Tender Specifications HOME/2011/EIFX/CA/PR/0010

/ EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL HOME AFFAIRS
Directorate B : Immigration and Asylum
Unit B4 : Financial support - Immigration and Asylum
Call for Tender HOME/2011/EIFX/CA/PR/0010
TENDER SPECIFICATIONS
European indicators ofmigrant integration
SERVICE PROVIDER

European indicators of migrant integration

SERVICE PROVIDERTENDER SPECIFICATIONS

I.1. INTRODUCTION

These tender specifications concern the appointment of a Service Provider to assist the European Commission (hereafter the Commission) in the analysis of common European indicators of migrant integration.

I.2.DESCRIPTION OF THE CALL FOR TENDER

I.2.1General context

Migration is a reality for European societies and integration policies are needed to fully benefit from the potential of migration. Monitoring the results of integration policies is important to assess their effectiveness and contribute with facts and figures to better knowledge of the situation of migrants. Integration policies are developed with the aim of facilitating the participation of migrants in the social and economic life of their receiving country. The integration challenges vary considerably across the EU but there are some commonalities and countries can learn from each other's experiences of addressing these challenges. A clearer picture of the reality and factors influencing the conditions for integration is a helpful starting point for this learning process and to enhance the general public's understanding.

The integration process is characterised by various key dimensions identified in the eleven Common Basic Principles for Immigrant Integration Policy in the European Union adopted by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States on 19 November 2004 (Council Document 14615/04).Common Basic Principle 11 specifies that developing clear goals, indicators and evaluation mechanisms are necessary to adjust policy, evaluate progress on integration and to make the exchange of information more effective.

Moreover, the conclusions adopted by the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 12-13 June 2007 (Council document 10267/07) on the 'Strengthening of Integration Policies in the European Union' invited the National Contact Points on Integration, supported by the Commission, to 'promote the development of common indicators and indexes that could be used by Member States on a voluntary basis in order to assess integration policy outcomes'. The Commission in a Staff Working Document of October 2008 'Strengthening actions and tools to meet integration challenges, Report to the 2008 Ministerial Conference on Integration', (SEC(2008) 2626) also developed further the Commission's intention to design specific indicators for integration strategies to monitor and evaluate outcomes and deliverables of policies, rather than simple outputs, and provide for comparative analysis.

I.2.2Specific context

In the 'Stockholm programme - An open and secure Europe serving and protecting the citizens', the European Council of 10-11 December 2009[1] invited the Commission to support Member States' effortstowards the development of core indicators in a limited number of relevant policy areas (for example employment, education and social inclusion) for monitoring the results of integration policies, in order to increase the comparability of national experiences and reinforce the European learning process.

Furthermore, the conclusions adopted by the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 3-4 June 2010 (Council document 9248/10) on 'Integration as a driver for development and social cohesion' called on the Commission "to launch a pilot project with a view to the evaluation of integration policies, including examining the indicators proposed in the Annex to this document and analysing the significance of the defined indicators taking into account the national contexts, the background of diverse migrant populations and different migration and integration policies of the Member States, and reporting on the availability and quality of the data from agreed harmonised sources necessary for the calculation of these indicators."Common indicators were proposed in four areas of relevance for integration:

  • employment;
  • education;
  • social inclusion; and
  • active citizenship.

Employment is a vital part of the integration process, and efforts in education are essential in helping immigrants to become successful and more active participants in society. Not only access to the labour market is important but also entry into society more generally, which makes social inclusion an important area. The participation of immigrants in the democratic process as active citizens supports their integration and enhances their sense of belonging.

Following the Council conclusions of June 2010, Eurostat has produced a report bringing together the existing data from already harmonised sources, which are necessary for the calculation of the indicators proposed in the Council conclusions.[2] This report forms part of the pilot project called for by Member States and they provide a basis for further analysis. The report from Eurostat includes calculations for each MemberState of the proposed common indicators based on data currently available from the European Union Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS), the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), as well as Eurostat's migration statistics, specifically data from administrative sources on acquisition of citizenship and residence permits. The report consists of methodological notes, a synthetic description of the results and a tabular part with calculations of indicators. To maximise the added value of the indicators, the information for different target populations has been provided for broad groups of country of birth and citizenship, different age groups and gender.

The aim of the common indicators is to increase comparability across the EU and strengthen the European learning process. The indicators should provide a basis for monitoring of results of integration policies and thereby contribute to better follow-up and coordination of policies. The indicators form part of the development of a new European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals and they should be the framework for systematic and regular monitoring of the situation of migrants, using a qualitative approach complementing data with contextual analysis, which should reflect the different situations in Member States. They should also be a tool at the disposal of national statistical institutes and they should be used by the Commission in close dialogue with Member States. The Commission will be responsible for monitoring at EU level, based on the data provided in relation to the indicators and close dialogue with Member States to deepen the contextual understanding of results.

