Interactive map of EU member states as Twinning partners of the Republic of Croatia

One of the greatest challenges for new EU member states, accession countries, candidate countries or potential candidates for EU membership is implementation of reforms, as well as adaptation and strengthening of public institutions for adoption of Acquis of the European Union.

In order to face this challenge, EU has invented Twinning as an instrument of administrative cooperation between public administrations of beneficiary countries and institutions of EU member states for the purpose of provision of assistance and transfer of knowledge related to application and implementation of the Acquis of the European Union. 

Twinning was launched in May 1998 as an instrument for provision of assistance to beneficiary countries in the establishment of modern and efficient administration with developed organizational structures, human resources and required management skills and as one of the primary EU tools for institution building.

The aim of Twinning is providing assistance to beneficiary country through human resources development, modernization and reorganization of public administration, as well as harmonization of laws and regulations with the Acquis of the European Union.

Twinning projects are focused on realization of objectives related to relevant priority areas of the Acquis of the European Union. The objectives of Twinning projects must be properly defined, achievement-oriented, measurable and feasible. Moreover, projects’ results must be directly linked with the adoption of certain area of the Acquis of the European Union and give specific and direct contribution to institution building in the beneficiary country.

There are two modalities of Twinning projects: Twinning and Twinning light projects.

Basic differences:

Twinning:

Project budget: above 250.000 EUR

Resident Twinning Adviser resides in beneficiary country 

Possibility of forming consortium of EU member states

Period of implementation: minimum 12 months

Twinning Light:

Project budget: maximum 250.000 EUR

No Resident Twinning Adviser  

No possibility of forming consortium of EU member states

Period of implementation:  6 months (exceptionally up to 8 months)