
WELCOME - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This document contains important information about how to work with this course, what to expect and what is expected from you.
OBJECTIVES
This course will teach you how to design a development project; and plan, draft and edit a persuasive proposal that will:
Persuade you donors there is a problem that needs to be addressed;
Convince them you have a solution;
And that you have the ability to carry it out
There are three main themes in the course – Professional Writing, Project Planning and Proposal Writing.
We begin with writing skills, where we look at:
What is Professional Writing?
The Writing Process
The Art of Writing Clearly
How to Organise Ideas in Writing
Style, Editing & Proofreading
This in itself is complete step-by-step guide to how to improve the impact of whatever you write.
However, to write a proposal, we also need to have a project plan that works. Moving onto Project Planning, we explore why many proposals fail (and why others succeed) before getting to grips with the Logical framework Approach, where you will apply the tools you learn to design your own project.
Finally, taking your project you will apply the steps of professional writing to planning, drafting and editing your own proposal. Here you will also learn how to use Mind Mapping to make sure your proposal is complete and well-organised and ‘ticks all your donors’ boxes’ – as well as how to finish off your proposal so it has the best likelihood of success.
PROCESS
This course combines short, clear videos with practical tasks and exercises, and some useful background reading material.
1. Watch the Video Lessons
The videos are intentionally brief and - hopefully - clear. While there is plenty of theory, the focus is on quickly enabling you to apply the skills.
2. Do the Tasks
During the videos or between lessons you may be asked to pause and do a task. Tasks vary from very short ones ('pause and think') to longer tasks and extended exercises. ALWAYS stop and do the tasks before continuing.
TIMING
As a face-to-face intensive training, typically the course takes 30 hours. However, you can work at times that suit yous.
Best of Luck!
Neil Kendrick
Course Instructor
EXTRA RESOURCES
There are several additional resources in this section.
One is the OECD Glossary. This is simply for reference / checking termonology used.
The second is a detailed guide on Logical Framework approach for those who want to explore this deeper.
You will also find a Mind Map of a standrad project proposal, as well as a blank proposal template.
The task for the extended exercise is attached as well as a suggested solution.
RESOURCES IN THIS SECTION
There are TWO extra videos as follows:
"How To Mind Map" where Tony Buzan explains the theory and principles of Mind Mapping
"Getting Started With Mind Manager" outlines the base functions you can use when using Mindjet's Mind Manager software (link below)
Please note you the extra videos are hosted on YouTube and cannot be downloaded directly.
Extra documents in this section include:
A short guide to using Mind Manager from London South Bank University
Proposal template Mind Map in PDF format
A 30-day trial version of Mind Manager can be downloaded from: https://www.mindjet.com/
DESIGN PROJECTS THAT DELIVER POSITIVE, MEASURABLE CHANGE
DELIVER PROPOSALS THAT YOUR DONORS WILL SUPPORT
Successful projects have to offer value to end users and donors. But identifying a winning project and having a good plan often isn't enough. Donors will only support proposals that:
Convince them of the value of solving the problem
Demonstrate that you have a solution
Persuade them you can deliver results
So, you need to be a good communicator, too - presenting your ideas clearly and persuasively.
WHAT OUR PRACTICAL PROJECT PLANNING & PROPOSAL WRITING COURSE WILL TEACH YOU
You will learn:
How to design your own project
How to write a proposal that donors will support
Have a look at the video below and explore the curriculum to see what's in the course.
COURSE OUTCOMES
This flexible, self-paced, practical course will teach you how to:
Design a project your donors will support
Plan, draft and edit a persuasive proposal
CLEAR & PRACTICAL LEARNING
The course allows for maximum practical work. While you will get all the theory you need, you will learn the steps and tools in a way that you can apply time after time after the course is over so that:
You will always know what to do each time you have to develop a proposal
Your proposals will be well-organised, clear and persuasive - contributing to better relations with donors and, more importantly, increased donor support
HOW IT WORKS
Lifetime Access to the Whole Course
As soon as you sign up you get immediate access to all the course materials -course videos, printable exercises and extra resource materials.
Flexible Learning
You can work at your own pace - starting when you want, and working at whatever times suit you best. The entire course should take around 20 hours, including all the tasks and developing your own project plan and proposal.
Certificate of Achievement
After you have completed all the modules you will be issued your certificate.
You will also learn some key tools and tips you won't find anywhere else - such as how to adjust your writing style to different readers, or how to use Mind Mapping to:
Plan projects
Organise and analyse information
Plan and draft your writing
Welcome From Course Instructor Neil Kendrick
Hello - and thanks for checking out this course! I’m excited to share with you the skills involved in becoming a successful proposal writer.
For over 20 years I've helped development professionals get support from donors through winning proposals. From small NGOs to multi-donor million-dollar projects, I've worked with proposal writers from a range of sectors, helping them get support for their projects. From my worldwide experience, you’ll quickly learn what works and what doesn't.
This practical, step-by-step course is for all those aspiring proposal writers who can't join our face-to-face training due to time, work or expense. Now - without having to book time off, or jump on a plane - you'll soon be able to:
Design a project your donors will support
Plan, draft and edit a winning proposal
And, just like donors, you also want results and value for money. Flying to a training, with all its extra costs, can be expensive. And for less than the travel costs alone, in just a few moments you can have access to this step-by-step, practical training - all downloadable so you don't miss a thing.
So, join me now, on this journey towards winning project proposals.
Neil Kendrick
Director
ELD TRAINING