fi-compass Knowledge Hub - Selection of financial intermediaries

***Not formal guidance***

This document captures the key topics identified and discussed in the fi-compass Knowledge Hub – Selection workshop. Some of the Selection options considered by the participants included:

• The ‘non-public procurement approach’ that may be applied to the procurement of straightforward guarantee instruments;
• Accelerated procedures, for example to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis;
• The amendment of contracts under Article 72 of the public procurement Directive; and
• The  competitive procedure with negotiation and competitive dialogue procedures.

The note captures the discussion between participants and is presented for consideration by fi-compass practitioners. The note does not constitute formal guidance and practitioners should always take professional advice based on the particular circumstances of their case.

The Knowledge Hub has been developed to meet the growing need amongst experienced practitioners for events and materials that provide a more in-depth look into topics affecting financial instruments. Its format utilises email exchanges to promote a longer term engagement between participants together with traditional face to face and/or online workshops to allow experienced practitioners to work together to explore the subject matter through peer to peer exchange and expert-led sessions.

In order to encourage openness between the parties the discussions are undertaken under the Chatham House Rule which states: ‘When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.’

In particular, the representatives of the European Commission, namely DG REGIO and DG GROW have participated in the Knowledge Hub to receive feedback from the Member States concerning the selection of financial intermediaries when implementing financial instruments. The participation of the representatives of DG REGIO and DG GROW should not be interpreted as an official endorsement of any of the suggestions that may be discussed and/or described during the Knowledge Hub and this document.