Grants Management in Practice - BUILDPROC Knowledge Fair
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Grants Management in Practice - BUILDPROC Knowledge Fair
Knowledge Fair on Grants, Subproject Financing and Grant-Based Implementation Arrangements
23 November–18 December 2026
Overview
How can development practitioners design and manage grants that are transparent, effective and deliver sustainable results?
Grant-based arrangements support community initiatives, beneficiary organizations and development investments. Their effective management requires sound financing choices, transparent selection, risk management and supervision.
Grant Management in Practice is a free, four-week online Knowledge Fair organized by the ITCILO under BUILDPROC-II. Drawing on draft guidance for the revised IFAD Procurement Handbook, it combines technical expertise, practical tools and peer learning to address real grant-management challenges.
Through interactive webinars, case studies and experience sharing, participants will explore solutions they can apply to their own projects.
Why participate?
Grant management involves complex decisions: When should a grant be used instead of procurement? How can recipients be selected fairly? How can risks be managed and implementation improved?
This Knowledge Fair offers an opportunity to explore these questions, exchange experiences across countries and projects, and discover practical approaches to more effective grant management.
What will you learn?
By the end of the programme, participants will be better able to:
- Choose appropriate financing modalities, distinguishing grants from procurement contracts and other arrangements.
- Design effective grant mechanisms, defining eligibility, financing conditions and risk safeguards.
- Manage transparent selection and awards, applying appropriate methods, appraisal criteria and integrity checks.
- Supervise implementation and improve performance, monitoring progress, addressing risks and applying lessons learned.
Programme content
The Knowledge Fair follows four phases of the grant-management cycle.
Week 1 — When is a grant really a grant? Distinguish grants from procurement and other implementation modalities through practical cases.
Webinar: The Modality Challenge
Week 2 — Designing a grant mechanism Explore grant design, eligibility, financing arrangements and risk safeguards using a practical design canvas.
Webinar: The Grant Design Fair
Week 3 — Selecting, appraising and awarding Compare selection methods and practise transparent, fair and well-documented appraisal decisions.
Webinar: The Grant Committee
Week 4 — Implementing, supervising, closing and learning Address implementation challenges, strengthen supervision and identify corrective actions and lessons learned.
Webinar: The Grant Clinic
Learning methodology
Learn from experience, share solutions and apply practical tools.
The programme combines approximately 20 learning hours through four interactive 90-minute webinars, self-paced resources, case studies, simulations and peer discussions.
Participants will explore decision aids, grant design templates, appraisal scorecards and supervision dashboards, while sharing experiences and lessons from their own professional contexts.
Who should participate?
Professionals involved in grant-based arrangements in IFAD-financed projects, particularly project managers, procurement officers, financial management specialists, technical experts and staff responsible for grant selection, implementation and supervision.
Practical information
- Start: 23 November 2026
- Duration: 4 weeks
- Modality: Online, including four interactive webinars
- Fee: Free of charge
About the initiative
Developed under BUILDPROC-II, Component 4, this Knowledge Fair supports the dissemination of practical procurement and project implementation knowledge across IFAD-financed operations.
Join the Knowledge Fair
Exchange experiences. Explore practical solutions. Strengthen grant management.
Register for free