responsible to select priority projects.

        Assignments supported by EPIC

        NATIONAL MOBILITY STRATEGY 2023-2030 FOR MOLDOVA

        Country: Republic of Moldova
        Status: Ongoing
        Promoter: Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development 

        The Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development of the Republic of Moldova intends to prepare a National Mobility Strategy for the country for the period 2023-2030. The Ministry has requested the support of the Delegation of the European Union (EUD) to the Republic of Moldova. The EUD is procuring a study for the preparation of the strategy, and draft Terms of Reference for the preparation of an Investment Programme and Action Plan to implement the strategy.

        EPIC advisory support to the Ministry and the EUD is provided for:

        • the preparation of the Terms of Reference for the study procured by the EUD, and
        • ensuring the quality of the deliverables of the consultants.

        INLAND FREIGHT TERMINAL CHISINAU – ADVISORY SUPPORT TO DEFINE THE INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP FOR PROJECT PREPARATION & IMPLEMENTATION

        Country: Republic of Moldova
        Status: Ongoing
        Promoter: Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Moldova (MoF) through its Customs Service

        Increasing logistics and inland freight terminal (IFT) capacity in Moldova has been recognised essential for the development of trade relationships between Moldova and the EU. The Indicative TEN-T Investment Action Plan of 2018 mentions the development of a logistics centre in Chisinau as a Quick Win project, and the Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership lists the project Boosting EU-Moldova trade — construction of an inland freight terminal in Chisinau as Flagship Project #2.

        In a first step towards the development of the Chisinau IFT, EPIC is providing advisory support for setting up and formalising an adequate institutional structure for project preparation and implementation.

        The scope of the advisory support includes:

        • support to define and establish a Steering Committee, a Working Group and a Project Implementation Unit for the project,
        • support to the definition of the project development and implementation process,
        • support to the preparation of Terms of Reference for the feasibility study for the project, and
        • ad-hoc advice on matters that may arise.

        SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT LEVEL-CROSSINGS ALONG THE BAKU – BOYUK KESIK RAILWAY CORRIDOR

        Country: Azerbaijan
        Status:         Ongoing
        Promoter: Ministry of Digital Development and Transport through the “Azerbaijan Railways” CJSC

        The Baku – Boyuk Kesik railway is part of the core TEN-T network in Azerbaijan and the key East-West rail connection in the country, with a length of some 500 km. It links the capital city and port of Baku with the railway network of Georgia, continuing to the Black Sea. The Baku – Boyuk Kesik railway is also an important link in the “Middle Corridor” concept. The enhancement of this line through resolving remaining issues of signalling, telecommunications and electrification is a priority project listed in the Indicative TEN-T Investment Action Plan of 2018. Improvements on the existing 76 level crossings and at locations of uncontrolled livestock and pedestrian crossing along this double-track main rail line is a necessity to be addressed in the context of enhancing its level of service, for the purpose of overall transport safety and the reliability of railway operations.

        In a first step towards the preparation and implementation of this project, EPIC is providing advisory support for the collection of relevant data, intervention prioritisation and the preparation of Terms of Reference for undertaking the necessary feasibility and preliminary design studies. In detail, the scope of this advisory support includes:

        • Support to structure the collection of data, which will allow the selection and prioritisation for safety improvements of rail level crossings and hazardous locations in terms of uncontrolled livestock and pedestrian crossings along the rail line
        • Methodological support for the prioritisation of crossings for potential interventions;
        • Based on the above, support for preliminary decisions on the potentially most appropriate solution for each crossing to be used for scoping the ToR for the feasibility and preliminary design study;
        • Support for the definition of the steps of the project development and implementation process;
        • Support for the preparation of the ToR for the feasibility and preliminary design study for the project;
        • Ad-hoc advice on matters that may arise.

        Chisinau ring road - Pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for sections 4, 5 & 6

        Country: Republic of Moldova
        Status: Ongoing
        Promoter: State Enterprise State Road Administration (SRA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (MIRD)

        Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, with more than 650 000 inhabitants, is an important urban node where numerous transport flows and important roads intersect. Currently, a large share of the transit traffic crosses the city, instead of bypassing it. This creates a multitude of issues, related to the health and safety of the population and the road users, the exposure of the population to noise and pollution, as well as low levels of service. It is expected that the completion of the Chisinau ring road (part of the TEN-T) will substantially improve the situation and is considered of highest priority for the country.

        EPIC assistance to the MIRD/SRA for the completion of the Chisinau ring road includes both advisory support provided by the EPIC Advisory Team and Technical Assistance provided by consultants. The advisory support includes:

        • scoping of the Technical Assistance (TA) services necessary to take the project towards financing and implementation, including the preparation of the Terms of Reference for the studies, the procurement and contracting of the consultant,
        • ensuring the quality of the deliverables of the consultants, and
        • any ad-hoc advice that may become necessary in the project development process.

        Technical Assistance offered through EPIC includes pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, covering all relevant aspects, including traffic demand analysis, definition of alternatives, technical studies, environmental and social impact assessment, climate risk assessment, road safety assessment, as well as economic assessment.

        GYUMRI BYPASS - UPDATE OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND DETAILED DESIGN

        Country: Armenia
        Status: Ongoing
        Promoter: Road Department Fund (RDF) under the auspices of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (MTAI)

        Stretching over 550 kilometres, the North-South Road Corridor is one of Armenia’s most strategic elements of transport infrastructure and part of the indicative extend TEN-T network. Developed to modern standards, it is expected to drive Armenia’s economic growth and integration with the world. The corridor crosses the entire country, from the border with Iran at Meghri to the border with Georgia at Bavra, crossing many important towns, including the capital Yerevan and the second biggest town of Armenia, Gyumri, which is one of the main touristic destinations included as such in the national Tourism Strategy 2020-2030. The Gyumri bypass road section is defined as a high priority investment by the Government and included in the country’s Five-Year Action Program 2021-2026. It is planned to be constructed by 2026.

        EPIC assistance to the MTAI/RDF for the preparation of the Gyumri bypass project includes both advisory support provided by the EPIC Advisory Team and Technical Assistance provided by consultants.

        The advisory support includes:

        • scoping and procuring of the preparatory studies needed to take the project forward,
        • ensuring the quality of the preparatory studies, and
        • any ad-hoc advice that may become necessary in the project development process.

        Technical Assistance offered through EPIC concerns the update of the existing, but outdated feasibility study for the project, covering all relevant aspects, including notably the necessary adaptation of the detailed design, cost assessment, traffic demand analysis, environmental and social impact assessment, road safety audits, as well as the economic assessment.

        Publications

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