What is this course about?
There will be sessions dedicated to the lessons learnt from implementing ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund programmes and projects, including a presentation from the European Commission. We will consider common issues for business development initiatives and the particular question of how Structural Funds operations can be linked to Horizon 2020, the new EU framework programme for research and development. We will examine the massive challenges for the European Social Fund, in particular, in relation to dealing with the unemployed, low skills, social inclusion and deprivation. We will also look at project appraisal procedures for major projects (both for infrastructure and productive investments), revenue-generating projects, and other projects.
We can choose to use a project pipeline model to help us identify a range of typical implementation issues for programmes, so addressing the question: “how do we produce a constant flow of high quality projects and ensure that the new programmes produce the results they plan to achieve?” The pipeline model can be described from the point of view of both programme managers and project sponsors. Our model includes a dozen steps, including – for example - institutional and procedural challenges; the role of publicity and information; the generation of project ideas and appropriate partnerships.
With this pipeline model in mind, we look in detail at how to achieve the result-orientation of projects and programmes, and the role of project appraisal and selection processes, monitoring and evaluation, and consider how impact can be measured.
How will it help you?
By the end of the seminar, participants should have a clear understanding:
- how to generate a steady flow of result-oriented quality projects;
- how to generate high quality projects, which will maximise impact.
Who will most benefit?
Programme officers and managers, project managers and project developers, as well as other officials from central, regional and local government involved in the implementation of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) projects and programmes. The seminar is also open to economic and social partners involved in developing Structural and Cohesion Funds (and other ESIF) projects, such as NGOs, higher education establishments, Chambers of Commerce, consultants and financial bodies.
The detailed programme of this seminar will be available soon.
