FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Partner Parliaments Prioritisation Process

0. What should the interested potential Partner Parliament do to be added to the longlist of countries for prioritisation by the Implementation Task Force (ITF)?

The Parliament interested to take part must contact the EU Delegation operating in country and express their interest to collaborate through INTER PARES.

0. What can the EU Delegation in country do to include the country they operate in to the longlist of countries for selection by the ITF?

The EU Delegation informs DG DEVCO of their interest and the expression, specifying whether the Parliament has also expressed their interest.

0. How does the ITF prioritise the eligible countries for Partnerships?

The most important principle is the interest and readiness of both the Partner Parliament and EU Delegation in country to collaborate with the EU and EUMSPs through an INTER PARES Partnership.
Prioritisation criteria taken into account:

a. Countries in which EU Delegations were asked to implement the first and second generations of the pilot countries exercise of the EU Agenda for Action on Democracy Support;

b. Countries where follow-up is required on EU and OSCE Electoral Observation Missions (EOMs);

c. “Graduated” countries: 37 Lower Middle-Income and 57 Upper Middle-Income Countries where EU has reduced its bilateral development assistance and thus there are limited options for parliamentary support;

d. Countries in democratic transition or undergoing political reform processes where rapid support is warranted;

e. Deprioritization criterion: countries where there is a current single-country EU funded parliamentary strengthening project.

EUMSPS Expressions Of Interest

0. What is the format of the EUMSPs Expression of Interest? Is an official letter of intent signed by the Parliament’s Secretary General needed? Is there any documentation needed?

An email expression of interest is satisfactory. For upcoming calls for expressions of interest, a template will be provided with the questions to be answered. No signatures are required and no further documentation is required in this initial stage.

0. Do EUMSPs need to provide support in all priority areas for a single Partnership?

EUMSPs can choose which priority to provide support for. It can be one, two or more and it ultimately depends on the capacity and interest of the EUMSP. The EUMSP should keep in mind that they can express interest for any number of Partnerships and they are not limited to one Partnership.

0. How will implementation modalities be coupled with the identified needs, objectives and thematic areas?

The project’s peer-to-peer approach highlights the importance of dialogue between the parties. For each priority identified in the Partnership Fiche, a videoconference is organized between the EUMSPs selected, Partner Parliament, the EU Delegation responsible, the ITF and members of the INTER PARES Project Team to discuss exactly how the implementation modalities will be coupled with needs and objectives and will form the basis of the detailed Partnership Work Plan.

0. If an EUMSP is selected for one Partnership, does that mean that the respective Parliament will not be eligible for future INTER PARES projects in other countries?

No, we are hoping parliaments will participate in more than one project.

0. How many Partnerships can EUMSPs apply for in total?

We would hope for participation from all EUMSPs, but it will depend ultimately on the capacity of each EUMSP. There is no limit with regards to the number of Partnerships one EUMSP can apply for.

0. How long does a Partnership last for?

The length of a partnership is estimated at between six and nine months. The time frame for the activities of each EUMSP selected for a Partnership is a joint decision with the EUMSP and Partner Parliament. We encourage cooperation forged through INTER PARES to continue after the Partnership has ended.

Partnership work plan process

0. How is the Partnership Work Plan agreed upon?

The activities and the Work Plan is discussed via videoconferences with each of the participating Parliaments, and together with the Partner Parliament, the EU Delegation in country, the ITF and members of the INTER PARES Project Team. The activity programme is prepared by the EUMSP.

0. How do we ensure gender - responsive peer-to-peer partnerships?

Thematic issues on gender equality and women’s participation will be integrated into all exchanges as appropriate. EUMSPs are encouraged to inform the INTER PARES Project Team of their in-house gender expertise (both amongst staff and MPs) to increase the pool of gender experts to deploy in peer-to-peer partnerships. EUMSPs and Partner Parliaments are encouraged to have gender balanced delegations.

Partnership project launch and implementation process

0. Will there be a standard project launch event?

The project launch arrangements will be agreed between the EU Member State Parliaments, the Partner Parliaments, the EU and INTER PARES, and will normally take place in conjunction with the first on-the-ground activity.

0. Where will the project be launched: in the EUMSP or Partner Parliament?

Typically, the launch would be in the Partner Parliament, but there is also the potential to additionally have kick-off events in the EU Member State Parliament if desired.

0. Who oversees the logistics for activities in Partner Parliaments?

The logistics for the activities in the Partner Parliament will be guided by the INTER PARES Local Programme Coordinator in close coordination with the Partner Parliament designated Focal Point and with the INTER PARES Project Lead.

0. Who oversees the logistics for activities in a partnering EUMSP?

The logistics for the activities in the EUMSP will be guided by the INTER PARES Project Lead in close coordination with the EUMSP designated Focal Point.

0. Which policies govern the applicable rates for travel, accommodation and per diem?

Travel costs will be based on the principles of most economic and cost effective and in line with the Travel Policy of International IDEA. Accommodation and Per Diem Rates will be in accordance with the standard rates of International IDEA for the relevant country.

0. What is the monitoring and evaluation framework? What is the role of the partners in the Monitoring and Evaluation framework?

Partner Parliaments and EUMSPs will jointly develop and agree on a framework for monitoring and evaluation of planned activities. The INTER PARES Project will support Parliaments with the development of the framework and with the collection of data. The INTER PARES Project will conduct a more in-depth evaluation in selected countries, with added focused group discussions and interviews.