Members of the Agents of Changes team underwent an internship «International partnership projects – step by step». It was organized by the partners of the Precarpathian National University – the University of Social Sciences in Łód (and the Central European Academy of Training and Certification (CEASC). Coordinators – Mykola Smolinsky and Olga Gorkavchuk.

The program included a distance and almost a week full-time part in Slovakia. The participants of the internship while working in groups based on their own project ideas formed project applications and presented them to the experts. In particular, it is not the first time that Tetyana Mayorova, Doctoral of Economics, Professor of Kyiv National University named after V. Hetman, project manager and business trainer, consultant on financial modeling (budgeting) of projects, provided us with consulting and expert assistance.

In total, the internship brought together 30 participants from different parts of Ukraine and from different fields – higher education institutions, OTG, public organizations, small businesses and more. Therefore, in addition to direct new experience in project activities, CHANGE AGENTS had the opportunity to establish new business relationships, expand existing ones, and establish joint project work in the future.

The international part of the internship took place at the Catholic University of Ružomberok (Slovakia). Agents of Changes received important recommendations on international project cooperation, work with donors. Colleagues of the Slovak Catholic University shared their experience in the academic mobility of their researchers under the EU program. Interesting informational meetings took place with its Rector Yaroslav Demko, Deputy Dean for Mobility and Development Martin Taraj, professors of the Catholic University, Rector of the University of Social Sciences in Łód  Urszula Anna Domzal, as well as with international expert Stanislav Alvasyak.

Key points that were discussed:

– Grant projects: sources of EC, EEA funding, specifics of international partnership projects, project structure / project application, range of instruments and programs, priorities of budgets 2020 and 2027.

– H-2020 programs, Erasmus + *

– Funds of the Vise grad Four: Vise grad, Vise grad + grants, priorities, specifics of competitions, partnership requirements, amounts of co-financing. ENI Hungary – Slovakia – Romania – Ukraine.

– EEA (EOG) and Norwegian

During the internship, the Agents of Changes, together with international experts, developed a number of project proposals, which can already form the basis of effective cooperation of the Center with local communities of Prykarpattia grants.

The result of the internship was the evaluation of project concepts developed in groups by an expert and the receipt of diplomas and certificates confirming its successful completion.

The results of the internship in Ukraine will definitely be: development and conduct of trainings on the preparation of international / cross-border projects, opportunities to raise funds under the instruments of international donor organizations; online consultations, webinars; development / co-development of projects for international grants; publications on project activities.

The Agents of Changes shared their impressions of the international internship.

Natalia Lokatyr – as part of the international internship «International partnership projects – step by step» there was an opportunity to work on their own project ideas from idea to partnership application. Even if you have experience in writing projects, you always need to develop your skills, because there are new European Commission Tools with their own unique requirements, which is essential when formulating a project application.
The internship was full of teamwork, active networking, new useful information and new ideas. During the internship, our team got acquainted with information about the sources of project funding, European Commission instruments: H-2020, Erasmus + * Vise grad Four funds and Norwegian grants. At the end of the internship there was a great opportunity to meet potential partners and discuss with them the ideas of joint projects.

Mykhailo Statkevych – The internship was extremely useful in the context of mastering modern approaches and effective methods of developing project proposals for consideration by foreign donors.  The peculiarities of international design on the basis of mutually beneficial partnership from the birth of an idea to its practical implementation were studied in detail. It is important that all problems were considered exclusively in a practical dimension, taking into account current Ukrainian realities and needs. During the internship, together with international experts, we previously worked out a number of project proposals, which can already form the basis of effective cooperation of the Center with local Precarpathian communities.

Tatiana Solodzhuk– The internship program «International Partnership Projects – Step by Step» provided information on the sources of funding for grant projects, conditions of participation in grant competitions, features of the organization of international partnerships, organizational aspects and opportunities for project applications. The participants of the internship while working in groups based on their own project ideas formed project applications and presented them to the experts. Each of the projects was evaluated by experts in terms of its rationality and efficient use of resources, the possibility of financing through current funding instruments, the presence of positive aspects and shortcomings that will affect the formation of its ranking among other projects.

Zoryana Krykhovetska – The first 3 days of the internship took place in Uzhgorod. The training took place in groups of 7-8 people, united by common interests, each of whom had the opportunity to develop their project, from the formation of the idea to the final design of the project application. The projects concerned the development of mobility among students, the formation of democratic principles in local governments, the development of tourism in the region and more. Mykola Smolinskyi, President of the CEASC Foundation, a specialist in project application preparation, focused on the legal aspects of project application preparation. The next days of the internship took place at the University of Slovakia, where they were joined by our partners from the University of Poland. Colleagues of the Slovak Catholic University in Ružomberk shared their experience of academic mobility of scientists within the EU program. We were told about the peculiarities of preparation and evaluation of applications submitted to the Visegrad Fund, Norwegian grants. Attention was drawn to the main mistakes of applicants, which should not be allowed to obtain the approval of the expert commission of competitions. They recommended competitions that can now be used by interns who have developed projects in training groups.

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