EPA Description - European Projects Association asbl

EPA - European Projects Association asbl


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EPA- EUROPEAN PROJECTS ASSOCIATION asbl

INDEX

Introduction 4

1. EPA Philosophy: Values and Mission 5

2. Broader Function of EPA 6

NGO

Social contribution

Network

3. Principal Activities 8

Sector

Pillars

4. Members 11

Effective and associate member

Types of organizations

5. Servicing Associate Member 13

Membership

6. Network: Territorial contact Point , Partner, National Contact Point and Sponsor 15

7. Institutional Structure and Decision Making 20

8. Network Secretariat 21

People and Department

ANNEX 1 23 MY EUROPA PLATFORM Tools Fund Forum Rules


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ANNEX 2 27 EUROPEAN ACADEMY FOR EDUCATION AND SOCIAL RESEARCH

ANNEX 3 30

NATIONAL CONTACT POINT- INFORMO

ANNEX 4 32

PARTNER- ERISA

OTHER COLLABORATION 33

CONTRIBUTORS 34

COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS 35


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INTRODUCTION

Optimizing the value derived from project research is a key concern in science at present.

No matter what sector they are based in, the role of all institutions should include fostering the

development of innovative projects which can contribute to a better society. Of course, it is

never easy to create an ideal environment where stakeholders, coming from an array of

sectors, can find the necessary tools to build projects together and make the results available

to a wide public, but today’s technologies can make the difference.

Those involved in the field of European project development are familiar with the fact that a

well-written project proposal is not enough to obtain co-financing for project ideas. Fostering

the use of information and communication technology tools and with the correct ethical

approach, EPA aims to create a new generation of professionals able to use the European

funds more efficiently. The networking community platform www.my-europa.eu is offering a

different approach to developing projects by adopting innovative methodologies and

techniques.

My Europa is designed to overcome the difficulties in absorbing European funds for the

development of effective and efficient projects. Each member has the chance to: display skills

and experiences and interact with others to enhance the knowledge on EU programmes;

connect and expand the network of partners; share information; promote ideas; exchange

best practices; and create single projects or join different consortia to cooperate on a specific

transnational project.

My Europa is a research initiative implementing tools and services shaped to improve efficiency

and effectiveness in the development of European projects. It explores the role of multimedia

communication on public perception of EU policy in order to identify the best practices

adopted by those involved. The project aims to identify and implement useful methodologies

for development efforts.

The work is being coordinated by the European Projects Association (EPA) in cooperation with

the European Academy for Education and Social Research, the European Regional Information

Society Association (ERISA) and the International University Institute for European Studies

(IUIES).

However, since the project is based on the hypothesis that everybody can contribute to the

development of a better European society, participation is open to all, connecting the efforts

of students, researchers, young professionals, experts and organizations.


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Everybody can be part of My Europa project. The web membership of EPA, which gives access

to most of the resources of My Europa platform, is free of charge. EPA also created a social

contribution fund, investing in the development of a better society by using 50 per cent of the

income generated by memberships as well as donations to finance scholarships and

traineeships for young enthusiastic professionals and good project ideas.

1. EPA Values and Mission

The successful delivery of the Europe 2020 strategy depends on the involvement of all sections of society.

The responsibility for action does not stop with governments.

Giving access to knowledge and facilitating the cooperation, education and know-how transfer, European Projects Association aims ‘to achieve the objectives outlined by the European Commission, through the know-how transfer of academic research by stimulating the employment and professional improvement of young people

The European Projects Association is based on the following values:

Co-operation: sharing information, knowledge and experience, learning from each other. A more efficient use of European funds can be achieved through online networking.

Ideas: values, ideas and different experiences must therefore meet, not only to promote the special features, skills and aspirations, but also to connect the people behind the ideas.

Youth: we believe not only in young generations’ enthusiasm but also in their competences. Investing in skills and creativity of the youth will support their involvement in European processes and ensure the “social quality” in our Community.

Corporate social responsibility: EPA is investing in the future of Europe: 50% of the income generated by memberships and members’ contribution is used to finance scholarships and traineeships for young enthusiastic professionals and good project ideas.

