This module provides the essential foundations for understanding the functioning of the European Union and the system of European funding, offering a concrete compass to navigate among institutions, programmes, calls for proposals, and professional opportunities.

Through a practical and market-oriented approach, participants will learn to read the European ecosystem not only as an institutional framework, but as a space for design, cooperation, and development. The module combines the analysis of the history, structure, budget, and funding opportunities of the EU with the study of funding logics, euro-project design techniques, and tools of project management, referring to the methodology PM² Project Management Methodology developed by the European Commission.

The aim is to provide a solid foundation for understanding how funding opportunities arise, how to intercept the most relevant calls for proposals, and which elements make a project proposal credible, competitive, and consistent with European priorities.

The Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce combines training, direct experience on European projects, and connection with the Brussels ecosystem. Participants not only acquire theoretical knowledge but also operational tools and a concrete professional perspective to take their first steps in the world of euro-project design, consultancy, and European affairs.

Structure

The five lessons will take place online from September 15 to 29:

• Tuesday 15, 22, 29 September, from 18:30 to 21:00
• Thursday 17, 24 September, from 18:30 to 21:00

The test of verification of acquired knowledge (quiz with multiple choice questions) will be held on Thursday 1 October.

Contents

• The institutional system of the European Union: historical evolution of European integration, role and competencies of the main EU institutions, decision-making processes, relationship between the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council, executive agencies and other actors in the European system
• The EU budget: Multiannual Financial Framework and post-2027 scenarios: structure of the European budget, political and financial priorities, connection between EU strategies, funding programmes and future directions of European programming.
• Funding opportunities in the EU: overview of the main European funding sources, difference between direct management programmes, structural funds, thematic instruments and opportunities related to digital, green, social and entrepreneurial transitions
• Research and monitoring of European calls: use of information platforms and official portals, preliminary reading ofcall for proposals, work programmes, guide for applicantsand application documentation, with attention to priorities, deadlines, eligibility criteria and administrative constraints
• From project idea to proposal: definition of the problem, needs analysis, construction of the intervention logic, formulation of objectives, expected results, activities, impact and European added value
• Quality projects and evaluative logic: analysis of case studies and best practices to understand what makes a proposal coherent, credible and assessable; identification of the most common errors in project writing and in structuring the application
• Building the European partnership: identification of partners, definition of roles and responsibilities, composition of solid and reliable consortia, management of relationships with public, private, academic and third sector organisations
• Basic elements of budgeting and reporting: introduction to the construction of the project budget, cost categories, consistency between activities and resources, principles of expense eligibility, administrative documentation and financial control logics
• Project Management for European funds:introduction to planning, coordination, monitoring and risk management techniques, with reference to the PM² methodology of the European Commission and useful tools for the implementation of funded projects
• Reporting, communication and dissemination:drafting of quality reports, communication of results, dissemination towards stakeholders and target groups, enhancing project impact through digital channels and integrated communication tools

Practical focus

• Understanding the functioning of the EU institutional and financial system, linking institutions, decision-making processes, political priorities, the European budget and the Multiannual Financial Framework

• Navigating European funding programmes and opportunities, identifying key actors, strategic priorities and monitoring tools for calls

• Read and interpret a call for proposals, analysing objectives, eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, required documentation, administrative constraints and deadlines

• Transform a project idea into a first application architecture, defining needs, target group, objectives, activities, expected results, impact and European added value

• Understand the basics of building a European partnership, identifying partners, roles, responsibilities and criteria for structuring solid and reliable consortia

• Set up the essential elements of budget and reporting, linking activities, resources, cost categories, eligibility principles for expenses and administrative documentation

• Apply tools of project management and communication, from activity planning to partner coordination, from monitoring to dissemination and valorisation of results

Skills and professional opportunities

• Understand how the European Union and the funding system work, navigating through institutions, decision-making processes, political priorities, programmes and funding opportunities
• Develop operational skills in euro-projecting, from searching for calls to reading documentation, from defining the project idea to building objectives, activities, results and impact
• Acquire a solid foundation in European project management, with tools to plan, coordinate, monitor and report on funded projects, also in reference to the PM² methodology
• Strengthen the ability to contribute to competitive applications, including evaluation criteria, evaluator logic, partnership quality, budget coherence and European added value
• Prepare for professional roles in European project design, consultancy, public affairs, management of European projects within international offices, public entities, NGOs, universities, businesses and third sector organisations

This module guides participants in the analysis of key European funding programmes, helping them to transform knowledge of EU funds into operational capacity: choosing the right programme, reading a call, assessing the coherence of a project idea and building a competitive application.

