TAIEX: short-term technical assistance between public administrations

Managed by the European Commission, TAIEX (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange) is an instrument that provides short-term tailored technical support from public administration to public administration. TAIEX supports institutional capacity-building across the world. In addition to EU partner countries, public authorities in EU Member States are also eligible to apply for TAIEX support in the structural and environmental policy sectors. Applications for assistance and expert registration are submitted online on the Commission’s website. 

Global expert support

Launched in 1996 to support EU enlargement, TAIEX is an instrument for short-term technical assistance that is funded by the EU and coordinated by the European Commission. Today TAIEX is a global instrument for cooperation in partner countries and regions covered by the following Directorates-General (DGs) of the European Commission:

  • Directorate General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST)
  • Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA)
  • Directorate General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA)

TAIEX is also used to support the Turkish Cypriot Community. Furthermore, it is available to the EU Member States in the fields of structural and environmental policy (TAIEX ENV, REGIO, and TSI).

TAIEX supports institution-building and the approximation of national legislation with EU law in partner countries. Expertise can be both shared and received by public sector actors.

The benefits TAIEX cooperation include speed and flexibility. All activities are tailored to the needs of the beneficiary country. TAIEX can also be used to build cooperation networks and for paving the way for Twinning projects, for instance.

TAIEX offers a straightforward and rapid way to initiate cooperation with public authorities, even in countries where no previous contacts exist. Beneficiary countries may submit a TAIEX request to the Commission online at any time of the year.

Getting started with TAIEX activities

Experts and organisations from EU Member State public administrations can share their expertise and collaborate with partner country authorities through TAIEX events funded by the European Commission. An application for TAIEX assistance is normally submitted to the Commission by the beneficiary country. In some cases, the initiative may also be taken by the Commission.

Online application form on the Commission’s TAIEX webpage

In the structural and environmental policy sectors, not only partner country administrations but also Member State public authorities may benefit from TAIEX activities. In cases related to TAIEX ENV, REGIO, or TSI, the Finnish beneficiary administration submits an application for expert support to the European Commission.

Forms of support under TAIEX

TAIEX can fund expert visits lasting up to five days. These include:

  • tailored training by Member State experts in a peer beneficiary country (expert missions)
  • participation by Member State experts inseminars and workshops in beneficiary countries
  • study visits to Member States by representatives of beneficiary countries

Decisions on TAIEX support are made by the Commission. Most activities can be launched within a few months of submitting the application. Most TAIEX event programmes and presentations are publicly available through the TAIEX Search database.

TAIEX Expert Database

Public sector experts interested in TAIEX activities are encouraged to register in the Commission’sTAIEX Expert Database. Registration does not entail an obligation to participate in TAIEX activities, but the Commission may offer expert assignments directly to registered officials.

Through TAIEX, public officials can share Finnish expertise with partner countries and expand their own skills through international projects. The Commission covers travel expenses and pays financial compensation for participation. Reimbursement practices applicable to Finnish experts are set out in theGuidelines by the Ministry of Finance (PDF) (available in Finnish and Swedish only).

National coordination team for Twinning, TAIEX and TSI

The national coordination team at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs serves as Finland’s official contact point for Twinning, TAIEX and TSI. The team provides information on these instruments and supports public sector actors interested in utilizing them. The team works in close cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorates-General ENEST, MENA, INTPA, and SG REFORM, as well as with public authorities, Finnish missions abroad, and EU delegations in partner countries.

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