providing working conditions for humanitarian workers, volunteers or employees, paying particular attention to their safety on the ground and, where possible, to their professional development; consistent with the EU`s political approach to humanitarian aid, including the Commission`s standards and guidelines, particularly on sectoral and thematic issues; The Partnership Framework Agreement sets out the principles of the partnership between ECHO and humanitarian organizations. It defines the respective roles, rights and obligations of partners and defines legislation on humanitarian actions funded by DG ECHO. The European Commission`s Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (DG ECHO) does not intervene directly on the ground. The implementation of humanitarian aid is carried out by humanitarian organizations such as humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with which DG ECHO is in partnership. Once the partnership agreement is signed, partners will be able to submit project proposals each year in response to the Humanitarian Implementation Plans (IRPs) published by DG ECHO. The framework partnership agreements mention the general rights and obligations of the parties. In addition, the rights and obligations of the parties at the conclusion of a specific grant agreement are defined and the rules for EU-funded humanitarian aid operations are established. The VPA aims to promote a quality partnership based on professionalism, diversity, the ability to meet humanitarian needs, compliance with agreed rules and standards, and the obligation to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid. In addition, the VPA aims to promote the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of aid to ensure that EU-funded humanitarian aid operations are implemented in the most appropriate, timely, efficient and effective way and achieve the results set out. To become a humanitarian partner of the European Commission, organisations must apply for a Framework Partnership Agreement (VPA). Article 17 of the VPA stipulates that the current Partnership Framework Agreement came into force on 1 January 2014.

In the case of framework partnership agreements signed after 1 January 2014, the relevant agreements come into force on the date the Commission receives an original signed by the humanitarian organisation. The current Framework Partnership Agreement, which was originally to be considered a five-year period, has been extended and will last until 31 December 2020, unless the parties decide otherwise. To accommodate this amendment, Section 17 and the Framework Partnership Agreement with your organization is „nbspeded.“ The amendment is considered an integral part of the agreement. It will come into effect on January 1, 2019, provided your organization opposes the extension of the VPA term. This objection must be forwarded in writing to DG ECHO (ECHOAPPEL@ec.europa.eu) by December 31, 2018. Since the original agreement was signed, five further changes have been made to update the list of BPH partners and provide up-to-date information on the project.