Through a comparative and practical approach, the module explores key programmes such as Erasmus+, Creative Europe, Horizon Europe, Single Market Programme, CERV and LIFE, highlighting objectives, priorities, beneficiaries, fundable actions, eligibility criteria and evaluation logics. The module does not just explain “what each programme funds”, but guides participants to understand how to choose, read and strategically use EU funds.

Compared to pathways focused only on the theory of funding or on individual programmes, the CCBI format integrates three distinctive assets: direct experience in European design, presence in the Brussels ecosystem and a hands-on approach to real calls for proposals. Meetings with experts thus transform into a control room for learning how to navigate European programmes, identify the most suitable funding channel and position a proposal with method, vision and competitiveness.

Structure

Lessons will take place online from 6 October to 7 November:

• Tuesday 6, 13, 20, 27 October and 3 November, from 18:30 to 21:00
• Thursday 8, 15, 22, 29 October and 5 November, from 18:30 to 21:00
• Saturday 10, 17, 24, 31 October and 7 November, from 09:30 to 12:30

Content

Culture and Youth - Erasmus+ and Creative Europe (6, 8, 10 October)

1. Structure of the programmes, thematic priorities and key actions, focusing on mobility, transnational cooperation, educational, cultural and creative partnerships, and opportunities for training entities, youth organisations, cultural enterprises and NGOs
2. Erasmus+ in practice: reading calls, forms and evaluation criteria; focus on partnerships, cooperation actions, target groups, expected results, dissemination and impact in the fields of education, training, youth and sport
3. Creative Europe and European cultural design: opportunities for the cultural and audiovisual sectors, cross-border cooperation, audience development, creative innovation, European networking and enhancing the cultural dimension in projects

Research and Innovation - Horizon Europe (13, 15, 17 October)

1. Programme architecture and strategic priorities, with an introduction to Pillars, Clusters, Missions, European Partnerships, funding instruments (RIA, IA, CSA) and the role of international consortia
2. Horizon Europe in practice: analysis of work programmes, topic, expected results, scope, eligibility conditions and evaluation criteria; construction of match between project idea, scientific-technological priorities, partnership and expected impact
3. Workshop on topic and project concept: simulation of analysis of a call Horizon Europe, preliminary definition of excellence, impact and implementation, identification of partners, work packages, deliverables and milestones

Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship - Single Market Programme and ESF+ (20, 22, 24 October)

1. Structure of programmes and intervention priorities, focusing on competitiveness, SMEs, entrepreneurial ecosystems, inclusion, employment, skills, training and social innovation
2. Opportunities for businesses, public entities and local stakeholders: analysis of calls and tools aimed at chambers of commerce, business associations, SMEs, training entities, social organisations and business support networks
3. Practical examples and case studies: simulation of project interventions on competitiveness, capacity building, business services, labour inclusion, skills development and territorial impact

Citizenship and Democratic Engagement - CERV Programme (27, 29, 31 October)

1. Programme priorities and areas of intervention, focusing on European citizenship, equality, fundamental rights, democratic participation, European memory, and the fight against discrimination
2. Designing participation, rights, and democracy: analysis of calls, eligibility criteria, and evaluation logics, with attention to the transnational dimension, citizen involvement, and the building of civic partnerships
3. Analysis of funded projects and project simulation: case studies, participatory activities, advocacy, communication, inclusion of vulnerable targets, social impact, and dissemination of results

