Alternative Consulting

Project management and government consultancy

Established in Belgrade and active on the market of donor funded capacity and institutional building since 2009.

Contact us Our references

15+

Years of experience in donor-funded projects

From programming to implementation

10+

Countries of intervention across regions

Western Balkans, Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) and beyond

  • Assistance programming and situational assessments
  • Capacity and institution building
  • Strategic documents development
  • Preparation of equipment procurements
  • EU funded projects across governance sectors
Business professional representative of the Western Balkans region
Analysis and planning of reform processes
About us

Who we are

Alternative Consulting is a project management and government consultancy established in Belgrade that has been active on the market of donor funded capacity and institutional building since 2009. Most of Alternative Consulting work has revolved around EU funded projects ranging from assistance programming, conducting situational assessments in various fields, capacity and institution building, strategic documents development and preparation of equipment procurements.

Western Balkans and Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) countries

Alternative Consulting groups together project management professionals with vast knowledge of the state of play in the various sectors in the Western Balkans, as well as in other regions supported by donor agencies such as Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) countries.

Implementing partner and consortium leader

Alternative Consulting has been developing and implementing projects, both as an implementing partner and consortium leader, in the areas of Justice and Home Affairs, the Education and Social Sector, Public Finance Management, Financial markets, Rural Development, ICT and the Environment across institutional beneficiaries in various countries.

2009

Active since

You are welcome to join our team
Expertise

Where we work

Alternative Consulting groups together project management professionals with vast knowledge of the state of play in the various sectors in the Western Balkans, as well as in other regions supported by donor agencies such as EU, AFD, EIB, UNDP. Alternative Consulting has been developing and implementing projects, both as an implementing partner and consortium leader, in the areas of the Justice and Home Affairs, the Education and Social Sector, Public Finance Management, Financial markets, Rural Development, ICT and the Environment across institutional beneficiaries in various countries.

Justice & Home Affairs

Support to courts, prosecution systems and justice reform agendas aligned with EU accession requirements.

References

Public Finance & IPA

Strengthening CFCUs, audit authorities, NAO structures and systems for effective management of EU funds.

References

Education & Social Sector

Technical assistance for employment, education and social policy programmes, including sector budget support.

References

ICT & e-Government

Technical specifications, digital transformation oversight and ICT capacity building for public administrations.

References

Environment & Climate

Support to Green Agenda implementation, climate policy frameworks and sustainable waste management systems.

References

Competition & State Aid

Alignment of state aid rules and institutional capacities with Chapter 8 and the EU acquis.

References
Our approach

Present across public aid sectors

We are present in various sectors of the Public Aid in countries of the Western Balkan region, as well as other regions supported by international assistance.

Western Balkans

Primary focus on EU accession support, institutional reform and effective absorption of IPA assistance.

Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) & beyond

Experience in Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and other regions supported by international donors.

  • Donor mapping, coordination and assistance programming
  • Implementing partner and consortium leadership roles
Browse references
Collaborative business meeting reviewing budget and charts
Partnership and teamwork in the public sector
Why Alternative Consulting

Involved in all stages of assistance

While most consultancies choose to work under a selected topical area, Alternative Consulting has been working not only for a versatile area of expertise, but have been involved in all stages of assistance. This has enabled our company to acquire a treasure of knowledge about the various governance sectors, as well as thorough awareness of various donor funded programmes and programming cycles (including donor mapping, donor coordination and programming of assistance), and has made us sharp project managers with a proven ability to pair various needs with required sets of skills and see through to their absorption.

Contact

EU & donor
funded delivery

Proven track record in EU, WB and other donor-supported assignments across multiple sectors.

Regional
insight

Deep understanding of legal and administrative frameworks in the Western Balkans and Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) countries.

Institutional
capacity building

Focus on sustainable strengthening of public organisations, systems and human resources.

Sectors

Areas of intervention

Our activity covers key areas of public sector development and reform. Each intervention is designed to strengthen local capacities, foster ownership and build systems that last beyond project completion.

Governance & Rule of Law

Institutional strengthening, justice reform, accountability and public administration support.

Includes:

  • Judicial and prosecutorial reform
  • State aid and competition policy
  • Public administration capacity building
  • Policy and strategic documents
  • Monitoring, evaluation and learning
  • Technical assistance to reform agendas
Contact us

Public Finance & Digital

IPA structures, audit, financial management, ICT systems and e-government oversight.

