MORNING
The Topic: FP7 Project Development
"Where to begin when it comes to FP7?"

The EC: succeeding is simpler if you know what is expected
Project Managers with outstanding track records in proposal development come to share with you on how to best understand what the EC is looking for with the publication of a call. Not only offering you the insight about how the functions of the proposal development process, but also offering you tips and hints to construct a competitive proposal.

The Consortium: building a winning team is not easy
The composition of the consortium is evaluated carefully and plays a crucial role in the evaluation of any FP7 projects. Besides that, it saves you much effort later on, when the real work gets going and can provide the foundation for all future success of the project. However, gathering together the finest organizations is a talent in and of itself. Learn how to discover the most suitable partners from the people who are accustomed to finding the best and who regularly receive invitations to cooperate with others.

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AFTERNOON
The Topic: FP7 Evaluation & Negotiation
"Financing the Best of the Best"

The Evaluation: tactics that work
Though receiving funding under FP7 is highly competitive, the fairness of the evaluation process hypothetically places everyone on the same playing field. Nonetheless, your future proposal can be improved by employing tips and a clear description about the procedures. Our experts, previous and current FP6 and FP7 evaluators will help you to understand the other side, and the thinking method of the evaluators.

The Negotiation: how to deal with the EC
The negotiation process is not an automatic success in FP7. Reaching the negotiation stage does not guarantee the funding. Projects fail in this phase often enough that you must continue to focus directed. Entering into the negotiations with a clear understanding of what you and your partners need, what the EC wants, and how you can come to terms with each other to benefit everyone is a critical step in any project. Hearing the wide range of experienced project managers have been through will greatly assist you in beginning your project.

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Permanent programme: Poster session

MORNING
The Topic: FP7 Project Management
"Managing the Impossible"

The Coordinators: inside secrets
Coordinating an FP7 project can be a great opportunity or a nightmare as well. Each phase, from conceiving an idea to closing a project, requires different management techniques and levels of investment. Unruly, lazy, or maybe just partners with slightly different work attitude can hinder the successful progress of any project. Finding ways to maintain a harmony throughout the project, solving disputes, and confirming an equitable share of work is distributed are only some of the most basic tasks of a coordinator. Learn tips and tricks from experienced FP5/FP6/FP7 project coordinators on how to keep the consortium together, how to motivate your partners and how to report your activities to the Commission.

The EC: delivering what they want, doing what you want
On the opposite side of the bargaining table, there sits the EC holding funds like an employer waiting to see your accomplishments. Understanding their perspective will help you clarify your arguments and smoothly get along with the EC in all relations. Discuss with a previous EC Project Officer to understand how they and the EC operates as well as the human factor of project implementation.

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AFTERNOON
The Topic: FP7 Financial Management and Audits
"Cost allocation and its creative side"

Financial managers: navigation between national and EC rules
The soundness of your project's ideas, good management, and a wonderful consortium are all obviously critical for success, but in many respects everything boils down to the numbers. The diversity of rules and variety between national and EC policies will truly influence how well your project operates. Proper financial management is essential and knowing just how and where to allocate project related costs is an art. Learn how to balance in the grey zone of the national and EC rules in financial management and find out the list of most typical financial errors.

Auditors: what they want you to know
When the day comes to meet with EC-delegated auditors, be prepared to survive an audit by learning the basic elementary matters required. Avoid being surprised by familiarizing yourself with how auditors think and what their expectations are. Also, recognize precisely what your rights, duties and obligations are in return to avoid complications. An audit does not have to be intimidating if you have got the knowledge to do things correctly from the start.

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Permanent programme: Poster session