This 1-day course (4 hours) aims to provide participants with an overview of the audit process and methodology, including knowledge of the actors involved in the audit process, the different types of audits performed by DG ECHO, and the standard documents involved. Additionally, the course will familiarize you with the retention of supporting documents for different categories of costs.

Through a combination of interactive lectures and practical exercises, participants will learn how to effectively prepare for an ECHO Audit. Instructors will guide participants through best practices, answer questions, and propose exercises to ensure compliance and success during the audit process.

TARGET AUDIENCE

DG ECHO Partners, their implementing partners, and DG ECHO staff are the target audience for this course. Specifically, it is suitable for staff involved in the implementation of ECHO-funded actions at both field and HQ levels, as well as for those responsible for reporting and audit.

This is an advanced course tailored for participants with existing knowledge of DG ECHO rules and procedures, particularly concerning implementation rules, financial management, and eligibility of costs. For beginners, it is recommended to attend the virtual courses 'Implementing a DG ECHO action under the MGA' and 'Financial management of a DG ECHO action' first.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, participants will:

• Get an overview of the audit process and methodology.
• Learn how to manage the audit workflow and be aware of the different steps.
• Familiarize themselves with the different categories of standard documents and manage them successfully.
• Know how to be prepared for a field or headquarters audit.
• Feel more familiar with navigating several sources of information, including the DG ECHO official website, DG ECHO helpdesk, and the reference documents.

AGENDA

• Session 1: Introduction to the course
• Session 2: What is audit and why is it performed?
• Session 3: The audit strategy and the standards documents
• Session 4: Supporting document retention and wrap up

This 1-day course (4 hours) aims to provide the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for navigating the realm of DG ECHO's humanitarian aid world, but also serves as a preparatory resource for newcomers to DG ECHO staff and its partners, or for those who need a refresh before enrolling in more advanced courses. Some time will also be dedicated to understanding the Humanitarian Certificate and the adoption of the Humanitarian implementation plan, crucial elements for proposal submission.

This course will provide a practical, hands-on approach to DG ECHO humanitarian aid, using different training techniques: presentations, group work, interactive quizzes, and plenary discussion sessions.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is tailored for DG ECHO partners, implementing partners, DG ECHO staff, staff of International Organisations and Member States Specialised Agencies, particularly targeting new team members who have never worked with DG ECHO or who need a refresher, both at the field and HQ levels. This is a beginner course; therefore, existing knowledge of DG ECHO rules and procedures is not required.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, participants will:

• Have a clear understanding of the DG ECHO humanitarian aid framework, including its mandate, organisational structure, key policies, needs assessment and decision process.
• Have a clearer understanding of the DG ECHO financing decision process and Humanitarian implementation plan.
• Know what is the humanitarian Certificate and where to find additional resources
• Fell more familiar in navigating the several sources of information including DG ECHO official website, DG ECHO helpdesk and the reference documents.
• Fell more confident in enrolling to more advanced courses.

AGENDA

• Session 1: Introduction to the course
• Session 2: Overview of DG ECHO Humanitarian Aid
• Session 3: How DG ECHO decides to intervene: the financing decision process
• Session 4: The EU Humanitarian Partnership Certificate 2021

This 2-day course aims to cover elements related to the financial management of a DG ECHO-funded action, in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Model Grant Agreement, the operational budget, and Annex II. Throughout this course, participants will delve into the realm of financial management specific to DG ECHO-funded actions. From understanding the general eligibility conditions to effectively managing budgets and meeting reporting requirements, participants will learn to approach financial challenges and how to address them.

