Background

The goal of the Connectivity for Central Asia (C4CA) programme is to support digitally driven socio-economic inclusion in Central Asia by fostering safe and inclusive satellite connectivity access and use, particularly for women, youth and further marginalised groups.

The penetration of digital solutions into all aspects of life has reached the highest level in history. Information and communication technologies have become a basic need, and providing the population with Internet access has become a priority for most governments. Central Asian countries are no exception, with many ongoing efforts to increase internet coverage, particularly in rural areas, where it is more challenging to deploy the necessary infrastructure.

Despite recent improvements, Central Asian countries still encounter many obstacles, such as challenging geography, vast territories, high costs of mobile subscriptions, foreign domination of the telecom industry, and the absence of infrastructure providers. In the face of these challenges, the European Union and its Member States are working together with partners in Central Asia to bridge the digital divide by leveraging the potential of satellite connectivity to reach unserved or underserved regions.

Launched in January 2025 with a total budget of 20 million EUR, the C4CA programme seeks to achieve the following specific objectives:

• SO1: Foster the development and use of ICT connectivity through the development of policies and regulations, designed and validated in a multi-stakeholder approach.
• SO2: Improve transparent and inclusive access to public and private connectivity services, focusing on rural areas, gender equality and marginalised right-holders.
• SO3: Promote the use of satellite-enabled technologies to foster local digital innovation and tackle local challenges.
• SO4: Build cybersecurity capacity and awareness among stakeholders and establish comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks.

The programme is funded by the European Commission, and HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management is implementing activities under SO1 and SO2. The consortium consists of representatives of five EU Member States: Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia, and Lithuania. The consortium is led by Expertise France. Other implementation partners are HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management, Central Project Management Agency of Lithuania, Central Financing and Contracting agency of Latvia, Riga Technical University, Latvian IT Cluster, and e-Governance Academy (Estonia).

As part of its Global Gateway strategy, the European Union is committed to providing a comprehensive and attractive digital cooperation offer that combines investments in infrastructure, innovations and technologies with support for enabling environments for a human-centric digital transformation. The C4CA embodies this unique approach.

About the assignment

This assignment supports the implementation of the HAUS-led activities under SO1: Foster the development and use of ICT connectivity through the development of policies and regulations, designed and validated in a multi-stakeholder approach.

HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management is focusing on strengthening capacities of the Central Asian authorities and other stakeholders (including civil society organisations) to support the improvement of the policy and regulatory environment for ICT connectivity and other digital reforms.

SO1 will contribute to the remaining three objectives by laying the fundamental elements for an enabling, human rights-based regulatory environment that can foster responsible, equitable, and safe development and deployment of sustainable and inclusive satellite connectivity. To do so, the regulatory environment must be complemented by concerted efforts to address the shortage of skills and capacities needed to achieve these objectives in Central Asia. HAUS provides comprehensive capacity-building for public authorities, enabling them to effectively implement and enforce digitalization and connectivity regulatory frameworks and policies.

HAUS activities under SO1 include establishing a regional capacity-building platform (the e-Governance Lab), developing e-learning modules, delivering a pilot hybrid training programme for employees of the ministries responsible for policymaking related to digital connectivity, as well as facilitating Finnish short-term expertise to further strengthen capacity building of Central Asian administrations to promote digital reform programmes. The aim of the assessment is to provide a basis for informed decisions about the design and implementation of these capacity-building activities.

HAUS is hereby seeking qualified Consultant(s) to conduct a comprehensive training needs assessment and an assessment of e-learning platform requirements for Central Asia. The Consultant will work in close collaboration with HAUS’s SO1 Manager as well as the relevant members of the Team Europe Initiative.