Includes:

  • CFCU and NAO capacity building
  • Audit Authority support (IPA II/III)
  • Procurement and PRAG procedures
  • ICT and disaster recovery systems
  • e-Government supervision
  • Financial markets and PFM
Contact us

Social & Education

Employment, education, social protection and human capital development.

Includes:

  • Education and social policy programmes
  • Sector budget support reviews
  • Pension and social insurance systems
  • Employment and skills development
  • Institutional capacity building
  • Human resources development
Contact us

Environment and Climate Change

Green Agenda implementation, climate policy frameworks and sustainable resource management.

Includes:

  • Climate policy and legal frameworks
  • Green Agenda implementation
  • Waste management and circular economy
  • Bio-waste collection and recovery
  • Industry decarbonisation support
  • Environmental capacity building
Contact us
  • EU, IPA and other donor-funded assignments
  • Western Balkans, Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) countries and beyond
  • Tailored technical assistance and advisory services
Our references

Project references

We are present in various sectors of the Public Aid in countries of the Western Balkan region, as well as other regions supported by international assistance. To check the latest project reference sorted by countries or by sectors where Alternative Consulting operates, please use the filters below.

01/2025 – 01/2028 Serbia Climate

Technical Assistance for Improvement of Climate Change Policy Framework

Support to the implementation of the Green Agenda in the Republic of Serbia through improvement of climate change policy and legal frameworks, institutional capacities and mechanisms for industry-related decarbonisation.

  • Improvement of climate change policy and legal frameworks, including Fit for 55 alignment
  • Capacity development for implementation and enforcement of climate legislation
  • Mechanisms supporting industry in relation to decarbonisation

Context & objectives

Following Serbia’s commitment under the Green Agenda Declaration toward climate neutrality by 2050, the assignment supports coordinated policy planning across sectors, stronger institutional frameworks and further alignment with EU ETS-related technical requirements.

  • Overall value: EUR 1,499,000 · AC share: 8% (EUR 127,200)
  • Client: Ministry of Environmental Protection · Lead: Global Factor · Partner: Expertise Advisors
Client: MoEP SerbiaFunding: EU
01/2025 – 01/2027 Serbia Environment

Bio-Waste 5 Regions (BW5R) Project Serbia

Technical assistance to national and local authorities in Serbia to support EU-aligned waste management policies and the Green Agenda, focusing on separate collection, recycling and recovery of biodegradable municipal waste.

  • Support to 25 municipalities across five regional waste management systems
  • Source separation, home composting and biological treatment (windrow composting)
  • Technical guidelines, municipal action plans, communication strategies and capacity building

Components

  • Component 1: public awareness, national communication strategy and local action plans
  • Component 2: strengthening capacities of national/local authorities and public utility companies

Target regions include Subotica, Pančevo, Sremska Mitrovica (Srem-Mačva), Užice (Duboko) and Pirot. Overall value: EUR 997,288 · AC share: 92% · Partner: Particip GmbH · Client: EUD Serbia

Client: EUD SerbiaFunding: EU
11/2024 – 11/2027 Serbia Justice

EU for Justice 2 – Complementary Assistance to Budget Support and Capacity Building

Further strengthening of the legal state, accessibility of justice and legal security through complementary assistance to justice sector reforms, including capacity building of the Ministry of Justice and related institutions.

  • Development of legislation, procedures and practices for the judicial reform agenda
  • Capacity building for design, coordination, monitoring and reporting on justice reforms
  • Enhanced public visibility and communication of reform measures in the justice sector

Selected activities

  • Support to EJTN-related training participation and organisation of specialised trainings
  • Annual reporting support for justice strategies and Chapter 23 related frameworks
  • Training cycles related to HR Strategy and ICT Development Strategy for the Judiciary
  • Support to drafting a qualitative medium-term work plan for the sector

Overall value: EUR 2,295,500 · AC share: 10% (EUR 240,443) · Partner: KPMG d.o.o. Beograd · Client: EUD Serbia

Client: EUD SerbiaFunding: EU
03/2023 – 03/2026 Kyrgyzstan Education

Review of the Education Sector Reform Performance Contract (2023–2026)

Detailed review of the implementation of the Education Sector Reform Performance Contract to enable the EU to use review outcomes for decisions on instalment disbursement and programme execution.

