European cooperation in research and innovation Online training

European cooperation in research and innovation Online training

About the training

This is a capacity building course designed to help those working within Lebanese Grant International Cooperation Offices (GICOs) better understand and access European Union (EU) international cooperation opportunities. Having completed this course, participants will be able to:

• understand different EU funding instruments
• develop a foolproof system to monitor opportunities
• build a multifaceted consortium
• write a bid with the best chance of success
• market projects using the right tools and messages

Course language : English ‎(EN)‎Start date : anytimeTime required: 8 hours Course fee : Free of charge The course isn't tutor-led. Interactive, it is split into sections respecting the chronology of identifying, bidding for and winning an opportunity. It is highly recommended to use the latest version of Chrome or Safari to ensure an optimal learning experience.

Some tips on the tool

This training session is delivered using Genially. Here's how to use it: This symbol to the top right of the screen means interaction is required: When seeing a + sign - or one of the icons below - click to have more information or select an option: This button to the bottom right of the page allows you to have an overview of all slides:

Training outline

1 - Introduction to international cooperation What is it? The players (relationships) Zoom on the European Union (EU) Different funding types Different instruments and funding programmes

Write a subtitle here

2 - Monitoring opportunities Selecting sources Gathering information Keeping track

3 - Building a consortium Criteria, roles and tips for success

Training outline cont'd

4 - Writing a successful bid How to prepare:

• the “technical” description (project’s innovation and relevance)
• the “impact” description (expected benefits and D&E&C)
• the “implementation” description (management and budget)

Write a subtitle here

5 - Creating marketing messages and tools The importance of marketing Defining your audience Communicating value Marketing tools and the marketing mix Anticipating the end-user

1 -International cooperation

What is international coooperation?

International cooperation refers to countries working together to tackle common challenges, share resources and promote global stability and prosperity. It involves collaboration across borders on various issues, including climate change, public health and economic growth. One key area of international cooperation is joint funding, where multiple nations pool resources to finance projects with global impact. This is especially important for research and development (R&D) and economic development, as pooled funds allow for the acceleration of innovation, sharing of expertise and fostering sustainable growth across regions, benefiting both developing and developed nations.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

An overview of relationships

Service providers / external experts

Beneficiaries

International donors

Operators

Grant beneficiary hierarchy

Zoom on the European Union (EU)

The European Union (EU) brings together 27 member countries across the European continent under a unique system of laws and free movement of people, goods and services.The European Commission is its executive institution and a very important international cooperation donor. It uses legal tools called instruments to make and implement policies, making different funding programmes available to project operators. Operators and beneficiaries of EU funding primarily reside in EU member states. However, certain "candidate countries" on the path to EU membership, as well as some third countries can access specific funding programs. This is the case for Lebanon and the instruments and funding programmes outlined over the following pages. READ MORE: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/list-3rd-country-participation_horizon-euratom_en.pdf

Different types of funding

EU funding comes in different forms: Grants & tenders awarded in response to submitting project ideas following a call for proposals or call for tender. Grants are designed to cover a certain percentage of the total project cost. Subsidies managed by national or regional authorities, by EU delegation. Loans, guarantees and equity as forms of financial assistance to support EU policies and programmes to organisations. Loans to EU Member States and non-EU countries. Prizes for winners of contests. READ MORE: https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/how-apply/you-apply-eu-funding-beginners_en

EU instruments and funding programmes

ERDF : European Regional Development Fund

HORIZON EUROPE

GLOBAl EUROPE

Interregional Innovation Investments (I3)

EIC

PRIMA

NEXT MED

ERASMUS +

Global Europe

Global Europe - officially called the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument - Global Europe (NDICI-Global Europe)- is the European Union's primary funding instrument for international development and cooperation. Focus areas It supports and promotes good governance, tackling climate change and fostering sustainable growth and development, digital science, technology and innovation and migration partnerships, while promoting EU interests on the international stage. Beneficiaries Using a partnership approach, it collaborates with international organisations, NGOs and private sector entities to maximise impact. Budget An overall allocation of €79.5 billion. READ MORE: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/funding-and-technical-assistance/funding-instruments/global-europe-neighbourhood-development-and-international-cooperation-instrument_en

Back to EU inst. & funding

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is desgned to reduce economic and social differences between regions. It's one of the main tools of the EU's cohesion policy. The ERDF is complemented by the Cohesion Fund, which supports investment in areas such as transport and the environment and provides funding through national and regional programmes. Focus areas To improve living standards in less-favoured regions, strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion and support investments to make Europe more competitive, greener and socially minded. Beneficiaries Public bodies (regional and national governments), private sector organisations, universities, associations, NGOs and voluntary organisations and foreign firms with a base in the region. Budget € 226.05 billion for the period 2021-2027. READ MORE: https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/european-regional-development-fund-erdf_en

Back to EU inst. & funding

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the European Union's primary funding programme for research and innovation. It seeks to strengthen the European Research Area, boost innovation capacity and create jobs.Focus areas Climate change, health, digital transformation, sustainable development, industrial competitiveness. Beneficiaries Researchers, businesses, universities, research institutions from the EU and associated countries. Budget €95.5 billion for the period 2021-2027. READ MORE: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en

Back to EU inst. & funding

NEXT MED

Mainly funded by the ERDF (and to a lesser extent by Global Europe), Interreg NEXT 'Mediterranean Sea Basin' (NEXT MED) is a programme designed to foster transnational cooperation in the Mediterranean region. It seeks to create a smarter, greener and more inclusive Mediterranean area. Focus areas Economic development, environmental sustainability, education, social inclusion and multi-level governance. Participating countries Countries on both shores of the Mediterranean Sea, including Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey. Budget € 260+ million. READ MORE: https://www.interregnextmed.eu/

Back to EU inst. & funding

Interregional Innovation Investments (i3)

