The 2015 Capacity Building project ended with a return to Italy, in Genoa. On 5th December EFA again met the representatives of FederASMA e ALLERGIE Onlus for a follow up session of the meeting held in October 2014. The aim of this follow up session is to verify the progress achieved by FederASMA e ALLERGIE during the year and to explore opportunities for further improvement. The meeting was attended by 17 participants, representing 11 FederASMA e ALLERGIE member organizations active at the local level in Italy.
FederASMA e ALLERGIE representatives described the impact of the first EFA Capacity Building session on their activities, which they revealed had resulted in increased contacts with potential partners and collaborations with public institutions and scientific organizations. After a positive year, FederASMA and ALLERGIE is now discussing an internal reform, with the aim of strengthening its role of focal point for asthma and allergy patients in Italy. In this view, EFA provided the participants with information on the key points that a patient organization should take into account when facing transition periods, from the definition of its specific objectives to the relationships with funding partners.
In the second part of the meeting, participants engaged in project work aimed at developing a workplan. The objective of this session is to help organisations better understand how to organize, monitor and capitalize on all their planned activities. Lastly, EFA Project Manager provided the participants with practical advice on how to apply for and participate in EU-funded projects.
The meeting was followed by a musical show organized by ALA, the allergy patients organization based in Genoa, and by the FederASMA e ALLERGIE general assembly held on the 6th of December.
In 2016, EFA will continue its Capacity Building Project, now in its third year! We want to involve more and more EFA members. To improve and develop the programme, and maximize its impact for recipient organisations, we are developing new programmes and features catered to the needs of all varieties of organisations. Member organisations will soon receive a questionnaire, and this will help EFA in assessing your needs and we hope to visit all of you very soon!