Project Design Certification Programme

Delivered under the Development Cooperation Academy, this certification programme, combining distance-learning modules, a one-week workshop, and a practicum, offers a hands-on method for project identification, design, planning, and budgeting. It unites development practitioners and technical experts from various organizations and sectors, fostering a global, collaborative and educational environment. OBJECTIVES This certification confirms that participants have achieved the following objectives: • Acquired the knowledge and skills to effectively design and write project proposals in accordance with international best practices in development cooperation (UN organisations, the ILO, the EU, Development Banks, INGOs, etc.); • Understood the attitudes to successfully engage stakeholders in project design; • Written a relevant, coherent and well-structured project document. PHASES AND CONTENT I. Distance learning modules The distance-learning component was conducted via the ITCILO eCampus platform. During this phase, participants were introduced to Project Cycle Management, the essentials of project design documents, and received an overview of the key agencies and actors financing development cooperation. This content was covered through three online modules, each guided by a tutor. II. One-week workshop and the Development Cooperation Academy The second phase consisted of a one-week workshop held under the Development Cooperation Academy. During the workshop, participants completed the remaining modules: project situation analysis, alternative analysis, project design using the logical framework approach, operational planning and budgeting, and planning for monitoring and evaluation. During the week, participants also engaged in a 90-minute daily global forum with 80 participants as part of the Development Cooperation Academy. Through these discussions, participants explored the future of work in development cooperation, focusing on topics such as implementing safeguards, leveraging data-driven services to improve development cooperation, the realities of the attention and gig economies and their impact on communication and forms of employment, and the growing role of artificial intelligence. These sessions provided participants with comprehensive and strategic insights into the evolving landscape of development cooperation III. Practicum at distance Following the week-long workshop, participants completed a practicum/coaching phase with the support and guidance of ITCILO experts. During this phase, participants wrote a full project proposal and submitted it to ITCILO for review and appraisal. ACHIEVEMENT This Certificate of Achievement was awarded to participants who successfully completed the required deliverables, including individual and group assignments, during each phase of the programme. I. Distance learning modules (20 hours), conducted online via ITCILO eCampus • Completed three tutor-led online modules. • Acquired general principles of resource mobilization and project cycle management. • Draft a project concept note. II. Face-to-face workshop (30 hours) in Turin, Italy • Acquired practical knowledge and skills to identify, structure, plan, budget, and evaluate a project. • Created a first draft of a complete project through teamwork. III. Practicum at distance (20 hours) • Researched, developed, and completed a full project proposal. • Submitted the complete project document to ITCILO experts for review, assessment, and certification. NUMBER OF HOURS: 70