OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
The course aims to upgrade the technical and managerial competencies needed for project identification, stakeholder management, project design and the development of monitoring and evaluation systems. The course is focus on the main key knowledge of the Project Cycle Management (PCM), the standard procedure to carry out programmes and projects. In particular, it intends to explain PCM approach focusing on theoretical and practical analysis of all project phases (programming, identification, formulation, implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and audit). This Project Cycle Management Course is designed to impart practical skills and knowledge, confidence related to the conceptualization, planning, implementation, management and evaluation of European projects. The training course aims to provide participants with the skills to enable them to effectively manage a European project and includes:
- Manage contractual procedures with the European Commission;
- Organize and plan the project work;
- Manage the project partnership;
- Monitor the project development and evaluate its outcomes;
- Create and deliver project reports;
- Manage the financial and administrative issues of the project.
- Understand and prepare high-standard logical frameworks.
- Identify and formulate projects through a participatory approach.
- Write sound project documents.
- Assess the quality of a project document.
- Improve the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of the projects/programme.
- Learn how to organize and steer evaluations contributing to policy formulation and the strengthening of learning capacities of the projects or organizations involved.
Target Groups
The training is suitable for development practitioners, program managers, project officers/advisors, and their assistants from NGOs, SME, Municipalities, Public Authorities and individuals interested in working in the development of European projects and initiatives.
Training Programme
Module 1: Identifying participant needs
The trainer at the beginning of the session will identify the needs and expertise of participants and their expectations of the session, asking participants to introduce themselves, and identify their present position and their major areas of interest and quickly running through a shortened questionnaire, seeking a show of hands to indicate major interest areas and issues routinely worked on and participant background. This first activity will allow to better focus and address the knowledge transfer to the participants, in order to give them useful and important tools to acquire the know how required and better respond to their needs and expectations for self and professional development.
Module 2: Project cycle management, main principles and Assessment
– Session 1: PCM – process, principles and tools
– Session 2: Define the issue to be investigated
– Session 3: Stakeholder Analysis
– Session 4: Situational Analysis
– Session 5: Problem Analysis
– Session 6: Objective Analysis
– Session 7: Alternative Analysis
Module 3: Planning
– Session 1: Logical Framework Matrix
- Intervention Logic
- Assumptions (Risks Analysis)
- Indicators & Source of Verification
– Session 2: Work Plans
– Session 3: Resource and Cost Schedule
Module 4: Implementation
– Session 1: Introduction to Implementation
– Session 2: Prior to Implementation
– Session 3: Budgeting
– Session 4: Conducting a Start-up Workshop
– Session 5: Elements of Implementation
– Session 6: Leading & Managing
– Session 7: Organizing Work
– Session 8: Managing the Team
– Session 9: Organize the project partners work and to successfully manage the partnership
Module 5: Project Reporting, Administrative Issues and Monitoring
– Session 1: Reporting activities and methodologies of the administrative and financial rules for the project financial and administrative management
– Session 2: Introduction to Monitoring
– Session 3: Levels of Monitoring
– Session 4: How to Monitor
– Session 5: Reporting
– Session 6: Cost Control
– Session 7: Report Writing Tips & Graphical Data Presentation
Module 6: Evaluation and Dissemination
– Session 1: Introduction to Evaluation
– Session 2: Evaluation Areas
– Session 3: Evaluation Procedure
– Session 4: Methods of Evaluation
– Session 5: Issues in Evaluation
– Session 6: Participating in an Evaluation
– Session 7: Planning and carrying out of an effective dissemination an sustainability project’s strategy
Module 7: Final Evaluation and Assessment
In the end of the course the participants will take part in a specific session dedicated to assess and evaluate their performance and the level of knowledge acquired and awareness in the topics of the different modules learned. The Assessment process will allow to collect information and evidence about participants learning. Formative assessment will provides information to participants, as they are learning and refining their skills, with the summative assessments at the end of the course, will give to the participants an opportunity to synthesize, apply, or otherwise demonstrate their learning. Feedback provides participants with descriptive information about how well their learning is progressing, and s explicitly linked to success criteria.
Methodology
This course focuses on experience sharing and practice. Participants will have the opportunity to verify and deepen their knowledge and skills thanks to a case study, which will be developed. The course is based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning. Plenary presentation & Group Work with the use of templates, and practical tools will be supplemented with Knowledge Transfer Activities that each participant will develop and implement its own project work.
The training approach is highly practical, participatory and proactive. It focus on real issues and help participants to use the techniques covered, rather than just discuss them. The course will be carried out in a small group size to guarantee accessibility and an interactive learning environment. A variety of learning methods are employed to stimulate interest and meet the differing learning styles of participants, including real projects, numerous practical examples, and group exercises.
Expected Results
By the end of the course participants will be familiar with the procedures to identify, formulate and manage development projects and thus be capable of preparing successful project proposals. In addition, this course focuses on developing and integrating an appropriate strategy and exit plan in project proposal development, developing monitoring and follow-up tools for the implementation of the disengagement plan of action, and to develop a fast-track approach with the involvement of all main stakeholders for programmes or projects which need to be ended within a very short period of time. The course is designed to help participants to:
- Understand institutional aspects of project conceptualization and management
- Learn ways to design, implement, monitor, evaluate and mainstream projects
- Understand the PCM approach and how to use it to design and implement projects
- Manage and control programme /project fund.
- Develop a logical framework matrix that will help to define project’s objectives.
- Monitor and evaluate programme/project.
- Increase the impact of strategic planning efforts.
- Manage risks in programme/project.
- Provide the tools and skills needed to become a more professional manager of projects and programmes.
- Learn how to build a logical framework to link the different stages and put all the main elements into a simple plan
- To design an effective monitoring and evaluation tool to enable them track and report results
- Understand some best practice techniques for project management
Duration
The total duration of the course programme is 4 days, including assessment of the participants andfinal evaluation.
Maximum Participants: 25