Reaching this mid moment of my stay with Tiziana Cristiano has been a good opportunity to step back and look at what I have actually been doing, rather than what I expected to learn. So far, the experience has been intense and very concrete, especially in relation to European project design and management, which are at the core of my future consultancy activity.
One of the most significant learning areas has been proposal writing. During the first half of the exchange, I have actively supported the drafting of project proposals under Erasmus+ and similar programmes. This included working on needs analysis, defining objectives and expected results, structuring work packages, and translating ideas into clear, fundable actions. A key challenge here was learning how to balance ambition with realism: understanding how evaluators read a proposal forced me to simplify language, sharpen impact logic, and make budgets and activities fully coherent. This process has been extremely valuable for my professional growth, as it directly reflects the services I aim to offer as an independent consultant.
Another central aspect of my work has been partner building and coordination. I have been involved in identifying potential partners, analysing their profiles, and understanding how to create balanced consortium where each organisation has a clear role and added value. This showed me how much time and care partnership construction requires, well before a proposal is even written. Seeing the informal negotiations, alignment of expectations, and trust-building behind a formal partnership agreement has helped me understand what kind of support organisations really need—and how I could provide it in my future consultancy work.
A particularly practical learning experience has been supporting the development of financial management tools. I contributed to the creation and adaptation of budget tracking spreadsheets, cost monitoring templates, and basic internal procedures to ensure compliance with EU funding rules. This part was challenging at first, as it required precision and attention to detail, but it also made me realise how crucial financial clarity is for project sustainability. Many organisations struggle not only with ideas but with managing funds effectively—an insight that will strongly shape my consultancy offer.
I feel that the objectives of the programme are being met in a very concrete way. I am not only observing but actively applying skills that directly feed into my business idea: European project consultancy combined with hands-on support. I know I will also increase autonomy in these months. It is clear that my future business will not be abstract advice but really tailored on customer needs and capabilities.