Humanitarian aid aims at saving lives, alleviating suffering and protecting human dignity during and in the aftermath of emergencies through material and logistical assistance. Most part of humanitarian aid operations are funded by public institutions, and the European Union represents the world’s biggest donor of humanitarian aid. The Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) implements humanitarian operations, through the cooperation with over 200 partners (United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and international organizations). In partnership with these humanitarian organisations DG ECHO has a very fast response capacity which allows funding and staff to be rapidly deployed to where help is most needed. In recent years, increased need for accountability and transparency led to the definition of a more complex set of regulations, defining roles and responsibility of DG ECHO and its partners.

That is why the availability of trained professionals is crucial to ensure an adequate, effective, equitable and flexible delivery of Aid. Likewise, knowledge on how to apply DG ECHO rules and procedures represents the first key element in the education of young professionals willing to work in the field of humanitarian aid.

The training, developed in the context of the Framework Contract signed between ECHO and the Consortium led by punto.sud in 2013, provides an in depth analysis on how to propose and manage DG ECHO funded Actions.

Participants become more familiar with the Partnership 2021 – 2027 legal framework and improve their skills in preparing and implementing an ECHO funded Action, which is fully compliant with main policy requirements

At the end of the course you will be able to:

• Learn how ECHO works; the roles and responsibilities of both ECHO and the NGO; the legal framework and the working documents;
• Understand the logic behind the Single Form format and know how to properly complete and submit it;
• Correctly manage (and report on) the ECHO funded Action in accordance with established rules and procedures;
• Find the needed information in the MGA, the supporting documents and the policy manuals.

During the four-day training, the Intensive Course: Managing ECHO Humanitarian Action will touch upon the following issues:

• DG ECHO overview (mandate, decision making process);
• Action planning phase (proposal preparation and submission);
• Action implementation phase (financial management, reporting and modifications);
• Action closure phase (closure activities, final reporting and payment).

The course will be delivered through the Virtual Classroom modality. To learn more about this modality, please click on this link.

To enroll in the “Intensive Course: Preparing and Implementing an ECHO humanitarian action” send your CV by this webform. By sending your CV you confirm that you have read and accepted “informativa CV” and the privacy policy.

If the application is accepted applicants will be notified by email.

It is possible to pay at ISPI‘s administrative office, via Clerici 5, Milan, Italy (Monday‐Friday, 2.30pm‐5pm) or by Bank Transfer (every successfull candidate will receive by email further details).

For further information please write to echo.course@ispionline.it or call + 39 02.863313223.

The Intensive Course has limited places available, and will only take place if an adequate number of enrolments is reached.