Co-funded by the EU

Open Call for Consultancy Services

Title: Support to RCC Secretariat in development of Creative Industries

RCC Department: Programme Department

Eligible: Individual experts, consulting companies, bidding consortia of

individual experts

Reporting to: RCC Secretariat

Duration: October 2021 – 30 December 2021

Deadline for Application: 27 September 2021

Reference Number: 051-021

TERMS OF REFERENCE

I. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) was established in 2008 as a regionally owned and led

framework. It works under the political guidance of the SEECP to promote regional cooperation

and European and Euro-Atlantic integration of South East Europe (SEE). The areas of cooperation

in the framework of the RCC are Economic and Social Development, with a particular focus on

Economic Competitiveness, Human Capital Development, Digital Integration and Sustainable

Growth and Climate Change Resilience; Political Cooperation, Good Governance and Security, as

well as gender mainstreaming.

In November 2020, the leaders of Western Balkan six (WB6) – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Kosovo*1, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia - endorsed the Common Regional Market

(CRM) Action Plan 2021 – 2024, at the Berlin Process Summit held in Sofia. The CRM Action

Plan builds on the achievements of the Regional Economic Area (REA), as the first regional

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo

declaration of independence.

initiative of its kind; and it is a result of intense consultations at national, regional and international

level, including through already established REA structures, REA Component Contact Points

(CCPs) and REA Coordinators, and PM Sherpas as the highest level of governance, to provide

strategic guidance to the process.

Establishing a Common Regional Market will contribute to putting the region on the map for

international investors seeking to nearshore and diversify their supplier base, thus creating new

jobs, more choices and quality for consumers and enhanced mobility of people in the region. This

larger regional market will be a steppingstone for WB6 firms to better integrate into the European

value chains and strengthen their competitiveness in the European and global marketplace.

The CRM Action Plan consists of targeted measures along four key areas: the Regional Trade

Area, the Regional Investments Area, the Regional Digital Area and the Regional Industrial and

Innovation Area. The CRM Regional Industrial and Innovation Area aims to support

competitiveness of entrepreneurs in the region (with a particular focus on young people, women-

led and green SMEs and start-ups) and enable them to integrate into regional supply chains, and

to create sustainable value chains and upgrade the industrial base across key strategic sectors

(automotive, agro-food, green and circular economy, metal processing, creative industries and

tourism).

According to UNCTAD (2018)2, the creative economy is recognised as a significant sector with a

meaningful contribution to national gross domestic product. As part of this economic sector,

creative industries can be a driver of economic growth by contributing to employment, new jobs

and innovation. In its updating of the 2020 New EU Industrial Strategy, the EC puts in motion new

policy approach to better connect and support all players within each value chain or industrial

ecosystem, and it identifies cultural and creative industries (CCIs) as one of the 14 industrial

ecosystems3. According to the Annual Single Market Report4 for 2021, there are 1.2 million firms

and about 8 million people employed in the cultural and creative industries ecosystem in the EU;

an ecosystem made up of entrepreneurs and creative, technical and administrative workers. In

general, both the culture and creative industries are dominated by small enterprises, with about

95% of CCIs being businesses with up to nine employees5.

2 UNCTAD (2018), Creative Economy Outlook: Trends in international trade in creative industries 2002 – 2015; Country profiles

2005 -2014.

3 COM (2021) 350 final. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Updating the 2020 New Industrial Strategy: Building a stronger Single Market for Europe’s recovery.

4 SWD (2021), 351 final. Commission Staff Working Document, Annual Single Market Report 2021. Accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “Updating the 2020 New Industrial Strategy: Building a stronger Single Market for Europe’s Recovery”. Brussels, 5.5.2021. 5 Austrian Institute for SME Research & VVA Europe (2016), Boosting the competitiveness of cultural and creative industries for

growth and jobs; EASME/COSME/2015/003; June 2016.

