Since 1913, the Fédération Internationale des Ingénieurs-Conseils or more commonly, the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) and its members have played a crucial role in supporting, guiding and helping to advance the engineering, construction and infrastructure sector and drive change to improve the sustainability, wellbeing and economic prospects of society. FIDIC facilitates the sharing of knowledge, ideas and innovation to tackle the global challenges we face. As a result, FIDIC’s reach goes beyond that of just the countries where its member associations (MAs) are located, establishing it as the global voice of the consulting engineering industry around the world. |
There are three categories of FIDIC membership as follows:
A Member Association is a national association which is the largest association of firms providing technology-based intellectual consulting services for the built and natural environment in a country.
Process to become a FIDIC National Member Association
1. A letter from the association’s president requesting membership of FIDIC.
2. A copy of the organisation’s statutes, by-laws and regulations.
3. A copy of the organisation’s list of members.
4. A letter from a government ministry or official of the country in which the organisation is based confirming that the organisation is the largest registered association of firms providing technology-based intellectual consulting services for the built and natural environment in the country.
Evaluation of applications for FIDIC membership
Applications are assessed by the FIDIC Secretariat and forwarded to the FIDIC Membership Committee for review and recommendation to the FIDIC board. The FIDIC board submits compliant applications to the annual General Assembly Meeting for final approval to be completed through a voting process participated by FIDIC members.
An Associate Member is any individual organisation, association, firm or group of firms which is based in a country not having a Member Association and which has a major part of its activity in the engineering consulting industry. Associate members shall request the renewal of their membership every five years.
Process to become a FIDIC Associate Member
1. A letter requesting Associate Membership of FIDIC outlining the expectations for collaboration with FIDIC e.g. promoting and selling FIDIC documents, support for FIDIC training; promoting the consulting engineering industry, details of any planned activities (conferences, seminars, etc.).
2. Letters of recommendation from references that are mentioned on the application form. Details of the firms in the group (address of head office, principals, ownership, date of registration, activities).
A letter addressed to the FIDIC board which indicates that the applying association/ organisation and its group of firms shall do its utmost to promote the establishment of an association of consulting engineers which would be eligible for membership of FIDIC in due course, and that the association and its member firms shall observe the requirements of the FIDIC Statutes and By-Laws.
3. A statement of intention to form a member association, or of an intention to form or join at some stage an ‘umbrella’ FIDIC national member association, giving the name/s of the association/s concerned, or a statement explaining why a member association cannot be formed at this stage.
Evaluation of applications for FIDIC membership
Applications are assessed by the FIDIC Secretariat and forwarded to the FIDIC Membership Committee for review and recommendation to the FIDIC board. The FIDIC board submits compliant applications to the annual General Assembly Meeting for final approval to be completed through a voting process participated by FIDIC members.
An Affiliate Member is any individual, association, organisation, firm or group of firms which is based in a country having or not having a Member Association and which supports the objectives of the federation.
This membership category is primarily targeted at commercial organisations which aim to maintain close contacts with FIDIC and support the organisation’s activities at local and international levels.
FIDIC Affiliate Membership provides firms and professionals with a competitive edge by being part of an international organisation that values quality, integrity and sustainability as a key part of its aims to enable the development of a sustainable world.
Unlike the two other membership categories, FIDIC Affiliate Members can represent or be active in sectors such as legal, financial, accounting, insurance, patent, software services or any other sectors which are related to consulting engineers.
Process to become a FIDIC Affiliate Member
1. Individuals, associations, organisations, firms or groups of firms wishing to apply for Affiliate Membership and that are based in a country where FIDIC has a Member Association (MA), or Associate should submit a letter of approval from the FIDIC MA. This letter must be signed by the president or director of the association endorsing the applicant and sent to the FIDIC secretariat.
Article 4.7 of the FIDIC statutes and by-laws states that:
“Applications for Affiliate Membership from candidates based in countries where there is a FIDIC Member Association must demonstrate one of the following - That the candidate is a full member or affiliate member of that National Member Association; or that the candidate has obtained the approval of the National Member Association when not a member of that National Association. Applications for Affiliate Membership from candidates based in countries where there is no FIDIC Member Association and applications for international organisations may be submitted to FIDIC for consideration. Applications for Affiliate Membership shall be decided upon by the FIDIC Board.”
2. Applicants should provide a letter stating the motivation for the application, the main area of activity/activities of the applicant, in particular, activities in fields related to consulting engineering and allied professions and the relationship of the organisation to the consulting engineering industry and to the FIDIC member association in the country of origin.
3. Two letters of recommendation from any association, clients, partners or similar organisations working in the consulting engineering industry should be provided by applicants. These letters should normally be from the two references mentioned on the registration form.
FIDIC provides several levels of affiliate membership. This is done to allow the widest range of companies and individuals to engage with its global community.