  • Annual review missions covering general and variable tranche conditions
  • Assessment of education sector management, multilingual teaching and gender-sensitive materials
  • Review of digital/media literacy and green skills progress in school education

Project details

The Education SRPC includes general conditions applied to all instalments and special conditions for variable instalments. Reviews focus on indicators defined in the Technical and Administrative Provisions of the Financing Agreement, with at least four annual review visits over 2023–2026.

  • Overall value: EUR 198,143 · AC share: 82% (EUR 163,183)
  • Client: EUD to the Kyrgyz Republic · Partner: Linpico · Funding: European Commission
Client: EUD Kyrgyz RepublicFunding: EU
10/2022 – 08/2023 North Macedonia Social Protection

Functional Review of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund and Proposal for Modernisation

Functional analysis of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund of North Macedonia to identify paths for institutional upgrade across organisation, business processes, ICT capacity and human resources.

  • AS-IS review of legal responsibilities, organisation, HR capacity and business processes
  • TO-BE organisational structure, job systematisation and target business processes
  • Technical capacity modernisation roadmap and fiscal implication projections

Project details

Recommendations took into account reforms for the Central Registry of Socially Insured Individuals (SURS) and the Central Disability Certification Coordination Unit (CDCCU), including optimal placement of actuarial and risk functions. The expert team covered team leadership, business analysis, IT, legal, organisational and economic expertise.

  • Overall value: EUR 249,260 · AC share: 8% (EUR 20,000)
  • Client: Ministry of Labor and Social Policy · Funding: World Bank · Partners: AUCTA, South East Europe Expertise
Client: MoLSPFunding: World Bank
05/2022 – 05/2023 North Macedonia Audit

Technical Assistance for Preparation of the Audit Authority for IPA III

Strengthening the know-how, effectiveness and efficiency of the Audit Authority to safeguard national and EU financial interests in line with IPA III requirements, including harmonisation of audit procedures and IT capacity.

  • Revision and update of Audit Authority documents in line with IPA III
  • Specialised trainings and a conference for Audit Authority staff
  • Review and update of IT strategy, ICT procedures and related ISO 27001 / GDPR alignment

Selected services

  • Preparation of the IPA III Audit Manual v.1
  • Workload Analysis review and organisational recommendations
  • Training Needs Analysis, three-year Training Plan and Retention & Motivation Policy measures

Overall value: EUR 188,674 · AC share: 83% (EUR 157,920) · Partner: Linpico · Client: EUD North Macedonia

Client: EUD North MacedoniaFunding: IPA
03/2021 – 09/2023 Serbia Justice

EU for Serbia – Support to the Prosecutorial System

Contribution to the advancement of Serbia’s judicial system and rule of law by strengthening the capacities of the State Prosecutorial Council and the Republic Public Prosecutor’s Office in key areas for the execution of their mandate.

  • Enhanced strategic planning, human resources and financial management capacities
  • Improved merit-based career development policy and evaluation procedures
  • Development of HR strategic documents and stronger SPC–PPO cooperation

Components

  • Component 1: strategic planning, HR and financial management of SPC and RPPO
  • Component 2: career development mechanisms for prosecutors
  • Component 3: HR strategic documents for SPC and Public Prosecutor Offices
  • Component 4: enhanced effectiveness of cooperation between SPC and PPOs

Overall value: EUR 1,446,055 · AC share: 17.45% (EUR 252,372) · Partners: KPMG doo, Alterfact · Client: EUD Serbia

Client: EUD SerbiaFunding: IPA
08/2020 – 12/2021 Montenegro Public Finance

Strengthening the Capacities of CFCU Montenegro for Management and Implementation of EU Funds

Improving administrative capacities of the CFCU for efficient and effective management of EU assistance funds, and supporting contracting and implementation of programmes for which CFCU acts as contracting authority.

  • Comprehensive training programme and on-the-job support for target divisions
  • Analysis and improvement of internal organisation, control environment and quality assurance
  • Development of operational and long-term strategic objectives of the CFCU

Project details

Component I focused on efficient contracting, implementation and financial control. Component II improved horizontal processes and organisational effectiveness. The team comprised a Team Leader/Key Expert and a pool of senior non-key experts.

