On 10–11 June 2025, project administrators from Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte (RTU) and the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (CFI) visited the University of Trento to deepen their expertise in research project administration, financial management, and risk governance within European Union–funded projects.
The two-day visit provided a comprehensive overview of best practices across the Horizon Europe project lifecycle, combining expert presentations, practical demonstrations, and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange.
Key focus areas of the visit included:
- The strategic role of Research Manager Administrators and their contribution to impact-driven project implementation
- Reporting periods and results management, including common administrative and financial challenges
- Financial monitoring mechanisms and reporting preparation processes
- Budget planning and expenditure tracking using administrative tools such as SAP, Excel, Agendo, and SGA
- Budget oversight, financial adjustments, and risk management in EU-funded projects
- Audit preparation practices and expenditure accounting
- Practical use of the EU Funding & Tenders Portal from both partner and coordinator perspectives
- Project coordination, reporting templates, and submission guidelines
A particular emphasis was placed on the practical application of financial and administrative tools, supported by real-life examples and open discussions on effective project management approaches. The programme concluded with a dedicated session on project coordination and reporting, encouraging active dialogue, questions, and recommendations for strengthening future cooperation.
Overall, the visit served as a valuable platform for experience exchange, capacity building, and institutional collaboration, reinforcing the importance of professional research support structures in the successful implementation of Horizon Europe projects.
