On 17 June 2026, an online workshop “Proposal Funding and Project Writing” was held within the Erasmus+ project “Promoting Academic Freedom in Ukraine (FreeAc)”. The workshop was organised by the European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy at the University of Graz and delivered by experts from CESIE (Italy).
The workshop was led by Francesca Vacanti, an expert in European project development and international cooperation with extensive experience in Erasmus+, REC, COSME, and Interreg programmes, and Simona Sglavo, an experienced project manager and project proposal writer at CESIE. Their expertise covers inclusive, digital and intercultural education, entrepreneurial skills, environmental education, and sustainable tourism.
The workshop brought together representatives of the project partner universities – Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Sumy State University, and the International University in Odesa – to strengthen their knowledge and practical skills related to European funding opportunities and project proposal development.
During the first part of the workshop, participants gained an overview of the main European funding initiatives, their characteristics, thematic priorities, and opportunities for international cooperation. The speakers introduced key funding programmes and discussed current trends and priorities in European project funding.
The second part focused on project writing and proposal development. Participants explored the basic structure of EU-funded project applications and received practical guidance on how to prepare competitive proposals. Through discussions and examples from practice, the speakers shared useful tips and recommendations for transforming project ideas into well-structured and fundable project proposals.
The workshop provided participants with valuable insights into identifying suitable funding opportunities, understanding European funding priorities, and improving the quality and competitiveness of project applications.