  • Overall value: EUR 280,000 · AC share: 100%
  • Client: Ministry of Finance / CFCU Montenegro · Partner: Expertise Advisors · Funding: IPA
Client: CFCU MontenegroFunding: IPA
11/2019 – 04/2020 Ukraine / Armenia / Moldova Governance / MEL

Independent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for the Good Governance Fund

Independent MEL support strengthening the Good Governance Fund’s programme design, delivery and lesson learning, with Alternative Consulting contributing thematic evaluations covering Ukraine, Moldova and Armenia.

  • Support to an integrated MEL system and strategy across portfolio, country and project levels
  • Thematic evaluation leadership and project outcome assessments
  • Contribution to mid-line evaluation and theory of change for the sub-theme

Project details

The MEL provider operated at portfolio, country and programme/project levels — reviewing theories of change, monitoring contexts and assessing contribution towards reform outcomes. Alternative Consulting provided thematic evaluator lead support for selected Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) focal countries.

  • Overall value: EUR 3,883,746 · AC share: 1.9% (EUR 73,900)
  • Client: DFID · Partner: Ecorys UK
Client: DFIDPartner: Ecorys UK
05/2019 – 05/2022 Montenegro Social & Education

Technical Assistance to the Operating Structure for SOPEES

Enhancing the capacity of beneficiary institutions of the Sectoral Operational Programme for Employment, Education and Social Policies to ensure effective management and implementation of IPA and future European Structural Funds.

  • Support in programming, management, monitoring, evaluation and control of SOPEES activities
  • Capacity building of potential and awarded grant beneficiaries under IPA/PRAG rules
  • Preparation of procurement documentation and upgrade of internal procedures manuals

Selected results

  • 85% of Operating Structure staff trained and supported in programme management skills
  • Six procurement procedures developed and two study visits organised
  • Five internal procedures manuals of beneficiary institutions upgraded

Overall value: EUR 610,896 · AC share: 50% (EUR 305,448) · Partners: Expertise Advisors, ICE EEIG · Client: Ministry of Finance / CFCU Montenegro

Client: CFCU MontenegroFunding: IPA
02/2019 – 12/2021 Serbia State Aid / Competition

Support to the Commission for State Aid Control

Support to Serbia’s progress on the EU accession path in relation to Chapter 8 – Competition Policy, by further developing and implementing the system of rules and procedures in the area of State aid.

  • Alignment of State aid rules and schemes with the EU acquis
  • Improved decision-making capacity of the Commission for State Aid Control
  • Stronger coordination mechanisms and awareness among State aid stakeholders

Selected outputs

  • Draft regulations on State aid granting aligned with the EU acquis
  • Inventory of existing aid schemes and action plan for alignment of remaining schemes
  • Trainings, priority case recommendations, Western Balkans regional event and State aid register

Overall value: EUR 979,810 · AC share: ~60% (EUR 585,242) · Partners: DMI, Competition Council of Lithuania · Client: CFCU / Ministry of Finance

Client: CFCU / MoFFunding: IPA
12/2018 – 02/2020 North Macedonia Public Finance

Support to National Authorities for IPA II Financing Agreements and Audit Findings

Further development of an effective management and control system for IPA II programmes, and support to the effective implementation of recommendations and conditions stated in European Commission audit reports.

  • Support to NAO / Management Structure in supervision, certification of expenditures and financial corrections
  • Implementation of ISO 27002 audit recommendations and information security action plans
  • Capacity building of internal audit units for IPA II-specific requirements

Selected outputs

  • Written proposals for financial corrections, ex-post sustainability and certification methodology
  • Trainings on FIDIC rules monitoring and National Fund certification processes
  • Documented information security policies/procedures and IPA II internal audit trainings

Overall value: EUR 232,995 · AC share: 73% (EUR 170,739) · Partner: DT Global (previously AECOM) · Client: EUD North Macedonia

Client: EUD North MacedoniaFunding: IPA
09/2018 – 02/2021 Serbia Justice

Enhanced Capacities of the Supreme Court of Cassation

Contribution to the advancement of Serbia’s judicial system and rule of law in line with EU accession requirements, by strengthening the capacities of the Supreme Court of Cassation and courts in ensuring efficient functioning of the judiciary.