Co-funded by the EU

According to the OECD (2018)6, creative resources, together with natural, cultural and historical

resources constitute an important element of the tourism offer; and tourism sector’s contribution

to GDP in 2019 varied from 5.9% in Serbia, to 20.5% in Albania and 30.9% in Montenegro7.

Creative industries constitute an important part of global trade as well. According to UNCTAD’s

Creative Economy Outlook (2018), the size of the global market for creative goods has more than

doubled (from $208 billion in 2002 to $509 billion in 2015) and trade performance between 2002

and 2015 has been characterised by a consistent average growth rate of more than 7%8. Trade data

for creative services have been more difficult to obtain but based on data from 38 developed

economies, for the period 2011 – 2015, a positive trend is noticed in the trade of creative services

too – an average annual growth rate of 3.4%, more than double of the trade of all services –

resulting in an increase of the share of creative services in total trade of services from 17.3% in

2011 to 18.9% in 20159.

The Creative Economy Outlook (2018) shows that exports of creative goods from transition

economies, though marginal in the world markets, also grew at annual rates of about 7.8% during

2005 – 2015, with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Albania being in the

top 10 creative goods exporters among the transition economies.

II. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Keeping in mind that the EU is the biggest trade and investment partner of the WB region and that

WB economies heavily depend on the EU economic trends, value and supply chains must be re-

established and investments acquired in strategic value chains. With a view to respond properly to

the current situation, a dynamic industrial policy should be introduced, one that explores

potentials of the industries of the region and incentivises specific sectors of the industry, while

focusing on empowering SMEs and aiming towards a low carbon and green economy.

According to the EC Annual Single Market Report 2021, the outlook before COVID-19 was good,

with employment in the CCIs growing at a rate of 1% annually during 2008 – 201610. But, the

6 OECD (2018), Competitiveness in Southeast Europe: A Policy Outlook 2018.

7 World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) County Data; 2021 Annual Research: Key highlights. Access at: Travel & Tourism

Economic Impact | World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

8 UNCTAD (2018), Creative Economy Outlook: Trends in international trade in creative industries 2002 – 2015; Country profiles

2005 - 2014.

9 Idem. 10 SWD (2021), 351 final. Commission Staff Working Document, Annual Single Market Report 2021. Accompanying the

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee

and the Committee of the Regions “Updating the 2020 New Industrial Strategy: Building a stronger Single Market for Europe’s

Recovery”, Brussels, 5.5.2021.

CCIs were also affected negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the industry players struggle

to develop new business models, it is important to strengthen cooperation among the Western

Balkan economies and enhance convergence with the EU. EU’s Creative Europe Programme

supports Europe’s CCIs, including the candidate and potential candidate economies. In order to

encourage the scaling up of CCIs, it aims to support partnerships and networks and foster new and

innovative business models.

Creative industry is evolving rapidly but in general, there is a lack of coordinated regional efforts.

Some initiatives to support creative economy – mainly design and film – are emerging in Albania;

whereas 96 cultural events of international importance occur in Bosnia and Herzegovina annually,

of which about 50% are in the creative sector11. Serbia introduced a film incentive programme in

2015 and is a strong supporter of development of regional film industry.

Initial efforts in development of culture and creative sectors were led by the RCC in the framework

of the SEE2020 Strategy, as one of the four policy dimensions in the Smart Growth pillar.

Proposals for a Regional Programme on Design Incubator and a Regional Programme for an

Audio-visual Fund were put forward by the former RCC Task Force on Culture and Society. The

importance of cultural and creative sectors has been further recognised in the draft SEE2030

Strategy12 by underlining the need to strengthen regional cooperation in promoting the CCIs and

developing specialised skills.

RCC’s Triple P (3P) project focused on cultural routes development as part of the wider objective

of cultural tourism product development and promotion. This will support regional efforts in

development of creative industries by opening the way for future products and building a network

of stakeholders that are implementing similar initiatives.

