Launch of the UCPM Technical Assistance Financing Facility (TAFF)

Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË - Tel. +32 22991111

EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EUROPEAN CIVIL PROTECTION AND HUMANITARIAN AID

OPERATIONS (ECHO) Strategy and Policy

Prevention and Preparedness Capacity Building

Brussels,

CORRESPONDENCE SLIP

Addressees: Directors-General for Civil Protection of the Member States and

Participating States of the Union Civil Protection Mechanisms;

Directors-General for Civil Protection of Georgia and Kosovo (1);

Members of the Civil Protection Committee; Member States’

Permanent Representations and Participating States’ Permanent

Missions to the EU; Disaster Prevention Expert Group; Members of

the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network Board

Subject: Invitation to submit an expression of interest to benefit from a project

under the Technical Assistance Financing Facility for Disaster

Prevention and Preparedness (TAFF)

Dear Directors-General,

This is an invitation to submit expressions of interest under the UCPM Technical

Assistance Financing Facility for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness (TAFF).

TAFF is a novel technical assistance instrument launched in 2024 as a partnership

between the European Commission (DG ECHO) and the World Bank Group. TAFF aims

to support EU Member States and Participating States of the Union Civil Protection

Mechanism (UCPM) as well as Georgia and Kosovo to increase their technical capacity

for disaster prevention and preparedness and support the implementation of the Union

Disaster Resilience Goals (link). The Facility will provide access to tailor-made technical

support through leading global expertise on disaster and climate resilience.

The work programme (2) of the UCPM for 2021-2026 provides for a funding opportunity

to support Member States’ efforts in the field of disaster risk management (Action 5.4,

Technical Assistance Financing Facility). As stipulated in the same document (art. 5.5),

the World Bank Group will execute this action, given the robust technical expertise and

(1) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and

the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence

(2) Commission implementing decision C(2023) 6621 final of 06.10.2023 on the financing of the Union Civil Protection

Mechanism and adopting a multiannual work programme for 2021-2026 repealing and replacing Implementing

Decision C(2022) 9290 final.

2

global practice of this organisation on disaster prevention and preparedness and climate

resilience.

The purpose of this action is to help national civil protection and other disaster risk

management authorities fill technical and/or financial gaps in preparing investments or in

strengthening their institutional and policy framework for disaster risk management.

Enclosed, you will find the guide for applicants setting out the scope and procedure for

this funding opportunity, the evaluation criteria as well as the template to be used for

your expression of interest.

The call for expressions of interest will be published on the TAFF website and the

UCPM Knowledge Network dedicated webpage.

Your expression of interest should be submitted to [email protected].

The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is 18 April 2024 at 17.00 CET.

Questions on eligibility and the procedure for applying should likewise be addressed to

[email protected] well in advance of the deadline for submitting

expressions of interest.

We will also organise an on-line information session on Friday 22 March 2024 from

10.00 to 12.00 CET via Webex. Interested participants should connect using the

following link:

https://ecconf.webex.com/ecconf/j.php?MTID=m497b9ef9bbe647be98d5fcfa8feb23cf

Yours faithfully,

[e-signed]

Contact: ECHO-CP-P&[email protected]

Enclosures: Agenda of the Info Day – 22 March 2024 (see next page)

Guide for applicants including evaluation criteria and template for the

expression of interest

TAFF Factsheet

Erwan MARTEIL

Head of Unit

3

Annex I: Agenda of the TAFF Info Day – 22 March 2024, 10:00-12:00 CET

10:00 – 10.15: Welcome

- Gaetano Vivo, Deputy Head of Unit, Prevention and Preparedness Capacity

Building Unit, ECHO.B.3

10:15 – 10:45: Presentation of the Technical Assistance Financing Facility

- World Bank Group

10:45 - 11:45: Questions and answers: World Bank Group and ECHO.B.3

11:45 – 12.00: Conclusions and next steps: World Bank Group, and ECHO.B.3

Connection Link:

https://ecconf.webex.com/ecconf/j.php?MTID=m497b9ef9bbe647be98d5fcfa8feb23cf

Electronically signed on 28/02/2024 16:54 (UTC+01) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121

This guide provides key information about the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) Technical Assistance Financing Facility (TAFF) for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness. It is relevant for UCPM members and participating states, interested in responding to the Call for Expressions of Interest for TAFF. This guide provides a summary of TAFF objectives, activities, implementation arrangements, eligibility, procedures for allocating funding and approval of activities, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, as well as communications and visibility.

Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 2

Objectives ................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Priorities.................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Types of activities ..................................................................................................................................................... 3

Implementation arrangements .................................................................................................................................. 4

Implementation principles ......................................................................................................................................... 4

Eligibility.................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Selection of activities ................................................................................................................................................ 5

Timeline .................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting ....................................................................................................................... 6

Communication and visibility .................................................................................................................................... 6

Submission of an Expression of Interest .................................................................................................................. 6

List of acronyms and abbreviations

DG ECHO European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid

Operations

DGs Directorate Generals

DRGs (European Union) Disaster Resilience Goals

DRM Disaster risk management

EC European Commission

ECA Europe and Central Asia

EOI Expression of interest

EU European Union

GFDRR Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery

TAFF Technical Assistance Financing Facility

UCPM Union Civil Protection Mechanism

UCPKN Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network

TAFF Contact: [email protected]

Annex 2: TAFF Guide for Applicants – Expressions of Interest

Introduction

The European Union (EU) and its Members of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) are vulnerable to a

wide range of hazards including earthquakes, floods, landslides, wildfires, heatwaves, and other extreme weather

events. Between 1980 and 2020, natural disasters affected nearly 50 million people in the EU, and caused on

average an economic loss of €12 billion per year. With climate change these events are increasing in number and

becoming more intense and frequent, causing significant impacts on the economies in the region, on the physical

infrastructure, but more importantly on people. Without climate adaptation interventions, more than 400,000 jobs

could be lost annually by 2050, with the overall cost of climate-related extreme weather reaching €170 billion by the

end of the century.

Strengthening disaster resilience by enhancing prevention and preparedness is a priority for the European

Commission (EC). In 2020, the EC approved the European Green Deal as a set of policy initiatives with the

overarching aim of making the EU climate neutral in 2050. In 2023, EU-wide Disaster Resilience Goals (DRGs)

were adopted by the EC,1 in the form of a Recommendation to Member States2 and a Communication to the

Parliament and the Council.3 In November 2022, the Council of the EU called for proactive crisis response, stressing

the importance of effective disaster risk reduction (DRR), anticipatory action, and risk-informed development.4

The Technical Assistance Financing Facility for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness (TAFF) is a

partnership between the European Commission through its Directorate-General for Civil Protection and

Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), the World Bank, and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction

and Recovery (GFDRR).5 TAFF forms part of a range of initiatives focusing on prevention and preparedness led

by DG ECHO and the UCPM in line with the above EC policy framework. Per the UCPM financing decision for 2024,

the TAFF budget for 2024 is €4 million.

TAFF is a mechanism which allows national civil protection and disaster risk management (DRM)

authorities to access technical assistance and global knowledge on prevention and preparedness to

support country efforts on DRM. TAFF is aligned with:

• The EU-wide DRGs, which a focus on enhancing UCPM response capacity, strengthening crisis and

emergency preparedness of civil protection, improved risk analytics, anticipation and planning, enhanced

early warning systems, and increased risk awareness of the population.

• The World Bank’s strategy in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, which focuses on supporting a

green transition, building and strengthening institutions, and boosting resilience.

• The GFDRR mission to support communities and countries to reduce risk, prepare for, and recover from

disaster by integrating DRM and climate change adaptation into development strategies and programs,

and contributing to country efforts in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk

Reduction 2015–2030.

Objectives

TAFF’s overarching objective is to strengthen the knowledge and capacities of countries under the UCPM

for disaster prevention and preparedness.