Financed by the ERDF, the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) is an EU funding program to support innovation projects that strengthen European value chains. Focus areas I3 supports projects that bring innovative ideas to commercialisation in areas such as digital and green transition, smart manufacturing, as well as wider research and innovation. Projects must start at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6, meaning ready for demonstration. Beneficiairies SMEs and start-ups, public authorities, universities, research and technology organisations, large companies, regional development agencies, innovation agencies, cluster organisations and business associations. Budget Over €570 million available for the period 2021-2027. READ MORE: https://eismea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/interregional-innovation-investments-i3-instrument_en

Back to EU inst. & funding

Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)

Horizon Europe (and previously Horizon 2020) partly funds the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA). An extenstion has been accorded for 2025-2027. Its goal is to improve the sustainability of water and food systems and to address climate change. Focus areas A variety of topics including water management, farming systems and food value chains. Participating countries Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey (EU Member States and third countries associated to Horizon 2020) and Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco. Budget The EU's contribution will be up to €325 (until 31 December 2031) while the Participating States contribution is approximately €384 million for the same period, making a total of €709 million. READ MORE: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/environment/prima_en

Back to EU inst. & funding

European Innovation Council (EIC)

The European Innovation Council (EIC) was established under the EU Horizon Europe programme. It is Europe’s flagship innovation programme, used to identify, develop and scale up breakthrough technologies and game changing innovations. The EIC Pathfinder is a funding programme that offers support to research teams. Focus areas Its aim is to support consortia in early stage research that can lead to disruptive innovations. Participating countriesLebanese organisations can be part of a Pathfinder project by integrating a consortia with a project coordinator from an EU member state. Budget In 2024, the EIC allocated €1.2 billion to their programmes. Read more: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en

Back to EU inst. & funding

ERASMUS +

Erasmus+ supports education, training, youth and sport. It offers opportunities for people to study, train and gain experience abroad. Focus areas Learning mobility, networking, volunteering, youth exchanges, teaching, research and policy debate and grassroots sports activities: all designed to support personal and professional development, promote social inclusion and transition, encourage young people's participation in democratic life, contribute to sustainable growth, quality jobs and social cohesion and strengthen European identity and active citizenship. Beneficiaries Applicants can be individuals, organisations or communities. Budget €26.2 billion for the period 2021–2027. READ MORE: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/

Back to EU inst. & funding

Match the EU funding mechanism or programme with its purpose:

Match the EU funding mechanism or programme with its purpose:

The correct answers are: Horizon Europe - research and innovation Global Europe - international development and cooperation ERDF - reducing economic and social differences between regions Erasmus+ - education, training, youth and sport

Match the project to the funding programme

eTwinning NSO Lebanon In 2023, a platform was developed and used to encourage over 540 students and teachers to collaborate online, integrating technology into teaching through workshops and coaching.

Match the project to the funding programme

DiVicia This project sought to restore agrodiversity by promoting faba bean and vetches in Mediterranean farming systems. Coordinated by the École Supérieure d'Agricultures (ESA) in France, it involved 13 partners across the Mediterranean, including the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI).

Match the project to the funding programme

Sustainable Wastewater Treatment for Hospitals (SWaTH) This three-year (2021-2024) academic cooperation and knowledge transfer capacity building project promoted convergence with EU developments and best practice in water treatment.

Match the project to the funding programme

MERID An example of science diplomacy in practice, this project built on existing cooperation between the EU and the Middle East, involving partners from Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. Its goal was to use research and innovation as a channel for intercultural dialogue, understanding and reconciliation.

Match the project to the funding programme

An awesome title here

Write a great subtitle here

Here are the correct answers:

An example of an EU cooperation project in Lebanon

A project conducted by Notre Dame Louaize University

2 -Monitoring opportunities

Monitoring funding sources

Monitoring enables funding opportunities to be detected. Generally speaking, a monitoring system is set up by professionals in the field in question. A repetitive activity, monitoring must be continuous to keep informed of opportunities as and when they arise.

The monitoring cycle

Defining the scope

Identifying sources

Analysing needs

Disseminating information

Gathering information

Selecting information

Keeping track of monitoring activity

A dashboard can be developed like this example ...

Keeping an eye on calls for tender

There are thousands of calls published on a regular basis on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. It is important to find the relevant call for your organisation and its roadmap. The portal holds application file templates that can be completed and submitted online. Note: to be eligible for Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs), Lebanon needs to be part of a consortium made up of at least 3 organisations from 3 different member states. Here are a few other websites to visit regularly to find the latest calls for tender: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/homehttps://eucalls.net/https://ted.europa.eu/en/https://www.developmentaid.org/tenders/searchhttps://info.erasmusplus.fr/13-actualites.htmlhttps://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/environment/prima_en

Now, browse the web and find what you're looking for!

3 - Building a consortium

Building a consortium

Roll your mouse over each step to see further details

Tips for building a strong and successful consortium

• Identify key opinion leaders (KOLs) and form a core consortium.

• Develop a clear project scope, objectives and a rough project outline.

• Ensure diversity and complementarity by including different disciplines and geographical locations.

• Balance with both profit and non-profit partners and pay attention to gender balance.

• Start the process early, allowing ample time for partner recruitment and proposal development.

• Utilise existing partnerships and networks, but also explore new collaborations.

• Create a solid project management structure to handle the complexity of a large consortium.

Consortium composition - an example

DELETE??

Submit and see the answer on next page

10 elements key to a successful collaboration - answers

Building a consortium Experience shared by the Mission Europe pour la Recherche (MER)

Consortium composition - Exercise

Here is an example of a call for tender under the former Horizon 2020. Using the next slide, consider what project could be mounted to use satellite imagery for precision farming in Lebanon. Then, consider the different European and Lebanese partners that could be brought into a consortium on the slide that follows.

Strand: INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Space Topic: Applications using EGNSS Project: Using satellite imagery for precision farming End-users: Lebanese farmers (up to 50) Budget: 2.5million (EU contribution 2.3 million) Duration: 3 years

Here are some things that precision farming can do ...