I.3.OBJECTIVES, TASKS AND EXPECTED RESULTS

I.3.1 Overall Objective

The purpose of this call for tender is to appoint a Service Provider who shall assist the Commission in analysing the common European indicators of migrant integration, while taking into account the national contexts, the background of diverse migrant populations and different migration and integration policies of the Member States. Based on this analysis, the Service Provider shall assess the relevance of the proposed indicators and propose a system for monitoring of results of integration policies.The analysis will be based on the data included in the report produced by Eurostat.

In addition, the Service Provider should take into account any other existing comparable and reliable data sources which could be of use for the calculation,interpretation and analysis of the indicators, and consider work carried out in various Commission services, other EU institutions and agencies (including, for example, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights),and by international organisations, such as the OECD. This work requires solid knowledge of the relevant policy areas.

I.3.2 Specific Objectives in brief

The specific objectives of the Service Provider to be appointed shall be to:

  1. analyse the presented indicators based ondata provided by Eurostat and data from other identified sources,in order to better explain the phenomena observed and extract the main policy messages, including identifying explanatory factors of the situation described andtaking into account the national context in each Member State, the background of various migrant populations and the different migration and integration policies of the Member States;
  2. assess the relevance of the proposed indicators, based on the above mentioned analysis while considering also the possible use of additional reliable data sources; and
  3. propose a system for monitoring of results of integration policies, which includes the proposed indicatorsand any other indicators the Service Provider may conclude are relevant for the purpose of the exercise.

I.3.3Specific Tasks in brief

More concretely, the specific tasks of the Service Provider to be appointed shall be to:

  1. Propose a detailed work programme and methodology for the analysis of the indicators, the assessment of the relevance of the proposed indicators and the proposal of a monitoring system;
  2. Prepare a draft report on the analysis of the indicators based on data provided by Eurostat and data from other identified sources;
  3. Prepare a draft report on the assessment of the relevance of the proposed indicators and the possible use of data from other identified sources;
  4. Participate in the meetingsof the National Contact Points on Integration (agenda points related to the analysis of the indicators) and prepare all relevant documents, based on the analysis of the indicators and the assessment of their relevance, for these meetings in a timely manner;
  5. Organise three expert seminars on the four areas as described under section I.2.2 and produce high quality Discussion Papers, Synthesis Reports and other relevant documentation,based on the analysis of the indicators and the assessment of their relevance,before and after the seminars;
  6. Prepare a final report for the Commission on the analysis of the indicators based on the data provided by Eurostat and data from other identified sources;
  7. Prepare a final report for the Commission on the assessment of the relevance of the proposed indicators and the possible use of data from other identified sources; and
  8. Present a proposal for a monitoring system, which includes the proposed indicators and any other indicators the Service Provider may conclude are relevant for the purpose of the exercise.

A key aspect in the work undertaken will be the requirement for a pro-active cooperation with both the Commission, in particular through DG HOME and Eurostat, and the MemberStates, mainly through their National Statistical Institutes and the network of National Contact Points on Integration.The network of National Contact Points on Integration is a governmental experts' network coordinated by the Commission, which since 2003 meets five times a year in order to exchange information on integration policies and initiatives.

I.3.4Overall results to be achieved by the Service Provider

The outputs produced by the Service Provider shall be ofhigh quality and consistent with the objectives.

The main indicators of achievement are:

Relevance of the analysis of the indicators based on data providedby Eurostatand data from other identified sources and of the assessment of the relevance of the proposed indicators;

Establishment of pro-active, efficient co-operation with both the Commission and the network of National Contact Points on Integration;

Timeliness and level of quality of documents and reports produced by the Service Provider and their relevance for supporting policymaking;

Extent of co-operation and collaboration with other relevant entities and stakeholders;

Quality in the organisation of threeexpert seminars; and

Quality of the proposal for a system for monitoring of results of integration policies.

I.3.5Existing tools in the area of integration

When proposing a methodology for the analysis of the European indicators, the Service Provider should take into account the existing instruments of technical cooperation operating in the area of integration, to which the indicators will be added as an important tool for enhanced exchange of knowledge on the situation of migrants in Member States and the development of integration policies. An active involvement of the network of National Contact Points on Integration needs to be ensured. The National Contact Points on Integration were brought together in 2003 following the Thessaloniki European Council in order to exchange information and good practices on integration among EU Member States. Their meetings are coordinated by the Commission's Directorate-General Home Affairs and are organised five times a year. Participants represent various Ministries in charge of integration, ranging from Ministries of interior, employment, social affairs, culture, housing, immigration, etc. depending on the MemberState's organisation.