Objectives of the assignment

The goal of this assignment is to help plan activities that build the capacity of public authorities in five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) so they can effectively implement and enforce policies and regulations on digitalization and connectivity.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Identify existing capacity-building structures within the relevant government agencies in each Central Asian country (i.e. the current institutions, programs or mechanisms through which public officials receive training in digital connectivity and related policy areas).
2. Assess the skills gaps and training needs of public sector officials for developing, implementing and enforcing policies and regulations that support safe and inclusive satellite connectivity access and use.
3. Identify enabling factors, as well as existing gaps and barriers, that influence the development and implementation of effective ICT connectivity policies and regulations, covering aspects such as governance mechanisms, leadership, implementation capacities, ongoing or planned reforms, and other drivers of better connectivity policies and regulations.
4. Assess and recommend a sustainable e-learning platform solution (e-Governance Lab) for the region. This should include technical specifications, feature requirements, and a proposed governance and maintenance model to ensure the platform can serve Central Asian countries and remain functional beyond the project’s duration.
5. Assess the capacity-building needs of civil society organizations (CSOs) to effectively advocate for high standards in digital connectivity. This includes areas such as network access, information security, data protection, and data governance.
6. Recommend priority training modules and topics for future capacity-building activities targeting both public officials (and, where relevant, CSOs), based on the identified gaps and needs.
7. Propose measures to enhance regional cooperation in digital connectivity policymaking and capacity-building, for example through regional knowledge-sharing formats or networks linked to the e-Governance Lab, and by drawing on relevant European best practices adaptable to the Central Asian context.
8. Integrate gender equality and a human rights-based approach (HRBA) across all objectives by analysing barriers and needs and ensuring all recommendations and training plans are inclusive and support the rights of women, youth, and marginalised groups.

Scope of work and methodology

The Consultant is expected to adopt a methodology that combines desk research and stakeholder engagement.

The work should include at least the following components:

• Desk review: Conduct a thorough review of existing documents and literature, including project documents, relevant studies, and European best practices on capacity-building in the digital connectivity sector. This review should also cover key EU policies and frameworks related to digitalization and consider their implications for the training agenda in Central Asia.
• Stakeholder consultations: Carry out consultations (through interviews, focus groups, and/or workshops) with key stakeholders in each of the five Central Asian countries. These should include government officials from the ministries or agencies responsible for digital development and connectivity, as well as representatives of civil society organisations (especially those focusing on digital rights, inclusion of women and youth in ICT, and related policy advocacy). Wherever feasible, in-person meetings and workshops in the region are encouraged (with at least one visit covering multiple countries), complemented by online consultations to ensure broad participation.
• A final report, outlining findings and recommendations.

Throughout the assignment, the Consultant should collaborate closely with HAUS and the project team. The methodology and work plan will be detailed in the Consultant’s presentation for HAUS and agreed upon with HAUS at the start of the assignment.

Deliverables and expected outcomes

The consultant(s) will provide the following deliverables:

• A presentation outlining the approach, initial report structure, and detailed implementation plan. This should clearly demonstrate the Consultant’s understanding of the assignment, including the proposed methodology, work plan, timeline, preliminary questions, and identified stakeholders. The presentation should be delivered during the initial briefing with HAUS shortly after the assignment begins.
• Final report, which includes:
  • Skills gap and training needs assessment: detailing the findings of the skills gap and training needs analysis. This should cover both public sector needs (for policymakers and regulators in the connectivity field) and the capacity needs of CSOs for effective advocacy. This should include also recommended topics/training modules to be covered for both civil servants and any relevant CSO participants, including highlighting areas where Finnish expertise could be especially relevant.
  • E-learning platform assessment: describing the needs and requirements for the regional e-learning platform (e-Governance Lab). It should include an evaluation of platform options, recommended features and content areas, and a sustainability plan and governance model for managing the platform (and associated training programmes) beyond the project duration. This deliverable should also outline how the platform can facilitate and institutionalize regional cooperation among Central Asian countries on digital connectivity capacity-building.

All analysis and recommendations should integrate gender equality and human rights-based approach (HRBA) considerations, ensuring that the proposed solutions are inclusive and equitable.