For the first time, creative industry is recognised (by the CRM Industrial Agenda) as one of the

key industries of the region and as a crucial driver of growth and competitiveness in the region. It

aims to support development of a regional creative industry and enhance cooperation at regional

level by increasing links between public institutions and the private sector, including all relevant

actors.

Actions under the “creative industry” measure of CRM will be implemented in close cooperation

between the WB6 economies, Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF)

(representing the private sector) and RCC Secretariat, which facilitates regional dialogue, mainly

through the Working Group on Industrial Development (WGID). Actions and regional dialogue

will encourage active cooperation between stakeholders in the region in exploring and stimulating

various sectors of the creative industry and setting up an enabling environment for growth of the

industry (including through policy recommendations, initiatives, networking platforms, capacity

building activities and if deemed necessary, establishment of a regional mechanism for

cooperation).

11 UNCTAD (2018), Creative Economy Outlook: Trends in international trade in creative industries 2002 – 2015; Country profiles

2005 - 2014. 12 The draft SEE2030 Strategy is currently undergoing the process of approval.

Co-funded by the EU

III. DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific Tasks

Over the course of assignment duration, the consultancy is expected to support the RCC Secretariat

in its overall coordination activities related to the implementation of “creative industry” measures

of the CRM AP (measure 8.6 of the Regional Industrial and Innovation Area), covering the

following tasks:

Conduct a mapping of the sector, aiming to:

o Identify relevant stakeholders and examples of good practice in the region;

o Map creative industry (CI) initiatives, networks, events, clusters (if any), etc.;

o Identify the biggest industries (or those having more potential for development) in

the creative ecosystem in the WB6 region;

o Identify cross-feeds with other sectors, in particular tourism, considering RCC’s

activities in the tourism sector through the finalized “Triple P” project and taking

into account that “creative industries” and “sustainable tourism” are two of CRM’s

key strategic industries; provide case studies of efforts to connect tourism with CIs

in the WB6;

o Identify gaps and challenges of the CI in the region;

o Identify existing policy instruments and if any, various types of incentives to CI in

the WB6;

Prepare recommendations and proposals with a specific focus on:

o policy tools to support the creative industry, based on the insights by the WB6, the

results of the mapping and best practices researched;

o identification of potential partners in the future steps of development of regional

CI;

o recommendations for policymakers to provide incentives that boost the

development of CIs;

o recommendations for regional and/or international events on CIs where the

participation and promotion of WB6 region would be beneficial and relevant;

Provide technical assistance to the RCC Secretariat to structure and enhance dialogue in

the region aiming towards a regional development model for creative industry, in

particular:

o Support during meetings (meeting of the Working Group on Industrial

Development (WGID); a thematic workshop or other potential regional event on

CI);

o Support in organisation of representation and participation in well-known regional

and/or international events and fairs;

o Support in preparation of communication and promotion materials, where relevant;

Other relevant tasks that might be required during the assignment duration.

Deliverables

The following deliverables will be produced and transferred to the RCC Secretariat during the

course of the assignment:

Final report, containing:

o mapping results, including conclusions and recommendations;

PowerPoint Presentations of the preliminary findings from the mapping; and of the final

report (to be presented in the WGID meeting or other relevant meetings);

One pagers, including key messages from the findings/final report that can be used for

communication and promotion materials;

Identified opportunities for regional cooperation in creative industries.

Note: The timeline of the deliverables shall be decided with RCC upon delivery and discussion of the work

plan.

Methodology

The consultancy is expected to propose the best methodological approach for undertaking this task.

However, the following guiding principles should be taken into consideration:

i. Desk review of primary and secondary sources;

ii. Communication/interviews/consultations with the representatives of the WB6

economies (relevant institutions, private sector, etc.) and relevant regional and

international organisations;

iii. Any other method applicable.

Lines of Communication

The consultants will report to the RCC Secretariat/Competitiveness team. Each deliverable will be

sent to the RCC Secretariat within the set deadlines. RCC Secretariat will conduct a quality

assessment and approval of each deliverable.

