The Council of Europe Education Department, within the framework of the Education Strategy 2024-2030 Learners First, is seeking consultancy services in the field of language education policy and practice. This work builds on Recommendation CM/Rec(2008)7 on the use of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the promotion of plurilingualism, Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)1 on the Importance of Plurilingual and Intercultural Education for Democratic Culture and Recommendation CM/Rec(2025)6 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on qualifications and linguistic competences of refugees in Europe.

The aim of the tender is to create a pool of consultants to provide consultancy services on language policy and practice focusing on the topics listed in the tender document to be requested by the Council on an as-needed basis.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested consultants are invited to refer to the Tender File and the Act of Engagement, which contain a full description of the terms and conditions of engagement and the scope of activities:

• Tender File

• Act of Engagement   

The deadline for the submission of applications is 9 February 2026, 23:59 CET.

Electronic copies shall be sent only to [email protected] with the following reference in subject: Tender - Consultancy services in the field of Language Education and Policy. Tenders submitted to another e-mail account will be excluded from the procedure.

Candidates shall pay particular attention to completing, signing and submitting documents according to the instructions set in the Tender File and Act of Engagement. Candidates will be disqualified for any incomplete or missing documents.

All questions regarding this specific tendering procedure shall be sent at least 5 (five) working days before the deadline for submission of the tenders (i.e. by 2 February 2026, 23:59 CET), and shall be exclusively sent to [email protected] with the following reference in subject: Questions - Tender - Consultancy services in the field of Language Education and Policy.

Q&A

• Would the French version of the Act of Engagement be available for those who would like to submit their application in French?

The French version of the Act of Engagement has been added on 05 January 2026.

• What proof can be provided for the requested minimum B2 level in French?

If English and/or French is not the native language of tenderers, proof of language proficiency such as:  a graduate degree from a department where the language of is fully English and/or French, or proof of language test taken, i.e. TOEFL, IELTS, or national language exams, or proof of published work in the language concerned.

• How can I apply, what are the requirements needed and where can I download the application filles that need to be filled in and submitted?

All requirements for applying to the call are detailed in the Call for tenders for consultancy services in the field of Language Education Policy and Practice, consultable on the following link. The Tender File stipulating all requirements and documents to be submitted for the call is also downloadable from the same link.

• What is the scope of the consultancy services in the field of Language Education Policy and Practice?

The scope of the requested consultancy services is consultable in the Sections: Background of the Project and Scope of the Framework Contract in the Tender File consultable on the following link.

•  I am applying as a natural person, should I submit the additional documents requested in the Tender File for consortia, and/or legal persons?

Additional Requirements /documents for legal persons, and/or consortia are explicitly indicated in the Tender File, they do not apply to natural persons.

• What are the language skills required to apply for the Call for tenders for consultancy services in the field of Language Education Policy and Practice?

The language skills required for this call are defined as follows: "at least C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in English and at least B2 level in French". You may consult Points: E. Assessment-Eligibility criteria and F. Documents to be provided in the Tender file for details.

• Can teaching and research staff also apply to this tender? For the latter, must they have self-employed status in addition to their civil servant status?

The tenderer must be either a natural person, a legal person or consortium of natural and/or legal person. Documents that need to be submitted for each can be consulted more in detail in the Tender File. For civil servants, the bidders should abide by the national laws in their respective countries concerning a second employment in addition to their civil servant status.

• Does the unit fee (i.e. daily fee for the provision of services described under Section B of the Terms of References) apply to a full working day (i.e. 8 hours)?

Yes, daily fees apply to a full working day.

N.B. The deadline for submitting questions regarding this Tender was 02 February 2026 (5 working days before the closure of the tender). No new questions/responses will be posted until the closure of the Tender.