Purposes
The Master's Degree in European Project Design is an advanced training course designed to train professionals capable of interpreting, governing and translating European Union policies and programmes into concrete territorial, social and economic development projects.
Through an integrated approach combining theory, practical exercises and simulations, the Master provides the skills required to tackle the challenges of the 2021–2027 financial programming period and prepare for the new 2028–2034 cycle.
The educational programme is divided into modules ranging from the analysis of cohesion policies and programmes directly managed by the European Union (Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, LIFE, Digital Europe, EU4Health, among others) to the study of procedures for accessing funding, eligibility rules, contracts and techniques for drafting project proposals.
Ample space is given to the examination of ESI funds and the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) as key instruments for resilience and growth, public procurement, traditional and innovative financial instruments, and the integration of ESG criteria and artificial intelligence into design processes.
Students aiming to enrol may request an appointment with the Orientation Office by calling +39 06 3400 6000
Scientific Director
Sen. Marco Scurria
Marco Scurria, born in Rome on 18 May 1967, is an Italian politician with a Degree in Political Science. He began his political career in 1994 with MSI. In 1995, he led the right wing to victory in the Roman student elections, a historic event after 1968. He was national leader of the Youth Front, vice-president of Azione Giovani and member of the National Assembly of Alleanza Nazionale.
In 2009, he was elected Member of the European Parliament with the Popolo della Libertà (PdL). During his term in the European Parliament, he was a member of the Committee on Regional Development and the Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries, including Israel and Iran. He was also a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean. In 2012, Scurria joined Fratelli d'Italia (FdI). He is currently a Senator of the Italian Republic, elected in September 2022 for the 19th Legislature. In the Senate, since November 2022, he has held the position of Secretary of the 4th Permanent Commission (European Union Policies) and since May 2024 he has been Vice-President of the Fratelli d'Italia group. He is a member of the Italian Parliamentary Delegation to the Assembly of the Council of Europe and of the Extraordinary Commission for Combating Intolerance, Racism, Anti-Semitism and Incitement to Hatred and Violence. Since April 2023, he has chaired the Italy-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Union Friendship Group and, since May 2023, he has been President of Transatlantic Friends of Israel (TFI). His main areas of interest include international and European Union policies and energy issues, with a particular focus on the rights of Iranian women. Scurria also has extensive experience in the associative and entrepreneurial fields. A graduate in Political Science, he has held prominent roles in various national and international associations operating in the social and entrepreneurial spheres. After his tenure as a Member of the European Parliament, he was appointed President of the Associazione Centro Studi Nuova Europa (New Europe Study Centre Association) from 2014 to 2017 and President of the Associazione Agricoltori Italiani (Italian Farmers' Association). From 2020 to 2021, he served as President of AIDI (Associazione Imprese d'Italia, Italian Business Association). He was also president of the Kibo Agri-Food Consortium, dedicated to promoting Italian food and wine culture abroad. In addition, he has provided consulting services to companies and associations on issues related to internationalisation and event organisation, with a particular focus on the agri-food sector. He has also taught at universities and training institutions, focusing on European fund programming. In 2021, he was appointed consultant for Abruzzo Engineering S.p.A., dealing with the environment, land monitoring and soil protection, as well as post-earthquake reconstruction.
Structure of the Master
The Master is divided into six training modules:
- 2021/2027 financial programming and its implementation. Towards 2028/2034 programming
Analysis of the MFF, EU institutions, strategic priorities, direct and indirect funds, PNRR and future prospects. - Participation in programmes: executive planning, building a project proposal Information sources, eligibility rules, registration on the ECAS/SEDIA portals, tools, procedures and partnership management. Drafting the project proposal, work plan, use of the Logical Framework, monitoring tools, management plan, communication and governance.
- Financial aspects, management and reporting of European projects Legal nature of contributions, budget construction and management, periodic and final reporting, auditing and compliance. Executive management, monitoring and evaluation, report drafting and evaluation techniques.
- Financial instruments, ESG and public procurementSustainable finance, taxation, venture capital, embedded finance; procurement regulations, roles and responsibilities, procedures and traceability.
- Artificial Intelligence in European project design
Ethical and operational use of generative AI, digital tools, prompt engineering and regulatory framework (AI Act). - NNegotiation, influence and lobbying
Multi-level dialogue between the EU, the State and the Regions, negotiation techniques, advocacy and lobbying in accordance with the principles of transparency.