KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: 1. Analyze the socio-economic, regulatory, and developmental contexts that trigger project planning. 2. Understand the most important official documents of a program. 3. Acquire foundational knowledge of project management, particularly within the European context. 4. Understand the nature and aims of monitoring and evaluation, and of the role of statistical methods in this context. APPLIED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: 1. Analyze and evaluate programs and calls for proposals based on identified needs. 2. Grasp how to build a project partnership and define partner activities within a project schedule. 3. Develop a project, including its related activities and financial plan, while adhering to planned timelines. 4. Identify and research public/private funding opportunities. 5. Adopt the necessary methodological and practical tools to evaluate a project in the area of interest MAKING JUDGMENTS: 1. Evaluate team building and team communication techniques. 2. Students will be capable of critically applying the knowledge and understanding gained during the course to independently assess situations and decisions related to project planning and management. 3. Possess the ability to identify innovative solutions and make decisions, considering practical implications and challenges. 4. Students will be able to formulate well-argued judgments based on evidence and research, thereby contributing to effective project planning and implementation. 5. Develop autonomous judgements in selecting the proper strategy for the monitoring and evaluation processes. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: 1. Effectively communicate the results of program analysis and funding opportunities. 2. Communicate clearly and persuasively during the construction of project partnerships. 3. Develop skills to communicate clearly, persuasively, and adaptably to relevant stakeholders, both orally and in writing. 4. Be capable of conveying the results of analyses, projects, and evaluations consistently and comprehensibly, facilitating the sharing of crucial information among team members and identified stakeholders. 5. Utilize the specific terminology acquired during the course. 6. Collaborate with colleagues and project partners, employing communicative skills to facilitate teamwork and the achievement of shared objectives. 7. Discuss and present the main methodologies and the expected results of the statistical techniques for project and program monitoring and evaluation. LEARNING SKILLS: 1. Demonstrate an aptitude for continuous learning in the field of project planning and management. 2. Be capable of adapting swiftly to new technologies, emerging approaches, and methodologies within the sector, and have familiarity with relevant tools and European project reference sites. 3. e able to find and compare different methods and the corresponding expected results.

A basic knowledge of descriptive statistics and quantitative methods is recommended. Students should be familiar with basic statistical tools, and projecting phases.

The course consists of two modules: Module “Project cycle management” The module will cover elements of project cycle management and of European project planning and implementation, including topics such as: - Context analysis and strategic planning; - Project formulation and executive planning; - Implementation; - Evaluation and control; - Structure and documentation of a European call for proposals The module includes a practical project design lab and the analysis and sharing of European project practice. Module “Monitoring and evaluation in the project cycle” The course will cover the principal statistical methodologies commonly adopted for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) including their significance and applicability in enhancing project cycle evaluation and management using examples from government and non-government areas. The course will be organized into both theoretical and practical sessions, incorporating the use of statistical software.

For course materials, refer to each module’s syllabus.

The course is divided into two integrated modules that provide a comprehensive overview of the project cycle, focusing on the design, management, monitoring, and evaluation of public and private projects—particularly within the framework of European policies and the digital, ecological, and social transitions. Module 1: Project Cycle Management (SECS-P/06) Introduction to Project Cycle Management (PCM) Context analysis and stakeholder mapping Strategic planning and problem analysis Objectives, results chains and Logical Framework Approach Project formulation: activities, timeline, budget Risk analysis and sustainability strategies European funding programmes and calls for proposals How to read and interpret an EU call for proposals Project implementation, reporting and control Practical lab: design of a project proposal based on a real or simulated call Module 2: Monitoring and Evaluation in the Project Cycle (SECS-S/05) Introduction to Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) in the project cycle Theory of Change and Logical Framework for evaluation Indicators design: output, outcome, and impact indicators Descriptive statistics and data visualization in R Construction of composite indicators and performance scoring systems Regression models for evaluation: linear and logistic Counterfactual approaches: Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Difference-in-Differences (DiD) Basics of experimental design and Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) Dashboards, reporting tools and automated outputs in R Group project presentations and critical discussion of results

Lectures, individual, and/or group research activities, as well as software and project design laboratories and practical sessions. For specific module, refer to each module’s syllabus.

For the exam of individual modules, refer to each module’s syllabus. The final grade of the course will be the average of the grades obtained for each module. Overall, students will pass the test if their final grade is equal or above 18/30.

The course will address the following SDGs of the Agenda 2030: 4. Quality education