Co-funded by the EU

Timeframe

The assignment is expected to start on October 2021 and end on 30 December 2021.

IV. COMPETENCES

Qualifications for consultants:

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in

public policy, economics, industrial policy or other field of relevance

for the position;

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in policy advice,

research, analysis and/or project implementation in the area

of industrial development, creative industries development

and promotion, SME support and development (with a focus

on creative industries) or other related policies;

Proven professional record of working with international

and/or regional organisations;

Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualise and

write concisely and clearly, preferably evidenced by a list of

published reports/articles in English;

Proven communication and presentation skills and ability to work in

an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple

actors including government representatives, international

organisations’ representatives, business community, civil society

institutions, donors and other stakeholders;

Advanced computer skills (MS Office and internet software).

Language

requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English, as the official language of

the RCC;

Knowledge of other RCC languages is an advantage.

Qualifications for Key Expert (if relevant):

Education:

Master’s Degree (or preferably PhD) in economics on

industrial policy, economics, public policy or equivalent and

relevant to the position.

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in policy advice,

research, analysis and/or project implementation in the area

of industrial development, creative industries - development

and promotion, SME support and development (with a focus

on creative industries) or other related policies;

Experience in working with government institutions in

developing strategic frameworks, strategies, programmes,

and dedicated policies to incentivise the creative industry, in

particular;

Proven professional record of working with international

and/or regional organisations;

Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualise and

write concisely and clearly, evidenced by a list of published

reports/articles in English;

Proven communication and presentation skills and ability to work in

an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple

actors including government representatives, international

organisations’ representatives, businesses, civil society institutions,

donors and other stakeholders.

Language

requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English, as the official language of

the RCC;

Knowledge of other RCC languages is an advantage.

Core Values

Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling RCC values and ethical standards;

Independent and free from conflicts of interest in the responsibilities defined by the Terms of

Reference;

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates professional competence to meet responsibilities and post requirements and is

conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;

Result-oriented; plans and produces quality results to meet the set goals, generates innovative and

practical solutions to challenging situations;

Communication: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts

and recommendations clearly;

Teamwork: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations in a culturally

diverse team;

Co-funded by the EU

Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with regional and national partners and

stakeholders.

V. QUALITY CONTROL

The expert should ensure internal quality control during the implementing and reporting phase of the

assignment. The quality control should ensure that the draft reports comply with the above requirements

and meet adequate quality standards before sending them to stakeholders for comments. The quality control

should ensure consistency and coherence between findings, conclusions and recommendations. It should

also ensure that findings reported are duly substantiated and that conclusions are supported by relevant

judgment criteria.

The views expressed in the report will be those of the expert and will not necessarily reflect those of the

Regional Cooperation Council. Therefore, a standard disclaimer reflecting this will be included in the

report. In this regard, the expert may or may not accept comments and/or proposals for changes received

during the above consultation process. However, when comments/proposals for changes are not agreed by

the expert, he/she should clearly explain the reasons for his/her final decision in a comments table.

Quality control by the Regional Cooperation Council

The consultant’s outputs in the form of a report shall be reviewed by the Regional Cooperation Council.

The approved final report will be subject to a quality assessment by Programme Department of the Regional

Cooperation Council, upon whose endorsement the reports and deliverables will be distributed and made

public.

VI. APPLICATION RULES

Technical Offer:

The technical offer needs to contain the following:

For individual consultants:

Letter of interest;

CV, outlining relevant knowledge and experience as described in Section IV Competences of the

Terms of References;

List of reports, papers, and other documents the expert has drafted;

Brief concept note describing the main issues, information, data sources, and tools to be employed

by the expert as well as the approach to the work to be undertaken;

List of references for relevant activities implemented over the past 5 years demonstrating relevant

experience in the subject matter;

Application Submission Form (Annex I).