Political independence: our governance, programs and policies are non-partisan, independent from specific governments, political parties or the business sector.


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EPA’s evolution potential is large; it is a rather young association, but it is already experiencing exponential growth.

Innovation: We will constantly develop new features and improve on our services. Giving access to knowledge and facilitating the cooperation, education and know-how transfer our Association has the opportunity to research the processes and interactions between the stakeholders in order to optimize the methodology of design and implementation of European Projects. Founding our project on the use of information and communication technology tools with a correct ethic, the further development of EPA is strongly connected with the knowledge sharing and the ICT innovation.

The educational activities and the methodology diffusion through best practice dissemination will continue to be the propeller for the growth of the European Projects Association.

Following these values our mission is to provide all information, networking, services and tools needed to improve the participation in EU funded projects to achieve higher capacity of absorption of EU funding.

This mission is pursued through specific objectives:

to increase effects of EU policies using EU funding instruments;

to improve capacity of absorption of EU funds;

to promote new partnerships;

to broaden the knowledge and understanding of the European Union and the process

of European integration, giving an easier access to the information and the

possibilities offered by EU- Institutions;

to work at local level through Territorial Contact Points (TCPs).

2. The broader function of EPA

The broader function of European Projects Association is to contribute building a better Europe using the European funding opportunities to finance development projects in the best possible way.

1) As an NGO based on an inclusive social network with a particular ethic philosophy we focus on:


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development of competences needed to improve the participation in European Projects

and develop professionalism in projects management;

to encourage the participation of youth in the construction of Europe.

2) As a facilitator between the organizations, experts and young professionals EPA contributes to job creation and to the so-called European Knowledge Economy, through the coordination of activities for the creation and exchange of good practices in the field of European projects, in terms of professionalism and competence of its members.

Development of a "trademark" of quality in the field of creating documents, financial

plans and management of European projects;

Organizing "Network" activities, in order to help the creation of the consortium and the

participation of its members in the European projects;

Creation of a database for finding and posting job opportunities;

Creating a database of European project experts.

3) As a Non-Profit Association, EPA is investing in the future of Europe.

Our social contribution model is one of the core and most important functions. It is of great importance for us to develop a healthy climate and conditions that support a more practical education in technology and management of European projects. On the other hand, we invest part of the social contribution funds as reward for the best project of the year. In this way we support the practical approach of the project making process and project management activities, especially the ones that are lead and managed via platform.

4) As a Network EPA works also as a “virtual office”.

Citizens’ Digital Participation is usually seen as a tool of consultation or market research. This means that citizens’ opinion isn’t taken into consideration in order to understand their real needs, but only to see whether they agree with the policies proposed by the institutions.


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Considering the new technologies as tools able to” increase the resources of citizens, promoting a greater propensity for active citizenship and participation”- we base most of our activities on “My- Europa” innovative platform.

A web based platform that is above all a working tool co-designed through involvement of different members, employees, providers and competitors; a place where ideas and best practices are shared and discussed.

The EPA platform is in continuous evolution thanks to the suggestions and involvement of the users contributing to its optimization and growth.

5) Through Collaboration Agreements with relevant association private and public bodies (such as : the European Regional Information Society Association- ERISA; the European Academy for Education and Social Research -EUROPEAN ACADEMY; the International University Institute for European Studies - IUIES), the activities of EPA are in constant growth.

3. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Our principal activities are divided into three sectors, each one based on two pillars.

Sectors:

Supporting professionalization of EU projects practitioners

Developing EU projects skills through our Professional Improvement Program

E-Learning course

Creating a dedicated stage (stage surfing concept) and job marketplace

Developing a database of certified experts

Networking & Projects incubation

Advices and IT supported solutions to enhance cooperation and identify project ideas

(projects incubator)

Support strategy combining EU funds (FP7+Structural Funds or FP7+IPA, etc…)


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Support management of EU funded project (Embedded project management software)

Supporting Post Project Strategy

Support dissemination and communication

Influence EC DGs through proactive dialogue and constructive feedback

Pillars:

As a Non-Profit association, we are mostly focusing on the development of human capital. For

this purpose two of our important pillars are based on:

o Education and training

o Research and innovation

1) Lifelong learning is one of the main guidelines of the European policy on education and

training, essential not only for the competitiveness and employability but also for social

inclusion, active citizenship and personal development. In this framework the use of New

Technologies can provide a valuable tool to improve the efficiency of education.

