95684 - PROJECT-CYCLE MANAGEMENT IN DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

Learning outcomes

The aim of the seminar is to give the students the basic elements of the Project Cycle Management actually in use among the main international donors, Ngos, United nations agencies and European Commission, Minister of foreign affaires The main objective of the course is to provide the students whit a comprehensive vision of the whole process and of the different phases for the appraisal, description, evaluation of a development project At the end of the course the student is will be able to do a feasibility study, evaluation, conception of a development project. The skills will focus in particular on the use of the Logical framework.

Course contents

The course aims at providing a theoretical and practical understanding of the Project Cycle.

To achieve that, it will provide a general introduction to the key elements of Project Cycle Management: terminology, the overall structure and main tools.

By the end of the course the students will have a deep understanding of:

1. Knowledge of the Project Cycle – main concepts and overall coherence and use within programmes, its link to strategies and objectives, and
2. It will expand each Project Cycle step - and how organically they link to the overall cycle: (i) Identification/assessment, (ii) formulation and planning, (iii) implementation, (iv) monitoring (and MEAL), (v) close out, audit, & evaluation and learning. Practical experience on Logical Framework Development – from problem tree to Logframe, development of Gantt Chart, M&E plans, understanding of budgeting monitoring and other plans (HR, Procurement etc)

Throughout each session, a focus on tools will be provided.

Readings/Bibliography

Below, a preliminary list of materials - please note that further bibliography will be provided close to the start date of the course.

For methodologies on project cycle management please see these two European Commission guides - please note that terminology and external references will be discussed and updated throughout the course, as changes have been made to them since the development of these manuals.

EU/DEVCO (INTPA) https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2020-09/methodology-aid-delivery-methods-project-cycle-management-200403_en.pdf

EU/ECHO https://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/evaluation/watsan2005/annex_files/ECHO/ECHO10%20-%20ECHO%20Project%20Cycle%20Management%20Guideline.pdf

On Evaluation Criteria

https://www.oecd.org/dac/evaluation/daccriteriaforevaluatingdevelopmentassistance.htm

On Standards on processes:

Compass Guide on PCM:

http://www.urd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Guide_Compas_EN_V2_mail_091018.pdf,

in particular how to mainstream the CHS throughout Project cycle https://www.urd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Guide_Compas_EN_CHAP2_V2_mail_091018.pdf

The Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS): https://corehumanitarianstandard.org/files/files/Core%20Humanitarian%20Standard%20-%20English.pdf

Examples of NGOs project cycles: 

Oxfam: https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/programme-and-project-cycle-management-ppcm-lessons-from-south-and-north-130606 /

Terre des Hommes:tdh_gcp-urgences_v2_en_interactif_ag20180716.pdf [https://www.tdh.ch/sites/default/files/tdh_gcp-urgences_v2_en_interactif_ag20180716.pdf#:~:text=Project%20Cycle%20Management%20in%20Emergencies%20and%20Humanitarian%20Crises,the%20leading%20Swiss%20organisa-%20tion%20for%20children%E2%80%99s%20aid.] [https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/marta.persiani2/didattica/programma/2022/tdh_gcp-urgences_v2_en_interactif_ag20180716.pdf%20[https://www.tdh.ch/sites/default/files/tdh_gcp-urgences_v2_en_interactif_ag20180716.pdf#:~:text=Project%20Cycle%20Management%20in%20Emergencies%20and%20Humanitarian%20Crises,the%20leading%20Swiss%20organisa-%20tion%20for%20children%E2%80%99s%20aid.]]

Teaching methods

The course participates in the Innovative Didactic methodology by the University of Bologna and therefore will include a total of 30 hours, 10 of which will be carried out through online sessions.

The methodology will entail theoretic explanation, practical group exercises on tools and case studies, and self study.The aim of the teaching methodology adopted by the course is to activate the critical analysis and informed discussion of topics and to facilitate the interaction between the instructor and the students, therefore the key element of the methodology is the active discussion between participants.

Please note that methodology could be adapted as we get closer to the beginning of the course – depending also on the number of students attending it.

Assessment methods

Students who have attended classes

The assessment of the acquisition of expected knowledge and abilities by the attending students is based on 1. Participation in class discussion (20% of the grade); 2. Final written exam (80% of the final grade) and 3. (optional and depending on class size) class or remote group exercises.

1. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to actively engage and participate in all sessions.
2. At the end of the course a 1 - hour written test with around 30 open and closed questions will be provided to assess the level of comprehension of both the wider theoretical concepts, and practical tools use.
3. Depending on the number of the students, group work may be carried out and evaluated.

The final evaluation will be the weighted average of the score of the written text and of the participation in class discussion (and the possible oral exam).

The highest score (A = 27-30 con lode) will be achieved by providing a coherent and comprehensive understanding of the topics addressed by the course, by critically assessing them and to by using an appropriate language.

Grades ranging from good (B = 24-26) to satisfactory (C = 21-23) will be achieved by proving a predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the course's contents, but will be impacted by gaps and deficiencies in terms of language, critical and/or logical skills will result in.

A low level of knowledge of the course’s contents together with gaps and deficiencies in terms of language, critical and/or logical skills will result in ‘barely passing' (D = 18-20) or result in a fail grading (E).

 

Students who have attended classes

Students who were not able to attend classes will undergo the same written test as those attending, and will therefore be evaluated solely on the test results.

Teaching tools

Lectures and class discussions/debates will be held with the support of audiovisual tools (ppt, web, short videos).

Students with a form of disability or specific learning disabilities (DSA) who are requesting academic adjustments or compensatory tools are invited to communicate their needs to the teaching staff in order to properly address them and agree on the appropriate measures with the competent bodies.

Office hours

See the website of Marta Persiani