For the companies and consortia of individual consultants

Company/institution profile including a brief description (up to 2 pages) about the company. In

case of a bidding consortium, the team leader should submit the profile of the consortium;

Copy of Company’s/Institution’s Registration Certificate. In case of a bidding consortium, a

corresponding written authorisation, power of attorney is accordingly treated;

Financial records - company’s/institution’s balance sheet and profit-and-loss statement for the past

2 years (only in case of a bidding of consulting companies);

CVs of key members of the project team, outlining relevant knowledge and experience as described in

the Terms of Reference, along with contact details of referees;

A concept note of up to 2 pages, elaborating the proposed methodology for addressing and

undertaking individual tasks; an additional page can be included, where relevant, indicating key

stakeholders to be included in the proposed approach;

List of references for relevant activities implemented over the past 5 years demonstrating relevant

experience in the subject matter;

Application Submission Form (Annex I);

Signed Statements of Availability (Annex III).

Financial offer:

Financial offer (Annex II)

Note:

Please make sure that the application is submitted in two separate folders one containing Technical Offer

and the other Financial Offer.

The documents should be submitted in a form of copies of the originals.

Applications including technical and financial offer need to be submitted via e-mail to

ProcurementforRcc@rcc.int by 27 September 2021.

VII. EVALUATION AND SELECTION

Co-funded by the EU

The assignments will be awarded to the highest qualified applicant based on the skills, expertise, and the

quality of the concept note(s) and the cost-effectiveness of the financial offer.

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the profile and competencies of the candidate and the

responsiveness to the Terms of Reference for Consulting Services.

The best value for money is established by weighing technical quality against price on an 80/20 basis.

The applications are evaluated following these criteria:

EVALUATION GRID

Maximum Score

A. Technical Offer (A.1+A.2+A.3)

100

A.1. Work experience, references list:

Relevant work experience; evidence of other contracts of the

nature comparable to that of the Call; experience with clients

comparable to the Contracting Authority.

35

A.2. Quality and professional capacity of the consultants:

CVs satisfy the criteria set forth in the ToR, education and

experience demonstrates professional capacity and experience

required.

35

A.3 Quality of the concept note and Action Plan:

Relevance and applicability within the WB6 regional framework;

methodologically sound concept/ plan, achievable within the

defined time frame

30

B. Financial Proposal/ lowest price has maximum score

100

Score for offer X =

A: [Total quality score (out of 100) of offer X / 100] * 80

B: [Lowest price / price of offer X] * 20

In addition to the results of the technical and financial evaluation, a competency-based interview will

be held with the selected bidder.

Information on selection of the most favourable bidder

The RCC Secretariat shall inform candidates and bidders of decisions reached concerning the award of the

contract as soon as possible, including the grounds for any decision not to award a contract for which there

has been competitive tendering or to recommence the procedure.

Standard letter of thanks for participation to unsuccessful bidders shall be sent within 15 days after the

contract is signed with the awarded bidder.

The candidates and bidders wishing to receive a feedback may send a request within 15 days after receipt

of the standard letter of thanks.

The request may be sent to the e-mail address ProcurementforRcc@rcc.int or to the address of the RCC

Secretariat:

Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat

Attention to: Administration Department

Building of the Friendship between Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Trg Bosne i Hercegovine 1/V

71000 Sarajevo

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Appeals procedure

Bidders believing that they have been harmed by an error or irregularity during the award process may

petition the RCC Secretariat directly. The RCC Secretariat must reply within 15 days of receipt of the

complaint.

The appeal request may be sent to the e-mail address ProcurementforRcc@rcc.int or to the address of the

RCC Secretariat:

Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat

Attention to: Administration Department

Building of the Friendship between Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Trg Bosne i Hercegovine 1/V

71000 Sarajevo

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Co-funded by the EU

ANNEX I: APPLICATION SUBMISSION FORM

Open Call for Consultancy Services: 051-021

REF:

One signed copy of this Call for Consultancy Submission Form must be supplied.

