Up2Europe Expert

Jose Ospina Development Consultant

 Eco-Innovation
 Energy Efficiency


: Nov 12, 2016


About Me

I have worked for over 35 years in a professional capacity in as  project developer and manager in areas related to sustainable development and environment, including sustainable housing, computer reuse, computer eco-design, social and circular economy, enterprises, as part of local and national initiatives and transitional projects, for public and private employers. I have experience of promotion and development, project management, company secretarial duties, dissemination and events organisation. I have worked for a renewable energy company Organic Power as consultant.

 

I have also worked for the European Commission and contracted consultancies as an external evaluator on the Intelligent Energy for Europe Programme, the URBACT Secretariat, the LIFE + Programme and the Urban Innovative Actions Secretariat, and also as expert trainer for the LIFE Programme. I have experience of assessing and evaluating project applications, applying scoring systems and making recommendations for selection of projects for funding.

 

My work experience has allowed me to gain considerable practical and theoretical experience of the priority themes of sustainable development, as project manager and consultant for a number of agencies in Ireland, particularly in the writing and managing national and EU funded projects. I also hold relevant qualifications, an MA in Architecture, post-graduate certificates in Development Management and Housing Finance, as well as being a registered Building Energy Rating assessor with Sustainable Energy Ireland.

 

I am currently employed by NCE Insulation on as Project Consultants for an Norther Periphery and Arctic Project (E-Lighthouse) and for MicroPro, a Dublin based computer manufacturer company on a H2020 FoF Proect to develop and manufacture an ecological tablet (iameco  D4R tablet)..

 

I am experienced at repair and retrofit of older buildings, energy assessment of buildings, eco-design and green construction of housing in sustainable communities, recycling and reuse of electric and electronic appliances, river enhancement and constructed wetlands proposals.

 

In addition to my extensive experience in England and Colombia from 1976 to 1996, over the past 20 years I have developed and managed several European funded projects in Ireland with an exchange component, involving local authorities and other agencies throughout Europe, including most EU countries.

 

I am fluent in English and Spanish and can communicate in and understand French and Italian, I am computer literate and have excellent communication skills having been a trainer and having written many reports and articles and one published book (Housing Ourselves, Shipman 1987).

 

 

 

Fields of Expertise:

 Rural Development
 Construction Industry
 Entrepreneurship and SMEs
 Capacity Building
 Social Innovation
 Advertising
 Business Development
 Financial analysis
 Marketing
 Migrants and Refugees

Evaluations of Pre-submission Proposals

Evaluate your proposal to improve your chances of success!

This service is thought to estimate in advance your winning proposal evaluating the very last draft proposal before starting with the submission process. It is a way to reduce the risk of failures as well as to improve your weaknesses points and to increase the winning chance of your call.

 

A great number of proposals are rejected because they fail to fulfil one or more requirements set by the call for proposals they refer to. Having your proposal assessed by an expert before submission, can provide valuable feedback to improve your proposal and increase the chance of getting your idea funded.

 

Project proposals, beside being pertinent and innovative, should comply with many different criteria, ranging from a robust logical framework, to standards for expected results and outputs, sound workplan’s structuring, appropriate budget allocation, etc. Furthermore, they should match funding programmes’ and instruments’ priorities and contribute to the achievement of the set goals.

 

The service Evaluation of Pre-submission Proposals provides an evaluation of the proposal from an evaluator’s perspective, following the official award and selection criteria, including a thorough study of the call’s documents and a detailed review of the project proposal. Up2Europe experts bring added value to your proposal thanks to their:

  • Solid experience in the evaluation of project proposals in the framework of different EU funding programmes and instruments
  • Deep knowledge of the programmes’ and instruments’ priorities and objectives and of their official selection criteria
  • Strong understanding of proposal writing, project development and implementation.

Need more details? Ask for a quote!

Draft Proposal Review

Give your draft proposal to an expert

Proposals are often rejected because they lack clarity and focus or they are not understandable and engaging for the evaluator, not necessarily an expert in the field. Let an expert review your draft! The fresh insight of an UP2EUROPE expert on your draft proposal is essential to increase the quality and effectiveness of your project idea, giving you more chances of getting funded.

 

Proposals must describe clearly and consistently the project’s idea and approach, including explanation of objectives and expected results, relevance for the selected call for proposals, topic and geographic area, innovative methodologies and activities, etc.  Furthermore, they should be understandable and appealing for non-technical people and should demonstrate the significance of the project for those outside the field.

 

The service Review of the Draft Proposal provides a thorough review of the proposal, including proof-reading and suggestions of revised text, coherence check and precise comments for improvement. UP2EUROPE experts bring added value to your proposal thanks to:

  • experience of working with EU funds: deep knowledge of programmes’ and instruments’ priorities and objectives and of their official selection criteria
  • a technical expertise differing from those of the consortium and a sound understanding of proposal writing,  project development and implementation
  • a new view:  having a fresh pair of eyes on the proposal can bring up some typos and inaccuracies overlooked by the authors.

