Infrastructure and Major Project Preparation and Implementation Manager

The Infrastructure and Major Project Preparation and Implementation Manager programme is a specialised education programme lasting 180 class hours, designed for anyone who wants to acquire expert knowledge for the preparation, appraisal, and implementation of infrastructure and major projects financed through EU funds. The programme focuses on understanding the project cycle, preparing a feasibility study, developing a financial and economic analysis, and planning and managing project implementation within the 2021 to 2027 financial perspective and through the Next Generation EU instrument. Teaching is delivered online over two semesters during one academic year, with practical work based on a concrete investment example and a strong emphasis on real challenges in the preparation and implementation of major projects. The value of the programme lies in its specialised focus, practical application, and orientation towards competences that are essential for infrastructure investments and complex projects.

• Understand how infrastructure and major projects are planned, prepared, and implemented, and how they are aligned with European and national strategic priorities.
• Collect and structure the data required for project preparation, feasibility studies, and financial and economic analysis.
• Apply the methodology for preparing a feasibility study and financial and economic analysis in accordance with the rules of EU funds and major investment projects.
• Resolve concrete project situations through practical work on an investment example, with a focus on construction, financial, and implementation aspects of the project.

Upon completion of the programme, participants will be able to:

• distinguish between funding sources and identify which EU funds finance infrastructure and major projects
• analyse the project cycle of an infrastructure project and identify the key stages of preparation and implementation
• collect and organise the data required for the preparation of project documentation, a feasibility study, and a financial and economic analysis
• prepare the basic elements of the narrative part of a feasibility study
• apply the basic rules for preparing a financial and economic analysis for an investment project
• assess the financial and economic viability of a project on the basis of relevant indicators and project assumptions
• plan the implementation of an infrastructure project with an understanding of the key risks and construction-related aspects of delivery
• prepare a complete final assignment based on an investment example, including a feasibility study and a financial and economic analysis

The programme is intended for individuals who want to develop specialised competences for working on the preparation and implementation of infrastructure and major projects, especially in the context of EU funds and public investments. It is particularly useful for those who want to understand complex project processes, investment logic, and the methodology for assessing project viability.

• employees in public bodies, local and regional self-government units, and public institutions
• staff of development agencies and institutions involved in the preparation of investment projects
• consultants and project managers working on major and infrastructure projects
• professionals in the fields of regional development, investment, and EU funds
• individuals involved in preparing feasibility studies and financial and economic analyses
• anyone seeking specialisation in the preparation and implementation of complex infrastructure projects

1. EU Funds and the Strategic Framework for Infrastructure and Major Projects
Participants gain an overview of the funds and instruments that finance infrastructure and major projects, including the 2021 to 2027 financial perspective and the Next Generation EU instrument. The focus is on understanding funding conditions and aligning projects with European and national strategic guidelines.

2. Project Cycle of Infrastructure and Major Projects
This unit covers the stages of the project cycle, from the initial idea and preparatory documentation to implementation and monitoring of delivery. Participants learn the logic of preparing complex projects and the key steps involved in each stage.

3. Data Collection and Preparation of Project Documentation
This unit focuses on identifying and collecting the data needed to begin project preparation and the development of a feasibility study. Participants acquire the basic rules for structuring data and understanding the documentary basis of an investment project.

4. Feasibility Study, Structure, and Preparation of the Narrative Part
Participants become familiar with the purpose, structure, and content of a feasibility study and learn how to prepare its narrative section. The focus is on the practical development of an investment project and on linking project logic with development and financial objectives.

5. Financial and Economic Analysis of the Project
This unit addresses the content of a financial and economic analysis and the basic methodology for its preparation. Participants learn how to assess whether a project is financially and economically justified and how to interpret the key indicators of viability.

6. Implementation of Infrastructure Projects and Construction Aspects of Delivery
This unit covers the practical challenges that arise during the implementation of infrastructure and major projects, with particular emphasis on construction aspects, implementation organisation, and the management of situations that may affect project delivery.

7. Practical Work on an Investment Example and Final Assignment
Through practical work, participants prepare a complete feasibility study with a financial and economic analysis based on a given investment example. This work serves as the final assignment and is a prerequisite for taking the final examination.