UCJOPBP007 EU funds and project management

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Winter 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
PaedDr. Martin Rangl (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
PaedDr. Martin Rangl
Institute of Foreign Languages – Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Contact Person: Mgr. Jana Nálepová, Ph.D.
Timetable of Seminar Groups
UCJOPBP007/A: each even Friday 8:05–11:20 H9, M. Rangl
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives

The course aims to familiarize students with the fundamental principles of EU cohesion policy, the system of European funds, and financing opportunities for development projects during the 2021–2027 programming period, while simultaneously developing their practical skills in project preparation, management, implementation, and evaluation.


Students will gain a basic understanding of the strategic, legislative, institutional, and financial frameworks of EU cohesion policy, as well as the key programs utilized in the Czech Republic. Special attention is paid to European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), particularly cross-border cooperation in the Czech-Polish border region.


Given the study program's focus on foreign languages, emphasis is placed on the importance of linguistic, communication, and intercultural competencies in the preparation and implementation of international projects.


Instruction in project management covers the entire project cycle—from problem identification and needs analysis, through the formulation of the project concept (defining objectives, target groups, activities, schedules, budgets, and indicators), to implementation, monitoring, evaluation, publicity, and project sustainability.


Reflecting the scope of the course, instruction is structured into six three-hour thematic blocks. Approximately one-third of the course is dedicated to the context of cohesion policy, EU funds, and the Interreg program, while two-thirds focus on practical project management. Throughout the semester, students progressively develop their own simplified project proposal based on a real or model grant call. The coursework involves working with current grant documentation, case studies, and digital tools. Attention is also paid to the possibilities and limitations of using generative artificial intelligence for research, call analysis, project concept formulation, planning, and project communication.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:


• explain the fundamental objectives, principles, and mechanisms of the European Union's cohesion policy;


• navigate the key funds and major programs of the 2021–2027 programming period;


• characterize the principles of European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the specifics of cross-border projects;


• identify a suitable grant program and analyze the basic conditions of a specific call for proposals;


• assess the basic eligibility of the applicant, partners, activities, and expenditures;


• identify the problem, needs, target groups, and stakeholders of the project;


• formulate project objectives and propose appropriate activities, outputs, results, and indicators;


• draft a basic project schedule, budget, and organizational structure;


• identify key project risks and propose measures to manage them;


• explain the principles of project implementation, monitoring, evaluation, publicity, and sustainability;


• prepare and professionally defend a simplified project proposal;


• utilize appropriate digital tools and critically assess the opportunities and limitations of using generative AI in project work.

Syllabus

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:




·        explain the fundamental objectives, principles, and mechanisms of the European Union’s cohesion policy;




·        navigate the key funds and major programs of the 2021–2027 programming period;




·        characterize the principles of European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the specifics of cross-border projects;




·        identify a suitable grant program and analyze the basic conditions of a specific call for proposals;




·        assess the basic eligibility of the applicant, partners, activities, and expenditures;




·        identify the problem, needs, target groups, and stakeholders of the project;




·        formulate project objectives and propose appropriate activities, outputs, results, and indicators;




·        prepare a basic project schedule, budget, and organizational structure;




·        identify key project risks and propose measures to manage them;




·        explain the principles of project implementation, monitoring, evaluation, publicity, and sustainability;




·        prepare and professionally defend a simplified project proposal;




·        utilize appropriate digital tools and critically assess the opportunities and limitations of using generative AI in project work.

Literature
  • studijní opora předmětu / study support
Teaching methods
Lecture with interactive elements, moderated discussion, case studies, problem-based learning, work with current grant calls, individual and group project work, peer review, presentation and defense of the project proposal.
Assessment methods
oral and written, exam, project elaboration, compulsory attendance
Language of instruction
Czech
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2020, Winter 2021, Winter 2022, Winter 2023, Winter 2024, Winter 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fpf/winter2026/UCJOPBP007