A tool of My Europa platform that offers a range of e-Learning courses in order to overcome the lack of time in traditional class lectures. Our trainings are streamed on-line with high quality audio-visual broadcast in a user friendly e-Learning environment.

European Projects Academy is an innovative joint project between EPA and European Academy for Education and Social research.


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European Projects Academy is primarily concerned with improving knowledge of EU funding opportunities, developing capacities of writing and implementing projects in close cooperation with EU certified experts and consultants from the public and the private sector.

The educational program is composed of a set of training courses and practical experience based on learning by doing methodology. European Projects Academy, offers a range of e-Learning courses in order to overcome the lack of time for traditional in-class lectures. Our trainings are streamed on-line with audio-visual broadcast in a user friendly e-Learning environment.

The objective is to offer an interactive preparation tool before participating in frontal trainings and as a web-based support to be used during and after the courses.

In order to conclude full inclusive system we have created the Professional Improvement Program combining it with other European programs for young people abroad such as Leonardo, Erasmus, European Voluntary Service, as well as the Eurodyssey program, and involving in it several Institutions and organizations through specific partnership agreement.

Interns will benefit by experiencing an international organization from the inside while substantiating their Curriculum Vitae.

The main objectives of the program are:

Provide interns the opportunity to test their interest and aptitude in the management of

European projects before permanent commitments are made;

Develop skills and techniques directly applicable to their careers;

Increase the sense of responsibility;

Develop employment references that will enhance their future opportunities.

2) My Europa is a research project implementing tools and services shaped to improve efficiency and effectiveness in developing European projects conduced

following a scientific methodology. It is researching, through a multidisciplinary approach, the influence of the multimedia communication on the perception of the effects of EU polices by the citizens in order to identify the best practices adopted by the different actors involved.


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The project expects to identify and implement useful methodologies for the focalization of the

development efforts. Through the application of the results of this research the efficiency of

the dissemination of EU policies can be positively influenced.

The research is pointing to identify the different actors having a role in the process of

communication of the EU polices and instruments and their target groups in order to realize a

mapping of the communication processes; to analyze the relations between the identified

actors with the aim of individuating the sectors, the clusters and the networks; to research the

information flows in order to identify the best communication channels; to analyze the

communication methodologies in order to individuate the models of efficient communication;

to research the impacts of the different models on the population in order to identify the best

practices in use; to analyze the relation between the communication model used and the type

of perception obtained in order to enhance the influence of the communication models on the

real impact of the EU policies on the citizens.

Thanks to our research we are able to constantly develop opportunities for public and private

organizations, entrepreneurs, freelancers, small businesses, NGOs, researchers, and students.

The platform is offering the opportunity to improve the way of developing projects by

adopting innovative methodologies and techniques.

4. MEMEBERS

As defined by our statute, the members of the Network can be divided into two groups:

1) Effective members, with decision-making power;

2) Associate members, which are at the same time the users and the subjects of our

Association. Using our services they are able to influence our activities through their

experiences and suggestions.


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The function of servicing members is subdivided on the base of the use of our platform, in brief

our platform comprises of the following services:

Following are the types of organizations expected to join the Network:

local, regional, national and international authorities;

companies, associations, chambers, business groups;

institutes of Communications Studies;

universities and other institutions of higher learning;

research institutes, centres for European Policy;

professional associations (local, regional, national, international);

foundations (regional, national, international);


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Non-governmental organisations (NGOs);

Other entities and individuals interested in European Projects.

5. SERVICING ASSOCIATE MEMBER

Memberships

EPA offers four different types of associate member profiles and, for each profile, there are

different tools and services available through my Europa platform:

Web membership

This subscription is free. It is dedicated to users that want to:

Participate in a community dedicated to the development and

implementation of European projects by promoting its own

experiences and attitudes, knowledge and works, project ideas,

activities and events. This membership is ideal for those who

want to take first steps in a lifelong e-learning European

projects environment, where they can find experienced

professional partners able to showcase the potential of the

learning by doing methodology.