This will be achieved by focusing on the following specific objectives:

1 European Commission. 2023. European Union Disaster Resilience Goals. DG ECHO. February 8, 2023. Link.

2 European Commission. 2023. Commission Recommendation of 8.2.2023 on Union disaster resilience goals C(2023) 400 final.

Brussels. DG ECHO. Link.

3 European Commission. 2023. Communication from the Commission European Union Disaster Resilience Goals: Acting

together to deal with future emergencies COM(2023) 61 final. Brussels. DG ECHO. Link.

4 Council of the EU Press release 28 November 2022. Link.

5 GFDRR is a multi-donor partnership and grant making facility housed within the World Bank. It helps communities and

countries understand their climate and disaster risks, reduce and prepare, and to recover after an event.

• To strengthen the capacity of civil protection and other relevant competent authorities in scaling up

disaster and climate resilience, in line with the EU DRGs and the European Green Deal, as well as

national priorities.

• To support investments in disaster prevention and preparedness through the development of a project

pipeline and enhanced administrative capacity.

• To improve the knowledge base on DRM, and facilitate the sharing of knowledge, good practices, and

information.

Priorities

Improving anticipation

and disaster risk

management planning to

proactively address

potential hazards.

Raising risk awareness

and preparedness levels

among the population to

effectively respond to

emergencies.

Enhancing early

warning and hydro-

meteorological systems

for timely and accurate

information

dissemination.

Strengthening national

civil protection systems

to strengthen to prevent

and prepare for

disasters.

Types of activities

Activities include various types of analytics, technical studies and recommendations for plans and strategies, piloting

of activities, and capacity-building/training activities to strengthen the capacity of civil protection and other relevant

competent authorities under the UCPM in scaling up investments contributing to disaster and climate resilience. A

more detailed list is provided below and in a separate Annex 5.

The expected budget for each activity will range between €250,000–€750,000, with an implementation timeline

of 12 to 24 months (potential extension to maximum 30 months in total). Activities outside this range will be

considered on a case-by-case basis.

Implementation arrangements

TAFF is funded by the EU and administratively managed by the GFDRR. Activities are implemented by World Bank

teams from the ECA Disaster Risk Management and Urban Resilience Unit of the World Bank, and with the technical

support of the GFDRR's global experts. Projects are carried out in coordination with the respective national

counterparts, with DG ECHO, and relevant stakeholders involved in disaster and climate resilience in the region.

Implementation principles

Activities implemented will contribute and be aligned with country-specific needs, the global Sendai

Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the EU DRGs, and the EU-World Bank shared priorities for

green, resilient, inclusive and sustainable development practices. The implementation of activities by World Bank

ECA DRM and GFDRR will be conducted taking into consideration the priorities and activities of DG ECHO to ensure

added-value and complementarity of the implemented activities under TAFF, and to avoid duplication. TAFF projects

are subject to quality-review by the World Bank/GFDRR, and reporting, monitoring, and evaluation procedures.

All activities under the TAFF will be designed taking into account the following operating principles:

• Promote disaster and climate resilience and sustainable development – as part of that, also the greening

of civil protection sector,6 in line with shared global, EU, and World Bank efforts.

• Build country capacity and sustainability – the TAFF will aim to support countries develop new studies,

methodologies, assessments, etc., and it will do so by relying on country knowledge and building capacity on

the beneficiary side for continuing the project in good conditions, once the technical assistance activities end.

• Provide added value to countries’ DRM program and coordination with other actors – e.g., strategic

value of activities in the country’s DRM program, and close coordination with technical and financial partners

already operating in the country on DRM issues.

• Integrate transversal issues, such as social inclusion and gender as a cross-cutting element of the TAFF

activities, including in its trainings, tools, and knowledge products to the extent possible.

• Do no harm, i.e., reduce to the maximum the environmental and social negative impacts of the projects.

• Promote dissemination of activities and findings through the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network

(UCPKN).

Non eligible activities: In line with World Bank policies for Bank-executed activities, non-eligible activities include the drafting of legislation, risk assessments for specific assets, feasibility-level studies such as engineering assessments at asset level, developing technical specifications, prioritization of specific investments (asset level), purchase of goods, software development of online applications, websites, or software, etc. Also, civil works or purchase of equipment are not eligible under World Bank-executed technical assistance. The World Bank does not engage in providing support on nuclear energy/management of nuclear hazards.

