Third and Last Module of Training of Multipliers 2010 completed

The group of multipliers came together one last time in Vienna, from 22nd to 24th September 2010, to complete their training. This time the focus was particularly on the Monitoring and Evaluating of projects. Thomas Vogel, Programme Manager at Horizont3000 gave a helpful explanation of the advanced tools necessary for these tasks of Project Management. This included types of evaluation, costs and requirements, and concepts such as relevance, effectiveness or sustainability. Angela James, who runs the BOND EC Funding Advice line, shared her expertise on the EC Standard Contract, and its reporting requirements. “Take this contract very seriously” and “Ask the Commission when in doubt” were some of her advice.

During training skills sessions, the participants learnt how to deal with difficult situations and broadened their public speaking skills through brief interactive exercises. Two more interesting sessions prepared by the participants themselves focused on Innovation and Sustainability in Project Writing and Training Skills in Development Cooperation. On the last day, the Open Space gave participants the opportunity to discuss topics of their choice in groups.

To assess the impact of the training, a closing session asked the participants the visions they have for the future and the next steps they will take, individually, as a group and on a national level. Some of these steps included creating networks and partnerships among the multipliers, organising internal and external training sessions, and working on confidence and capacity building in New Member States NGOs. While all participants declared themselves strongly committed, support mechanisms, funding opportunities and in some cases stronger connections to the national platforms are needed.

Overall, it was a successful set of modules and the newly trained trainers returned satisfied and certificate in hand to their respective countries. The feedback from this year’s participants will help TRIALOG to put together the Training of Multipliers 2011.

Information provided by Jess Blijkers, TRIALOG