NCVO has urged the European Commission to break up large contracts to make it easier for charities to compete in the EU.

The recommendation is included in a report that the NCVO has sent to the Commission this week, which sets out recommendations for the review of European Procurement Directives, to ensure that they take into account the needs of civil society organisations to bid for and review services.

The paper acknowledges that while the voluntary sector’s involvement in delivering services is on the rise, the sector’s full potential and value in direct service provision is overlooked in many EU documents, communications and debates. 

Its recommendations includes the European Commission reducing administrative and accounting obligations to lessen the burden on smaller providers, and dedicated funding for the training on the operations and capacities of SMEs and not-for-profit providers for policy-makers, commissioners and procurement officers.

To see the full report click here.