Practical implementation tools for officers and managers – from EU Cohesion Policy to global development cooperation
Dates 18–20 November 2026 · 3 days
Venue Vincci Porto 4★, Porto (Portugal) – Douro riverfront
Organisers ETCP (Paris) in cooperation with CESO Academy (Portugal)
Language English
THE DOUBLE ACT
ETCP brings the rigour of EU shared-management rules (verification, audit, SCOs, 2028+ programming).
CESO Academy, training arm of a Portuguese international development consultancy with 50+ years of experience, brings the project-cycle discipline of international cooperation (logic models, results chains, indicators, Payment for Results).
Participants leave with one toolbox for both EU and international funding.
LECTURERS
• Franck Sottou (ETCP) – Senior International M&C Expert – 32+ years in EU funds M&C, SCOs, KPI systems and results-oriented management
• Rui Miguel Santos (CESO) – Vice-President of CESO – guest professor (Maastricht School of Management, College of Europe); 25+ years in development cooperation
• Dr. Monika Štesková (ETCP) – Trainer & evaluator in EU-funded programmes – 15+ years coordinating international consortia; “Next-Level Gantt” approach
PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE
Day 1 – Foundations
Joint opening & tour de table (ETCP×CESO) · Definitions & challenges (ETCP) · Project as a logic model (CESO)
Next-Level Gantt meets Critical Path Method (Joint) · Workshop on own projects (ETCP)
Day 2 – Evaluation & Verification
Evaluation / selection role-play · International evaluation committee simulation (Joint)
Budgeting, cash-flow & risk (CESO) · Verification / reporting role-play (ETCP)
Networking evening: rooftop reception (Douro Sky Lounge) + dinner
Day 3 – Results & 2028+
Monitoring systems & indicators (CESO) · Paying for results: SCO/FNLC meets PforR (Joint)
2028+ programming & organisational models (ETCP) · Action planning, closing panel, certificates (Joint)
WHY ATTEND
• International dimension: EU cohesion compared with EU external action and multilateral donors; French, Portuguese and Slovak faculty.
• Networking approach: opening tour de table, mixed international work groups, daily networking lunches, Day 2 rooftop reception & dinner, access to ETCP and CESO Academy alumni communities.
• Hands-on: role-plays, simulations and workshops on participants’ own projects.
• Exceptional venue: Vincci Porto, a 1930s landmark (former fish market) on the Douro, rooftop Douro Sky Lounge. Porto: UNESCO-listed historic centre, easy direct flights across Europe.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Project officers and implementation managers (managing authorities, intermediate bodies), beneficiary support teams, local and regional authorities, consultants and NGO staff working on EU, multilateral or cooperation-funded projects under direct management including Horizon.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
• Included: training materials, joint ETCP × CESO Academy certificate, coffee breaks & lunches, Day 2 networking evening. Not included: travel, accommodation.
• Alumni rate (−15%): reserved for former ETCP and CESO Academy participants.