PROJECT PLANNING & PERSUASIVE PROPOSAL WRITING IN RELIEF, HUMANITARIAN AND DEVELOPMENT CONTEXTS

ZOOM TRAINING: 6 AUGUST – 3 SEPTEMBER 2024

As relief, humanitarian and development professionals, we work to drive positive change through community and humanitarian initiatives. Our projects have to deliver a lasting impact for beneficiaries while aligning with our donors’ objectives. And our proposal has to convince donors that:

• There is a problem that needs to be addressed
• We have a solution
• We have the ability to carry it out

This training will support you with the practical tools and knowledge you need to design projects that respond to beneficiary needs and donor demands, and to plan, draft and edit proposals that persuade. Gain the expertise to:

DEVELOP COMPELLING PROJECTS: Learn how to design projects that resonate with your stakeholders and inspire their support. Discover strategies to tailor your proposals effectively, capturing donors’ attention and securing the support needed for your initiatives.

MASTER THE LOGICAL FRAMEWORK APPROACH: Utilize the Logical Framework Approach to develop well-structured projects that meet rigorous standards. Gain proficiency in aligning your proposals with broader development goals and communicating their value.

REFINE PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION: Acquire the skills to plan and articulate proposals in a clear, concise, and persuasive way. Engage your readers, keeping them alert and motivated to support your projects.

A PRACTICAL APPROACH THAT GETS RESULTS

Through a mix of theory, hands-on exercises and real-life examples, you will gain skills that can be applied immediately, ensuring positive outcomes both during and beyond the course.

BUILD CONFIDENCE AND CONSISTENCY: Say goodbye to writer’s block and deadline stress. This training offers a systematic approach to project planning and proposal writing, giving you the tools and skills to create quality proposals consistently.

FORGE STRONGER PARTNERSHIPS: Cultivate stronger relationships with your donors through well-organized, clear and persuasive proposals.

DELIVER BETTER RESULTS TO STAKEHOLDERS: Develop the skills to design projects that deliver positive change and sustainable results for your target communities.

COURSE PROCESS

Our course is designed to fit into your schedule, enabling effective learning and application of knowledge. This is a combination of dynamic live sessions conducted using ZOOM and off-line self study. Here’s what you can expect:

LIFETIME ACCESS TO ALL TRAINING MATERIALS: As soon as you sign up you get immediate, lifetime access to all the course materials – downloadable course videos, worksheets and extra resource materials.

DYNAMIC LIVE SESSIONS: Engage in five interactive weekly live sessions conducted via Zoom (and recorded for future reference), where expert instructor Neil Kendrick will guide you through the learning process. Each week we meet live for around 60 minutes to discuss the application of the tools and explore any questions.

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK: After completing the course, you’ll have the opportunity to submit a proposal for personalized feedback. We will provide valuable insights to help you refine your skills and achieve greater impact.

CERTIFICATION OF PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: On successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate recognizing your expertise in Project Planning and Proposal Writing.

MEETING SCHEDULE

• Meeting 1: Tuesday 6 August 2024 11.30 – 12.30 UTC
• Meeting 2: Tuesday 13 August 2024 11.30 – 12.30 UTC
• Meeting 3: Tuesday 20 August 2024 11.30 – 12.30 UTC
• Meeting 4: Tuesday 27 August 2024 11.30 – 12.30 UTC
• Meeting 5: Tuesday 3 September 2024 11.30 – 12.30 UTC

You can see current UTC time here.

Assignment deadline for feedback: 20 September 2024

“I wish I had taken this training sooner, as I have a made a lot of errors in the past in writing proposals. But now – whether in writing a sentence, a report or a proposal – I have a magic skill!”

• Oxfam GB participant

“The course really improved my skills and now I will be able to independently develop proposals. Thank you!”

• UNFPA participant

“This training should be done for all staff of any institution to build the capacity of their teams.”

• SOS Sahel participant

Your Instructor: Neil Kendrick

Neil Kendrick is from the UK and has been training development practitioners for more than 25 years on Professional Writing, Reporting Skills, Proposal Writing, Results-Based Management and Monitoring & Evaluation. He has trained relief, development and humanitarian professionals working for NGOs, INGOs, bilateral and global organizations in over 20 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the course start and finish?

The course dates are in the description above. There you will see the dates for the weekly live meetings, as well as the deadline for the post-training assignment.

How long do I have access to the course?

How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like – across any and all devices you own.

What is the course process?

On the scheduled dates we meet each week for around one hour to discuss the topics and respond to questions. Between meetings you can work through the course materials at your own pace. At the end of each module there is a space for leaving reflections and questions for the next meeting. After the final meeting you have an extra period to prepare your assignment for personal feedback.

What happens if I miss a meeting?

Missing a meeting isn’t a problem. All meetings are recorded and, if you are unexpectedly busy with other work or in the field, you can download to watch later. At the end of each module inside the course there is a place for sharing reflections and questions. So, even if you can’t attend a particular meeting, we will still discuss your comments and questions.

What’s involved in the follow-up assignment?

The follow-up assignment gives you a chance to apply what you have learned more deeply. You are given a fixed time to develop your own work. (The assignment varies depending on the nature of the course.) Although optional, this is a powerful way to get one-to-one insights on your strengths and areas for further improvement.

What support is available during the course?

Dedicated support is available throughout the course duration for any technical issues or additional questions.

I’m not sure I have enough time …

These courses are designed to maximize their impact while allowing you to manage your other work. You need just one hour a week for the live meetings. Self-study can be done whenever you have a few minutes free.