3.2. Napišite jo sami ali jo naročite pri zunanjem izvajalcu

The two surveys launched as part of the Helpdesk project to collect information around the needs and challenges faced by social services  in accessing EU funds showed that 80% of social providers develop the proposals by themselves. This is also what we recommend, and this is the strongest reason behind developing this MOOC. Ultimately, the decision should be based on a careful assessment of your organisation’s capabilities, resources, and goals, as well as the specific requirements of the EU funding opportunity at hand. 

These are the main points you might want to consider:

Knowledge and Expertise: To develop a successful EU funding proposal, you need a deep understanding of the application process, rules, and regulations. If your team lacks this knowledge or the project requires specialized skills, consider investing in training or collaboration with experts.

Resources: Strong proposals demand time, effort, and dedication. Evaluate your team’s capacity to allocate the needed resources. If your team is overloaded or resources are scarce, reorganize or reallocate to ensure the proposal gets the attention it merits.

Deadlines: EU funding calls come with strict deadlines. It’s vital to assess your team’s ability to meet these while maintaining high proposal quality. Careful planning, coordination, and time for reviews and revisions are essential.

Budget: Developing a proposal in-house can be cost-effective, especially with the right expertise and resources at hand. However, weigh the opportunity cost of dedicating resources to proposal writing versus core activities. Investing in proposal development might also increase your chances of securing funding.

Success Rate: Evaluate your past success in securing EU funding. If you’ve had past victories and understand the requirements, you may be well-positioned to continue in-house development. If success has been elusive, consider revising your approach or seeking advice to improve your proposal strategy.