First EU-GaNoM Staff Training Week Held at Linnaeus University in Sweden
From 2 to 5 June 2025, Linnaeus University (LNU), Sweden, hosted the first Staff Training Week of the EU-GaNoM Cooperation Partnership, bringing together 25 participants, including administrative and management staff and researchers from the six partner universities.
The event marked an important milestone in the implementation of Work Package 2 (WP2), serving as the experimental phase of the project's Staff Training Week model and providing an opportunity for participants to exchange knowledge, explore institutional practices and strengthen their skills in European research and education project management.
Representatives from the following partner universities took part in the training:
Four Days of Training, Exchange and Practical Learning
The programme combined expert-led sessions, interactive workshops, group activities and discussions, addressing key aspects of European research and education funding programmes and project management. The four-day programme covered the following thematic areas:
Horizon Europe Pillar II: Global Challenges
The first day focused on Horizon Europe Pillar II, introducing participants to the programme's structure, thematic clusters and funding instruments, including Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). Practical workshops explored the preparation, development and follow-up of project proposals, alongside discussions on institutional support needs and challenges.
Erasmus+ Key Action 2
The second day explored the Erasmus+ programme, with particular emphasis on Key Action 2 and Cooperation Partnerships. Sessions addressed consortium development, project activities, funding rules and proposal preparation, complemented by practical workshops on Erasmus+ project planning and proposal development.
Horizon Europe Pillar I: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
The third day focused on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, including Postdoctoral Fellowships and Doctoral Networks. Participants explored the programme's opportunities and requirements through expert presentations, practical workshops and discussions on institutional support and project development.
Project Management and Impact
The final training day addressed the post-award phase of European projects, covering project coordination, research and financial management, audits, eligible costs, personnel management and reporting requirements. The programme also included a session on Impact and Innovation, introducing the Impact Canvas as a practical tool, followed by a collective evaluation of the training week and discussions on future action plans.
Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
Throughout the week, participants worked in groups and exchanged experiences across institutional and national contexts. The parallel workshops provided opportunities to explore practical challenges, share approaches to project development and management, and identify areas where administrative support and institutional capacities could be further strengthened.
The programme also included opportunities for informal networking and cultural exchange, contributing to stronger relationships among the partner institutions.
A Foundation for Future Staff Training Weeks
As the first experimental Staff Training Week within EU-GaNoM, the event provided valuable experience for the partner universities in understanding the organisation, structure and delivery of staff training programmes.
The knowledge and feedback gathered in Kalmar contributed to the further development of the project's training approach and informed the preparation of the second Staff Training Week, hosted by the University of Murcia in April 2026.
The event represented an important step towards strengthening administrative capacities, promoting peer-to-peer learning and supporting the exchange of good practices in European project management across the EU-GaNoM partnership.