6 European Commission, Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), Akitis, E.,

Arnold, F., Davies, S. et al., Study on greening the Union Civil Protection Mechanism – Final report – Main report, Publications

Office of the European Union, 2023, Link.

5

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for TAFF Component 1 activities, beneficiaries and affiliated entities must:

• be legal public entities (public bodies)

• be the national level civil protection authority or a national authority with DRM responsibilities of eligible

countries

• be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:

• EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,

Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden

• UCPM Participating Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, the Republic of Moldova,

Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine

• Other countries: Georgia and Kosovo7 in view of their ongoing efforts to join the UCPM.

Selection criteria and prioritization principles (see separate Annex 3) to ensure appropriate targeting and

effectiveness of implemented activities.

Selection of activities

Eligible countries may request country-specific technical assistance through an Expression of Interest (EOI)

per agreed templates (see separate Annex 3). Based on evaluation criteria described below, a shortlist of EOIs shall

be prepared by the World Bank and reviewed with DG ECHO at TAFF annual review and planning meeting. For

approved shortlisted EOIs, technical assistance projects are developed and later implemented by the World Bank and

GFDRR. The beneficiary will show its commitment by signing a letter of intent, i.e., before being involved in the

implementation of the project. The technical content will be developed and agreed in coordination with the national

counterpart(s). The project design will integrate the knowledge generation and sharing arrangements to ensure that

the beneficiary country retains full ownership of the project and its results. The development and implementation will

be done in consultation with relevant stakeholders and DG ECHO, to ensure alignment, added value, and avoid any

duplication. The EOIs will be accepted on annual basis within defined timeframes. Proposals outside this range,

particularly due to emergency situations, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The evaluation criteria focus on (1) eligibility conditions (Yes/No questions) and several key aspects including

(2) quality; (3) relevance, and (4) impact. The assessment score for criteria 2, 3, and 4 takes into consideration a

minimum pass score for each and across. In case of over-demand, additional criteria will be applied for shortlisting of

EOIs. The evaluation will only consider information provided in the EOI template as submitted. Details on the application

of the criteria are included in a separate Annex 4.

7 This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the

Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

6

Timeline

The indicative timeline for the selection and implementation of activities is the following:

• 29 February 2024: Launch of the Call for EOI by DG ECHO and World Bank/GFDRR.

• 18 April 2024: Deadline for submission of EOIs by Countries per Template (see separate Annex 3).

• 18 April – 30 April 2024: Shortlisting by World Bank/GFDRR per agreed criteria.

• 16 May 2024: Approval of shortlist as part of TAFF annual work plan and budget by DG ECHO.

• 20 May 2024: Official notification on shortlisting by DG ECHO and World Bank/GFDRR.

• 20 May–June 2024: Proposals developed by World Bank/GFDRR for shortlisted proposals/countries in

coordination with respective counterparts and stakeholders.

• July–September: Launch and implementation of activities by the World Bank/GFDRR teams in

coordination with respective counterparts and stakeholders.

Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting

TAFF follows the standard evaluation requirements outlined in the World Bank Group Financial Framework Partnership

Agreement between the World Bank and the EU. A report will be published yearly.

Communication and visibility

All activities financed under the TAFF will clearly indicate that they have received funding from the EU; all

program products and events financed under this initiative will carry EU, WB, and GFDRR logos. A dedicated

webpage is available for TAFF under the UCPKN website and the GFDRR website. Key outputs and information will

be shared via the UCPKN and may be conducted in collaboration with existing UCPKN initiatives.

Beneficiary organizations shall commit to disseminate the relevant outputs of their projects on their own websites and

through their own information channels.

Submission of an Expression of Interest

The Call for EOIs will be published on the TAFF webpage hosted on the GFDRR website and DG ECHO website.

In order to be admissible, your EOI should be submitted to [email protected], within the deadline stipulated

in the call. It is necessary to strictly follow the template for the EOI.