  • Support to implementation of the amended National Backlog Reduction Programme
  • Promotion, development and introduction of Alternative Dispute Resolution in courts
  • Assistance to case-law harmonisation, including database assessment and recommendations

Key results & components

  • Component 1: reduced backlog, training in basic and higher courts, business process improvement
  • Component 2: mediation training, ADR Strategy, Mediation Info Service, case management software and outreach
  • Component 3: case-law harmonisation support to the Supreme Court of Cassation

Overall value: EUR 2,294,250 · AC share: 15.61% (EUR 358,132) · Partners: British Council, 4 Digits Consulting · Client: EUD Serbia · Funding: IPA

Client: EUD SerbiaFunding: IPA
04/2018 – 04/2020 Armenia ICT / e-Government

Support and Technical Expertise to Oversight the Implementation of “EU for Digital in Armenia”

Independent monitoring and technical oversight of Contract 2017/390-874 for the establishment of a one-stop-shop solution for public administration of Armenia, with a pilot implementation at the border crossing.

  • Review of contractor deliverables, functional requirements and the Project Implementation Plan
  • Development of a Project Communication Manual and Overall System Implementation Plan
  • Assistance to the Contracting Authority and Steering Committee on approvals, risk monitoring and change management

Project details

The global objective was to monitor and control proper implementation of the digitalisation contract, provide professional advice and ensure compliance of deliverables with the Terms of Reference. Outputs included quarterly progress reports, stage-specific reports and ad-hoc issue notes for the Contracting Authority.

  • Client: EU Delegation to Armenia · Funding: EU
  • Overall value: EUR 190,267 · AC share: 36.01% (EUR 68,530)
  • Partner: Danish Management
Client: EUD ArmeniaFunding: EU
04/2018 – 02/2019 North Macedonia ICT

Preparation of Technical Specifications for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Data System – Phase 2

Technical assistance to the Ministry of Interior for preparation of technical specifications and related services for the supply of equipment enabling the proper functioning of the Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery data centre, in line with PRAG procedures.

  • Needs assessment for the establishment of the BCDR data system
  • Technical specification and market study with cost estimation for the future supply contract
  • Support to the beneficiary in drafting the supply tender dossier and during the tendering phase

Project details

The assignment covered preparation of technical documentation and market research for equipment required for the BCDR system, as well as assistance during tendering. The team included an IT Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Expert (Team Leader), a Telecommunications Expert and an ICT Expert, supported by a subcontractor for the concept design of the optic fibre connection between primary and secondary locations.

  • Client: CFCD · Funding: IPA · Share: 91% (EUR 231,550 of EUR 252,890)
  • Consortium partner: Danish Management
Client: CFCDFunding: IPA
Opportunities for Experts

You are welcome to join our team

Alternative Consulting is constantly looking for skilled and experienced freelance international cooperation experts familiar with Public Development Aid issues. Feel free to register the latest version of your CV (in English). This registration will take you only a few minutes. The European format CV in English can be uploaded immediately in Word format.

Send your CV

Professional registration

By registering with Alternative Consulting, you accept our conditions related to the management of personal data. Personal data collected through the form (surname, first name and contact details) and contained in the CV submitted are subject to automated processing by Alternative Consulting.

  • Insertion in the database of Alternative Consulting
  • Collaboration proposals by Alternative Consulting
  • With the agreement of the Consultant: sharing the CV with consortium partners in prequalification procedures, as well as uploading on the platform of the European Commission or other donors for the submission of offers

Personal data notice

During the entire period of retention of the Consultant's personal data, Alternative Consulting puts in place all means capable of ensuring their confidentiality and their security, so as to prevent their damage, erasure or access by unauthorized third parties. Access to personal data is strictly limited to employees of the company, authorized to treat them within their duties.

  • Sharing the CV with consortium partners and relevant donors, with the agreement of the Consultant
  • Data hosting by a hosting provider
  • Send your European format CV in Word to info@alternative-consulting.com

Contact

Our Office — Kneza Miloša 17, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. Get in touch for cooperation, projects or consultancy services.

Phone

+381 11 3238 506

Email

info@alternative-consulting.com

Office

Kneza Miloša 17, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Serbian business registry ID: 20522127 · Tax ID (PIB): 106069367

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