 

This is just a short description, if you need more details, please ask for a Quote!

European Proposal Preparation to Get Funding

Every steps necessary to prepare a winning proposal

The preparation of a proposal is no simple matter: a winning project idea must be identified, the right partners must be contacted and involved, the application form and all supporting documents must be duly filled out. Above all, outstanding coordination capacities and large experiences of proposal writing are essential for a successful submission. Applicants’ organisations often lack these competences, which makes the process much longer and complex.

This is where Up2Europe Experts come into play!

Up2Europe Experts provide support/fully undertake selected or the complete package of preparation tasks - from providing advice in the development of the project idea and goals, to partner search and consortium building, recurrent review and proof-reading, preparation of administrative documents, up to the actual submission to the financing agency. Up2Europe Experts bring added value to your proposal, by making sure it is clear and consistent, understandable and appealing for non-technical people, and that it meets the requirements of the selected call for proposals.

 

Thanks to their solid experience in proposal writing and project implementation, in the evaluation and review of project proposals, as wells as their deep knowledge of the priorities and the selection criteria of EU programmes and instruments, Up2Europe Experts ensure a smooth and effective preparation of your proposal, resulting in the submission of a high-quality proposal.


Need a more detailed description of this service? Contact one of the Up2Europe Experts.

 

Managing European Projects

An expert manage your project

Project Management is much more than drafting gantt charts and filling out budget sheets. It entails several tasks that requires time and specific skills, which are not always available in the beneficiaries’ organisations. But, good news: management tasks can be easily outsourced! An Expert can assist you throughout all phases of project implementation.

 

Up2Europe experts provide support/fully undertake selected or the complete package of project management tasks - ranging from resources and work planning, to coordination of the consortium, maintenance of a project repository, organisation of meetings, reporting, budget monitoring, etc. - allowing you to focus on the scientific and technical activities.

 

Thanks to their deep knowledge of project implementation and their solid experience in the management of projects in the framework of different EU funding programmes and instruments, they can ensure an effective and efficient achievement of set objective and results.

This is just a short description, if you need more details, please ask for a Quote!

Training on European Projects Management

Training courses on European Fundings

Training in courses and masters on European Project Management, project design, advisoring on direct and indirect European funds, presentation of various funding programmes, Project Cycle management techniques, implementation and financial reporting

We focus on a very practical approach with exercises thought for the individual needs and client case.

Funding Opportunity Report

All opportunities filtered by eligibility criteria

Is your project idea eligible for EU funding? Which calls for proposals or tenders can you apply for? And how much  could you obtain? The Funding Opportunity Report can answer these questions! UP2EUROPE experts will scan through the most interesting and appropriate EU funding opportunities in European programmes and instruments, in order to identify those that are more relevant for your project proposal.

 

Funding opportunities are plentiful: calls for proposals are issued every week by the numerous EU bodies. Keeping track of each one these opportunities and recognising those that better match your project idea is not easy, but it is crucial to increase your chances of receiving the grant. Furthermore, the different programmes and instruments apply different rules in terms of partnership requirements, financing and co-financing amounts, activities that can be implemented and costs that may be included.

 

Thanks to their sound experience working with EU funding and their thorough knowledge of the eligibility criteria and requirements of EU programmes and instruments, and taking into account your current projects and future ambitions and your network of collaborators and partners, UP2EUROPE experts can support you in identifying the most relevant sources for funding your project ideas.


This is just a short description, if you need more details ask for a Quote!

Assistance Via Email/Chat/Phone

Direct support by email/chat/phone about European projects

The submission deadline is approaching and you still have doubts on the necessary support documents and their correct format or on the submission process itself? While preparing a project proposal you need a timely reply to questions regarding partnership requirements, the content of specific sections, or the eligibility of activities and costs?
An Up2Europe expert can resolve your doubts and answer your question in real time at any stage of the preparation and submission process.

By means of the service Live Support & Assistance on European Projects an UP2EUROPE expert provides real time support by email, chat or phone, easing the preparation and submission of your proposal and making sure you avoid the most common errors, increasing the chance of receiving the funds.  

Ideas in Progress

Target Calls

Here are the calls I'm working on.


Renewable Energy financing mechanisms multi technology

Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism (RENEWFM)

 Natural Resources
 
 Renewable Energy
 
 Climate Sciences
 
 Green Deal
 
Objective:The RENEWFM is one of the EU financing programmes contributing to the clean energy transition and the European Green Deal objectives including the goals and objectives of the Paris Agreement, 2030 climate and energy targets and long-term decarbonisation objective).In this context, the RENEWFM allows EU countries to work more closely tog...
Deadline Mar 4, 2025   - 113 days
Read Call

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