This course aims to provide students with basic knowledge and skills on the institutional structure of the European Union and the mechanisms of operation of the EU budget, both from a political-theoretical and a practical-operational point of view. Learners will acquire skills regarding the writing, management and reporting of European projects as well as the fundamentals of European funding and the development of international projects and partnerships.

Knowledge and understanding The student - by participating in the lectures and presentations in class - will have developed the ability to understand basic concepts and elements in the areas of EU project process management. Applying knowledge and understanding The student – acquiring the correct tools and method – will be able to interpret and develop an European project independently. Making judgements The student, through the use of the methodologies and concepts acquired during the course, will have acquired problem analysis skills and the ability to identify and overcome the most relevant risks in the EU project management process. Specifically, critical thinking, problem solving, self-management, teamwork, relationship and communication skills will be adequately developed, which enhance and make the disciplinary skills more usable. Communication skills At the end of the course the student will be able to use, the vocabulary of EU project management. Through the various activities that will take place during the course – lessons with discussion, individual or group presentations, written self-assessments – the student will be able to put these communication skills into practice in various contexts, especially by analyzing the dissemination and communication part of an EU project, thus gaining the communication skills necessary for his/her professional career. Learning skills The knowledge of EU design and management process acquired during the course will allow the student to autonomously understand, interpret and develop an EU project. The student will develop a solid knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the subject that will allow him to continue to deepen the topics addressed independently and to undertake the various post-graduate professional training courses.

This course aims to provide students with conceptual, normative and operational tools, which can represent a preliminary step for carrying out professional activity in the field of EU project design and management. In this perspective, the training program includes a brief analysis of theoretical, systemic and operational components of European projects and the main policies carried out at the European level. Although the course will have a strong operational vocation, the frontal lessons will be articulated in modules able to provide students with the basic scientific knowledge related to the functioning of the EU budget and the main European programs. Moreover, The course provides students with basic technical and operational knowledge, skills and tools highly demanded for a preliminary working experience on European funding and EU design and development both in the public and private sectors, at the national, European and international levels. The profession of EU project designer, is considered crucial in any organization, such as companies, public associations or even in the world of education and training.

European Commission, Project Cycle Management Guidelines, 2004 European Commission, Erasmus + Programme guide, European Commission, Erasmus + Programme. Call for proposals,

Theoretical learning phase based on slides presented in class, analysis of official European Commission websites related to EU design and project management, along with testimonies of experts in the field. Performance of project writing and analysis exercises, debates, presentations and group work.

The conditions for obtaining eligibility for the EU Projects Management and Design seminar are the following: Attendance requirement Students are required to attend at least 80% of the lectures. A maximum of two absences is allowed. Active participation Students are expected to actively contribute to class activities, practical exercises, and group work. Group project work Students will be divided into groups of 4–5 participants. Each group will develop and present a project proposal in response to a real European funding call. External evaluation The final presentation will be assessed by a panel of professionals and experts in European project design and management. The assessment will be based on criteria aligned with the evaluation standards adopted by the European Commission. Peer evaluation Each group will also be evaluated by the other student groups. This activity aims to encourage critical reflection, comparison among project proposals, and collaborative learning. In order to obtain eligibility, students must: meet the minimum attendance requirement; actively participate in the planned activities; obtain a passing grade in more than half of the external evaluations; obtain a passing grade in more than half of the peer evaluations. Failure to meet one or more of the above conditions will result in not obtaining eligibility for the seminar.

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