Why?
The new ESF Programming Period strongly focuses on good governance and partnership. To this end one of the key priorities includes building institutional capacity to design and deliver policies and programmes.
This is why a European community of Practice on Sound Planning and Management
has been set up in order to
a) exchange  approaches and deal with challenges faced by programme and project managers
b) provide practical problem-solving action learning sets and
c)  upgrade the specific skills base of key actors of the new ESF.

What?
The purpose of the CoP is to professionalise ESF programme and project managers across Europe on the use of Sound Planning and Management methods, with special attention to Project Cycle Management (PCM).  Specifically, the CoP will provide a collaborative environment to exchange experience and good practice, access to a library and expert advice, blended training on PCM and, showcasing workshops in Italy, French-speaking Belgium and Poland.

When and where?
Project duration: October 2006 through December 2007
Key events:
Brussels, November 2006: Showcasing workshop
Turin, May 2007: Showcasing workshop

Warsaw, June 2007: Showcasing workshop

Cagliari, June 2007: Summer school
Rome, September-December 2007: Blended training

Who?
The EQUAL Managing Authorities of Italy, French-speaking Belgium and Poland have created a Community of Practice on Sound Planning and Management, in co-operation with the “Capacity Building” Group, a consolidated working group including also Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden.