Nonprofit Cost Analysis

Although nonprofits generally have a good understanding of their revenues, knowledge about costs can sometimes be less robust. This is particularly the case when it comes to the true, all-in costs of providing services, running programs, and otherwise operating the organization.

Cost Analysis Steps:

1. Determine Purpose & Scope
2. Gather Financial Data
3. Allocate Direct Costs
4. Allocate Indirect Costs
5. Check Your Data
6. Apply This Knowledge

Lacking this information, nonprofit executives often must make important resource-related decisions on the basis of intangibles such as intuition, the skills and knowledge of the program staff, or the preferences and inclinations of the organization’s funders. As a result, they run the risk of undermining their organization’s mission (however inadvertently) by failing to allocate resources to the most appropriate programs and services. Given the limited resources available to nonprofits (especially during financially challenging times), gaining economic clarity around costs is critical to inform key strategic decisions.

Nonprofit Cost Analysis: Introduction [on line version]
Nonprofit Cost Analysis Toolkit: Six Steps to Finding the True Costs of Programs [complete PDF version]

Author(s): Marta Garcia Abadia, Johnny Lin
Published Date: June 03, 2009

EPRC Policy Briefing: National Cohesion Policy Allocations 2014-20

Who are the winners and losers from the 7/8 February 2013 summit? The European Council on 7-8 February 2013 agreed a Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) containing a new methodology for allocating Cohesion policy funding. Although the MFF may be revised by the European Parliament, a key question is what the Council conclusions might mean for the allocation of Structural and Cohesion Funds to the Member States. Based on EPRC calculations, this EPRC Policy Briefing provides a preliminary assessment of how Cohesion policy might be allocated.

http://www.eprc.strath.ac.uk/news/COHESION_POLICY_ALLOCATIONS_2014-20_EPRC_Policy_Briefing_Feb_2013.pdf

ESF legal papers - Consolidated Structural Funds Legislation for the programming period 2007-2013

The European Commission has produced consolidated versions of EU legislation governing the application of structural funds so as to support Member State authorities in managing related measures. This publication contains legal papers related to the European Social Fund (ESF) and subsequent legislative amendments. They set out the overall remit of the ESF, lay down general provisions for use of funds and establish rules for implementation of ESF-funded actions.

https://infoeuropa.eurocid.pt/registo/000051467/documento/0001/

A Política de Coesão no período de programação 2014-2020

Conheça os principais documentos programáticos, estudos enquadradores e de aprofundamento e documentos informativos de divulgação mais alargada:

• Proposta Regulamentar
• Documentos enquadradores e complementares
• Publicações de Divulgação Editadas pela Comissão Europeia
• Documentos de Trabalho da Comissão Europeia
• Mandatos Negociais do Parlamento Europeu
• Iniciativas em Portugal
• Iniciativas Internacionais
• Estudos e Publicações
• Outros Pareceres
• Links Úteis

Fonte: QREN 2014-2020, http://www.qren.pt/np4/2014_2020

Entrepreneurship: US and EUROPE

Source: reachli.com via BlossomCompany on Pinterest

EU-Youth by European Parliament

Source: flickr.com via Durand on Pinterest

Region of the week: ALENTEJO

What are the region’s priorities?

The Alentejo region of southern Portugal has around 758.700 inhabitants and its area represents roughly one third of the Portuguese territory. In 2009, its GDP per capita was 72.2% of the EU average and its relative weight in the Portuguese GDP is 6.4%.

The region boasts rich and diversified natural resources that have in some cases not yet been fully exploited, while still hosting a rich well preserved natural environment and cultural heritage. Its main priorities are to develop its huge agricultural potential - the region is already one of the world's leading producers of cork- as well as its growing agro-food industry sector and to attract investment in new industries as well as in tourism.

One of the main poles of development is linked to the Alqueva dam and the irrigation systems developed as well as the hydropower capacity built. The new infrastructures should not only allow increasing certain agricultural productions (olive oil, wine, fruits) and attract new ones (corn) and develop tourism, they would also reduce the regions' exposure to drought risks.

Another development pole is the port of Sines, a fast growing container port and industry pole, mostly with energy production and chemical industries. Also the capital city of Évora has been able to attract some important foreign investments recently like for instance the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer which created 400 permanent jobs.

The region also seeks to improve its regional innovation system, providing support to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in order to improve their internationalization and to expand the role of cities as catalysts for regional economic and social development.

Finally, also the stones and mining sectors are seeing some new developments, for example with the reactivation of the mining complex of "Aljustrel" (copper production). The region gives priority to a sustainable path to the opening up of its economy, aiming to achieve a good overall quality of life, which can set an example in terms of environment and sustainability.

Ver destaque completo em:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/hahn/region/2012/11/07/index_en.cfm