Any questions about the template for the EOI (see separate Annex 3) or the procedure to follow can be addressed to

[email protected]. However, applicants are asked to send your questions at least seven days before the

submission deadline.

Summary: The following evaluation criteria facilitate the rating of the Expressions of Interest (EOIs) based on the set

objectives and priorities of the Technical Assistance Financing Facility (TAFF). The criteria focus on (1) eligibility, and

several key aspects including (2) quality; (3) relevance, and (4) impact. The assessment score for criteria 2, 3, and 4

takes into consideration a minimum pass score for each and across. In case of over-demand, additional criteria will be

applied for the shortlisting of EOIs (additional information at the end of this Annex). The evaluation will only consider

information provided in the EOI template as submitted.

1. Eligibility (Yes/No)

EOIs will be first checked against formal eligibility requirements (see Table 1). EOIs that are considered eligible will be

evaluated against the other set of criteria (see Table 2) and ranked according to their scores. EOIs that do not fulfill the

evaluation criteria will be disqualified.

Table 1. TAFF Eligibility check

Section Criteria Guidance

Eligibility

(Yes/No/ To be

clarified)

Eligible country A country shall be eligible if established in one of the eligible countries,

i.e.:

• EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,

Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,

Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,

and Sweden.

• UCPM Participating Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Iceland, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia,

Türkiye, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine.

Annex 4: Evaluation of the Expressions of Interest – Description of Evaluation Criteria

2

• Other countries: Georgia and Kosovo1 in view of their ongoing efforts to

join the UCPM.

Eligible entity Submitting entity, beneficiaries and affiliated entities must:

• be legal public entities (public bodies)

• be the national level civil protection authority or a national authority with

disaster risk management (DRM) responsibilities of eligible countries

Eligible activities See eligible and non-eligible activities in Annex 5:

List of Potential Activities Supported under TAFF

Duration 12-24 months (potential extension to max 30 months total).

Budget between €250,000–€750,000

Endorsement Confirmation that the EOI is endorsed by a legal representative.

On time submission Before announced date/time (18 April 2024, 24:00 CET time)

2. Quality (25 points)

Quality refers to commitment, technical feasibility, maturity, readiness, and sustainability of the project, specifically:

• Commitment: the EOI is signed by the head of the organization/legal representative and is supported by the

relevant Ministry (5 points).

• Technical soundness: description and soundness of the proposed project objective(s) and activities (10

points).

• Readiness: Are the counterparts ready to start a collaboration on this project or do any pre-conditions need

to be met (such as completion of another activities, etc.). (10 points)

3. Relevance (35 points)

Relevance refers to strategic relevance of the proposed activity, specifically:

• Targeting: key challenges/issues that the project will address. (10 points).

• TAFF Objectives: Extent to which the EOI and its activities contribute to the achievement of the TAFF

objectives and priorities (10 points).

1 This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the

Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

3

• Strategic relevance: Extent to which the proposed activities are aligned with existing strategic documents,

plans or initiatives, or demonstrate a clear and sound rationale (i.e., peer review recommendations,

evaluations, lessons learned, previous studies, etc.) (10 points).

• Operational relevance extent to which the EOI is aligned with other projects or activities (past, ongoing, or

planned) or fills specific gaps (including alignment and avoiding duplication with other initiatives) (5 points).

4. Impact (30 points)

Impact refers to expected impact of the activity, specifically:

• Impact of the project: Extent to which the EOI puts forward tangible and realistic impacts (10 points).

• Dissemination: Extent to which the dissemination strategy is clear and adequate to communicate on the

project results and to share results with other Participating States (10 points).

• Sustainability: Extent to which the EOI puts forward a convincing sustainability plan and demonstrates

commitment to build on the EOI results (10 points).

Assessment score: Each EOI will be assigned an assessment score. EOIs need to simultaneously meet two

requirements: (1) to reach the minimum pass score per EOI criteria, and (2) to reach at least 45 points in total for the

three EOI criteria. Only EOIs passing both thresholds will be considered for shortlisting — within the limits of the

available budget. Other EOIs will be rejected.

