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Tailor-made training sessions on European partnerships

Gwenaëlle Radosevic

Gwenaëlle joined the Welcomeurope team in 2006 as Head of the Intelligence and Analysis Department. Her activity is particularly focused on the implementation of the structural fund ESF and state aids. She carries out studies and training courses, for project leaders and management and control authorities such as DIACT (Interministerial Delegation for Land Planning and Competitiveness) and the CNASEA (public body dependent on the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries). She holds a PhD in Community Law (University of Rennes 1) and a PhD in Management (IAE Paris Panthéon Sorbonne). Innovation, sustainable development, social affairs: Gwenaëlle plays a role in consultancy including looking out for funding opportunities.

1. What should be the first step of a project leader that wishes to involve in a European partnership?


This project manager must first know whether he wants to be a leader or a simple partner of the partnership. These two positions are distinct: the leader is the one that drives and controls the project during the setting up phase and during the project, which induces an important time dedicated to the management of the partnership and also legal and financial responsibilities with respect to the European Commission. He benefits in return of a greater visibility. The simple partner is less visible in the project and has responsibility towards his partners and not with respect to the European Commission.


The project manager must, afterwards, analyse in detail the expectations of the European Commission as regards partnership. To meet these expectations, he must check what qualities he possesses and what complementary qualities are to be found in other partners. After this initial analysis, he will be able to define an ideal \"partnership model\" (number of partners, type of structure, country) and a \"partner fiche\" detailing the qualifications.


The project leader can then contact potential partners, either through its networks or through additional research or via our website welcomeurope.com, which has a \"partners database.\" Of course, to mobilize partners, it is necessary to introduce the project, if only in outline.


The objective is not to gather a good partnership but the best partnership possible, therefore, one must be very attentive to the expectations of the European Commission.




2. What are the main difficulties met by a project leader during the setting up and the management of a European partnership?


Partnerships are assets but also source of complexity: during the setting up phase, it is sometimes difficult to determine the real quality of a partner and its ability to mobilise itselfon a project. A good selection of partners, however, makes the life of the project easier. The main difficulty during the management concerns, in addition to the implementation of the project according to the prevision, correct information feedback that will enable the leader to prepare reports for the European Commission.



3. What advice would you give to project leaders?


Ideally one needs to anticipate the process of finding partners before the call for proposals and activate all of one’s networks. The project leader must then check that both the technical teams and the decision-making bodies of the potential partner are ready to engage in the process of the European project. The search for partners is sensitive. Welcomeurope can assist project managers in research and validation of partners, including in a very short deadline during the call for proposals. We can also prepare and conduct the necessary meetings between partners.



4.What are the assets of Welcomeurope’s tailor-made training sessions, designed to help project leaders to involve in European partnerships?


We have specific trainings on partnerships that enable participants, thanks to case studies, to master the setting up and management of a partnership. 10 years of experience in consulting feed this training, making it very practical.



5. Could you give us an example of a project you led?


We gathered 10 partners around the Conseil régional de Picardie for an Interreg IV C project on support to eco-innovation. A geographical equilibrium has been found, as well as a good good balance between experienced and novice partners in European projects. The project is currently under selection.