Green Transition and Sustainability - LIFE Programme (3, 5, 7 November)

1. Programme structure, sub-programmes, and European priorities, focusing on nature and biodiversity, circular economy, quality of life, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and clean energy transition
2. Designing sustainability and green transition: analysis of calls, requirements, evaluation criteria, and project types, with attention to environmental innovation, replicability, technical sustainability, and contribution to European climate goals
3. Good practices, case studies, and project laboratory: analysis of funded projects and simulation of concepts, from defining the environmental problem to building activities, indicators, stakeholders, expected results, and communication plan

Practical focus

• Navigating the main European funding programmes, understanding differences, objectives, beneficiaries, fundable sectors, management methods and opportunities best suited to different types of project ideas
• Select the programme most consistent with a proposal, evaluating thematchbetween needs, target group, political priorities, expected results, required partnership and level of project ambition.
• Read and interpret calls, work programmes and guides for applicants, identifying priorities, eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, administrative constraints, mandatory documents and deadlines
• Analyse successful cases and funded projects, recognising recurring elements of quality, internal coherence, European added value, sustainability, impact and transferability of results
• Build an initial application strategy, defining objectives, activities, outputs, partnerships, indicative budget, result indicators and project narrative based on the selected programme
• Simulate the preparation and review of a proposal, through guided workshops on key sections of the application, with feedback focused on the evaluator's logic and the standards of the European Commission
• Develop a cross-cutting vision of EU funds, useful for working in consultancy, public bodies, NGOs, universities, businesses, cultural organisations, training institutions and entities active in social, environmental and entrepreneurial innovation

Skills and professional opportunities

• Acquire operational knowledge of the main EU funding programmes, understanding their objectives, priorities, beneficiaries, access criteria, evaluation logics and sector-specificities
• Develop skills in programme matching, learning to connect project ideas, territorial or organisational needs and European funding opportunities
• Strengthen the ability to analyse calls and official documentation, with attention to work programmes, call text, forms, eligibility criteria, budgets, partnerships and impact indicators
• Prepare to contribute to the writing and management of European applications, working on case studies, simulations and practical tools applicable in the professional contexts of Euro-project management
• Access professional opportunities in consultancy, European project management within public bodies, NGOs, universities, businesses, cultural organisations, training institutions and entities active in EU programmes

This module aims to deepen the use of Artificial Intelligence as an operational environment for the design and management of European projects. Participants will learn to build structured workflows to analyse calls, requirements and evaluation criteria; develop concept notes and project sections; design effective prompts; simulate the evaluation of a proposal; configure specialised AI assistants; improve unfunded applications; support monitoring, reporting, and coordination of approved projects.

The course integrates the euro-project methodology, evaluative logic, AI tools, and practical exercises focused on the quality, coherence, and operational sustainability of proposals.

Structure

The four lessons will take place online from 17 to 26 November:

• Tuesday 17 and 24 November, from 18:30 to 21:00
• Thursday 19 and 26 November, from 18:30 to 21:00

Content

• AI in the design of European proposals: use of Artificial Intelligence throughout the entire application cycle, from identifying the project idea to structuring the proposal, with attention to the coherence between objectives, activities, expected results, impacts, and programme requirements.
• Analysis of calls, requirements and evaluation criteria: application of AI tools to interpret calls for proposals, guides for applicants, application forms, work programmes the official documentation, identifying priorities, eligibility requirements, administrative constraints, scoring criteria, scoring, expected results, and critical points of the application
• Prompt engineering for Euro project design: designing effective prompts for the various phases of the project work, from the preliminary analysis of the call to the construction of the concept note, from drafting the narrative sections to reviewing the proposal according to the evaluator's logic
• Writing and optimisation of project sections: guided use of AI to improve the quality of key sections of the proposal, such as objectives, methodology, impact, work plan, work packages, deliverables, milestones, risk management, sustainability, and European added value
• Simulation of the evaluation and quality check of the application: use of AI to verify the robustness of the proposal against the evaluation criteria, identify inconsistencies, argumentative gaps, and weaknesses before the submission
  
• Review of unfunded proposals: assisted analysis of feedback, Evaluation Summary Report and evaluations received, to transform the identified issues into a strategy for improvement and reapplication
• Specialised AI agents and assistants: introduction to the configuration of assistants dedicated to call analysis, compliance control of the application form, linguistic and structural review, evaluation logic verification, and management support
• AI in the management and implementation of funded projects: support for activity monitoring, partner coordination, preparation of technical reports, meeting summarisation, management of deliverables, milestones, risks, communication, and internal control processes

Practical focus

• Guided analysis of EU calls with AI tools, including the identification of priorities, specific objectives, eligibility requirements, administrative constraints, evaluation criteria and programme expectations
• Construction of an AI-assisted concept note, starting from a project idea and developing objectives, target group, needs, expected results, main activities, elements of innovation and European added value
• Practical application of prompt engineering to the application, with exercises on prompts analytical, editorial, evaluative and review prompts, tailored to the different sections of the proposal
• Review, optimisation and evaluative simulation of the proposal, using AI to improve clarity, internal coherence, measurability of objectives, robustness of impact, quality of work plan and alignment with scoring criteria, testing the application from the evaluator's perspective before submission
• Analysis of an unfunded proposal, through the reading of feedback or evaluation reports and the construction of a strategy for review, strengthening and possible reapplication
• Configuration of AI assistants to support project development for analysis of calls, checking project coherence, linguistic review, compliance verification or support for reporting
• Simulation of management, monitoring and reporting activities, using AI to organise information, synthesise progress, prepare reports, check deliverables and support operational coordination

Skills and career opportunities

• Use artificial intelligence tools to support European project design, from reading calls to generating concept notes, project drafts, coherence analysis and structured revisions
• Apply prompt engineering techniques to European design, building effective prompts for analysis, writing, revision, evaluative simulation, reporting and optimisation of applications
• Improve the quality, coherence and competitiveness of project proposals, using AI to verify alignment with evaluation criteria, clarity of objectives, robustness of impact and completeness of the work plan
• Integrate AI into the processes of project management and reporting, supporting monitoring, organisation of information, control of the deliverables, summarising progress and communicating results
• Prepare for advanced professional profiles in European project design and management of European funds, capable of combining project skills, strategic thinking and conscious use of AI in public, private and third sector organisations

This module provides opportunities to connect with institutional and business actors active in the European context in Brussels, as well as with companies and entrepreneurs within the Chamber’s network.

Through practical work with EU project design experts and consultants, as well as visits to companies and entrepreneurs active in Brussels across different sectors, students will learn how to operate effectively in a constantly evolving international environment.

Structure

The four lessons take place online and in Brussels from 8 to 17 December:

• Online: Tuesday 8 and Thursday 10 December, 18:30 – 21:00
• In Brussels: from 14 to 17 December (schedule to be defined based on the availability of institutions and companies involved)

Content

• CV and cover letter: techniques and tips for effective writing according to European standards, to enhance skills and experiences in EU project design and EU affairs and to adapt applications to different professional contexts (EU institutions, consultancy, NGOs)
• Guided Tender Simulation: laboratory development of a Project Work starting from a real call, from the construction of the partnership and structuring of the proposal to the final presentation, with structured feedback
• Career Day: meetings with Italian business realities in Brussels and in-depth exploration of career opportunities and networking activities in an international context through direct comparison with companies and organisations active in the sector
• Institutional Visits: getting to know the European institutions closely through meetings and testimonies about their operational and decision-making processes

Practical focus

• Selection process simulations, with exercises on tests, interviews and recruitment dynamics in Brussels
• Guided writing of CVs and applications for European and international contexts, with adaptation to the different required profiles
• Networking activities and professional positioning, to build an effective strategy for entering the EU job market

Professional output

• Targeted preparation for the selection processes of EU institutions and international organisations
• Developing a competitive profile for roles in consultancy, European affairs and Euro-projecting
• Accessing professional opportunities in European and international contexts, thanks to concrete application and networking tools