In order to participate to the network-community, web members are supported by the

following tools:

My Europa Network - cooperation community

Europa News Centre - information filter

Work in Projects - online job marketplace

Funds Forum - discussion blackboard about funding opportunities

Events Promotion Agenda - events registration manager

Projects Showroom- a partner search and project results dissemination tool

Targeted Social Advertising Banner


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Individual membership

Individual membership collects students and individuals

interested in project management without extensive experience

on it, people that would like to broaden their knowledge of

project management, people that would like to interconnect

with the EU reality and to get in contact with project

management professionals (experts) and people that want to be

regularly informed of EU Affairs.

Individual users have free access to:





Projects Factory - project development and management system



1 e-learning course of the Master Program


Expert membership

Expert type users are professionals and researchers in the project

management sector, which have already had experience with EU

Funds and similar projects, and according to their experience they

have acknowledged the need to have a complete tool/platform

that would contain and satisfy all their needs in one single place.

Expert users have free access to:







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European Projects Academy - knowledge sharing centre



eLearning Master Course in Technologies for the development of European Projects (5

courses)


Organization membership

Organization type users: are of interest to organizations that

would like to find a complete instrument that would allow

them to coordinate and manage their structure, projects, long

and short term goals with an user friendly, simple and practical

tool. At the same time they will have the benefit to advertise,

show and market their services/products in front of larger

network of professionals and organizations with direct and

extensive communication to their main target group.







European Projects Academy - knowledge sharing centre


Access to 3 expert accounts

eLearning Master Course in Technologies for the development of European Projects

50% discount on Live Master Course in Technologies for the Development of European

Projects

Extra Advertising Space


6. NETWORK: TERRITORIAL CONTACT POINT, PATRON, PATNER AND SPONSOR

Territorial Contact Point (TCP)


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An EPA TCP is an active member of EPA, promoting the Association at national, regional and

local level. The primary role of a European Projects Association Territorial Contact Point (EPA

TCP) is to serve as liaison officer between the European Projects Association and potential or

existing members, stakeholders and users in a specific Region or Country.

The EPA Certification Branding provides the following rights to the respective TCP:

A 20% discount on the EPA Organization membership (full Organization fee 3650 Euro –

20% = 2920 Euro);

Access to 3 expert accounts;

A dedicated blog on Europa News;

The right of hosting EPA’s European Projects Academy trainings and Master courses;

A commission on the membership’s fees of each recruited member from the covered

territory (25%);

The chance of hosting young experts from EPA Professional Improvement Program –

PIP;

The opportunity of improving the competences of the staff through the Life Long

Learning approach of EPA (European Projects Academy, e-Academy and PIP);

The organization Logo published in EPAs Publications and website;

Targeted Social Advertising Banner on the EPA web pages promoting the TCP website;

A certification label to be posted on official documents and website signalizing the

recognition as EPA TCP

2. The obligations of the TCP are:

To honor the statute, mission and values of EPA;

To observe the EPA ethical development methodology;

To use MY Europa platform for internal and external communication in daily activities;

To apply the EPA branding on all the relevant materials, publications and website;

To propose a yearly plan of activities;


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To demonstrate professionalism in project management and development of European

projects;

To recruit yearly at least 3 Organization members or 5 Expert members or 25 Individual

members;

To promote the Association and develop relevant activities at national, regional or local

level;

To use MY Europa platform for supervising all the members from the territory of

competence by providing them information, education and promoting partnerships;

To support the training of local stakeholders according to EPA methodology within

European Projects;

To use My Europa platform to be constantly updated and in contact with the EPA staff

and Board and as well to propose, organize and track their activities for all the EPA

community;

To cooperate with the other TCPs of the EPA network in order to foster the

development of partnerships and common projects;

To have regular communication with the EPA board about the relevant activities (the

EPA TCP status is being yearly renewed depending on the approval of the TCP annual

activity report and valuable activities on My Europa).

PATRON

Patrons can be the institution interested in social research and companies interested in new

technologies investments.