TARGET AUDIENCE

DG ECHO partners, their implementing partners, and DG ECHO staff are the target audience for this course. Specifically, the course addresses the needs of staff involved in the implementation, budget monitoring (including budget preparation, budget amendments, and budget-related controls), financial compliance, and financial reporting of ECHO-funded actions, both at the field and HQ levels. This is an intermediate course. Existing knowledge of DG ECHO rules and procedures is not required but recommended.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this course, participants will:

• Feel more confident in applying the provisions established by the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) for the implementation of a DG ECHO funded Action
• Familiarize themselves with the eligibility conditions, the operational budget, Annex II, and how to manage communication with DG ECHO
• Become more familiar with navigating several sources of information, including the DG ECHO official website, DG ECHO helpdesk, and reference documents

AGENDA

DAY 1:

• Introduction to the course
• The MGA and its annexes: brief overview
• Eligibility of costs
• Category of eligible costs

DAY 2:

• Operational budget overview and practice
• The Interim report
• The end of the Action
• Final financial report

This 3-day course aims to improve participants’ knowledge and skills in designing an Action and making the best use of the 2021 Single Form format, which is crucial for submitting project proposals and reports. The course provides a quick overview of the financing decision-making process, followed by an analysis of the Single Form chapter by chapter, with specific emphasis on the main sections of the form (needs and beneficiaries, logframe, resources, quality controls), explaining in detail and with practical examples the requirements set by DG ECHO. Each chapter will be demonstrated in the format, featuring presentations, group work, interactive quizzes, and plenary discussions.

Note: Some parts of this course are for NGOs only. The information presented on Day 3 applies only partially to International Organizations.

TARGET AUDIENCE

• This course is tailored for DG ECHO partners, implementing partners, DG ECHO staff, staff of International Organizations, and Member States' Specialized Agencies. It particularly targets members involved in the design of ECHO-funded Actions at both field and HQ levels. This is a beginner/intermediate course. While existing knowledge of DG ECHO Single Form is not required, it is appreciated. Please note that some sections of the Single Form format may not apply to IOs and MSSAs.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Recall the Single Form and understand the logic behind its sections;
• Know what type of information has to be included in the different sections of the Single Form in order to submit a successful proposal;
• Navigate the several sources of information including DG ECHO official website, DG ECHO helpdesk and the reference documents.

AGENDA

DAY 1

• Introduction to the course
• Introduction to the HIP and the Single Form
• Quality elements for the development of a good proposal: the marker
• Needs assessment and risks analysis

DAY 2

• Logic of intervention
• Beneficiaries of the action
• Project data overview by country
• Visibility, communication and information activities, alternative arrangements

DAY 3

• Implementing Partners and co-partners
• Financial
• Overview of the action and budget template
• Other resources of the action
• Conclusion
• This course includes an asynchronous part covering other chapters of the Single Form.

The 2-day course begins with an introduction to the certification process and the Model Grant Agreement, providing participants with a foundational understanding of the administrative framework governing ECHO-funded actions. Subsequently, through interactive lectures, case studies, and real-world scenarios, participants will delve into specific situations commonly encountered during project implementation. Topics covered include handling amendment requests, managing temporary interruptions of activities, navigating reporting requirements, and dealing with remaining supplies.

Through interactive lectures, case studies, and real-world scenarios, participants will learn to navigate implementation challenges and ensure compliance with DG ECHO's rules and regulations.

TARGET AUDIENCE

DG ECHO Partners, their implementing partners, and DG ECHO staff are the target audience for this course. Specifically, this course addresses the needs of staff involved in the implementation of humanitarian actions at field level and compliance with the rules and regulations at field and HQ level. This is a beginner course. Existing knowledge of DG ECHO rules and procedures is not required but recommended.
 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Better apply the provisions established by the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) for the correct implementation of a DG ECHO funded Action
• Properly manage the flow of communication with DG ECHO
• Navigate the several sources of information including DG ECHO official website, DG ECHO helpdesk and the reference documents.

AGENDA

DAY 1

• Introduction to the course
• The Model Grant Agreement and its Annexes
• Visibility and Communication
• Dealing with changes

DAY 2

• The interim report
• Humanitarian logistics
• End of action
• The Final Report

This 1-day course (4 hours) aims to provide a clear and practical understanding of cross-checking financial information in the Single Form and its financial annexes. This is essential to ensure consistency among the various financial details requested in the Single Form and the operational budget, which remains one of the main challenges Partners face.

