96585 - EU Project Planning

Learning outcomes

The workshop aims to introduce students to EU project design techniques, providing them with the tools needed to understand how European Union funding programmes work and how to respond to calls for proposals, both from the EU and from other bodies or organisations. The workshop will also offer the opportunity to explore project design techniques in depth, equipping students with specific skills on how to correctly draft a project. These technical skills can then be applied to any funding programme, not only to European projects. A very relevant part of the course will be devoted to practical exercises, which are essential for learning project design tools.

Course contents

The workshop introduces students to EU project design techniques, illustrating how EU funding programmes work and how to successfully participate in calls for proposals.
EU funding programmes are, in fact, the main instruments through which the European Union implements its policies via decentralised actions.

The course will explore the main project design methodologies, which can be applied to any EU funding programme.

Topics covered include:

• Introduction to EU project design: funding programmes as tools for implementing EU policies;
• Overview of the main EU funding programmes and how to access updated information;
• What a project is and its key components;
• Project Cycle Management;
• The Logical Framework Approach applied to EU project design;
• Project design tools and techniques: analysis and programming, success indicators, SWOT analysis, Work Breakdown Structure, Gantt chart;
• How to draft an Application Form: assessing consistency with the call; basic principles for a strong proposal (sustainability, impact, dissemination); project writing;
• How to prepare a project budget: eligible costs, direct and indirect costs; budget types (flat rate, lump sum, actual cost, unit cost); reporting and audit.

Some lectures will feature EU experts and officials, who will provide in-depth presentations on specific funding programmes.

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory for MES students (optional for others):

• Course handouts on EU funding 2021–2027 (provided by the lecturer);
• Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Department of Public Administration, Project Cycle Management. Training Manual, Rome, Formez, 2002 (available online).

Optional (recommended for all):

• Guide to European Funding 2025, edited by Eleonora Marton, Elena Franchini, Giada Mazzeo (available online).

Teaching methods

The workshop adopts a strongly interactive methodology, which includes:

• Lectures delivered by the lecturer;
• Presentations by EU experts and European Commission officials;
• Practical exercises and group work.

Students will work in teams, simulating the drafting of real project proposals using application forms from major EU programmes (Erasmus+, Creative Europe, CERV, etc.). In the second part of the course, they will present their projects in class.

Assessment methods

Students will be considered as attending if they are present at least 70% of the sessions, complete the required assignments, and actively participate in class exercises.

SID students (attending):

• Presentation of a simulated project on a real application form, agreed with the lecturer;
• Multiple-choice test (minimum 60% correct answers required to pass).

MES students (attending):

1. Presentation of a simulated project (together with SID colleagues);
2. Written test with 10 short open-ended questions (maximum 5 lines each);
3. Final oral exam based on texts, lecture notes, and course activities.

👉 The final grade will be the average of the three assessments.

Teaching tools

• PowerPoint presentations;
• Official EU website: europa.eu ;
• Online databases on EU funding programmes.

Office hours

See the website of Fabio Casini