Grant Europe’s core services centre around project development, project management, training and subsidy scan. It spans the whole project cycle from the initial project concept/idea to subsidy scan, partnership search, drafting and submission of calls for proposals, to the actual implementation phase with both financial and day-to-day management. Responding to the needs of our clients and our growing areas of expertise, Grants is increasingly offering content related management services, strategic advice and thematic expertise.
Subsidy scan
Based on clients’ needs and ambitions we develop a scan of the most interesting and appropriate funding opportunities in European programmes leading to an overview of the most relevant funding sources and a practical advice on how to use them. The scan can be done in general tailored to client’s overall activities and orientation. It can also be carried out with a specific project or objective in mind. The scan is a very useful tool to give an instant overview over the various opportunities and choices being done to match the needs of the client with the relevant EU priorities. The subsidy scan service is useful for both private and public entities. It could be said to be particularly valuable for public entities and SMEs who have limited human resources and funding experts to advice on EU funding opportunities.
Project development
Following the subsidy scan, the actual drafting and development of a project application starts. A project concept is either developed by Grants or by the client – but very often together in tandem. The project development also involve partner search since a successful application is not only depending upon a good project concept but also the composition of the partnership. The Partnership should be sufficiently strong, experienced and complementary to ensure successful project implementation. Once a partnership has been formed, work starts with developing the project including its conceptual background, objectives, activities, components, outputs and lasting results. The development of a successful application requires an in depth knowledge of EU policies and regulations and access to a European network of potential partners and experts and good working relationship with the relevant EU authorities.
The development of an application will be carried out on the basis of a fixed price contract (if relevant combined with success fees).
Project management
In most of the projects we develop we are asked to provide support services in the overall management and coordination of the project. This management, especially for Interreg and URBACT projects, require daily communication and coordination and periodic management and financial reporting. The management and reporting have to be carried out pursuant to strict manuals and guidance and thus require specific skills and experiences. Consultants of Grants Europe have these multi-cultural management experiences, the knowledge to take care of financial management and organise communication tasks of projects in accordance to European requirements and regulations and to provide you with solutions tailor made for your organisation.
Management services are delivered at very competitive rates because of the previous experiences built up with managing European projects and the internally developed management standards, tools and protocols.
Content management, Strategic Advice and Thematic Expertise
Grants has over the years built up extensive thematic expertise, especially in sustainable transport, environment, urban-rural development, energy and health. We can therefore contribute with strategic advice, writing synthesis reports, case studies, mid-term evaluation reports and devise various methodologies and templates. This additional service will ensure a one stop shop approach where we cover all the possible requests of our clients.
Training
Grants Europe has developed training programmes for public and private institutions, in particular linked to EU Structural Funds policies, the development of successful project applications and financial management of approved projects. These trainings can also be given as an “in company” programme which is tailor made to the needs of the client. These trainings have been very popular and are also supported by various EU funding programmes and their secretariats as the trainings help them to ensure high quality bids and projects. Grants in collaboration with its sister company HBHE will introduce a new sequence of trainings starting from early summer 2011.
Consultants of Grants Europe have been assigned by Interact for EU wide training programmes on these issues.