The trainers kick started the block one session with a musical ice breaker, fitting of the venue and occasion! The group then gave overviews of their respective projects and the challenges they anticipated by way of implementation with the trainers, moving from planning to action!
The attendees were engaged in a number of tools from the URBACT toolbox, including an Action Table, the 4Cs Checklist and an iPESTLE Analysis to detail the activities, outputs and risks (required during implementation), also helping ensure plans are delivered in a coherent and whole way to aid continuity, as well as an analysis of the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental conditions ahead of implementation.
Following lunch, block two saw the group engage in a Climate Fresk workshop. The green transition is one of URBACT's cross cutting principles and it's also a key cornerstone of the majority of the Irish partners' networks. Leslie Marce, Country Coordinator for Climate Fresk in Ireland, joined us for this session and the partners worked cohesively in groups to greater understand the cause and effect of the various aspects of Climate change.
Day two saw Campus blocks three and four entirely dedicated to aiding our network partners to think beyond their projects' end and how best to fund and sustain the actions they will include in their respective IAPs. The morning kicked off with the trainers coaching the partners in defining their project challenges and with funding in mind, how best to pitch their solutions (IAP). Following lunch, the final block got underway. The Campus was joined by representatives of funds from the community, regional, national, and European levels. Following a pitch and the "ask" of each project, the funders were assigned tables, and each project partner visited the tables in a speed-dating format, spending ten minutes to open lines of communication and make linkages with funds of interest. Day two ended with a group photograph before wrapping up activities and the networks providing feedback.
Our partners found the two-day event to have been very beneficial to their needs. As Contact Point entity, we thank them for taking the time out of their busy schedules to attend. We also want to say a big thanks to Brian and Sally for their great work in preparing and delivering the Campus. Finally, a big thanks to our hosts at the IIMS.