This course serves as a valuable complement to the knowledge acquired in the existing 2-day course, "Financial Management of a DG ECHO Funded Action," or more generally, for participants with prior financial experience.

At the end of the course, participants will learn to comply with DG ECHO's financial standards.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is specifically designed for DG ECHO partners, implementing partners, and DG ECHO staff actively engaged in the preparation and management of operational budgets, encompassing financial analysts, budget administrators, program managers, and other relevant roles within the organisation.

Prerequisite: This course is designed for advanced participants. Participants should have a very good knowledge of the eligibility rules and conditions and familiarity with the Operational budget template, Annex II and chapter 13 of the Single Form.
 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this course, participants will:

• Have a clear and practical understanding of the preparation of the operational budget and how to deal with possible challenges.
• Feel confident in preparing and submitting the operational budget to DG ECHO at the proposal stage.
• Feel more familiar in navigating the several sources of information including DG ECHO official website, DG ECHO helpdesk and the reference documents.

AGENDA

• Brief introduction to the course
• Discussion regarding eligibility scenarios
• Ensuring consistency of financial information
• Where to find additional information

This 2-day course aims to guide humanitarian organisations in complying with the minimum environmental requirements when designing and implementing humanitarian responses and how to address measures to reduce the negative environmental impacts related to humanitarian actions at a project level. The course will go through the guiding environmental principles, cross cutting and sector-specific requirements and test our knowledge with practical exercises, with the aim to see how to integrate the requirements in the e-Single Form at a proposal stage, as well as how to monitor and report on them during implementation.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is tailored for DG ECHO partners, implementing partners, DG ECHO staff, staff of International Organizations, and Member States' Specialized Agencies. It particularly targets members involved in the design of ECHO-funded Actions at both field and HQ levels. This is an intermediate course; an existing knowledge of the Single Form is highly recommended.

Please note that some sections of the Single Form format may not apply to IOs and MSSAs.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, participants will:

• Be familiar with the Minimum Environmental Requirements (MER).
• Understand the importance of complying with the MER as part of the solutions rather than additional burden; applicability context and activity-based.
• Be able and feel confident in applying the Minimum Environmental Requirements in humanitarian actions.
• Be aware of best practices and lessons learned from previous actions.
• Learning objectives

AGENDA

DAY 1

• Session 1: Introduction to the course and General introduction of DG ECHO environmental approach. Environment principles.
• Session 2: Cross-cutting Minimum Environmental Requirements and Recommendations.
• Session 3: Practical exercises on the Cross-cutting Minimum Environmental Requirements.

DAY 2:

• Session 1: Sector specific Minimum Environmental Requirements and Recommendations.
• Session 2 Financial support; how to apply the requirements in the e-Single Form.
• Session 3: Practical exercises on the Sector specific Minimum Environmental Requirements.
• Conclusion

This 1-day (4 hours) course aims to provide participants with an introduction on how to use the NEAT+ tool to screen their projects for environmental risks. They will learn what an environmental screening is and how to analyse and use the results produced by the NEAT+ tool.

TARGET AUDIENCE

The training course is designed for practitioners who are

a) team leaders and project managers (implementers);

b) thematic sector experts (e.g. WASH, FSL, etc.), who already have a basic knowledge of project management and the importance of environmental screening.

Prerequisites (suggested):

• Have a good understanding of the project cycle
• Have a basic understanding of the interactions between the environment and humanitarian action
• Have good working knowledge of the English language (written and spoken)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Explain why the NEAT+ tool is relevant for environmental screening of your programme
• Explain how NEAT+ tool can be used (when, how, and who should use it)
• Describe how to analyse the results of NEAT+ environmental screening and prioritise relevant mitigation measures for your project
• Learning objectives

AGENDA

• Overview of the NEAT+ tool and its relevance
• Demonstration of the use of the NEAT+ Rural tools
• How to use the NEAT+ tool within your organisation
• Practical exercises with a case study

This 2-days course aims to equip experienced participants with the skills to confidently apply their knowledge in the practical preparation of the Single Form.