What needs does Lebanon have when it comes to farming and what project could be developed to respond to those needs? More detailed examples of precision farming applications can be found here: https://business.esa.int/news/how-space-data-enabling-agritech-sector

Now build your consortium ...

Link the stakeholders to their respective roles

Drag each word to the corresponding section

brings project management expertise and technical deployment capacity

COMMS AGENCY

applies software development to the freely available space data

reaches out and onboards end-users

provides access to Lebanese farmers

benefits from the technology transfer and is involved in project application and monitoring

EU ENGINEERING COMPANY

EU INNOVATION INSTITUTE

AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATIVE

LEBANESE UNIVERSITY

Other consortium members

Consortium coordinator

Solution

Your consortium ...

The stakeholders and their respective roles

SOLUTION

Other consortium members

Consortium coordinator

brings project management expertise and technical deployment capacity

applies software development to the freely available space data

EU ENGINEERING COMPANY

EU INNOVATION INSTITUTE

benefits from the technology transfer and is involved in project application and monitoring

LEBANESE UNIVERSITY

provides access to Lebanese farmers

AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATIVE

reaches out and onboards end-users

COMMS AGENCY

COMMS AGENCY

4 - Writing a successful bid

Preparation and Lebanese key strengths

Preparation

• At the time of writing, the PRIMA funding programme offers some of the best opportunities for Lebanese GICOs.
• Try to contact your local NCP and be aware of any information days or conferences.
• Also use the EU funding portal and its 'search for partners' function for opportunities where you wouldn't have to be a lead consortium member.
• Calculate a 6-9 month lead in time from finding a call to building a consortium and finalising a bid

Key subjects relevant to the Lebanese context:

• water management
• sustainable agriculture

IRL and TRL nomenclature

Horizon Europe projects use the nomenclature of IRL and TRL to evaluate bids. Become familiar with these different levels of 'readiness'

Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

Investment Readiness Level (IRL)

Level 9 – Actual system proven in operational environment Level 8 – System complete and qualifiedLevel 7 – System prototype demonstration in operational environment Level 6 – Technology demonstrated in relevant environment Level 5 – Technology validated in relevant environment Level 4 – Technology validated in labLevel 3 – Experimental proof of concept Level 2 – Technology concept formulatedLevel 1 – Basic principles observed

Level 9 – Identify and validate business metricsLevel 8 – Validate value deliveryLevel 7 – Prototype high MVPLevel 6 – Validate revenue modelLevel 5 – Validate product/market fitLevel 4 – Prototype low MVPLevel 3 – Validate problem/solutionLevel 2 – Market size/competitive analysisLevel 1 – Draft business model

Read more here: https://horizoneuropencpportal.eu/store/trl-assessment

IRL and TRL : Where is your organisation?

Key sections of an EU funding proposal

Proposals comprise this typical three-part structure: EXCELLENCE– demonstrates that the proposed innovation is a novel, technical breakthrough and explains the methodology used to arrive at the objectives and outcomes. IMPACT– explores how the project can develop new markets and in which ways it improves on state-of-the-art and existing competition. References positive social, environmental and economic aspects and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). IMPLEMENTATION – shows the team has the capability to manage the project, deal with risk and bring the product or service closer to market. Includes work packages, milestones, deliverables and the consortium composition. Strong performance in all three areas is vital to securing funding.

Key subsections of Horizon Europe proposals

Depending on the call, subsections can differ slightly:

EXCELLENCE

• Company description
• The problem/market opportunity
• The innovation: Solution/Product or Services (USP)
• Ambition

The latest EIC Work Plan is a guide for the call’s requirements. IMPACT

• Market and competition analysis
• Pathway to technological maturity (TRL 1-4)
• IP management and exploitation strategy
• Broad impacts

IMPLEMENTATION

• Detailed work plan and milestones
• Expertise and complementary roles of consortium
• Resources and budget justification
• TRL progression and risk mitigation

EXCELLENCE

• Objectives
• Relation to the call
• Concept and methodology
• Ambition

The latest PRIMA Work Plan provides guidance on the call’s requirements. IMPACT

• Expected impacts (especially on the Mediterranean region)
• Measures to maximise impact (policy, cross-cutting issues)
• Agenda 2030, PRIMA’s goals and relevant UN SDGs

IMPLEMENTATION

• Management structure and governance
• Work plan
• Communication and dissemination
• Resources and budget justification

PRIMA

EIC

Clic here for more information

Clic here for more information

Steps to success

• Know what to expect in the call

• Get to know your potential partners in the EU and Lebanon

• Enter a consortium as a Partner

• Use independent experts for submission and evaluation

• Contract award

Preparing a bidExperience shared by a consultant

Tips for preparing the 'technical excellence' section

• Define clear objectives – Make them specific, measurable and relevant to the call.

• Show innovation – Explain how your idea goes beyond current knowledge or practice.

• Justify your methodology – Describe your approach and why it is suitable.

• Demonstrate feasibility – Provide evidence that your plan can be delivered.

• Use supporting data – Include references, preliminary results or examples.

• Highlight expertise – Emphasise the strengths and experience of your team.

• Be concise and focused – Avoid vague statements; keep the section structured and to the point.

Tips for preparing the 'impact' section

• Align with EU priorities – Show how your project supports relevant EU policies or goals.

• Define expected outcomes – Be clear about the benefits for society, the economy or the environment.

• Plan for exploitation – Explain how results will be used beyond the project.

• Describe dissemination – Detail how findings will be shared with stakeholders and the public.

• Include communication strategy – Outline how you will raise awareness of the project.

• Identify target audiences – Be specific about who will benefit and how.

• Demonstrate long-term impact – Show potential for lasting value or uptake.

