Back to: New Project Management (PROJ) online full lessons
This glossary will give you the key terms and definitions making clear all the “jargon” you can hear around programme and project management
Acronyms first to be clarified
Please note that around the world definitions can change, be specified and adapted, in particular when defining outputs and impact:
- output can reflect a beginning of “result” in some situations, like acquisition of knowledge
- impact can focus on the long term / broader change or concentrate on the direct change attributed to your intervention
Here mostly definitions are the EU ones, focusing on the coupling of outputs and results, making a clear distinction between them and using the Theory of Change approach.
You can return to this glossary at any point during the e-training to look up at key terms.
Acronyms
The Funds
CF = Cohesion Fund EAFRD = European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development EMFF = European Maritime and Fisheries Fund ERDF = European Regional Development Fund ESF = European Social Fund ERDF + ESF = Structural Funds Structural Funds + CF = The Funds ESIF = European Structural and Investment Funds ESIF = The Funds + EAFRD + EMFF
The Regulations
CPR = Common Provisions Regulation TFEU = Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union FEI = Financial Engineering Instruments FI = Financial Instruments GBER = General Block Exemption Regulation SCO = Simplified Cost Options TA = Technical Assistance NSRF = National Strategic Reference Framework
Implementing Structures
AA = Audit Authority MA = Managing Authority IB = Intermediary Body IFI = International Financial Institution JMC = Joint Monitoring Authority DG = Directorate General MS = Member State of the EU
Key Technical Terms
Black Box of Change = a term used to express the complexity of understanding and decomposing the factors that drive sector or programme change Contribution Analysis = analysis to measure the contribution of programme outputs to sector results Intervention Logic = a description of the implementation approach to achieve results New Intervention Logic = a new results oriented description of the implementation approach to achieve sector-based results OP = Operational Programme = a national strategy to address key priorities and at the same time contribute to EU2020 objectives Operation = the way in which a programme is implemented Other Factors = the factors outside the control of the programme that influence the sector results Outcomes = the change or effects of a programme, the benefits of the programme
Outputs = direct products & services that contribute to results Programme Outputs = the products and services produced by programme inputs and activities Programme Results = the measurable change in well-being in a target group defined in the programme objectives Results = specific dimension of well-being and progress (for target group/sector) that motivates policy action Results Chain = a linear view of intervention logic showing links between inputs, outputs and results (usually programme-based) Results indicators = variables that provide information on specific aspects of results (baselines + targets needed) Sector Results = the measurable change in well-being in a sector Theory of Change = A list of the assumptions on which the programme logic is based. (Think of a series of “if-then” statements)
The reading guide contains sources and reading recommendations for this course: articles, directives, regulations, Commission’s guidance documents and more.
Please note the present debate about the future of Cohesion Policy, insisting on the performance at National level and the payments not linked to the costs!
So please pay attention to the guidance for SCOs (simplified cost options) and the risk management guidance as well illustrating the direction of change
EC General guidance
- CPR
- ERDF / ESF Regulation
- Common Indicators
- Performance Budgeting in the EU
https://commission.europa.eu/publications/budget-expenditure-tracking-and-performance-framework_en
https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/publications/RV-2025-04