Through collaborative exercises, in-depth analysis of key sections, and an exploration of DG ECHO's expectations, participants will enhance their ability to craft successful, well-aligned proposals.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This is an advanced course. It is designed for a diverse range of participants, including DG ECHO partners, implementing partners. It is specifically tailored for individuals actively involved in the preparation and management of the Single Form. The course is specifically recommended for those who:

• Have prior training or experience in the design and management of the Single Form
• Seek practical, guided practice to enhance their skills
• Are ready to collaborate with colleagues to tackle common challenges
•  

If you don’t fit to this course, you can attend the 3-day course “How to move around the 2021 Single Form”
 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Confidently apply their foundational knowledge of the Single Form to real-world scenarios.
• Feel confident in preparing and managing Single Form and deal with challenges that may be encountered
• Feel more familiar in navigating the several sources of information including DG ECHO official website, DG ECHO helpdesk and the reference documents.

AGENDA

DAY 1

• Intro to the course
• Logic of Intervention: Refresher
• Logic of Intervention: Group Exercise
• Beneficiary Information: Refresher
• Beneficiary Information: Group Exercise

DAY 2

• Dealing with Changes: Refresher
• Dealing with Changes: Group Exercise
• Single Form Checklist: Group Exercise
• Wrap-up

This 1-day course (4 hours) aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the logistics approach advocated by DG ECHO and the purpose of its Logistics Policy. Specifically, the course will delve into the purpose of the DG ECHO policy, the primary logistics challenges in humanitarian actions, and effective methods for incorporating logistics aspects into project proposals for DG ECHO. For instance, it will cover where to include such information in the single form and what type of information DG ECHO finds useful. A part will be dedicated to sharing best practices and raising awareness about collaborative approaches, international initiatives, and global-level tools.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is tailored for DG ECHO partners, implementing partners, DG ECHO staff, staff of International Organizations, and Member States' Specialized Agencies. It particularly targets members involved in the design and implementation of ECHO-funded Actions at both field and HQ levels. This is a beginner/intermediate course, a previous existing knowledge of the Single Form is appreciated.
 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, participants will be able to:

• Gain a good overall understanding of the approach of Logistics that DG ECHO is encouraging
• Identify and understand best practices related to the framework of operations
• How to present the best practices when making a project proposal to DG ECHO
• Identify Key challenges that occur in humanitarian action

AGENDA

• Introduction to DG ECHO’s Humanitarian Logistics Policy
• From Policy to Practice – what is DG ECHO encouraging in the area of logistics, and how should it be presented when preparing a proposal?
• Logistics in the HIPs and eSingle Form:“How to present activities when preparing a proposal”
• Conclusion

This 1-day course (4 hours) clarifies the terminology entered into force with the Model Grant Agreement, especially concerning co-partners and implementing partners and their respective roles, duties and obligations when implementing a DG ECHO funded action together. The course Illustrates also the key information to be provided to DG ECHO at proposal and reporting stage (in the Single Form, in the operational budget and Annex II) and examples on how to manage effectively the partnership, from the selection phase to the effective collaboration during implementation.

This virtual classroom will provide a practical, hands-on approach to DG ECHO humanitarian aid and the MGA, by using different training techniques.

TARGET AUDIENCE

DG ECHO Partners, their implementing partners, and DG ECHO staff are the target audience for this course. It is suitable for all the staff members that need to learn more about working in Consortia and the new provisions established by the Model Grant Agreement.

This is an intermediate course. A general knowledge of the MGA is highly recommended.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Know which are the different types of participants in an action
• Identify which are the key information to be provided in the single form
• Identify which are the key elements to consider when working in Consortia how to make it a successful one
• Know where to find additional documents to deepen the topic.

AGENDA

• Introduction to the course
• The Model Grant Agreement: relevant provisions
• The Certification process: relevant provisions
• Participants in the Action
• How to manage an effective partnership
• Conclusion