Course 2017-2018 a.y.

Classes: 31 (II sem.)

Instructors:
Class 31: GIOVANNI FATTORE

The project approach is among the major means for promoting socio-economic development. The World Bank, UN agencies, European Union, national governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private foundations, rely on projects and programs to allocate funds, to promote and sustain endogenous economic grow and societal development and to face exceptional events (peace-keeping, natural disasters, Olympic games).
The knowledge of these development programs and the underlying mechanisms is relevant for public, private and nonprofit entities, which could benefit from the financial opportunities offered by, or intend to cooperate with these international Institutions.
The course exposes students to the main systems used by international organizations to fund and evaluate projects conceived by enterprises, non-governmental organization and public institutions. Students also learn how to design and manage projects in a variety of challenging contexts (e.g. in poor countries after natural disasters, as well as in mature economies affected by social challenges).
The course pays specific attention to European financial programs, devoted to EU countries but also to external regions (the EU is one of the largest international donors).
The course has three main objectives.

• To illustrate the main types of projects/initiatives endorsed by the EU and other international organizations.
• To let students acquiring practical skills about planning, implementing and managing projects and how to approach calls for proposals and tenders issued by international organizations.
• To make students familiarize with approaches and techniques of project cycle management and theory of change (from writing a good project proposal to monitoring and evaluating an international program/project).

International funding and development programs managed by EU, BEI, World Bank, National Governments, Major donors.

• Principles and approaches to international project funding.
• Managing Institutional lobbying with International Organizations.
• Funding mechanisms for infrastructures (i.e. structural funds and project finance).
• International cooperation and aid programs.
• EU funds for domestic development and international co-operation.
• Funding approaches used by Development Banks ((World Bank, African Development Bank, ERBD).
• International tenders.

Project management of international development projects.

• Project design: how to structure and write a successful project for a call for tender/call for grant.
• Project cycle management.
• Logical framework.
• Cost Benefit Analysis.
• International public procurement.
• Major issues in managing international projects.
• International partnerships and alliances.
• Budgeting, accountability & reporting.

This course adopts a hands-on approach in order to equip students with managerial skills and competences that can be concretely applied in their professional life. Teaching methods include: lectures, class discussions, exercises, assignments and students' presentations.
Notably, students are requested to develop, in small groups a project: a technical offer within an international call for proposal to test project management skills. Further, they shall develop an individual assignment to apply tools and methodologies, such as the logical framework analysis or the cost-benefit analysis. Some guest speakers are hosted during the course to expose students to the main and real challenges of international project management.

For attending students
• Individual assignment (30%).
• Group assignment: preparation of a grant request (30%).
• Written exam (40%).
Attendance is valid for all exam session of the academic year.
There is no partial exam for this course.

For non attending students
Written exam.

In case of partial attendance, due to internship reasons or other academic commitments, it is suggested to contact the instructors to arrange the participation to class' activities (even at a distance) and course evaluation.

• Readings available on Blackboard.