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Get more at ease with European programs!

Mrs Sophie Le Grand, Welcomeurope Trainer

1/ What are the main activities of a trainer at Welcomeurope?

The basic activity of our trainers at Welcomeurope is the animation of specialized training sessions on European funding programs. Our trainings include 14 modules for specialized topics. For example, we have specific modules for FP7. There are other programs which concentrate on cooperation outside the EU and also Structural Funds which target local projects and regional development within Member States. We also offer more methodological modules. Our first module presents a clear and educational program on European funding. Its aim is to let participants how to obtain the above-mentioned subsidies. Further on, our programs are devoted to management, but also partnership in budget developing. Apart from the animation of these modules, each trainer, according to his speciality, is responsible for designing and animation of tailor-made trainings. Many partners wish to organize trainings based on their specificity and their needs. The teacher then takes contact with this organization, develops a specific training program and targets the activities and expectations of the applicant, in accordance with his profile. Once the program is accepted, we proceed to the design phase of training and exercises for each course which are illustrated with practical case designed for this applicant. Finally, the trainer goes to the applicant’s organization and facilitates training.

Our trainers are also involved in briefings at universities or at nationwide or European conferences.

2/ What kind of audience do you typically have at these training sessions? Are they potential project leaders, researchers?



Each individual participating in one or several training sessions is a potential project leader!
The European Commission has established more than 350 funding programs and all topics are covered (environment, social affairs, research, culture, media, justice, employment, education, etc..). by these programs.
However, depending on the topic, audience may vary. Under FP7 modules, many researchers are present but also project managers. We often meet international relations managers, administrators and financiers and project leaders on our trainings. To summarize, all persons who may be mobilized as part of their organization\\\\\\\'s participation in a program of European funding can participate in our modules.



3/ Do you have any figures showing how many of these persons create their project, after they have had trainings?



Naming an exact figure would be difficult. However, we have very regular positive feedback from participants who have succeeded in obtaining a grant after one or more courses. I have noticed that there are two attitudes vis-à-vis the courses we organize:



- People who come to discover these subsidies and see how their activity can fit into the dynamics of European funding in relation to their activities. They leave the training with a better understanding of the process of working, of how to identify a program. Once these opportunities are identified, they use an appropriate method in order to prepare their project and make their funding request. This is not immediate and may take several months.
- People who have already identified what they are going to do as a project, as well as the programs and funds they want to try to obtain. These people use training to formalize their candidacy for these grants.



4/ Speaking of the \\\\\\\"market\\\\\\\" of training services, what are the European programs that are most in demand among potential project leaders?



That question needs a very vast answer! In fact, it depends on the training module in which potential project leaders are involved. Some modules are already targeting specific programs of research and development as the FP7, programs of external cooperation or the Structural Funds (ERDF, ESF and Interreg). After that we can go on with an identified program and find other programs which could be interesting in terms of project you want to finance. The trainer also helps participants to identify suitable program. In fact, there are no rules in this area; each project has a program it fits into!