Table 2. TAFF Award Criteria

Criteria Minimum pass score Maximum score

Relevance 20 35

Quality 10 25

Impact 15 30

Sum across criteria 45 90

Additional criteria in case of over-demand (15 points)

In case of over-demand, the following additional criteria will be applied for the shortlisting of EOIs (based on information

provided in the EOI):

• Relevance to UCPM: extent to which the project deals with issues that are potentially relevant to multiple countries

in the UCPM (5 points).

• Contribution to DRM Knowledge base: extent to which the project introduces innovative approaches or deal with

topics that are emerging/have relevance for knowledge agenda on DRM (5 points).

• Potential synergies between projects: extent to which commonalities can contribute to synergies with other TAFF-

supported projects (5 points).

Activities focus primarily on disaster prevention and preparedness to promote a balanced and holistic

approach to disaster risk management (DRM).

Country-specific activities should be directly relevant for the four priority areas listed below. This includes, for example, analytics (i.e., diagnostics, technical

studies, recommendations) and related technical assistance activities (i.e., trainings, meetings, etc.) related to understanding risk, strategic planning (DRM or disaster

risk reduction [DRR] plans/strategies), investment planning at portfolio level (not asset-level specific), risk awareness, modernization of early warning systems (EWS)

and hydrometeorological systems and communication, preparedness, resilient recovery, and reconstruction.

Transversal issues such as social inclusion and gender will be integrated as a cross-cutting element of the TAFF activities, including into its trainings, tools, and

knowledge products to the extent possible.

Only World Bank-executed activities are eligible. Non-eligible activities include drafting of legislation, risk assessments for specific assets, feasibility-level

studies such as engineering assessments at asset level, developing technical specifications, prioritization of specific investments (asset level), purchase of goods,

software etc., development of online applications, websites, or software. Also, civil works or purchase of equipment. The World Bank does not engage in providing

support on nuclear energy/management of nuclear hazards.

Annex 5: List of Potential Activities Supported under TAFF

Priority

area Objective Type of Activities Type of Output

1

Anticipate

To improve risk assessments,

anticipation, and disaster risk

management planning. Focus

on improved understanding of

risk, modelling of hazards,

development of impact

scenarios, use of risk

information for strategic and

investment planning, technical

and economic studies to support

the planning and preparation of

policies and investments, in line

with the objectives of the EU

Green Deal, sharing and

advising on methodological

approaches, and best practice

examples

Risk analytics and use of information for DRM planning, e.g., risk analytics for

specific hazards (floods, earthquake, landslide, wildfire; portfolio-wide (not asset

level specific) vulnerability assessment of public facilities – i.e. schools,

emergency response buildings based on construction characteristics, network

assessments/criticality & vulnerability assessments e.g. related to transport

sector/other sectors, rapid exposure mapping, guidance on risk analytics

methodologies/available options, sharing of good practice and examples

Different types of

technical

assessments (not

at asset level) Different types of pre-feasibility level economic assessments – cost-benefit

assessment, Triple Dividend assessments related to civil protection/DRM sector (not to

specific asset-level investment), poverty and disasters analytics, analytics related to

climate mitigation and adaptation, costs/benefits of greening of civil protection

sector, etc. sharing of good practice and examples

Development of recommendations for prioritization frameworks for investment

programs (portfolio level) related to civil protection/DRM/and other critical sectors, sharing

of good practice and examples

Prioritization

frameworks and

recommendations

Support the preparation of national DRM/DRR, prevention or preparedness

strategies/plans, hazard-specific/multi-hazard strategies and action plans, including

diagnostic and consultations, DRM action plans for specific sectors studies related to

implementation of European Union Disaster Resilience Goals, etc.

