Between the 2nd and 6th of June 2025, professionals from across Europe — and as far as the United States and Panama — came together in Athens for the European Academy’s flagship Advanced EU Funding & Project Innovation Camp. This five-day intensive programme blended expert-led training with hands-on workshops, peer learning, and meaningful networking opportunities in a unique international setting.
Throughout the week, participants explored key dimensions of EU project development: from proposal design and PM² methodology, to innovation ecosystems, impact strategies, and financial management. Each day featured specialised content delivered by experienced trainers, complemented by carefully curated social events designed to foster collaboration and exchange.
Day 1 – Proposal Design & Strategy
Trainer: Dr. Danijela Ćirić Lalić
The camp began with a strategic deep dive into EU funding mechanisms, proposal logic, and outcome-based project design. Through frameworks like the Objective–Output–Indicator model and structured work plan methodologies, participants laid the foundation for developing competitive proposals.
Evening Highlight: An informal welcome gathering at Ham On Rye gave participants a first opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting with drinks and finger food.
Day 2 – PM² for EU Projects
Trainer: Mr. Nicos Kourounakis (with closing session by Dr. Ćirić Lalić)
Day 2 focused on the official European Commission methodology — PM². Sessions covered its lifecycle, roles, governance, and certification. Emphasis was placed on adapting PM² to real EU project contexts.
Evening Highlight: A co-hosted event with the Hellenic American Union included a presentation on the new PM² Addendum and a rooftop cocktail reception with panoramic views over Athens.
Day 3 – Innovation Readiness & Ecosystems
Trainers: Dr. Bojan Lalić & Tamara Čolić Milosavljević
Participants explored organisational innovation capacity and learned how to embed projects within wider European and global innovation ecosystems. Afternoon sessions addressed IPR, entrepreneurship, and commercialisation.
Evening Highlight: A formal sit-down dinner at Lykovrisi provided space for deeper conversations and cross-border networking.
Day 4 – Impact & Dissemination Strategy
Trainer: Martha Papathanassiou
Day 4 focused on designing effective dissemination and impact strategies for EU-funded projects. Participants explored key outcomes, target audiences, and visibility tools — all aligned with policy priorities and long-term value creation. A practical workshop session allowed teams to apply what they had learned and present their dissemination plans for feedback.
In the final two hours of the day, the floor was given to participants for project showcases, where they shared real examples from their ongoing or recently completed initiatives. This dynamic session highlighted the diversity and innovation of the community and sparked valuable peer-to-peer exchanges.
Projects presented included:
SAND5G, MeDiTwin, ThinkingEarth, RAMONES EU, DeepCube H2020, GeneH, GeneT, GCure, ERDERA, GreenTech Horizons, ESG4PMChange, and SPM².
Evening Highlight: Participants had a free evening to relax, explore Athens, or continue conversations informally with fellow attendees.
Day 5 – Financial Management & Audit Readiness
Trainer: Sara Dishkova
The week concluded with practical training on cost eligibility, budgeting, contracting, and audit preparation. A financial reporting simulation helped participants strengthen their internal compliance capabilities.
Final Gathering: A casual wrap-up at Ham On Rye brought everyone together for farewell drinks — and to reflect on a packed but rewarding week.
What’s Next?
The Summer Camp may have concluded, but the learning continues! Over the next 4 weeks, participants will be invited to join a series of complimentary online follow-up sessions, offering the opportunity to revisit key topics, share implementation experiences, and stay connected.
Interested in joining one of our upcoming courses?
Explore what’s next on our calendar!
