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Call for Proposals
Call for Proposals – Policy Paper: South Asia and the EU – New Pragmatism for a Reluctant Partnership

1.6 Minutes
FNF South Asia Logo
FNF South Asia Logo © FNF South Asia

Countries in South Asia are increasingly important partners for the European Union – as security partners in the Indo-Pacific, as a base of suppliers to European companies and consumers, as partners to tackle climate change, and as a talent base. These partnerships aren’t always easy though. In the area of trade, free trade negotiations between India and the EU are stuck; other countries in the region are on the verge of losing their GSP+ status. The often-emphasized value partnership goes only so far, as demonstrated recently during the war in Ukraine. Most countries of the region are on a much more pragmatic course than the European Union, emphasizing their own (geopolitical) interests much more strongly. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) is looking for a consultant to write a paper that is aimed at identifying areas for strengthened cooperation between countries in South Asia and the European Union, highlighting especially “easy wins”. Countries analyzed are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

Guiding Questions

  • What has historically been the country’s focus of cooperation with the EU?
  • What are the 2-3 areas where interests between the EU and the country are most strongly aligned? What are the 2-3 areas where they diverge most?
  • What impact do recent geopolitical events (notably the war in Ukraine) have on the relationship?
  • What does this mean for the future of the partnership with the EU? What are 2-3 “easy wins” to strengthen this partnership?

Paper and Timeline

  • the policy paper is between 4,500 and 7,000 words long and broadly follows below structure:
    • Chapter on South Asia
    • 6 country chapters authored by experts from each country
    • each chapter 800 to 1,000 words
  • finalizing list of contents within a week of signing the agreement
  • first draft of the paper: 31 August 2022
  • final paper: 31 October 2022

Your Skills and Experience

You are a practitioner or researcher in the field of international policy, economic and development cooperation or foreign and security policy and have a good understanding of countries in South Asia and the European Union.

How to apply

Until 15 May 2022, please send to Mr. Frank Hoffmann (frank.hoffmann@freiheit.org) resume along the following documents/details:

  • list of references
  • writing sample (no more than 300 words)
  • draft list of contents as well as a brief on the methodology
  • expected remuneration
  • do mention which part of the paper (country, introductory chapter on South Asia) you can cover