Course: Project management of European Structural and Investment Funds

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Course title Project management of European Structural and Investment Funds
Course code KPO/UPM
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction eLearning
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Filipec Ondřej, Mgr. et Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Introduction to the course, overview of the syllabus and requirements 2. Projects, project cycle, and project management 3. Financial management of projects 4. Czech Republic Operational Programs 2021-2027 and funding opportunities 5. Project sustainability, ESG, and human resource management 6. Key documents and strategies of the Czech Republic in the field of regional policy and their interconnection with European goals and instruments 7. Specifics of projects focused on environmental issues 8. Characteristics of European regions 9. Consultation hour 10. Presentation of projects and their evaluation

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Group work
Learning outcomes
The field of environmental protection is characterized by the creation of projects that are financed from public sources, including European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). The aim of the course is to prepare graduates and equip them with the necessary skills to create, manage, and administer these projects in various roles, e.g., as a project contractor, author, implementer, or evaluator. Graduates will thus gain a comprehensive overview of projects and their practical implementation, the basics of project management, and will become familiar with examples of successful projects. The course is unique in that, in order to complete it, students will prepare a real project that will be ready for funding. Due to the broad scope of the subject and its focus on practical skills, intensive work outside the regular schedule is expected.
Expected learning outcomes: After completing the course, students will be able to: 1. Identify problems at various levels (local, regional, national, international) that can be solved using the project method, thereby contributing to environmental protection and sustainability. SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities 2. Understand the complexity of project management, including the knowledge and skills needed to successfully complete a project in all phases of the project cycle. SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities 3. Evaluate the best options for possible solutions to problems within the project and adapt the project so that it contributes to a high level of environmental protection and sustainability. SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities 4. Prepare project proposals, including all essential parts of project communication, project staffing, and economic and environmental aspects SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Prerequisites
The completion of this course is not conditioned upon completion of any other courses

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Seminar Work, Written exam

In order to pass the exam, the group must submit complete project documentation of the required quality. The instructor will provide students with feedback on the submitted documents or send the documentation back for revision. Documentation approved by the instructor is a necessary step for passing the colloquium. The project will be entered into the ISKP 21+ system (https://iskp21.mssf.cz/). It is up to the students whether they wish to end at this stage or submit the project and, if successful, implement it in reality. The evaluation results are as follows: Active participation and discussion: 20%; completion of 3 sub-tasks: 60% (20% for each); final project presentation: 20%.
Recommended literature
  • EU cohesion policy implementation ? Evaluation challenges and opportunities: The 1st International Conference on Evaluating Challenges in the Implementation of EU Cohesion Policy (EvEUCoP 2022. Coimbra.
  • Bachtler, J., & Gorzalek, G. (2007). Reforming EU cohesion policy. Policy Studies, 28(4), 309-326..
  • Bachtler, J., Begg, I., Charles, D., & Polverari, L. (2016). EU cohesion policy in practice: What does it achieve?. Rowman & Littlefield International.
  • Bachtler, J., Berkowitz, P., Hardy, S., & Muravska, T. (2016). EU cohesion policy: Reassessing performance and direction (Regions and Cities).. New York.
  • Baun, M. J., & Marek, D. (2009). EU cohesion policy after enlargement. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Bradley, J. (2007). Evaluating the impact of European Union Cohesion Policy in less-developed countries and regions..
  • Doležal, J., et al. (2016). Projektový management: Komplexně, prakticky a podle světových standardů.. Praha.
  • Dotti, N. F. et all (Eds). EU Cohesion policy: A multidisciplinary approach.
  • Marek, D., & Kantor, T. (2009). Příprava a řízení projektů strukturálních fondů Evropské unie. Barrister & Principal.
  • Marzinotto, B. The growth effects of EU cohesion policy: A meta-analysis. Bruegel Working Paper 2012/14. Accessible: https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/78011 (21. 2. 2017)..
  • McCann, P., & Varga, A. (2018). Place-based economic development and the new EU cohesion policy. Routledge.
  • Mendez, C. (2011). The Lisbonization of EU Cohesion Policy: A Success Case of Experimentalist Governance? European Planning Studies, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 519-537..
  • Mendez, C. (2012). The post-2013 reform of EU cohesion policy and the place-based narrative. Journal of European Public Policy, Vol. 20, No. 5..
  • Radzi, S. H. M., Hamid, N. A. & Rina, F. I. (2023). An Overview of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Company Performance. Social and Behavioural Sciences..
  • Rauhut, D., Sielker, F., & Humer, A. (Eds.). (2021). EU cohesion policy and spatial governance: Territorial, social and economic challenges. European Proceedings of Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Sapienza, R., et al. (2024). Legal perspectives of the EU cohesion policy. Giappichelli.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Law Study plan (Version): Law and sustainability (2025) Category: Law, legal and public administration proceeding 3 Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Law Study plan (Version): Law and sustainability (2025) Category: Law, legal and public administration proceeding 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: -