1. The EPA Certification Branding provides the following rights to the respective Patron:

Honorary membership in the association;

Supporting Education and training activities;

Logo and name on top of Network’s stationary and in all EPA publications;


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Promotional pages and priority link to Patron’s portal at EPA Website;

Distribution of promotional publications at all EPA conferences, and meeting;

Other services, arranged individually with EPA Secretariat;

Free access to our platform.

2. The obligations of the Patron:

To observe statute, mission and values of EPA;

To Support the research activity of EPA;

To cooperate on expanding their members’ community.

PARTNER

Partners are represented by the Institution interested in European Affairs and involved in cooperation field.

1. The EPA Certification Branding provides the following rights to the respective Partner:

Take part in the Professional Improvement Programme;

Logo and name on top of Network’s stationary and in all EPA publications;

Promotional pages and priority link to Partner’s portal at EPA Website;

Other services, arranged individually with EPA Secretariat;

Free access to our platform.

2. The obligations of the Partner are:

Observing statute, mission and values of EPA;

Supporting the Education and Training activity;

Supporting the research activity of EPA;


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To cooperate on expanding their members’ community.

Since the education & training represents one of the pillars of the Association, EPA offers different opportunities to all Institutions and organizations interested in becoming a partner in the PIP Program sending students, graduates or young employees or hosting EPA Young Professionals.

3. SPONSOR

An EPA Sponsor can be any organization or individual sharing EPA values and objectives, and

wants to support the efforts of the Network.

1. The EPA Certification Branding provides the following rights to the respective Sponsor:

Logo published in EPA Publications;

Participation at events and courses;

Promotional page or banner on My-Europa and European Academy website.

2. The obligations of the Sponsor are:

To observe statute, mission and values of EPA;

Communication with all regional, national, international agencies and stakeholders for

future development of the structure via TCPs;

Contribution for EPAs annual budget;

All revenues will be devolved to our social contributions.


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7. INSTITUTIONAL STUCTURE AND DECISION MAKING

The institutional structure of the Association is composed by:

Managing Board (MD)

General Assembly (GA)

Advisory Board (AB)

Managing Board: The Managing Board is responsible for operational activities of the Network, including the members services support. The Board is a collective body elected by the General Assembly and responsible for the operational activities of the Network and the development of the European Projects Association. The Managing Board meets every two weeks.

General Assembly: The General assembly supports the Board of Directors in implementing

Network’s activities as well as in the external representation of the organization.

Advisory Board: The Advisory Board provides conceptual guidance to the Network . The AB is

composed by experienced professionals that are bringing and added values in terms of

contents while evaluating the strategic approach of the organization, advising about new

opportunities and promoting the values of EPA in their spheres of influence.


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8. NETWORK SECRETARIAT

According to the decision of the General Assembly, the role of the Network Secretariat has been entrusted to the Brussels-based office in Boulevard de l’Empereur 24, Bruxelles 100 - with the status of non-profit association registered in Belgium - since March 2008.

PEOPLE

Managing Board:

President: Dino Babić;

Vice - President: Filip Zon;

Manging director: Pierangelo Bianco

General Assembly Members:

Katarina Šipić;

Borka Tomić;

Dino Elezović;

Ester Iacovelli;

Mira Lepur;

Andrea Debeljuh;

Monika Brščić

Advisory Board:

President: Charles Watt;

Members: Alberto Gasperini ;

Juan Manuel Revuelta;

Dino Debeljuh;


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Leonardo Pinna

External Staff:

Education programs coordinator: Alessandro Viola

Executive coordinator: Rita Borgnolo

Informatics support: Boris Babić


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ANNEX 1

Years of research and testing with European project managers and organizations produced a web-based set of tools and services for cooperation on European projects reproducing in a professional network community the ideal environment for each stakeholder TOOLS:

The Projects Showroom is a digital space where every project can be showcased in each stage of its life cycle. In the different thematic categories every member of My Europa can post project ideas or look for partners and funding sources. Here, members can find ongoing projects or promote their activities and events. In addition, results from completed projects can be disseminated and best practices can become a matter of discussion and sources of inspiration for new projects. The Projects Showroom is aiming to map the spread of European projects and partnerships, showing the cooperation efforts in achieving European objectives. The intention is to foster the development of even better projects linking the partners and facilitating a long-term communication and follow-up as a good way to strengthen the cooperation between stakeholders.