Tips for preparing the 'implementation' section

• Provide a clear work plan – Break down the project into work packages with tasks, timelines and deliverables.

• Define roles and responsibilities – Clarify each partner’s contribution and expertise.

• Include a realistic timeline – Use Gantt charts or similar to show key milestones.

• Present a sound management structure – Describe decision-making, coordination and communication processes.

• Address risk management – Identify potential risks and explain mitigation measures.

• Justify resources – Explain why the requested budget, staff and time are appropriate.

• Demonstrate team capacity – Show the consortium’s ability to deliver the project successfully.

A note on budget planning

Careful budget planning is essential to demonstrating the feasibility and credibility of your proposal. Align your budget closely with the work plan, making sure all activities and deliverables are properly resourced. Justify all costs clearly, including personnel, travel, equipment, subcontracting and consumables. Use the official EU budget templates and follow the specific funding rules of the call, especially regarding eligible costs and indirect cost calculations. Ensure the budget is realistic, proportional and consistent across all partners. Show how tasks and funding are divided among participants. Engage with relevant national contact points (NCPs) early to clarify any country-specific rules. A clear and well-explained budget strengthens your proposal and reduces the risk of issues during evaluation and grant preparation.

Writing a proposal - Exercise 1 Using an example of a PRIMA call

Now it's your turn. Let's take a PRIMA call as an example. A Lebanese applicant has started the process but needs your help to improve their bid. Click here to download the call and the bid so far. Read carefully and note any improvements you would make on the next slide.

Writing a proposal - Exercise 1

Writing a proposal - Exercise 1 - Answers Potential improvements to the 'excellence' section

• Innovation depth: Expand on the technological novelty of the fermentation processes. What differentiates this method from existing ones? Are there proprietary strains, novel bioprocessing approaches or tech-enabled optimisations?

• TRL justification: The proposal mentions TRL 6–8 but lacks detail. Specify the current TRL and how each work package seeks to advance it.

• Interdisciplinary integration: More clearly describe the role of food technologists, microbiologists, marketing experts and consumer psychologists in the consortium.

• Stakeholder involvement: While stakeholders are listed, a more detailed engagement strategy (co-creation, feedback loops, participatory trials) would show real integration of societal knowledge.

Writing a proposal - Exercise 1 - Answers Potential improvements to the 'impact' section

• Quantifiable impact: Provide concrete, measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) e.g. “reduce water use by X%" or “reach Y consumers” or “train Z farmers”

• Market uptake and scalability: Address how the product will be scaled and commercialised. Are there industrial partners or investors? What is the go-to-market strategy?

• Policy influence: Show how this could influence or align with food, health or agricultural policy in partner countries.

• Gender and inclusion: Include more detailed gender-sensitive analysis. For example, how will women or young people in rural areas benefit from - or contribute to - the project?

Writing a proposal - Exercise 1 - Answers Potential improvements to the 'implementation' section

• Consortium composition: Currently appears to be predimonantly Lebanese. Strengthen the geographic balance and bring in different EU Mediterranean partners (especially SMEs, agritech startups or cooperatives).

• Partner expertise: Clearly match each partner’s skills to the work packages. Highlight prior EU project experience, if any.

• Risk management: Include a brief risk assessment table (e.g. climate shocks, fermentation failures, and regulatory delays) and their mitigation strategies.

• Dissemination and exploitation: The current plan is vague. It should include: expected publications or patents; a strategy for industry uptake (e.g. partnerships with food brands); data sharing and open science practices and an IP management plan.

Writing a proposal - Exercise 2

Let's go again! Click on the picture to download another example of a draft bid proposal. While well elaborated, it is not quite finished. Try again to to suggest ways to improve it on the following slide.

Writing a proposal - Exercise 2

Writing a proposal - Exercise 2 - AnswersPotential improvements to the 'excellence' section

• Innovation specificity: More clearly articulate what is technologically novel, as opposed to what is existing but repurposed. For example, how is the dashboard better than others? Is it open-source? Interoperable? Adaptive?

• TRL clarification: The proposal claims TRL 5–7 but doesn’t clearly demonstrate how current technology fits this level. Clarify the innovation maturity level and provide evidence to support it.

• Methodological depth: Include more detail on how sensors and solar systems will be calibrated or customised. Also, which specific indicators will be used for "data-driven irrigation decisions."

• Scientific rigour: Consider adding baseline validation strategies, control plots or statistical modelling techniques to strengthen research depth.

Writing a proposal - Exercise 2 - AnswersPotential improvements to the 'impact' section

• Quantification gaps: While some figures are offered (30% yield and water efficiency gains), others (number of trained farmers, community events and dashboard users) are vague. Add numeric targets for all expected outcomes.

• Policy influence: Include a plan to engage policymakers, such as contributions to national water or digital agriculture strategies.

• Environmental indicators: Consider including metrics on carbon savings (from solar use), soil health, or biodiversity, if data allows.

• Gender and social impact: Good intentions are stated, but monitoring mechanisms could be added (e.g. gender-disaggregated data reporting and participatory feedback cycles).

Writing a proposal - Exercise 2 - AnswersPotential improvements to the 'implementation' section

• Gantt chart: Although described in words, a visual Gantt chart is typically expected. Include it for clarity and reviewer usability.

• Risk management: Absent from the proposal. Add a brief table of key risks (technical failure, community resistance and supply delays) with mitigation strategies.

• Consortium expertise clarity: Provide a short paragraph on each partner’s past experience in relevant EU or national projects and their technical expertise.

• Sustainability & exit strategy: Beyond PRIMA’s 36-month horizon, what happens? Include a roadmap or uptake strategy beyond the project lifecycle.

• Exploitation plan: No clear strategy is included for post-project scalability or commercialisation. Who will own the tech? How will it be maintained or sold? What’s the business model (if any)?

The evaluation process

• Eligibility decided by the EU before the evaluation starts.

• The decision takes 5 - 8 months for full proposals, 6 weeks for pre-proposals.