Diagnostic

/Action plans/

Roadmaps /

Technical reports

Technical review/recommendations related to country programs, including EU

funds or funds available to countries from EC for DRM, sharing of good practice and

examples

Seismic resilience and energy efficiency reviews for sectors, sharing of good practice

and examples

Diagnostic on nature-based solutions and green infrastructure, reviews, sharing of

good practice and examples

Diagnostic of land use planning regulation/building regulation with policy

recommendations, urban resilience reviews, sharing of good practice and examples

Other sectoral risk analytics/planning related to urban, water, energy, transport,

education, health, social protection, among others (cultural heritage tbc)

2

Prepare

To increase risk awareness

and preparedness of the

population. Focus on public

awareness and preparedness,

Support piloting of risk awareness activities (analytics and related communication

outputs, as well as support in dissemination): development of

studies/analysis/recommendations related to communication strategies/actions plans,

tools to disseminate risk information to support inclusive DRM, materials or learning

Diagnostic

/Action plans/

Roadmaps /

Technical reports

examples, pilots, scalable

activities.

modules for capacity-building related to improved risk awareness, studies focusing on

awareness of specific segments of population, such as people with disabilities or

vulnerable groups etc., sharing of good practice and examples

Promote open access to, and utilization of, risk information data, tools, and analytics,

- i.e., studies for the development of a risk and crisis communication platforms, sharing of

good practice, etc., sharing of good practice and examples.

Trainings on the above topics Trainings

3

Alert

To enhance early warning:

Focus on technical analysis on

various aspects such as

assessment and modernization

of EWS and hydro-

meteorological systems and

communication (warning)

Technical reviews/technical assessments (diagnostics, proposed roadmaps, and

advisory input to action plans) of EWS and national hydromet, focusing on all/select

components, system review of climate services provided vis-a-vis user needs,

coordination, etc., review of hydrometeorological investments, sharing of good practice

and examples

Diagnostic

/Action plans/

Roadmaps /

Technical reports Technical reviews focusing on enhancing human and technical aspects of public

warning, sharing of good practice and examples

4

Secure

To Ensure a robust civil

protection system: Focus on

technical analysis on various

aspects such as civil protection

systems, such as readiness to

respond, preparedness for

response and recovery planning,

including financial, strategic and

technical elements

Preparedness and response analytics, such as Ready2Respond diagnostica, capacity

review of existing arrangements, etc., sharing of good practice and examples Diagnostic

/Action plans/

Roadmaps /

Technical reports

Technical reviews and recommendations related to recovery, such as post-disaster

financing/financing for recovery, damage and loss systems or methodologies,

inclusive and gender responsive post disaster assessments, recovery planning

frameworks, etc., sharing of good practice and examples

Trainings, e.g., for first responders on how to interact with people with disabilities Trainings

On demand - application of the Global Rapid post-disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) approach assessment (2-3 weeks delivery) b

GRADE report

Notes: a. Ready2Respond is a methodological approach with details available here. b. The GRADE approach (developed by the World Bank and GFDRR) can provide an initial rapid estimation of

the physical post-disaster damage incurred by key sectors within two weeks of the disaster. The approach aims to create an independent, credible sectoral quantification of the spatial extent and

severity of a disaster’s physical impact, addressing specific damage information needs in the first few weeks after a major disaster, and complementing the more comprehensive post-disaster

needs assessment (PDNA) process. More information about the methodology is available here.

Saatja: <[email protected]> Saadetud: 29.02.2024 16:54

Koopia: <[email protected]> Teema: Launch of the UCPM Technical Assistance Financing Facility (TAFF)

Manused: image001.gif; image002.png; ANNEX 4_TAFF EOI evaluation criteria.pdf; ANNEX 5_TAFF Indicative table activities.pdf; TAFF Factsheet.pdf; 2024 Launch_ECHO cover letter.pdf; ANNEX 2_TAFF Guide for Expression of Interest.pdf; ANNEX 3_Template for

Expressions of Interest.docx

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mitte avada!