In the Funds Forum, all European programmes as well as additional sources of possible funding are explained thanks to interaction with experts. It provides a tool for members to discuss EU funding opportunities and related questions can be posed and answered. The forum gives members the opportunity to share knowledge and information on European programmes, calls for proposals, calls for tenders, European project management, seminars, trainings and workshops focused on EU funding issues.

The Projects Factory is a project management warehouse with several useful cloud computing tools for European project planning and implementation. By using this cooperation platform a project manager can set up a project, add all partners involved, set up a roadmap with a timeline, upload fi les, set milestones, assign tasks, organize schedules or events and meetings, and interact with the team on all the daily activities of project planning and implementation.


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The reporting system and the activities stream strengthen teamwork, lending the project manager a transparent overview of the work in progress from the starting date to the final deadline.

Europa News is an information centre collecting news from EU related websites that constantly monitors the updates of institutional webpages, news portals and alternative sources of information. It thereby guarantees an ‘at-a-glance’ overview of what is going on in European affairs and is a time-saving system that collects fresh news, daily events, activities, reports, conferences, seminars, calls, projects and job opportunities published on the most significant European portals. The objective is to collect all the fragmented information about EU issues in one place, giving every user the opportunity to contribute to the growing stream suggesting new sources to follow.

The e-Academy is the e-Learning tool of My Europa, where different courses can be taken individually by the members to foster their knowledge in specific fields. The attendants can follow video lessons, download materials and test the acquired knowledge and skills. e-Academy is the place where educational organizations and experienced members can share their knowledge and help young professionals to become the leading European minds of the future.

The Work in Projects section is the meeting point for organizations searching for professionals in the EU affairs sectors and individuals looking for jobs and new experiences. This is not only an online job marketplace but also a hub for professional growth and career opportunities related to European project development. The tools for finding the right profiles and simplifying the selection process are available to employers. Meanwhile, job seekers have the chance to develop their curriculum and track new opportunities available in their fields of interest. The future of Europe can be shaped through European projects managed by experienced people. The right person in the right place makes all the difference!


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FUNDS FORUM RULES FUNDS FORUM allows you to participate in the discussions about the European Programs and other funding sources. It’s a unique information base, a place where every question can find an answer. Future participants shall accept the following rules. Register in EPA Funds Forum and consider the contents of the EPA Funds Forum rules. 1. General Rules

1. Within the various areas of the Forum you can express all the opinions, but you must do it in a respectful manner towards other Forum members. It is not allowed to use a foul language and offensive words towards anyone.

2. It is not allowed to express political opinions or offend people, companies or religions,

disagree with their ideas or following personal problems arise with the same figures, this Forum is moderated but the visibility of the immediate post is therefore anyone posting any such reviews assumes full responsibility for what he/she writes and what appears on the Forum itself. The moderator has the right to censor or remove any content that may be offensive to third parties without giving any explanation.

3. It is not allowed to sign up with more nicknames at the same time.

4. Threads that are in the wrong Forum will be moved or deleted.

5. As a matter of respecting the rules, it is required to subscribe to the site in order to create new topics / thread, as well as to send private messages to other users.

6. If you write a response directed exclusively to another user, remember that the Forum is public and that your message will be available to all the users.

7. Internal disputes shall be made through internal messages.


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2. Functionalities of the Forum

1. Each user can edit and delete their own posts by clicking on the buttons « Edit » and «Delete».

2. It is absolutely forbidden to insert links to commercial sites or for the purpose of spam.

3. It is not allowed to write in all capital letters. According to international rules of posting and instant messaging, WRITE IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS LIKE THIS means SCREAM. It is not forbidden to write a sentence in capital letters, but it is forbidden to write an entire message in CAPITAL LETTERS. It is however always forbidden to write the title of the topic in uppercase.

4. It is strictly forbidden to publish or to track copyrighted material that violates copyright laws. If tracks reported, are taken from official websites then it is obligatory the mention of the source, always providing that they do not violate copyright laws.

