Following the Commission Communication entitled 'EU Aid: Delivering more, better and faster' (COM(2006)0087), and the Conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations Council dated 11.4.2006, the European Commission launched the first edition of the 'European Development Days' in November 2006. 'European Development Days' became an annual event enhancing public awareness on development and cooperation issues and a landmark event of the European Commission.

'European Development Days' event:

— facilitates meetings and networking among stakeholders and VIPs,

— takes stock of ongoing research in the development field,

— facilitates multi-stakeholder debates,

— encourages media interest in the key role played by the European Commission on development issues.

DG EuropeAid wishes to draw on the services of an external contractor in order to prepare, promote and support the implementing process of the 'European Development Days' (EDD) event. The objectives of the present contract are:

— to design the scenario of the 2-day forum and to assist the European Commission in the planning, programming, organisation and implementation of the high-level panels, meetings, and other side events,

— to design and implement a promotion campaign around the event for which the contractor will propose a communication strategy, including logistical aspects before, during and after the event,

— to rent and coordinate the set-up of the venue,

— to operate the technical and logistical aspects of the venue,

— to prepare and manage the invitations and logistics (travel arrangements included) for the VVIPs.

The contractor will be expected to work in close coordination with the EDD team of the European Commission — DG EuropeAid.