• Horizon Europe generally marks to a 15-point total, comprising 5 points each for each section (technical excellence, impact and implementation) an using 3 independent evaluators.

• A Consensus Group is formed to decide final marks and prepare Evaluation Summary Report.

• The final ranking list submitted.

• Before awards are announced, the Director General will review the initial choice of winners.

• Terms and conditions are defined.

• A model contract is issued.

Evaluation criteria

All proposals, whatever the topic, are evaluated as follows: Excellence – Is the proposed innovation a novel, technical breakthrough? Open science practices checked. Impact – Will the innovation potentially develop new markets and does it improve on state-of-the-art and existing competition? Positive social, environmental and economic aspects considered. Implementation – Is the team capable of managing the project, dealing with any risks and bringing it closer to market?

Slide 10: Evaluating your proposal: Tips for success• Offer best practices for evaluating a proposal before submission. Include advice on reviewing clarity, coherence and compliance with the EU’s evaluation criteria.

Evaluation criteria - Excellence

• Clarity and pertinence of the project’s objectives, and the extent to which the proposed work is ambitious, and goes beyond the state-of-the-art.

• Soundness of the proposed methodology, including the underlying concepts, models, assumptions, inter-disciplinary approaches, appropriate consideration of the gender dimension in research and innovation content, and the quality of open science practices, including the sharing and management of research outputs and engagement of citizens, civil society and end-users, where appropriate.

Slide 10: Evaluating your proposal: Tips for success• Offer best practices for evaluating a proposal before submission. Include advice on reviewing clarity, coherence and compliance with the EU’s evaluation criteria.

Evaluation criteria - Impact

• Credibility of the pathways to achieve the expected outcomes and impacts specified in the work programme, and the likely scale and significance of the project contributions.

• Suitability and quality of the measures proposed to maximise expected outcomes and impacts, as set out in the dissemination and exploitation plan, including communication activities.

Slide 10: Evaluating your proposal: Tips for success• Offer best practices for evaluating a proposal before submission. Include advice on reviewing clarity, coherence and compliance with the EU’s evaluation criteria.

Evaluation criteria - Implementation

• Quality and effectiveness of the work plan, assessment of risks, and the appropriateness of effort assigned to work packages, and overall resources.
• Capacity and role of each participant and the extent to which the consortium as a whole contains the necessary experience.

Slide 10: Evaluating your proposal: Tips for success• Offer best practices for evaluating a proposal before submission. Include advice on reviewing clarity, coherence and compliance with the EU’s evaluation criteria.

Evaluation criteriaScores per section

1. Poor. The criterion is inadequately addressed, or there are serious inherent weaknesses.
2. Fair. The proposal broadly addresses the criterion, but there are significant weaknesses.
3. Good. The proposal addresses the criterion well, but a number of shortcomings are present.
4. Very Good. The proposal addresses the criterion very well, but a small number of shortcomings are present.
5. Excellent. The proposal successfully addresses all relevant aspects of the criterion. Any shortcomings are minor.

Slide 10: Evaluating your proposal: Tips for success• Offer best practices for evaluating a proposal before submission. Include advice on reviewing clarity, coherence and compliance with the EU’s evaluation criteria.

Evaluation of a PRIMA proposal

PRIMA Criterion 1 – Excellence

• Clarity and pertinence of the project’s objectives, and the extent to which the proposed work is ambitious and goes beyond the state-of-the-art.
• Soundness of the proposed methodology, including the underlying concepts, models, assumptions, inter-disciplinary approaches, appropriate consideration of the gender dimension in research and innovation content, and the quality of open science practices, including sharing and management of research outputs and engagement of citizens, civil society and end users where appropriate.

PRIMA Criterion 2 - Impact

• Credibility of the pathways to achieve the expected outcomes and impacts specified in the work programme, and the likely scale and significance of the contributions from the project.
• Suitability and quality of the measures to maximise expected outcomes and impacts, as set out in the dissemination and exploitation plan, including communication activities

More information here

Evaluation of a EIC proposal

EIC Criterion 1 – Excellence

• Does the company have the vision and ambition to scale up?
• Does the innovation have breakthrough character and a high degree of novelty compared to existing solutions?
• Has the innovation reached TRL5?
• Is the timing right for this innovation in terms of market, societal, scientific and technological trends and developments?

EIC Criterion 2 - Impact

• Is the innovation better than the competition and does it bring sufficient added value to trigger demand?
• (Does the innovation have the potential new markets)?
• Will the innovation have positive societal, economic and climate impacts?

EIC Criterion 3 - Quality and efficiency of the Implementation

• Does the team have the capability and motivation to implement the proposal and bring it to the market?
• What is the quality and effectiveness of the work plan, assessment of risks, and appropriateness of the effort assigned to work packages, and overall resources?

More information here

Best practices for evaluating a proposal before submission

Before submitting, thoroughly review your proposal to ensure clarity, coherence and compliance with the EU’s evaluation criteria. First, check that your objectives, methodology and expected impacts are clearly and logically presented. Avoid jargon and ensure each section flows naturally into the next. Verify that the proposal fully addresses all call requirements and evaluation criteria, including technical excellence, impact and implementation. Make sure every claim is supported with evidence or rationale. Assess consistency across sections—objectives should match the work plan and budget. Confirm that partner roles and contributions are clearly defined and realistic. Run a compliance check against formal requirements such as page limits, formatting and required attachments. Lastly, seek feedback from colleagues or external reviewers who can provide fresh perspectives and spot unclear or weak points.

Dos and don'ts

What to do:

• At conferences, talk to key decision-makers as early and often as possible.
• Participate in the many Info Days and events.
• Be prepared and be early, well before the call comes out.
• Talk to incumbents, do your due diligence and be cordial with your competitors.
• Using external consultants can chances odd success by 100 – 200%

What not to do:

• Bid for every EU Call you can - consider your organisations’s strategy first.
• Start replying to a bid 3 days before the deadline, after a phone call.

