Call for Experts - Analysis on Critical Raw Materials (CRM) in North Macedonia and Montenegro

As part of our socio-ecological transformation portfolio for 2026, and continuing our work on the topic of critical raw materials (CRM) in the Western Balkans, we are planning to publish two  policy analyses (max. 15 pages each) on the CRM in:

• North Macedonia
• Montenegro

The publications are intended primarily for a political and policy audience in Brussels, Berlin, and Vienna, with presentations foreseen from spring 2026.

We hereby invite interested experts to submit an offer for the preparation of one or both analyses.

Evaluation Criteria

Offers will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• 40% – Timeline for completion
• 30% – Price
• 30% – Conceptual approach to the analysis

1. Timeline for Completion (40%)

The assignment is expected to be based primarily on desktop research, drawing on publicly available data, policy documents, and relevant stakeholder analysis.

Please note that editing and proofreading will be handled separately and will not affect the proposed timeline.

2. Price (30%)

The financial offer should reflect the total cost of researching and writing the analysis and must be expressed in EUR (netto amount).

3. Concept of the Analysis (30%)

The analysis should provide a comprehensive and policy-relevant overview of the CRM landscape in the respective country/ies (North Macedonia and/or Montenegro), including:

• Geographical overview (location and type of CRM deposits and exploration sites)
• Key operators (local and international stakeholders, including ownership structures where relevant)
• Legal and political context, including:
  • Existing legislation governing extraction and concessions
  • Environmental and social safeguards
  • Effectiveness in protecting community rights
• Status of EU acquis transposition and relevance within the EU enlargement process
• Geopolitical relevance for the EU, including potential strategic importance and risks
• Lessons learned from regional cases (e.g., developments in Serbia and other Western Balkan countries)
• Recommendations for meaningful cooperation between affected communities and EU institutions in the context of increasing global competition for CRMs

The above elements should be treated as guiding questions rather than strict structural requirements.

The analysis should be concise, analytical, and tailored to a Brussels-based political readership.

Submission Deadline

Please send your offer by email no later than noon on March 5th, 2026.

Offers should include:

• A clear reference if the proposal refers to one or both countries in question
• A short methodological concept (1–2 pages)
• Proposed timeline
• Financial offer (EUR)
• Short CV highlighting relevant experience

Please ensure that offers are sent to both emails: selma.sehovic(at)fes.de and info(at)fes.de 

We look forward to receiving your proposals.