- Category Certificate Program
- Number of Courses 2
- Language English
- Duration 17h30m
Certificate Program
Mastering financial and contractual management of EU Grants for UN and Pillar-Assessed Organisations
A Certificate Program composed of one virtual classroom courses and one eLearning module to provide all the necessary skills to effectively work on EU international cooperation programs.
Description
Through this path, you will get an introduction on the EU programming and funding systems and on the different EU management modalities (direct and indirect). In addition, you will understand how to negotiate and lobby with the EU Delegations and the Commission in order to successfully mobilise resources.
The learning path also addresses the key steps of proposals writing ensuring they are in line with the EU expectations. The analysis of the EU Contribution Agreement will enhance your confidence in the application of the rules during the project execution.
Finally, the sessions on project implementation will be based on the most updated Contribution Agreement rules, however, for the benefit of those managing on-going projects under the previous set of rules (PAGoDA), differences will be carefully highlighted.
Learning Objectives
At the end of the learning path you will be able to:
- Know how the EU allocates funds
- Easily find suitable EU funding opportunities
- Get in-depth knowledge of the peculiarities of EU direct and indirect management
- Write project proposals responding to EU requirements
- Prepare Special Conditions in cooperation with the EU and understand the main contractual arrangements
- Organise partnerships according to the EU rules
- Ensure the eligibility of costs and monitor expenditures
- Confidently manage changes during project implementation
- Have concrete references for the implementation of the Communication and Visibility plans
- Prepare reports with all the requested information
- Deal with EU monitoring and evaluation missions and verification of expenditures
- Detect the differences between the Contribution Agreement and PAGoDA
For any queries please have a look at our FAQs. If you don’t find what you’re looking for or need additional information, please get in touch with our customer care service.
eLearning
Always Available
UN and Pillar-Assessed Organisations: an introduction to EU Grants contractual and financial management
This course delivers a complete overview of how to obtain funding and manage EU-funded projects, under specific contribution agreements, as a pillar-assessed organization. Get acquainted with the EU as a donor, its programming and funding system, and it’s working modalities under direct and indirect management. Become familiar with the contribution agreement key implementing rules in the framework of development cooperation projects. Be ready for monitoring and evaluation missions and verification of the expenditure.
Virtual Classroom
This 3-day interactive training course is specifically designed for professionals working in pillar-assessed organisations, such as UN Agencies and Member State organisations, who manage EU-funded projects funded by DG INTPA and DG NEAR. You’ll develop the essential skills required to manage Contribution Agreements empowering you to secure and effectively manage EU funding. You’ll be ready to apply for EU funding through direct negotiations with the EU delegations /EC or by applying in calls for proposals. Obtain the tools you need to solve all types of issues and challenges within the framework of Contribution Agreements signed with DG INTPA, DG NEAR and the EU Delegations. Build competences in reporting, modifications and addenda, visibility and communication activities, M&E, verification of expenditure, and EU right of access. Share practical experiences with the other participants and create checklists and infographics with lessons learned and best practices.
eLearning
Module 1: Obtain Funding from the European Union
- An introduction to the EU programming and funding system
- The EU management modes: direct/indirect management
- Writing a project proposal to obtain EU funding
Module 2: Contracting Phase
- The Contribution Agreement and old PAGoDA 2
- Working with partners: roles and responsibilities
Module 3: Financial Management of EU-Funded Projects
- Eligibility of costs: direct/indirect, ineligible costs
- Simplified Cost Options
- Specific guidance for project office costs
- Procurement: main requirements from the EU
- Accounts, archiving, financial checks, verification
Module 4: Management of EU-Funded Projects: Other Rules
- Communication and visibility requirements
- Dealing with changes: procedure for amendments
- Reporting rules and payment procedures
- Monitoring and evaluation, including ROM missions
- Transfer of equipment and supplies at the end of the action
3-Day Virtual Classroom
DAY 1
Module 1: Working with the EU: Two Management Modalities
- Long-term framework agreements
- Two ways to get funding: direct negotiations and calls for proposals
- Differences between EU direct and indirect management
Module 2: Preparation of Project Proposals
- Key elements of the description of the action
- Logframe and the results-chain
- Budget and eligibility of costs
- Communication and Visibility Plan
Module 3: Contracting Process Under Indirect Management and Calls for Proposals
- Contribution Agreement (CA) and annexes
- Special conditions – points of attention
- Main differences in CA under indirect management versus resulting from a call for proposals
- Roles and responsibilities of the organisation and implementing partners
DAY 2
Module 4: Procurement and Grant Award Principles and Requirements
- Differences between grants and procurement contract
- EU restrictive measures and exclusion criteria
- Primary rules and principles related to procurement
- Awarding grants: procedures to follow
Module 5: Monitoring Results and the Eligibility of Expenditure
- Evaluation and monitoring missions
- ROM missions
- Monitoring the eligibility of expenditure
DAY 3
Module 6: Dealing with Changes
- General rules regarding changes
- Two types of modifications: unilateral modification and addendum
- Suspension procedures
Module 7: Reporting Rules and Payment Procedures
- Reporting requirements
- Information to be provided in the interim and final report
- Payment procedures
Module 8: Verification of Expenditure
- Who can verify the use of EU funding
- Accounting and financial checks: key rules
- Objectives and methods of the EU verification of expenditure
- Process for verification of expenditure
By subscribing to the Certificate Program, you will have access to each course in the punto.sud learning platform. From here, you can join the live sessions, download the course materials (including PowerPoint presentations, official EU documents, infographics and other useful links and materials), complete the eLearning modules, review the recordings of the live sessions and complete the initial and final test and participate in the active forum. Throughout the whole period, by using the forum you will be able to communicate with the trainers, post questions and share information and best practices with other participants
- Staff of not-for-profit organisations (not suggested for UN agencies and other pillar-assessed organisations’ staff) with limited or no experience with EU development programmes.
- Consultants who are interested in a detailed overview of the EU programming and funding system, the grant application process and grant management.
- University or post-graduate students.
Previous experience or knowledge relating to the access and management of EU funds is not required.
You will need access to a computer or tablet with a microphone and speakers or a headset, as well as an Internet connection. The course will be held over Zoom – no additional software is required.
- Virtual class – for 2 weeks after the end of the last training session
- eLearning – for 30 days after you first access the course
Once you have completed all the training material and passed the exit test, your certificate of attendance for each specific course will be available to download from the learning platform.
Once you have also concluded the learning plan exit test, you will receive the final certificate. The certificates are always available in your profile page with historical data of all punto.sud Academy courses you’ve attended.
575Euro
(excluding VAT - to be added if due)
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Skill Level
Beginners - Intermediate - Advanced