IBF is known for its multi-disciplinary background and ability to manage projects across the globe

Our thorough knowledge of the EU’s development policies and global footprint is what sets us apart

Since 1977 IBF has successfully implemented assignments in a wide range of sectors and in over 100 countries across the globe - from Chile to China and Russia to South Africa.

We are recognised for our strong project management capacity and multi-disciplinary background. IBF manages both long-term (Technical Cooperation) and short-term (Framework Contracts) projects. Our core managerial strength lies in our thorough knowledge of the European Union's development policies, procedures and projects across the world. This has been achieved through over 35 years of experience in the field. Moreover, our proximity to the European institutions enables us to quickly respond to evolutions and changes in procedures - flexibility and reactivity being key qualities in our sector.

This would not be possible without the right team. We employ talented people and work with leading organisations based in the beneficiary countries, because true development cooperation starts from within our partnerships.

The quality of our work highly relies upon the knowledge and experience of an extensive and trusted network of development consultants and partners. We are well known for the sustainable and fair work relationship we maintain with our fellow colleagues / peers.


Our departments

IBF is split into 2 major departments: framework contracts and technical cooperation, the latter being split into thematic sectors. Please click below for more details.


Consumer Policy Center (CPC)

The CPC offers expertise, research and studies, policy and legal advice, especially for the design and implementation of technical cooperation programmes worldwide on quality infrastructure related issues (i.e standardization, accreditation, certification, metrology, consumer protection and market surveillance) and trade where we offer strategic advice on critical management and policy issues in the areas of macroeconomic stabilisation and long term growth strategies, regional economic integration, trade policy formulation and negotiation of trade agreements, trade related poverty reduction strategies, trade and the environment, and private sector development. Over the past 10 years, CPC has become theworld leaderin provision of quality infrastructure and trade related technical assistance services. Through the CPC unit, IBF is advising the European Commission in Brussels on several trade related and food safety matters, leading two important framework contracts:

  • DG TRADE Framework contract to set up ad-hoc study visits/seminars for officials/policy makers from trading partner countries to support SPS policy: provide a facility to DG TRADE to set up ad-hoc study visits to support the understanding of how the implementation of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures is organized in EU Member States.
  • DG SANCO Framework Contract for the provision of evaluation, impact assessment and related services to the European Commission in Public Health, Consumer Policy and Food Chain: Providing timely and relevant information of high quality to the decision making and planning process, including the preparation of legislative and other initiatives; support in developing DG SANCO legislation, policies, programmes and other activities and in the implementation of the DG SANCO multi-annual Evaluation programme.

IBF is managing the two largest EuropeAid Quality Infrastructure Pool of Experts, currently implemented under EuropeAid technical assistance:

  • Algeria Quality support expert center - short-term technical assistance and study assignments' for the programme to support SMEs/SMIs and ICT management (PME II)- 6 Millions EUR
  • Tunisia- Quality expert pool center- Mobilisation of short-term experts benefiting industrial entreprises and tunisian supporting institutions within the implementation of the programme of support to the competitivity of entreprises and to the facilitation of access to the market (PCAM)- budget- 4 Millions EU

In views of addressing TBT and SPS issues and improving competitiveness at local and regional level, IBF can draw on its experience in similar projects on i) approximation and harmonization of Technical Regulations and alignment of quality infrastructure systems; ii) support to the private sector in enhancing the export capacity and intra-regional trade; iii) trade development:

  • ACP regional - Technical assistance to the integration of multilateral trading system and support to the Integrated Framework (IMTS)
  • ACP - Capacity building in support of the negotiation of economic partnership agreements
  • ACP regional - Diagnostic impact study of the new European regulation "feed & food" and recommendations
  • CARICOM regional - Development of a Rapid Alert System on Dangerous Goods (RAPEX)
  • CARICOM - Finalization of a Common Fisheries Policy for the Caribbean Community
  • Algeria - Market Surveillance System: support to the Ministry of Economy
  • Morocco - Technical assistence for the standardization and promotion of Quality Department (DQN) at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Economy
  • Syria - Technical Assistance to the standards and quality management programme
  • Egypt - TEP LOT 3 - EU Association Agreement and WTO Agreements
  • Albania - Support to Standards, Certification and Accreditation - Phase I and II
  • Kosovo - Development of a Measuring, Standardization, Tesing and Quality (MSTQ) Framework
  • Serbia - Strengthening Consumer Protection
  • FYRoMacedonia - Technical Assistance for capacity building of the Bureau of Metrology
  • Turkey - Technical Assistance and seminars on conformity assessment and new, old and global approach directives
  • Ukraine - Promoting mutual trade by removing technical barriers to trade between Ukraine and the European Union
  • Kazakhastan - Support to WTO accession in Kazakhstan: approximation of technical regulations and standards
  • ASEAN programme for regional integration - Phase II
  • Economic Cooperation Programme: trade development and investment promotion - Bolivia
  • PMU to support ACP integration in the Multilateral Trading System (MTS)
  • Study on the policy options for a trade facilitation architecture required for the establishment of the OECS Economic Union
  • Assessment of seafood safety standards - Pacific ACP countries
  • Capitalisation of best thematic practices developed in the execution of Technical Assistance projects for intermediary organisations - West and Central Africa

