Procedures for the Procurement of Aid in Europe: A Critical Assessment

There is currently a dynamic discussion within the international donor community about a segment of the aid process that is usually ignored or let at the disposal of lawyers or procurement specialists, even in the context of the aid harmonisation and aid effectiveness discussions – the procurement of aid. Nevertheless, there is unanimity that good practices in procurement are a key factor for effective and efficient provision of aid and also contribute to a framework of good governance and free and fair competition in general. In this context, the EU and its Member States have been discussing the harmonisation of their respective procedures for the procurement of development assistance contracts.