The Project supports the design and implementation of structural reforms across the Eastern Partner countries in the areas of business and investment climate, as well as financial infrastructure, human capital - including labour market and social protection - governance, as well as sustainability of public finances, and reinforcing the rule of law and good governance.

The objective of the Project is to support the design and implementation of structural reforms across the EaP countries in the areas of business and investment climate as well as financial infrastructure; human capital - including labour market & social protection; economic governance and sustainability of public finances and reinforcing the rule of law and good governance. The main beneficiaries of the project will be the ministries of economy in the 6 EaP countries. Other key stakeholders include finance ministries of finance; key line ministries; central banks; business associations; development partners (eg World Bank, bilateral donors); and private sector representatives.

The specific objectives of the project are to: improve the macro-economic framework and better define public policies to strengthen the investment climate in each of the 6 EaP countries; improve governmental design and implementation of structural reforms to support women & men entrepreneurs in establishing and running their businesses. Expected results from the project include: an improved business and investment climate for both women and men entrepreneurs across the EaP region; improved policy evidence for governments to prioritise and design structural reforms across the EaP region; strengthened capacities of partner governments, and the EU, to design and implement structural reforms across the EaP region.

The project is structured into 3 assignments over 3 years (April 2018 - March 2021):
i) Assignment 1 will result in the development of Investment Climate Action Plans (ICAPs) for each of the 6 EaP countries, based on a diagnostic by EBRD of the Investment Climate in each country with an explicit gender focus applied and consultations with country authorities and key private sector stakeholders.
ii) Assignment 2 will focus on follow up consultations by EBRD with EC Delegations in the 6 EaP countries to prioritise technical assistance initiatives for implementation in Assignment 3, based on outcomes from the ICAPs developed in the first assignment.
iii) Assignment 3 will focus on rolling out technical assistance initiatives selected for implementation by the EC and in consultation with country authorities during Assignment 2.