EBRD/ CROATIA: C2CF EU COHESION FUNDS WATER CO-FINANCING FRAMEWORK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL DUE DILIGENCE

Description

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ("EBRD" or "the Bank") is currently developing a EUR 200 million framework (the "Framework") to provide co-financing to regionalised water and wastewater companies in Croatia alongside European Union ("EU") Cohesion Funds. Under the Framework, it is envisaged that EBRD will provide finance to approximately up to 15 water operators, in loans ranging from EUR 5 million to EUR 30 million. The loans will be mainly structured as non-recourse and will be repaid from the cash flows of the water operators. Where the company is financially weak, a guarantee might be required from the city, which would still be eligible under the Framework.

At the local level, Municipal Support Agreements ("MSAs") will be signed between the Bank and the cities (majority owners). MSAs will have standard provisions including that the cities will have an obligation to secure regular tariff adjustments and undertake compliance with Public Service Contracts ("PSC") acceptable to the Bank.

With the Framework, the Government of Croatia aims at (i) achieving compliance with EU water and wastewater directives and (ii) improving the quality and efficiency of its water and wastewater infrastructure and services in order to fulfil the country's environmental targets, reaching out to areas outside major cities.


Eligibility

Consultancy firms shall be entities registered in Austria and all experts proposed by the entity to work on the assignment must be either nationals or permanent residents of Austria. However, up to a maximum of 25% of the maximum contract amount may be used to finance services of local experts who are nationals of Croatia or consultancy firms registered in Croatia


Budget

Cost Estimate for the Assignment: EUR 250,000; Exclusive of VAT.


Deadline: 16 June 2014

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