Interim Challenge Workshop Brussels February 2011

1. Interim Challenge Workshop Brussels February 2011 WP8 Workshops and learning resources Sue Woolf and Debbi Stanistreet University of Liverpool

2. WP8 Objectives Contribute to the preparation of case studies. Work with stakeholders to define their information and training needs. Prepare and deliver a series of training workshops Develop supporting materials for the project website. Contribute to the development of masterclasses. Evaluate the training workshops and materials.

3. Case studies • Template developed for evaluating case studies for use during the workshop. • 11 case studies selected and evaluated. • 2 case studies used successfully as group work resources for the first three workshops. • New case studies to be evaluated and translated into resources as they become available.

4. Training Material Development • Presentations, PowerPoint’s and group activity resources developed, evaluated and refined. • Finalised versions of programmes, presentations and resources available as participant pack. • Multiple versions of resources to meet the needs of specific audiences. • Use of action plans throughout the workshop to facilitate application of learning to country specific issues. • Translation of evaluated training materials for website learning tools.

5. Prepare and deliver workshops • Systematic planning of workshop locations, facilities, costing, support networks and contact database. • Advertising flyers, application forms and information packs developed and disseminated. • Programme finalised, presenters arranged and content of sessions, learning outcomes training materials designed. • Three successful workshops completed in Krakow, Berlin and Rome.

6. Evaluate workshop • Mixed methods approach • Both process and outcome aspects. • Co-ordinated with other WPs. • Evaluation framework written and evaluation tools produced, administered and amended. • Analysis and findings of workshop evaluations to inform development of subsequent workshops.

7. Learning Prior to workshop Needs analysis Needs awareness Changing environment Marketing to meet the need Matching different perspectives

8. At workshop Widely differing:- Expectations, roles, positions, levels and responsibilities of the participants Needs are wide ranging Timing for individual member states Content balance between SF policy and management of projects Learning

9. Ongoing Challenges • Recruitment, marketing and participants • Expectation of application advice • Unexpected fast changing dynamics • Changes in Structural Funding for the next round • Balancing delivering what is needed and what is wanted

10. Financial crisis Implications • No external funding for workshops. • Participants from accession countries where there is less budget. • Limit of 4% for T A Funds and considerable competition for the funds. • Fire-fighting not long term planning

11. Quote "Taking into account the difficult budgetary position in our country, three days course fee, travel costs and four night accommodation for four people would be difficult to prove necessary.”

12. Solutions • Reduced days for workshop. • Reducing cost of workshop to participants. • Workshop locations considered carefully for access and cost. • Running workshop in partnership with one country and sharing recruitment responsibility. • Widening dissemination, promotion at European events and developing partnerships. • Focussed content for final two workshops.

13. 2011 – The next phase • 2 further workshops June and September • Implementation of the new case studies for learning resources. • Further development of interactive online materials. • Preparation of papers for publication. • Evaluation interviews.