Global Service Facility of the European Commission
The Global Service Facility (GSF 2021–2027) supports the European Commission in putting its “Global Approach Strategy for International Cooperation in Research and Innovation” into action. It helps turn this vision into tangible results by strengthening policy dialogues – bilateral, multilateral, and bi-regional – with third countries and regions. The GSF also works to remove barriers and open up opportunities for deeper global cooperation.
As a successor to the International Service Facility (ISF 2016–2021), the GSF is run by a consortium of 14 partner agencies led by DLR Projektträger.
Services within the GSF framework contract
Strategic policy support
The consortium provides evidence-based policy advice, benchmarking, and analytical input to inform and advance the EU’s international R&I dialogues and strategic partnerships. This includes:
- policy mapping and comparative studies
- support for Science Diplomacy initiatives.
Capacity building and knowledge sharing
The consortium led by DLR Projektträger designs and implements training programmes and peer-learning formats that strengthen research ecosystems and administrative capacities in partner countries. Activities include:
- Horizon Europe training sessions and proposal-writing camps
- twinning and mentoring programmes for institutions
- peer learning and technical workshops.
Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach
The consortium supports inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue across academia, government, private sector, and civil society to align international collaboration with mutual goals. Services include:
- support of the organisation of high-level policy dialogues
- thematic roundtables and networking events between EU Member States and the world
- conceptual advice as well as organisational and technical meeting management.
Project Management
The various services implemented by the consortium are coordinated by a team of project managers as well as scientific and financial managers to ensure seamless organisation of complex, multi-country activities. From initial planning to final reporting, the service delivery teams oversee the full contracts lifecycle, including
- stakeholder coordination
- resource allocation
- risk mitigation
- quality assurance.
Key facts about the International Service Facility (ISF) of the European Commission
The ISF was the predecessor of the GSF, running from 2016–2021. Its objective was to promote international cooperation in research and innovation by informing, training, and connecting researchers and stakeholders worldwide, thereby strengthening the European Research Area. The ISF provided services globally: Its scope also extended to non EU countries, including support for the Western Balkans integration into EU research networks. DLR Projektträger coordinated the services provided by the ISF.
Key activities within the framework contract
- seminars & info days: over 120 Horizon 2020 info days held across 48 countries
- training: E learning platform on Horizon 2020; capacity building for National Contact Points
- strategic support: tailored advice for governments and public authorities; country specific R&I analyses
- networking: round tables, workshops, high level ministerial conferences
- communication campaigns: e.g. highlighting 20 years of EU–South Africa cooperation
- foresight initiatives: collaboratively developing scenarios for the Western Balkans until 2035.
Impact of the ISF made possible by DLR Projektträger
- More than 10,000 participants have been trained including researchers and multipliers
- Contributed to regional R&I strategy (e.g. Western Balkans foresight scenarios involving 700+ regional actors).
