Participants will master the new rules for the preparation and implementation of projects in rural development and will adopt the latest methodology in accordance with the strategic priorities of the Rural Development Program.
The goal of the program is to increase the capacity of participants for the independent preparation and implementation of projects in the rural development sector, with a special focus on creating a business plan, preparing an application package for submission to the Agency for Payments in Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as AGRONET. This is the first Croatian and regional program that deals with the preparation of project proposals in the rural development sector, training participants to prepare projects from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), using the latest tender documentation and practical examples. The program has been verified by the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education and was created as a result of the implementation of multi-day practical training on the same topic.
For more information, please contact us at +385 1 553 4878 or info@uep.hr
We are looking forward to our work together!
The program consists of theoretical and practical parts, including 69 hours of lectures where participants master the specifics of the Rural Development Program, differences in project preparation for the relevant instruments and structural funds, and are shown the key content of complete project applications along with specific tricks for a successful application. The practical part lasts 65 hours and involves the preparation of a business plan, collection of tender documentation, and work in the online system AGRONET. The 69 hours of lectures include a series of individual and group consultations that allow for individual work with participants on specific practical issues. Special attention is given to practical work with concrete tender documentation, situational tests that simulate real situations occurring in the preparation and implementation of projects.
Participants will master completely new rules for the preparation and implementation of projects in rural development with an emphasis on novelties in relation to the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy of the Republic of Croatia 2023-2027.
Specifically, they will learn:
For everyone working in the rural development sector, especially:
Practical work on the business plan is based on concrete exercises, practical examples, and tender documentation from one of the calls announced during the current year. Participants will prepare a business plan as a final project, compile a list of documentation for a complete project application, and describe the steps needed for proper project realization on a given concrete example from practice.
Preparation of a specific project – At the beginning of the program, each participant will choose a project topic in collaboration with a mentor to work on practically until the end of the program, shaping it into a project proposal (both narrative and financial parts).
Individual consulting and written comments – Mentors/instructors will provide each participant with written and oral comments on completed exercises and prepared projects to improve their quality. Such consultations take place within the program and allow participants to enhance their project proposals. Up to 95% of our participants rated this part of the course as one of the most significant.
Practical examples – Each segment of the program is accompanied by practical experiences, hands-on work, and guest lecturers from institutions and organizations working in the EU funds sector, where thematic discussions, conversations, and consultations are conducted. In the classes, we also show concrete examples of projects that have secured financing from EU funds.
Certificate of training – Each participant who successfully completes the program receives a certificate of training that is recorded in the e-workbook. The certificate is recognized by the relevant institutions in Croatia and serves as an excellent foundation for employment.
UEP ALUMNI PROGRAM internship – Each participant who successfully completes the program enters the UEP ALUMNI PROGRAM, through which they participate in annual conferences, internships, 1-on-1 mentoring, and the preparation of concrete project proposals.
Labor market – There is an exceptionally high demand in the labor market for experts specializing in project preparation in the rural development sector, both in the public and private sectors, especially because the current utilization of available funds in both relevant operational programs is very low.