• Underestimate the importance of your reputation. Nurture it!

Slide 11: Common pitfalls in Horizon Europe applications• Identify common mistakes and pitfalls in Horizon Europe proposals, such as unclear objectives or poorly structured impact sections. Advise Lebanese stakeholders on how to avoid these issues based on past successful projects.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Unclear objectives: Avoid vague or broad goals. Define specific, measurable and realistic objectives aligned with the call.

• Poorly structured impact section: Clearly explain expected benefits, target groups and how results will be used or shared. Use concrete examples.

• Weak technical approach: Provide a detailed, justified methodology showing innovation and feasibility. Avoid overgeneralisation.

• Inconsistent implementation plan: Ensure timelines, roles and tasks are clear and realistic. Align budget with activities.

• Insufficient partner roles: Clearly define each partner’s expertise and responsibilities. Avoid overlap or gaps.

• Ignoring eligibility criteria: Strictly follow call rules, including formatting, page limits and eligibility.

• Lack of national context: Demonstrate understanding of local needs in Lebanon and engagement with national priorities.

Success stories: Horizon Europe and Lebanon

Slide 12: Success stories: Horizon Europe and Lebanon• Share case studies or examples of successful Horizon Europe-funded projects involving Lebanese partners, highlighting their innovation, impact and implementation success.

Lebanon's Art World at Home and Abroad : Trajectories of artists and artworks in/from Lebanon since 1943Budget : € 1,498, 813.Start date : 1 October 2020 - End date : 31 December 2026.Description : LAWHA explores the journeys of Lebanese artists and artworks since 1943, analysing how artistic production reflects and shapes national identity at home and abroad. The project also aims to build a digital archive to preserve Lebanon’s cultural heritage.Coordination : Germany.

Analysing South-South Humanitarian Responses to Displacement from Syria: Views from Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey (ASSHURED)Budget : € 1,498,069Start date : 1 July 2017 - End date : 31 March 2025Description : This projet investigates how civil society actors from the Global South have responded to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. Through ethnographic and participatory research, the project examines the motivations, nature and impacts of Southern-led humanitarian responses, aiming to inform more inclusive and effective refugee support policies.Coordination : UK (University college London).

Success stories: Horizon Europe and Lebanon

MedReset – A comprehensive, integrated and bottom-up approach to reset our understanding of the Mediterranean space, remap the region and reconstruct inclusive, responsive and flexible EU policies within itBudget : € 2,497,056.25Start date : 1 April 2016 - End date : 31 August 2019Description : This project aimed to rethink Euro-Mediterranean relations by addressing the Euro-centric biases in EU policies. Through a bottom-up approach, the project engaged local stakeholders across the Mediterranean to inform more inclusive and responsive EU strategies, focusing on areas like migration, energy, agriculture and political ideas. Country-specific recommendations were developed for Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia.Coordination : Italy.

Find other success stoires by browsing the web: - https://cordis.europa.eu/ - https://www.afd.fr/fr/carte-des-projets/parsifal-programme-dappui-la-resilience-sociale-aux-infrastructures-la-foret-et-lagriculture-au-liban

5 - Creating marketing messages and tools

The importance of marketing

Understanding marketing is crucial to winning a funding call because it helps you clearly communicate the value and impact of your project. Those who assess proposals, are looking for projects that demonstrate clear goals, innovation and sustainability. Marketing helps present your proposal in a compelling way, showing how it addresses key challenges. Additionally, it allows you to consider the end-users—those who will benefit from or use your project. Effective marketing strategies attract end-users, ensuring your project’s success and relevance, which ultimately influences the decision on whether or not to invest in your project. Marketing is a process, not a single activity, involving ongoing planning, execution and refinement.

Breaking it down

Click on "+" for more information

Product or service in place and marketing messages working, it's about ensuring availability and excellent customer service

Delivering value

Next, it's about crafting messages that resonate with end-users, making them want the product or service.

Communicating value

Needs defined, it's them time to develop a product or service to meet them.

Creating value

Somos seres visuales

Understanding needs

It all starts with defining what the end-user needs. Whatever your project, it has to meet a demand.

Common pitfallsExperience shared by a consultant

What are the main marketing mistakes you see?

Who is your audience?

When pursuing European funding calls and working on successful projects, you can find yourself writing for two different audiences: funding assessors and end-users. This requires understanding their needs, knowledge level and expectations. When addressing funding assessors, your writing should focus on clear, measurable goals, the potential impact of the project and its alignment with funding priorities. Keep it formal and data-driven. For end-users, the tone should be more accessible, focusing on the practical benefits, real-world applications and how your product or service improves their experience. While the core message remains the same, adapting your language, tone and level of detail ensures your communication is relevant and resonates with the right audience.

Communicating value

So, how do you craft the perfect message?

• Identify the unique selling proposition (USP)

• Use persuasive language and emotional appeal

• Tailor messages to different segments of the audience

• Test and refine using A/B testing and feedback loops

• Adapt messages based on customer feedback and market trends

Talking to the end-user

Let's play around a little. Below are a few every day products you've probably all bought or seen adverts for ... but the marketing messages have been rewritten by scientists ;o) See if you can work out what they are! As you can tell, they would do little to successfully sell you the product!

Now it's your turn

Remember that consortium we built (SLIDE 41) in response to a Horizon 2020 call for projects? Good news! The bid was successful! It adddresses pesticide spraying in agriculture and the challenges it presents due to its negative impact on human and animal health and the environment. This new EU-funded project is to develop a precision spraying tool integrated into an unmanned tractor to increase spraying efficiency. Grant aid - in the form of match funding - will be provided to Lebanese vineyard owners who adopt the technology and a winemaking cooperative part of the consortium.