5. The Staff has the right to suspend or exclude people (even temporarily), and remove or change the messages if it considers it has been violated this regulation. It can also replace the message in an area other than the one chosen by the user in case it does not respond to the subject.

3. Disciplinary Action

1. The work of the moderators is final and can only be judged by the administrator; request for clarification of the act is permitted and it is pursued via a direct e-mail to the administrator.

2. Every thread containing the subject of dispute in controversial topics will be immediately closed. Those who continue insisting on this attitude will be removed from the forum immediately, according to the discretion of the Staff.

3. Any infringement of these Rules shall imply an immediate expulsion from the Forum and from the site.


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ANNEX 2

EUROPEAN ACADEMY FOR EDUCATION AND SOCIAL RESEARCH European Academy for Education and Social Research is based in Dublin, Ireland. It is engaged in education and social research activities with special edge in technology. The activities of this company are being conducted following the principles of social ethic management. As a patron of EPA, the Academy has signed 5 year agreement with the Association. Thanks to it the Academy will be able to reinvest benefits on its account for further development, investments, grants and social contribution models provided from of European Project Association.

European academy will offer the expertise backed up with high-technology ideas and present new era of education in order to grow into new educational institution based on the traditional values and ideas backed up with the modern technological advancements as essential tool. European Academy will penetrate the markets and present new and more advance way of education and project management in order to show the dominating nature of its ideas and position that would lead to brighter future.

The Academy is an institution aiming to develop a better Europe through the knowledge sharing and a research based use of information and communication technologies.

The educational aim is being achieved through the European Projects Academy, a set of services for knowledge sharing and best practices transfer; the social research is being conducted through MyEuropa platform, a set of Internet based tools for social cooperation, networking and projects development. The educational program is composed by a set of training courses and practical experience based on the learning by doing methodology.

1. Training: Training aim to update knowledge and deepen understanding of European funding opportunities included in the Community programmes such as FP7, CIP, LIFE +, Lifelong Learning Programme, Youth in Action, Culture and many more. Participants will gain practical skills of how to become a European Project Manager able to achieve the successful absorption of European funds. Training are tailored to provide a collaborative and stimulating environment for learning through theoretical knowledge of Community programmes, case studies and working groups led by experts and


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consultants who are daily involved in the European project management field. In addition, our staff can customize training according to your particular needs and priorities. Training in using the My-Europa technologies for project management, dissemination of EU funding information, and step by step project creation and project application by using these technologies.

2. Master Course: The challenge for the 2007 - 2013 programming period is to create

economic prosperity and stability, through more growth and jobs in all regions and cities of the European Union. The new stage of European financing instruments (Community programmes, Structural and cohesion policies, pre - accession support and neighborhood initiatives) for growth and development opens new and important opportunities for private, public and not for profit organizations. Successful absorption of EU funds depends on having adequate skills for programming, managing and implementing of financial resources. At European Projects Academy, we offer a Master course in Technologies for the Development of European Projects.

3. E-Learning: We offer a wide range of e-Learning courses in order to overcome your

budget restrictions or lack of time for traditional in-class lectures. Our training is streamed on-line with high quality audiovisual broadcast thanks to a user friendly e-Learning platform. It can also be used as an interactive preparation tool before participating in frontal training and as a web-based support after the end of the course, or as internal SME’s and International Organizations to train their staff on international level.

Special E-Learning for Private entities: we have taken in consideration to provide special service for private entities that want to use our e-Academy for educational purposes of their teams. Meaning they could train their own employees online, we will support and assist in preparing the required material for this matter and everyone will be able to access the date just by logging in and to provide testing tools in order to receive feedback regarding how well are the new employees advancing The Master course in Technologies for the Development of European Projects is a specific program composed by 5 courses and a Professional Improvement Program (PIP). The courses are developed in order to improve and enhance the professional level of the European stakeholders with the most up-to-date knowledge regarding funding opportunities and developing their project writing skills in a goal-oriented way.


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The PIP attendees are given a chance to put the perceived knowledge in practice, applying the acquired know-how and developing opportunities for the hosting organization and the partners community.