On behalf of Erwan Marteil, Head of Unit DG ECHO B.3. – Prevention and Preparedness Capacity Building

Dear All, It is my pleasure to announce that DG ECHO today, together with its implementing partner, the World Bank Group, launches the UCPM Technical Assistance Financing Facility for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness. TAFF is a novel technical assistance instrument which aims to support Member and Participating States’ technical capacity for disaster prevention and preparedness and to implement the Union Disaster Resilience Goals. This new facility is DG ECHO’s direct response to requests from national disaster risk management authorities to offer fully externally executed support in the area of disaster and climate resilience. Please be aware that we will organise an on-line information session on Friday 22 March 2024 from 10.00 to 12.00 CET via Webex. Interested participants should connect using the following link: https://ecconf.webex.com/ecconf/j.php?MTID=m497b9ef9bbe647be98d5fcfa8feb23cf . Please find attached the cover note and annexes with further information. The Prevention and Preparedness Programme team

European Commission DG ECHO - European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations

Unit B.3 - Prevention and Preparedness Capacity Building https://civil -protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu

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Context

Strengthening financial resilience, making smart investments for disaster and climate resilience, and

enhancing institutional capacity and preparedness makes economic sense. To be better prepared for

disasters, there is a need to scale up investments to bolster disaster prevention and preparedness

across the EU and through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). A new Technical Assistance

Financing Facility for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness (TAFF) has been established to

facilitate the access of national civil protection and disaster risk management authorities to technical

assistance and global knowledge on prevention and preparedness to support country and EU efforts on

disaster risk management (DRM).

About

The Technical Assistance Financing Facility for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness (TAFF) is

a partnership between the European Commission through its Directorate-General for Civil Protection

and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), the World Bank, and the Global Facility for Disaster

Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR).

Its overall objective is to strengthen the knowledge and capacities of countries under the EU’s UCPM for disaster and preparedness with a focus on:

Strengthening the capacity

of civil protection and other

relevant competent

authorities in scaling up

disaster and climate

resilience in line with the

Union Disaster Resilience

Goals and the European

Green Deal, as well as the

countries’ national priorities.

Supporting

investments

in disaster prevention

and preparedness

through the development

of a project pipeline

and enhanced

administrative

capacity.

Improving

the knowledge base on

disaster risk management,

and facilitate

the sharing

of knowledge, good

practices, and

information.

TAFF provides country-specific technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of civil protection and

other relevant competent authorities under the UCPM in scaling up investments contributing to disaster

and climate resilience.

Technical assistance includes various types of analytics, technical studies and recommendations for

plans and strategies, piloting of activities, and capacity-building/training activities. Key areas of support

include:

FACTSHEET

Improving anticipation

and disaster risk

management

planning to

proactively

address potential

hazards

Raising risk

awareness and

preparedness

levels among the

population to

effectively respond

to emergencies

Enhancing early

warning and hydro-

meteorological

systems for timely

and accurate

information

dissemination

Strengthening

national civil

protection systems

to strengthen to

prevent and prepare

for disasters

Partnership:

TAFF is fully funded by the EU, managed by the GFDRR and implemented by the World Bank.

How it works:

Eligible countries include EU Member States, Participating States of the UCPM, and Georgia and

Kosovo1 in view of their ongoing efforts to join the UCPM.

Eligible entities include national level civil protection authorities or authorities with disaster risk

management (DRM) responsibilities of eligible countries.

Expressions of Interest and Shortlisting: Eligible entities can respond to a Call for Expressions of Interest

(EoI) which will be published on DG ECHO and GFDRR websites. The EOI will be accepted on an

annual basis within defined timeframes. Proposals outside of this range, particularly due to emergency

situations, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Proposals and start of activities: Based on the approved shortlist, the World Bank/GFDRR, in

coordination with the beneficiary country and entity, develops a full proposal for the proposed activities,

and the World Bank teams start implementation.

Project duration is expected between 18 and 24 months.

Coordination and reporting: The World Bank/GFDRR teams will implement activities in coordination with

the beneficiary, and disseminate knowledge and lessons learned via the Union Civil Protection

Knowledge Network. A dedicated webpage is available for TAFF under the UCPKN website and the

GFDRR website.

Key dates:

April 18, 2024:

Deadline for the submission of Expressions

of Interest by Countries.

May 20, 2024:

Official notification on shortlisting by DG ECHO

and World Bank/GFDRR.

Contact

Technical Assistance Financing Facility for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness: [email protected]

1 This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.