The right marketing tools

When it comes to writing a bid, your proposal is all you need, but if you're successful in winning a project, you'll need to also think about marketing tools. Marketing tools are resources that help promote products or services, reach target audiences and measure success. These tools include brochures, billboards and events, as well as social media platforms, email marketing software, SEO tools and content management systems. Choosing the right tools depends on your product or service, your audience and your objectives. The key is understanding your goals and audience, then selecting tools that align with both.

Marketing tools

Traditional print marketing (Brochures, flyers, business cards, posters) Offers tangibility and local reach

Digital marketing (emails, e-books, white papers, infographics) Offers wide reach, cost effectiveness and visual appeal

Print

Direct mail marketing (Post cards, catalogues, newsletters) Offers personalisation and high visibility

Video marketing (product demos, webinars, testimonials) Offers high engagement and effective storytelling

Digital

Event marketing (Banner, booth designs, giveaways) Offers direct audience engagement and memorable brand experience

Social media marketing (Posts, socia media ads) Offers high engagement and direct interaction with audience

Ads

Content marketing (Blogs, articles, case studies) Offers SEO benefits and establishes authority

Out-of-Home (OOH) marketing (Billboards, transit ads, digital signage) Offers wide reach and frequency of views

Events

Choosing between print and digitalExperience shared by a consultant

What are the different advantages of print and online marketing tools?

Navigating social mediaExperience shared by a consultant

It's a digital age, should we always work with social media?

How to ensure the right marketing mix?

Understand your audience and its journey

Define clear goals

Leverage the strengths of each medium

Integrate campaigns

Track and analyse performance

Test and optimise

Balance budget allocation

How to choose the right marketing tools

Marketing tools are resources that help promote products or services, reach target audiences and measure success. These tools include brochures, billboards and events, as well as social media platforms, email marketing software, SEO tools and content management systems. Choosing the right tools depends on your product or service, your audience and your objectives. The key is understanding your goals and audience, then selecting tools that align with both.

The best marketing strategies Experience shared by a consultant

What are some of the most successful marketing approaches you've seen?

It's your turn again!

The right answer ...

There is no right or wrong answer to the previous question. A successful marketing mix can often be rather subjective. However, some things to retain from this case study are: A very niche audience of winegrowers - that is already a community of sorts by way of the cooperative - lends itself to event-led and personalised print marketing. Consider a moment where the community might already be meeting up, like an AGM or specialised trade show and piggy-back that moment for your promotion - as the cooperative is a partner in the project that shouldn't be too difficult to negotiate. The advantages of social media advertising campaigns with wide outreach may be a little lost here, but there could be the means of mobilising social media platforms to create private groups. Onboarding a new technology may prove difficult, so mobilising first-users and using them for case studies and testimonials could be a good strategy.

One final word

As we come to the end of this training, we hope you've gleaned enough to help you move forward with confidence in finding, replying to and securing international cooperation projects. On the next page is a final exercise, asking you to consider what would prevent an end-user from signing up. There's a lot of hard work in winning a bid, but even more in successfully rolling out an international cooperation project. Key to this is, as discussed, is defining end-users' needs. As essential, is anticipating what may stand in their way and finding ways to mitigate that reticence. Good luck!

Why would an end user sign up?

Drag each word to the corresponding section

Quality and reliability

Brand trust and reputation

Insufficient resources

Risk aversion

Free trials or low-cost entry points

Conflicting priorities

Customer support and assistance

Social proof and recommendations

Access to exclusive content or features

Lack of time and/or faith

Lack of expertise or skills

Resistance to change

Unclear objectives

Limited budget

Personalisation

What might stop me?

What could convince me ?

Solution

Why would an end user sign up? - Answers

Why could convince me ?

What’s might stop me?

• Value and benefits
• Exclusive offers and discounts
• Convenience
• Quality and reliability
• Personalisation
• Access to exclusive content or features
• Customer support and assistance
• Social proof and recommendations
• Free trials or low-cost entry points
• Brand trust and reputation

• Lack of time
• Lack of faith
• Insufficient resources
• Limited budget
• Lack of expertise or skills
• Unclear objectives
• Resistance to change
• Conflicting priorities
• Risk aversion

A word about Lebanon Innovate

This online training has been created within the framework of Lebanon Innovate. It is designed to strengthen the services provided by Lebanese Grant International Cooperation Offices (GICO) and foster international cooperation. It uses training materials developed for two in-person academies and allows absent - or new - staff to access the same knowledge to develop their skills. The main goal is to ensure continued access to this knowledge base by extending its reach. https://berytech.org/programs/lebanon-innovate/

Lebanon Innovate seeks to enable technology transfer and an IP ecosystem in Lebanon. By transforming university research and innovation into commercial ventures, it contributes to sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth. Contact: Berytech Beirut - https://berytech.org/

Value and benefitsExclusive offers and discountsConvenienceQuality and reliabilityPersonalisationAccess to exclusive content or featuresCustomer support and assistanceSocial proof and recommendationsFree trials or low-cost entry pointsBrand trust and reputation

Lack of timeLack of faithInsufficient resourcesLimited budgetLack of expertise or 22skillsUnclear objectivesResistance to changeConflicting prioritiesRisk aversion

Understand your audience

Research your target audience's media consumption habits. Some demographics prefer print, while others are more inclined toward digital. Tailor your mix based on where your audience spends its time and how it prefers to receive information. Map out your customer’s journey and determine how print and digital touchpoints interact throughout the process. Ensure each touchpoint supports the overall journey seamlessly.

Track and analyse performance

Use tracking mechanisms like unique promo codes, custom URLs or QR codes in your print materials to measure their effectiveness. Similarly, track digital metrics such as click-through rates (CTRs), conversions and engagement. Analyse data from both channels to understand what’s working.

International donors can be public or private, multilateral or bilateral organisations.

