Study Guide

Objective

The aim of the course is to familiarize the student with the basic concepts and principles of EU-funded projects, their planning and management. After the course:
• You understand the importance of external funding as a part of development activities in your field.
• You know what national and international project funding consists of, and how and what the funding can be used for.
• You understand how EU projects implement national and regional strategies.
• You understand the importance of stakeholders in projects.
• You know the different phases of the project life cycle (Project Cycle Management PCM).
• You know how to produce a concept note and identify a suitable funding source for the idea.

Competences: proactive development, operating in a workplace

Content

The strategies, programs and rules that direct EU funding
The concepts and principles of project planning and management
Partners and stakeholders in project planning and management
The Project cycle and its phases: identification, formulation, implementation, evaluation.
Familiarizing yourself with projects in your field, producing your own concept note, and identifying a suitable funding source

Location and time

The study unit can be taken at different stages of studies. The study unit is carried out online, regardless of location, and independently as online studies. The study unit is implemented non-stop, which means you can complete the studies flexibly and at your own pace, taking into account the return dates below.

At the beginning of the course, an optional tutorial will be held to go over the implementation of the course. The tutorial will take place on Monday 5.8.2024 at 9-10 am.

In addition, there will be two optional tutorials, especially related to the assignments. The tutorials will be held on
Monday 30.9.2024 from 16:00 to 17:00
Monday 21.10.2024 from 16.00 to 17.00

The last return date for assignments in the fall semester is 31 October 2024, assessment by 30 November 2024.

You can also return the learning assignments for evaluation at another time, and evaluation will be completed within one month.

Materials

EU Project Planning and Management Handbook, Eeva Helameri, Anzelika Krastina ja Eija Raasakka. Relevant articles, videos and other learning material are given in Moodle.

Teaching methods

The course is implemented as independent online studies. You get guidance and support from the materials and written instructions in Moodle.

There will also be three voluntary tutorial sessions on Zoom.

Employer connections

You apply what you have learned to your own field. In the Moodle material there are speeches by working life experts.

International connections

The course can be completed in both English and Finnish. The course uses both Finnish and English material. International students can also participate in the course.

Further information

This introductory course is the first part of a total of 15 ECTS. After completing the introductory course, you can continue to study units:

- EU Project planning and tools
- Project implementation and management of EU Projects

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Fail (0) The student does not demonstrate an understanding of national and international projects and the project cycle. The student cannot describe the importance of partners in projects. The student does not know how to formulate a project idea suitable for EU programs and strategies or select a funding source.

Poor (1) The student shows a little understanding of both national and international projects and the project cycle. The student can describe the importance of partners in project activities to a small extent. The student knows how to formulate a project idea slightly suitable for EU programs and strategies idea and select a slightly applicable funding source.

Satisfactory (2) The student shows a superficial understanding of both national and international projects and the project cycle. The student can describe the importance of partners in project activities superficially. The student knows how to formulate a project idea somewhat suitable for EU programs and strategies idea and select a somewhat applicable funding source.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3) The student shows an understanding of both national and international projects and the project cycle. The student can describe the importance of partners in project activities quite comprehensively. The student knows how to formulate a project idea that is fairly well suited to EU programs and strategies and justify a funding source for it.

Very good (4) The student shows a broad understanding of both national and international projects and the project cycle. The student can describe and analyze the importance of partners in projects in a comprehensive and well-founded manner. The student knows how to formulate a project idea suitable for EU programs and strategies, and select a suitable funding source in a versatile and justified manner.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5) The student demonstrates a deep understanding of both national and international projects and the project cycle. The student can describe and analyze the importance of partners in projects in a versatile and justified way. The student knows how to formulate a project idea suitable for EU programs and strategies, and select a suitable funding source in a versatile, justified, and development-oriented manner.

Assessment methods and criteria

All assignments must be completed in accordance with the evaluation criteria given during the study unit. Assessment K5 - T1, Fail.