1 SUBMITTED by:

Name

Address

Telephone

Fax

e-mail

2. STATEMENT

[Name of the Authorised person representing the Entity] ______________ hereby declares that

we have examined and accepted without reserve or restriction the entire contents of the Open

Call for Experts, Grounds for Exclusions and Conflict of Interest as such:

Grounds for exclusion

Candidates or bidders will be excluded from participation in a procurement procedure if it is known

that:

(a) They are bankrupt or being wound up, are having their affairs administered by the courts,

have entered into an arrangement with creditors, have suspended business activities, are

subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or are in any analogous situation arising

from a similar procedure provided for in national legislation or regulations;

(b) They have been convicted of an offence concerning their professional conduct by a

judgment which has the force of res judicata;

(c) They have been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which the

Contracting Officer can justify;

(d) They have not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions

or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which

they are established or with those of the country of the Contracting Officer or those of the

country where the contract is to be performed;

(e) They have been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for fraud,

corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation or any other illegal activity.

Contracts may not be awarded to candidates or bidders who, during the procurement procedure,

are:

(a) Subject to a conflict of interest;

(b) Guilty of misrepresentation in supplying the information required by the Contracting

Officer as a condition of participation in the contract procedure or fail to supply this

information.

Conflict of Interest

a) The Contractor shall take all necessary measures to prevent or end any situation that could

compromise the impartial and objective performance of the contract. Such conflict of

interests could arise in particular as a result of economic interest, political or national

affinity, family or emotional ties, or any other relevant connection or shared interest. Any

conflict of interests which could arise during performance of the contract must be notified

in writing to the Contracting Authority without delay.

b) The Contracting Authority reserves the right to verify that such measures are adequate and

may require additional measures to be taken if necessary. The Consultant shall ensure that

their staffs, including its management, are not placed in a situation which could give rise

to conflict of interests. The Consultant shall replace, immediately and without

compensation from the Contracting Authority, any member of its staff exposed to such a

situation.

c) The Contractor shall refrain from any contact which would compromise its independence

or that of its personnel. If the Contractor fails to maintain such independence, the

Contracting Authority may, without prejudice to compensation for any damage which it

may have suffered on this account, terminate the contract forthwith.

d) The Contractor shall, after the conclusion or termination of the contract, limit its role in

connection with the project to the provision of the services. Except with the written

Co-funded by the EU

permission of the Contracting Authority, the Contractor and any other contractor or

supplier with whom the Contractor is associated or affiliated shall be disqualified from the

execution of works, supplies or other services for the project in any capacity, including

tendering for any part of the project.

e) Civil servants and other agents of the public administration of the RCC Participants,

regardless of their administrative situation, shall not be recruited as experts in contracts

financed by the RCC Secretariat.

f) The Contractor and anyone working under its authority or control in the performance of

the contract or on any other activity shall be excluded from access to RCC Secretariat

financing available under the same project unless they can prove to the Contracting

Authority that the involvement in previous stages of the project does not constitute unfair

competition.

We offer to provide the services requested in the Terms of Reference on the basis of supplied

documentation subject to this Open Call for Consultancy Services, which comprise our technical

offer, and our financial offer.

This Open Call for Consultancy Services is subject to acceptance within the validity period

stipulated in the Terms of Reference.

Name

Signature

Date

ANNEX II: Financial Offer

REF: 051-021

Use a free format providing the lump sum for the services to be provided.

NOTE:

When preparing the financial offer, the applicant should take into account the following:

Price ceiling: up to EUR 20,000. Bids indicating a price above this threshold shall not be

considered.

The expert fees should be consistent with those applicable in the region.

Co-funded by the EU

ANNEX III: STATEMENT OF AVAILABILITY

REF: 051-021

By representing the Entity_________________________ we agree to participate in the above-

mentioned tender procedure. We further declare that we are able and willing to work for the

period(s) foreseen for the position for which our CVs have been included in the event that this

tender is successful, namely:

Full Name Available from

(Date)

Available until

(Date)

Acceptance by

signature

Number of

man-days

associated to

each task from

the ToR