Defining and supporting the implementation and financing of development policies and programmes, a donor's mission is to help achieve the United Nations (UN)'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They provide loans or grants to finance economic or social development projects (access to water, energy, infrastructure development, education, etc.).

Monitoring: Step 3 - Identifying sources

Selecting information sources to meet your needs is key to any monitoring activity. Question those sources as you go along, regularly assessing their authority, relevance, quality, completeness and reliability. When looking for funding, favour targeted monitoring by focusing on a few specific, relevant sources. Otherwise it can become a never-ending activity.

Monitoring: Step 5 - Selecting information

This step involves filtering the information gathered from all different sources and identifying that which is most interesting. This is done by selecting according to:

• quality, in terms of source, content, author and reliability.
• relevance and if the opportunity corresponds to the scope.

Processing and analysis then characterises the opportunity. Depending on the format of the information, it will need to be adapted or even simplified in order to pass it on to other interested parties. This is also an opportunity to ask for clarification, if needed, before dissemination .

Beneficiaries participate in the activities and benefit from their impact

The main final beneficiaries come via:

• Government authorities
• Public agencies
• Intermediary organisations
• Civil society organisations
• Companies / individuals

Leverage the strengths of each medium

Utilise the unique advantages of each medium. Print is great for tangible, lasting impressions and local reach, while digital excels in interactivity, real-time updates and precise targeting. Use each medium where it performs best.

Monitoring: Step 6 - Disseminating information

The final step is to define the target audience for the dissemination of the information gathered during the monitoring. Externally, this can be done using a regular mailing, newsletter, RSS feed or personalised emails.Internally, the same means can be used or interested parties can be directed to a platform or website housing monitoring results (e.g. ANIMApp).

Here you can put a highlighted title

Need more reasons to create dynamic content? Well: 90% of the information we assimilate comes to us through sight, and we retain 42% more information when the content is moving. What you read: interactivity and animation can make even the most boring content fun. At Genially, we use AI (Awesome Interactivity) in all our designs, so you can level up with interactivity and turn your content into something valuable and engaging.

Test and optimise

Continuously test different strategies in both print and digital marketing. Experiment with various formats, messages and distribution methods. Use A/B testing to determine what resonates most with your audience and optimise your campaigns accordingly.

Integrate campaigns

Design integrated marketing campaigns that bridge print and digital efforts. For example, use print materials to drive traffic to your website or social media through QR codes or URLs. Likewise, promote your print content through digital channels.

Monitoring: Step 2 - Defining the scope

Scope is defined in a number of ways:

• Thematic scope: sectors, subjects and major themes.
• Geographic scope: regions in which you want to operate (no need to monitor areas of the world that do not concern you).
• Types of donor: multilateral, bilateral, private ...
• Types of funding: grant, service contract, co-financing rate, funding programme constraints etc.

Service providers / experts provide support during project design and implementation phases and can include the following:

• Research consultancies
• Financial advisors
• Project development support structures
• Project development training centres
• Communication and web development agencies
• Implementation support structures
• Independent experts
• Translation companies

Here you can put a highlighted title

Need more reasons to create dynamic content? Well: 90% of the information we assimilate comes to us through sight, and we retain 42% more information when the content is moving. What you read: interactivity and animation can make even the most boring content fun. At Genially, we use AI (Awesome Interactivity) in all our designs, so you can level up with interactivity and turn your content into something valuable and engaging.

Operators design and implement projects

Different types of operator include:

• Ministries and other national public bodies
• Local and regional authorities
• Universities and research centres
• Non-governmental organisations, associations and federations
• Companies and other private organisations
• Consultancies and advisory firms

Here you can put a highlighted title

Need more reasons to create dynamic content? Well: 90% of the information we assimilate comes to us through sight, and we retain 42% more information when the content is moving. What you read: interactivity and animation can make even the most boring content fun. At Genially, we use AI (Awesome Interactivity) in all our designs, so you can level up with interactivity and turn your content into something valuable and engaging.

Balance budget allocation

Allocate your marketing budget based on the effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) of each medium. While digital marketing can often be more cost-effective and measurable, print can provide a high impact in certain contexts. Balance spending to maximise overall campaign effectiveness.

Value and benefitsExclusive offers and discountsConvenienceQuality and reliabilityPersonalisationAccess to exclusive content or featuresCustomer support and assistanceSocial proof and recommendationsFree trials or low-cost entry pointsBrand trust and reputation

Lack of timeLack of faithInsufficient resourcesLimited budgetLack of expertise or 22skillsUnclear objectivesResistance to changeConflicting prioritiesRisk aversion

Monitoring: Step 1 - Analysing needs

Needs analysis (Step 1) and scope definition (Step 2) must include internal and external research, making it possible to define:1. A positioning strategy in terms of sectors/areas and in relation to other institutions in the same field of activity.2. Target donors, instruments and programmes likely to provide funding, by using a set of criteria that includes:

• your mandate/area of intervention
• a possible geographical area
• the team's ability to respond to calls for projects
• the degree of independence

3. The type of funding sought (grant, service contract, co-financing rate, constraints of the funding programme etc.)

Define clear goals

Establish specific objectives for both print and digital campaigns. Whether it’s brand awareness, lead generation or customer retention, having clear goals will help you allocate resources effectively and measure success.

Monitoring: Step 4 - Gathering information

There are various tools available for information gathering, including:

• email alerts

• RSS feeds

• newsletter subscriptions

Service providers and local authorities can also offer information, for example:

• http://fr.welcomeurope.com
• https://www.up2europe.eu
• https://maregionsud.up2europe.eu
• https://eucalls.net/

Donor information sites are also a good source, such as:

• Europaid calls for proposals, World Bank, AFD...
• EC programmes (MED Programme, ENPI CBC MED, etc.)
• Enabel

Or reference sites like ANIMA, DevelopmentAid or Coordination Sud Alternatively, contact the National Contact Points (NCPs) who are responsible for disseminating information and raising awareness about European programmes.