Resources - quick links
The website <puntosud Helpdesk for EuropeAid funded projects is a portal created to respond to the problems faced by development operators in accessing and implementing EC-funded development cooperation. All information comes from official documentation published by the European Commission and its Cooperation Office - EuropeAid - specifically, except for the section Documents (top menu) where you can find useful material and links from different sources and working tools developed by punto.sud. The main aim of this service is to facilitate the relationship between EuropeAid and its development partners by helping the latter find the correct information to adopt a common language and set of quality standards compatible with the EC requirements. The portal targets all development organisations, field workers, and other related actors involved in the management of EC-awarded grants: it aims at promoting the ultimate provision of timely, relevant, independent and accountable project realisations.
The punto.sud EuropeAid helpdesk is intended to provide to EuropeAid implementing partners a full assistance and case by case support in order to fulfil Headquarters main obligations and facilitate key-staff work on the field in the framework of a EC- funded development project.
Please send an email to helpdesk-europeaid@puntosud.org to submit your queries to our helpdesk.
Training sessions and helpdesk support to the DG ECHO Partners
Years: 2008-2011
The consortium composed by punto.sud, ISPI and MDF Brussels has been awarded the ECHO/B2 01/ECHO-TRAINING call for tender, in order to provide training and support services for the Commission's Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO). The framework contract will be for four years and may be renewed one time for one year.
The Framework Service Contract for training is intended to provide training to staff of the European Commission, the technical assistants of DG ECHO, DG ECHO partners (NGOs, UN, Red Cross or other International organisations), potential candidate NGOs, EU Member State institutions (staff) and civil society who are involved in Humanitarian Aid. These training sessions cover the administrative, procedures and management of DG ECHO contracts as well as the best practices procedures and practices needed in for implementing Humanitarian Aid projects. They will be held in Europe and outside. The Framework Service Contract foresees also the provision of a helpdesk service for questions and materials for interactive learning on the WEB.
Visit the DG ECHO partners' helpdesk website to find more information about this programme.
A professional support targeting the DG ECHO Partners’ community
Year: 2008
The punto.sud helpdesk is intended to provide to all the Humanitarian Organizations working with DG ECHO a full assistance and case by case support in order to fulfil Headquarters main obligations, accomplish Desk managerial tasks and facilitate key-staff work on the field in the framework of an ECHO funded action.
The main objective of the helpdesk is to enhance the knowledge of HOs operating in the humanitarian field and to facilitate the comprehension of the general elements and rules of the ECHO Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) through the application of best practices and quality monitoring on procedures, methodologies and approaches.
The helpdesk ensures different types of opportunities for ECHO partners in order to foster internal efforts aimed at improving the collaboration with ECHO - both at field and HQ level. Within this framework, the punto.sud helpdesk is firmly committed to guarantee the most updated information and a complete and shared vision in terms of humanitarian aid principles and good practices. The helpdesk has been developed with the support of DG ECHO Grant Facility.
Visit the helpdesk website dedicated to the management of DG ECHO funded actions.
The interactive path for ECHO-financed operations
Year: 2007
The Track is an online portal offering differentiated support services for humanitarian operators and organisations facing difficulties in dealing with ECHO FPA application process.
The Track has been designed to offer full support, supervision and follow up on ECHO-related issues, covering the entire project cycle, from planning to final reporting phase, facilitating a practical connection with the helpdesk enabling, therefore, a continuous remote supervision and follow up of the operations.
The Track is specifically meant for humanitarian operators working on the field, but it is a valid support instrument also for desk officers, HQ’s staff and any other actor involved in the management of ECHO funded projects.
To facilitate regular users' information on the website updating, the Track is based on the RSS system, an alternative mean of accessing the vast amount of information that now exists on the world wide web. Instead of the user browsing websites for information of interest, the new information is sent directly to the user.
Visit the Track on the helpdesk website dedicated to the management of DG ECHO funded actions.
Toolkits for ECHO-financed operations
Year: 2007
Tools and materials on how to manage an ECHO-financed operations are guaranteed through the Track, where toolkits are available for download, at free charge, and are constantly updated.
Toolkits, being conceived as practical guidelines and manuals, aim at offering answers to questions and doubts related to the management of ECHO-financed operations. They are structured along 7 main sections: Normative and operative framework, Steps and requirements, Main Features, Timetable and engaged people, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Sources, Tools.
More than 150 toolkits specifically dedicated to the management of ECHO-financed operations are available on the Track to meet the needs of users. To get started an individual user name and password must be requested from the punto.sud helpdesk. This will permit to obtain free access to the Track and download toolkits.
Visit the Track on the helpdesk website dedicated to the management of DG ECHO funded actions.
Guidelines for the management of DG ECHO-funded Actions – Narrative Report, Financial Annexes and Reporting
Year: 2007
The “Trenino” is a manual providing Humanitarian Organizations with clear procedural and operative information for the management of DG ECHO funded projects under the FPA 2003-2007.
It has been created to facilitate the planning of humanitarian aid operations funded by ECHO: specifically for the preparation of the initial budget, the interim and final financial reports and more in general for expenditure reporting. This tool has been mainly devised to respond to the needs of expatriate staff, and therefore to the problems posed most frequently by fieldwork.
The 2007 revised and updated version of The Trenino is the product of the work of punto.sud helpdesk team in the framework of the project “Quality partnership in humanitarian aid: provision and consolidation of the punto.sud-helpdesk website and supporting activities”, co-financed by the DG ECHO under the Grant Facility Action 2006.
Download the interactive electronic version of the Trenino.
FPA Training: Approach, Procedures and Quality Tools
Year: 2007
The objective of the punto.sud ECHO-FPA Training Program (ETP) is to enhance the knowledge of Humanitarian Organisations operating in the humanitarian field, to facilitate the comprehension of general elements and rules of the ECHO Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA), and to disseminate best practices and quality monitoring.
ETP will ensure that humanitarian aid operators and volunteers working or about to undertake work in the Humanitarian Aid context are adequately trained and prepared for the management of ECHO funded (or co-funded) operations. The Programme will also provide professional development opportunities for head office and country based staff of HOs and donor agencies.
For more information please visit the training section of punto.sud helpdesk website.
Download the ECHO Train Slides.
For more information please visit the training section of punto.sud website.
Training Form for projects financed in Sri Lanka by the Italian Civil Protection
Year: 2005
The training form presented here has been elaborated by punto.sud in collaboration with the Italian Civil Protection. It provides useful guidelines for the management of the projects financed in Sri Lanka by the Italian Civil Protection and proposes to facilitate the application of new procedures broadly based on the ECHO Partnership Agreement.
The formative form (in power point format) was used and tested together with other instruments during training sessions both in Italy and Sri Lanka.
The forms were intended for personnel at headquarters and expatriate and local staff of the various NGOs and organisations involved, as well as for the staff of the Italian Civil Protection.
Download DPC resouces