The National Contact Points on Integration were one of the main actors involved in the elaboration of the three editions of the Handbook on Integration for policy-makers and practitioners. National administrations organised technical seminars on specific topics with the help of the Commission and an external consultant. The Handbooks, published in all EU official languages, regroup good practices in various policy areas of relevance for integration.The first edition of the Handbook covered integration indicators.

Based on the Handbook, so-called European modules are being designed to support policies and practices in Member States, regions and cities. The modules build on the experiences of MemberStates and other actors, of 'what works' and 'what does not work' in meeting commonly identified challenges. The modules will constitute a European reference framework for the design and implementation of integration practices in Member States. They are developed in three thematic areas: 1) introductory and language courses; 2) strong commitment by the receiving society; and 3) active participation of migrants in all aspects of collective life.

Two further instruments of technical cooperation are the European Integration Forum and the European Web Site on Integration.The European Integration Forum was launched in April 2009 in order to gather the organised civil society voice on integration at EU level. Its members are EU umbrella organisations and national platforms and organisations, and its meetings are held twice a year. At the same time, the European Web Site on Integration at was launched, which also helps to create a community of integration practitioners across Europe.

I.4.SPECIFIC TASKS TO BE IMPLEMENTED AND THEIR MAIN DELIVERABLES

Upon appointment,the Service Provider will be expected to assist the Commission by undertaking the following specific activities:

I.4.1Propose a detailed work programme and methodology for the analysis of the indicators, the assessment of the relevance of the indicators and the proposal of a monitoring system

The Service Provider shall propose a detailed work programme and methodologyfor the analysis of the common European indicators of migrant integration based on data provided by Eurostat and data from other identified sources, the assessment of the relevance of the proposed indicators and a proposed system for monitoring of results of integration policies, which includes the proposed indicatorsand any other indicators the Service Provider may conclude are adequate for the purpose of the exercise. The work programme should incorporate scientific analysis, the outcome of the meetings of the National Contact Points on Integration (organised regularly by the Commission), and of the threeexpert seminars to be organised by the Service Provider as specified below. The methodology should take into account the existence of various forms of technical cooperation as described under section I.3.5.

Main deliverables:

Adetailed proposal for a work programme including description of tasks to be undertaken and the sequence of activities within a timeframe, to be presented within two weeks from the kick-off meeting;

A detailed proposal for a methodology, to be presented within two weeks from the kick-off meeting.

I.4.2 Prepare a draft report on the analysis of the presented indicators based on data provided by Eurostat and data from other identified sources

The Service Provider shall undertake research for a scientific analysis of the presentedindicators based on data provided by Eurostatand data from other identified sources and prepare a draft report, in order to better explain the phenomena observed and extract the main policy messages. This analysis should take into account the national contexts, the background of various migrant populations and the different migration and integration policies of the Member States. Input from National Contact Points on Integration and relevant stakeholders should be ensured in this analysis, mainly through the meetings of the National Contact Points and the expert seminars organised in the framework of the project. The draft report will be used as a basis for discussion and complemented with the experiences shared in dialogue with Member States in the expert seminars and meetings of the National Contact Points.

Main deliverables:

A draft report on the analysis of the indicators based on data provided by Eurostat and data from other identified sources, which will be used as a basis for discussions in the expert seminarsand with the National Contact Points on Integration and be completedin the light of these.

I.4.3Prepare a draft report on the assessment of the relevance of the proposed indicators and the possible use of data from other identified sources

In the light of the analysis mentioned in I.4.2, the Service Provider shall assess the relevance of the proposed indicators and explore the possible use of data from other identified sources to calculate the proposed indicators and any other indicators the Service Provider may conclude are relevant for the purpose of the exercise. Input from National Contact Points on Integration and relevant stakeholders should be ensured also in this part of the project, mainly through the meetings of the National Contact Points and the expert seminars organised in the framework of the project. A draft report from the Service Provider will be used as a basis for discussion and complemented with the experiences shared in dialogue with Member States in the expert seminars and meetings of the National Contact Points.

Main deliverables:

A draft report on the assessment of the relevance of the proposed indicators and the possible use of data from other identified sources, which will be used as a basis for discussions in the expert seminars and with the National Contact Points on Integration and be completed in the light of these.