Qualifications and assessment criteria

Proposals will be evaluated by a selection panel based on the following criteria (maximum 100 points in total):

#	Assessment Criteria	Max Points	Scoring Guidelines	Source
1	Relevant Qualifications and Professional Experience (Preferred: Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, with at least 7 years of relevant experience)	25	5 points: No formal education + ≥7 years of experience 10 points: Bachelor’s degree + ≥7 years of experience 15 points: Master’s degree + ≥7 years of experience 20 points: Doctorate + ≥7 years of experience +5 additional points: More than 7 years of experience -1-point deduction for each year below 7 years of experience (e.g., 6 yrs: -1 point, 5 yrs: -2 points)	CV
2	Technical Expertise (Proven experience in e-learning systems, digital policy development, and capacity building)	20	5 points: Experience in 1 of the 3 areas 10 points: Experience in 2 of the 3 areas 15 points: Experience in all 3 areas 20 points: At least 5 years of experience in each of the 3 areas	CV, Reference work
3	Analytical and Report Writing Skills (Demonstrated through quality of submitted reference report)	10	5 points: Good analytical and writing skills (clear structure, adequate analysis) 10 points: Excellent analytical and writing skills (strong analysis, clarity, well-structured)	Reference work
4	Regional Experience and Context Understanding (Experience working with public institutions and/or NGOs in Central Asia)	10	5 points: At least 2 years of regional experience 10 points: 4 or more years of regional experience	CV
5	Quality of Proposal (Evaluated based on methodology, feasibility, readability, integration of gender, and human rights-based approaches)	20	0-5 points: Clearly outlines methodology and approach 0-5 points: Feasibility of the proposed work plan 0-5 points: Clarity and readability of proposal document 0-5 points: Effective integration of gender and human rights-based approaches	Proposal
6	Cost-effectiveness (Evaluation based on daily rate and additional expenses)	15	Scoring is based on ranking proposals from lowest to highest daily rates. The lowest-cost proposal receives full points (15), and higher-cost proposals receive proportionally fewer points according to their ranking.	Budget
Total Points		100

To be considered, a proposal must address all the above criteria. The selection will be made based on a combined technical and financial evaluation.

Budget

The maximum budget available for this assignment is EUR 45,000 (excl. VAT). This sum is expected to cover all consultant fees as well as any related expenses. Travel to the Central Asia region is required, and any travel costs (e.g. flights, accommodation, per diems) should be budgeted within this amount. Applicants should include their proposed daily rate and an estimate of any other expenses in their financial proposal.

Schedule

The assignment is expected to be carried out over approximately three months, from August 2025 to October 2025.

Work is anticipated to begin in early August 2025 with a project kick-off meeting with HAUS, which will include the Consultant’s presentation of their implementation plan.

Data collection and stakeholder consultations are scheduled for August through September, possibly extending into early October. Travel to Central Asia is expected to take place in September.

A draft report outlining the main findings and recommendations should ideally be available by early October for review and feedback.

The final assessment report must be submitted no later than 31 October 2025.

Submission details

Interested consultants (individuals or teams) should submit a technical and financial proposal for this assignment by 21 July 2025 at 13:00 (EEST / UTC+3).

Proposals should be sent via email to kilpailutus@haus.fi. All questions related to the assignment can be directed to the same email address.

The proposal must include:

1. a description of the proposed approach and methodology
2. a draft work plan and timeline
3. the CV(s) of the expert(s)
4. a reference report from a similar assignment, preferably another training needs assessment, demonstrating relevant expertise in e-learning systems, digital policy development, and/or capacity building.
5. a detailed budget breakdown, specifying daily rates and any additional expenses.

Note:

All proposals and CVs received will be shared with the selection panel.

The selected consultant will be expected to adhere to the project timeline and deliverables outlined in these Terms of Reference. Any deviations or challenges during implementation should be communicated promptly to the project management team.