Framework Contracts (FWC)

IBF FWC Department is fully dedicated to the preparation and implementation of Framework contracts missions around the world in a large variety of sectors such as: agriculture and rural development, governance, civil society, migration, human rights, health, education, culture, social development, trade and private sector development,
environment and natural resources, aid effectiveness and development policies.

IBF Framework Department staff is delivering on-demand short-term operational services on the spot to various donors such as the European Commission Development and Cooperation Services, European Commission DG Trade, the UK Department for International Development, The Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAid), The Department for International Development (DFID), for the exclusive benefit of third countries receiving external aid.

IBF has been managing framework contracts for more than 17 years and has developed an extensive experience in providing expertise all over the world in a very short-time frame and respecting thehighest quality standards.

21 people are full-time devoted to tendering and implementing Framework contract
missions, currently managing 12 Framework Contracts:

  • FWC BENEF 2009 Lot 7: Governance and Home Affairs (2009-2013)
  • FWC BENEF 2009 Lot 8: Health (2009-2013)
  • FWC BENEF 2009 Lot 9: Culture - Education - Employment & Social (2009-2013)
  • FWC COM 2011 Lot 1: Studies and Technical Assistance in all sectors (2011-2013)
  • IDa WB Zimbabwe (indefinite agreement): The Indefinite Delivery Agreements (IDa) is for the provision of Technical Assistance (TA) services to the Government and other entities in Zimbabwe in various sectors.
  • FWC for DG SANCO Lot 1/2/3 (2009-2013): Framework Contract which aims at the Provision of evaluation, impact assessment and related services to the commission in the areas of public health (lot 1), consumer protection (lot 2) and food chain (lot 3)"
  • FWC for DG TRADE: Framework Contract to organize ad-hoc study visits/ seminars for officials/policymakers from trading partner countries to support SPS
  • FWC for DG EAC Lot 4: The aim of this Framework contract is to provide expertise and support for European Cooperation in Education and Training, issued by the Directorate-General for Education and Culture.
  • FWC for DFID's TRADE ADVOCACY FUND: The Trade Advocacy Fund offers short-term support to the poorest developing countries to help them to engage in crucial trade negotiations.
  • FWC for the European Parliament: External expertise services in the field of impact assessment LOT 2: INTERNAL MARKET AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
  • DFID Professional Evidence and Applied Knowledge Services (PEAKS) (as partner)
  • AUSAID Panels (as partner) 

Over the past six years, thanks to our very qualified pool of experts as well as an extensive network of local companies, IBF has mobilised, only for the European Commission services and Delegations, more than 1500 experts providing expertise in more than 150 different countries, and has been implementing 700 different short-term missions. With an average of 20 requests a month, IBF is permanently looking for qualified expertise and partners to collaborate on FWC missions.

 

Human Development (HD)

The Human Development Department was set up as a division of IBF that designs and manages technical assistance projects in the area of education (primary and secondary education, vocational education and training, school certification, national qualification systems), labour market measures, human resources management, access to justice, rule of law, management of community programs, social protection of disadvantaged groups and health.

HD works currently in more than sixIPA, ENPI and EDF countries with projects funded mainly by the EU.  

The overall objective of the HD Department is to provide excellent expertise in the management of complex technical assistance projects. Policies and institutional development, as well as awareness creation are very important aspects of all our projects and excellent tools and methodologies have been developed for the implementation of these aspects.

Project References

  • Turkey: Technical Assistance for the preparation of border surveillance area survey
  • Moldova: Support to the implementation of the agreements between the Republic of Moldova and the EU
  • Algeria: Technical Assistance to support the education reform
  • India: Technical Assistance for EU-India Action Plan Support Facility programme (APSF) - EU- India study centres component
  • Liberia: EC support to education
  • Turkmenistan: Modernization of the education system
  • Republic of Kazakhstan: Support for the Development of the Policy Dialogue and Advice Programme (PDAP)
  • Republic of Kazakhstan: Social partnership in Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Ukraine: Strengthening regional VET management