Getting started… getting to work!

To work! This third chapter introduces the conceptual tools useful for approaching, in practice, theactivity of europlanning.

This chapter first explains, in a practical way, the method for identifying a good project idea, detailing its key aspects, and assessing its soundness, in a path that illustrates with diagrams, questions, and examples all the main tools of europlanning: the logical framework, PCM logic, context and stakeholder analysis, problem tree and solution tree, evaluation criteria, and more.

Next, it addresses the main issues to “come to terms with” when drafting the project and its subsequent implementation: the search for information and partners, the choice of the call for proposals, timing and resources. Finally, it takes up, with advice and guidance, the main stages in the life of a project: reading the call for proposals, preparing the proposal, starting the project, monitoring it, and finishing it.

Read more

The in-depth materials in the Europlanning Guide do not end with this chapter, but are extended through posts published monthly. We particularly highlight the following columns and posts, which best complement the contents of this chapter:

Questions and answers:

How to approach European funds | When to wait for the “perfect announcement” | How to keep up to date on community calls | How to find partners | When a Europrojector is needed | How to choose a europlanning course | How European projects are evaluated | How to register to participate in an EU call | What “big goals” we can achieve with our projects | Who is a “europlanner” | How to become a europlanner | Mental approaches and “infrequent questions” in European projects.

In-depth guides:

OpenPM2, the European Commission’s project management guide | DIY, the practical tools to build a project | Capacity4Dev, the portal to deepen | The European project databases | Official online self-training tools| Capacity4Dev’s online self-training tools.

More information on the logical framework, the PCM and the tools mentioned in this section can be found in a special handbook from the European Commission-a read we recommend for everyone.

For aspects more properly related to writing (not just a project) we recommend a special handbook from the European Commission.