Most direct management programmes require for carrying out a project the creation of a consortium of partners from different European Union or non-EU countries.

The minimum requirements may vary according to each programme. Usually, the main requirement is to have partners from three different countries led by a coordinating partner, who has the idea of an initial proposal and is responsible for determining the project and establishing the role to be executed by each partner, suggesting the objectives and actions that will be carried out.

• Legal entities and in some cases individuals can submit a proposal for a specific project under an EU programme which covers their sector of activity and, if the project is approved, the EU will finance it with a grant.
• The project idea must be developed and as a basic minimum requirement the EU must stand out.
• The project main objectives, landmarks, stages, activities and results must be clear, specifying the role of each partner.
• Define the wanted profile of partners (type of entity, nationality, if they participate as coordinator...)
• Take into account the minimum consortium conditions (number of partners, funding rate) according to the work programme and calls.
• Make a brief introduction of your entity (in English) including previous experience.
• Prepare a summary of the project (in English) indicating its main characteristics.

• Create a network of contacts and previous collaborations
• Attend to specific info-days and work sessions, both in Brussels and in Spain. The information from these conferences is usually available on the website of each programme, as well as on national agencies.
• Look for national contact points. Most Programmes have a list of national contact points on their websites.
• Look at the programme database identifying similar projects previously funded by the European Commission.
• Contact the Directorate General of European Union which will carry out a search for partners for your project through different networks (European information centres Europe Direct, Murcia Office in Brussels, agencies and national points of different programmes), by introducing your organisation and summarising the project in English.