Spreading the use of the My Europa tools among the European projects stakeholders through an effective communication, networking, knowledge sharing and education; the PIP stimulating the participation of the youth in the development processes and facilitating the live interaction and complementary work of young enthusiastic professionals and experienced managers.

Fostering the use of information and communication technology tools and with a correct ethic approach the Master in Technologies for the Development of European Projects is aiming to create a new generation of professionals able to use the European funds more efficiently, enhancing the absorption capacity of the stakeholders involved and lowering the overall costs of the entire process.


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ANNEX 3 TERRITORIAL CONTACT POINT- INFORMO

Since its foundation, the European projects association (EPA) in order to achieve its goals, has

adopted a strategy consisting of developing a network of territorial contact points (TCP) that

will coordinate and implement activities at different level: national, regional and local. TCPs

mission is to improve even further the absorption of EU funds and to coordinate the process of

determining the best way to utilize available EU assets and financial resources in the

completion of given project proposals. Informo works as a territorial contact point of EPA at

national level (NCP). In this context, Association Informo (which is the Croatian national

contact point of EPA) could serve as an example of successful story.

Informo is a non-profit organization working to encourage employment through various

forms of education, organization of seminars and consultations.

As a non-profit organization, Informo acts with an aim to improve the life conditions of the

Croatian citizens in various areas with a special attention to the youth and the unemployed.

In addition, Informo performs consultations in regards to preparation and implementation of

projects which apply for national and international funding (EU, UN, and others) and the

implementation and evaluation of projects financed by EU funds, providing information

services on the EU options, and other consulting services.

Association Informo was established in 2004, in Buje, Croatia, and operates primarily in the

area of Istria, but is also active on the national level and involved in different international

projects.

Since its beginning, Informo gained valuable experience both in organizing and conducting

seminars and workshops, as well as in designing and implementing EU projects.

Due to the extraordinary work achievements, Informo was selected to act as the national

contact point for the European Projects Association (EPA).

In fact, since its foundation in 2005 Informo has successfully managed 24 projects and has

considerably contribute to the absorption of EU funds in Croatia and in the West Balkan region.

Nowadays, the European project association through its NCP Informo is implementing many

international projects. One of them is ENESCOM, a project financed by the EU through the

programme Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) with 1.800.000 Euros. The project aims to enlarge

the list of Cities and municipalities that have signed the Covenant of Majors, a major tool for

the implementation of sustainable development. Another project managed by EPA through


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NCP Informo is “Acquis 2”, aiming to provide a more efficient adoption of the Acquis

Communautaire in the regional and local entities in the Balkan region.

Informo is one of the very first EPA’s NCPs and served as a sort of experiment for the

implementation of an EU-wide network. Given the results, NCP Informo can be undoubtedly

considered an example of best practice not only for EU based associations, but also for

stakeholders from candidate and potential candidate countries.


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ANNEX 4

PARTNER - ERISA

Erisa is an association of European regions based in Brussels and registered under Belgian law

which acts as a platform for the exchange of experience on Information Society policies and

practices –including the use of EU Structural Funds – for public sector bodies operating at the

regional level of government across the EU27. Since 1999, eris@ has provided support for the

economic and social development of its member regions from across the EU .

The Association currently has 24 members who share experiences and approaches through a

variety of dissemination tools. Its expertise lie in identifying, capturing and exchanging good

practices to help meet its members’ regional development goals in terms of innovation,

competitiveness and the exploitation of ICT.

ERISA’s focus is on moving from policy to practice ensuring each region achieves outcomes,

results and impact thus benefitting the region. Erisa works on different fields such as:

government, infrastructure, health, inclusion, education and business as well as more specialist

areas of film and media, innovation, measurement and evaluation and e-crime.

As a partner of EPA, Erisa members benefit of all facilities and services offered by My-Europa platform. Through a cooperation agreement and thanks to our Professional Improvement Programme, EPA and Erisa are able to cooperate in project of common interest.


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OTHER COLLABORATION:


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CONTRIBUTORS

EPA’s technical assistance is provided by these non- commercial contributors:


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Commercial applications:

All this is being developed without any financial contribution of the European Union and its

Institutions to demonstrate that great things can be done just by researching, cooperating,

learning, sharing and having good common purposes.

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