Course Overview:
This course is designed to equip professionals with the skills to develop compelling project proposals and produce clear, results-driven reports. In today’s competitive funding and organizational environment, the ability to communicate project ideas persuasively and report on outcomes effectively is essential.
The course focuses on modern best practices for writing proposals that attract support from donors, stakeholders, and management, and on crafting professional reports that demonstrate accountability, results, and impact. It also incorporates current trends, such as results-based management (RBM), logframe integration, and donor-aligned writing (e.g., EU, USAID, World Bank formats).
Course Duration:
5 days
Target Audience:
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Project Managers and Coordinators
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M&E Officers and Development Practitioners
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NGO and CSO Staff
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Government and Donor Agency Officers
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Proposal Writers and Administrators
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Anyone involved in project planning, reporting, or fundraising
Personal Impact:
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Gain confidence in writing structured, impactful proposals
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Improve reporting clarity and professionalism
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Enhance career opportunities in development, business, or governance
Organizational Impact:
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Increase success in securing project funding
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Improve accountability and donor confidence through better reports
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Streamline internal and external communication of project work
Course Level:
Course Objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
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Understand the structure and logic of effective proposals
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Align proposals with donor requirements and strategic goals
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Produce professional project reports using RBM principles
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Use evidence and data to support funding and reporting goals
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Communicate clearly with a range of stakeholders
Course Outline:
Module 1: Fundamentals of Proposal and Report Writing
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Differences between proposals and reports
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Key writing principles: clarity, structure, tone, and objectivity
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Understanding your audience: funders, stakeholders, managers
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Types of reports (technical, narrative, M&E, financial summaries)
Activity: Analyze examples of good and poor proposals
Module 2: Writing Effective Project Proposals
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Components of a strong proposal: executive summary, problem statement, objectives, methodology, budget, and evaluation
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Logical Framework Approach (LFA)
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Writing SMART objectives and justifying interventions
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Aligning with donor goals and templates (USAID, EU, UN, etc.)
Workshop: Draft a mini project proposal with problem and objective statements
Module 3: Project Planning Tools in Proposals
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Developing work plans, Gantt charts, and timelines
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Budget planning and justification
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Risk analysis and mitigation strategies
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Monitoring and evaluation frameworks in proposals
Case Study: Writing a proposal for a rural development or education project
Module 4: Report Writing for Projects
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Types of reports: inception, progress, final, donor-specific
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Structuring reports: introduction, activities, results, lessons learned
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Using data, visuals (charts, tables), and evidence effectively
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Common reporting challenges and how to avoid them
Activity: Edit and improve a real project report for clarity and flow
Module 5: Final Presentation and Review of Written Work
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Peer review of proposals and reports
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Pitching your proposal to funders (presentation skills)
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Feedback and refinement of documents
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Developing a personal action plan for post-training writing
Capstone Project: Present and submit a full mini proposal and summary report for peer and trainer review
Related Courses
Course Administration Details:
Methodology
These instructor-led training sessions are delivered using a blended learning approach and include presentations, guided practical exercises, web-based tutorials, and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience as professionals and trainers in these fields. All facilitation and course materials are offered in English. Participants should be reasonably proficient in the language.
Accreditation
Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued an Indepth Research Institute (IRES) certificate certified by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
Training Venue
The training will be held at IRES Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and lunch. All participants will additionally cater to their travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
Accommodation and Airport Transfer
Accommodation and Airport Transfer are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training Officer.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +254715 077 817
Tailor-Made
This training can also be customized to suit the needs of your institution upon request. You can have it delivered in our IRES Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +254715 077 817
Payment
Payment should be transferred to the IRES account through a bank on or before the start of the course. Send proof of payment to [email protected]
Click here to register for this course.
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