Training Course on Project Cycle Management – Entry Level

FMSI – in collaboration with the Secretariat of Solidarity and the Corazon Solidario Network – offered a basic level training opportunity for its religious and lay staff on Project Cycle Management and the tools for preparing proposals for International Organisations and other donors. The training aims to train participants in the development of project proposals, as well as the management and communication of projects in accordance with international requirements. The training was mainly focused on the knowledge of the tools to prepare a good project. At the same time, the purpose it to help participants develop project planning and monitoring skills. The process included presentations, group discussions, learning strategies and practical application.

AIM OF THE PROJECT:

The specific objective of the course was to strengthen participants’ skills in project proposal preparation, project implementation and management, financial sustainability and fundraising planning in line with international requirements. It was a great opportunity to share experiences and to establish new and deeper relationships with communities, NGOs and solidarity offices in Latin America and the Caribbean to work together to support solidarity programmes and activities. The participants were Brothers, lay men and women from Latin America and the Caribbean and members of other Congregations and local organisations, religious and lay people. Preferably, the workshop participants have been people in charge of projects in their Province/Sector and NGOs who are interested in learning and applying this specific training to develop programmes and disseminate the information to other members. This has been also an opportunity for younger religious and lay people to learn about the project cycle and to develop their skills.

The course was divided into five modules taught by Patricia Ynoñan Garcia, Misean Cara Mentor.

1. Project Cycle Management: a brief presentation of what it means.
2. How to prepare a proposal: context, problem, results, outcomes, outputs, indicators
3. Tools: Logical Framework
4. Explore different funding alternatives according to the experience of the organisations (also addressing the issue of financial sustainability and the issue of recurrent costs).
5. Evaluation of proposals made by working on application forms, “common mistakes” and “professional advice”.