Project Planning and Proposal Writing

Introduction
Project planning and proposal writing provide the foundation for designing, implementing, and securing support for impactful programs. Project planning and proposal writing are more than just administrative tasks—they are strategic tools that ensure humanitarian and development programs are well-conceived, impactful, and sustainable.

Course Objectives
This course aims to help project teams to:

• Identify real needs through structured problem analysis, ensuring proposals address critical gaps and address the most pressing challenges faced by communities
• Set clear, measurable goals aligned with community and donor priorities to secure funding and drive results
• Develop compelling proposals that align with organizational strategies, donor requirements, and global frameworks, increasing the likelihood of funding approval

Organizational Impact
The organization will be able to:

• Identify real needs through structured problem analysis, ensuring proposals address critical gaps and address the most pressing challenges faced by communities
• Set clear, measurable goals aligned with community and donor priorities to secure funding and drive results
• Develop compelling proposals that align with organizational strategies, donor requirements, and global frameworks, increasing the likelihood of funding approval

Personal Impact
The participants will acquire expertise to:

• Develop compelling projects: Design projects that resonate with stakeholders and inspire their support. Build your skills in aligning projects with broader development goals while effectively communicating their value
• Master the Logical Framework Approach: Learn to apply the Logical Framework Approach to create well-structured projects that meet rigorous standards and drive measurable results
• Refine persuasive communication: Plan and articulate proposals in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner. Discover strategies to tailor your proposals to capture donors’ interest and secure the support your initiatives need

Who Should Attend?
This training is tailored for professionals involved in project design, planning, and resource mobilization within humanitarian and development contexts. It’s ideal for:

• Project managers and planners aiming to design impactful programs that address community needs
• Proposal writers seeking to refine their persuasive communication and align with donor priorities
• Development professionals responsible for crafting project plans that meet global standards and secure funding
• Teams or individuals looking to enhance their skills in problem analysis, goal setting, and the Logical Framework Approach

Training Methodology
This is a modular, self-paced, practical learning experience, combining study materials, reflections, exercises, and end-of-module assessments to ensure effective results. Designed with real-world application in mind, the course encourages you to pause, reflect, and actively develop skills you can confidently apply to your own projects as you learn.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Professional Writing

• Preview: What is Professional Writing?
• Why Do So Many People Get It Wrong?
• Writing Tells Others Who We Are
• The Writing Process
• Progress Assessment
• Reflection & Application

Module 2: The Logical Framework Approach to Project Planning

• Why Do Proposals Fail? And How to Get It Right?
• The Logical Framework Approach: Introduction & Overview
• Progress Assessment
• Reflection & Application

Module 3: The Art of Writing Clearly

• Measuring Clarity: The Fog Index
• Tools and Exercises for Improving Clarity Part 1
• Tools and Exercises for Improving Clarity Part 2
• Tools and Exercises for Improving Clarity Part 3
• Solutions to Tasks & Exercises
• Professional Writing: Recap
• Progress Assessment
• Reflection & Application

Module 4: LFA: Context & Problem Analysis

• Context Analysis & Data Collection
• Problem Tree Analysis
• Progress Assessment
• Reflection & Application

Module 5: Organizing Ideas in Writing

• Deductive vs. Inductive Approaches
• Organizing Main Points Effectively
• Writing Paragraphs that Persuade
• Topic Sentence Exercises
• Extended Exercise
• Solutions to Tasks & Exercises
• Progress Assessment
• Reflection & Application

Module 6: From Stakeholders to Strategy

• Stakeholder Analysis
• Setting Objectives
• Project Strategy
• Progress Assessment
• Reflection & Application

Module 7: Language, Style & Editing

• Keeping Your Reader’s Interest: Tools for Improving Style
• How to Edit Like a Pro (& Extended Exercise)
• Professional Writing: Recap
• Progress Assessment
• Reflection & Application

Module 8: Building the Logical Framework

• Overview of the Steps
• Building & Testing the Results Chain
• Preconditions & Assumptions
• Indicators & Means of Verification
• Progress Assessment
• Reflection & Application

Module 9: Planning, Drafting & Editing Your Proposal

• The Writing Process Revisited
• Mind Mapping
• Planning the Proposal
• Drafting the Proposal
• Editing, Proofreading & Presentation
• Course Review
• Progress Assessment
• Reflection & Application

Module 10: Wrap Up

• The Steps of Project Planning and Proposal Writing
• Self-Assessment: Project Design and Proposal Writing
• Action Planning for Project Design and Proposal Writing
• Course Discussion Forum

Certificate of Achievement
Upon successful completion, an ALARDI AFRICA certificate that recognizes your skills, dedication to learning, and commitment to professional excellence will be issued.

Venue:
Kenya-Nairobi – Cost USD 3000
Zambia-Lusaka – Cost USD 3400
Senegal-Dakar – Cost USD 3600

Date: 24th – 28th August 2026