What Went Well

This week was a strong start to my LiA placement. I developed a broad understanding of CulturePolis, its organisational structure, and the new CorfuGen initiative which forms the basis of my work. Through meetings with colleagues, I gained insight into how CorfuGen seeks to revitalise rural communities through adult education, cultural heritage, and community-driven projects. This provided valuable context for the work that I will undertake in the coming weeks.

I also contributed to several live projects. I reviewed and edited the English-language content of the new CorfuGen/GENESTIA website to improve clarity and ensure that the organisation’s mission was communicated accurately to an anglophone audience. I also began training on EU funding proposals, learning about the requirements of Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe project calls. To better understand successful funding applications, I reviewed previous unsuccessful applications alongside their quality assessments, identifying areas for improvement in future submissions.

Building on this, I prepared a presentation for colleagues outlining strengths and recommendations for an upcoming Erasmus+ funding application, which I will deliver next week. I cross-referenced the Erasmus+ Programme Guide with relevant EU Regulations to strengthen my understanding of compliance requirements and began reviewing a new funding call that I will help develop throughout the remainder of my LiA.

These activities supported my SMART goals by strengthening my understanding of CorfuGen, developing my research and analytical skills, and enabling me to contribute to ongoing project development work. I am especially proud that I was trusted with work that will directly inform future funding applications. 

Even Better If

As this was my first week working within the NGO and the EU funding sector, I found that reviewing complex documents often took longer than I had anticipated. I wanted to understand the background thoroughly before progressing, but in some cases, I could have been more confident in identifying the key information more efficiently.

I also found the organisational structure challenging to navigate initially. CulturePolis collaborates with numerous partner organisations across Greece and Europe, while simultaneously managing multiple projects at different stages of development. Understanding how these relationships and funding streams were connected required time.

Finally, I occasionally hesitated to contribute my own ideas during discussions because I felt I lacked sufficient experience in the sector. Looking back, I recognise that my perspective as someone new to the organisation can itself be valuable, particularly when reviewing documents intended for international audiences. Next time, I will contribute my ideas more confidently while remaining open to feedback from colleagues.

Leadership Reflection 

Values

The values that were most evident this week were Curious, Determined and Good. Curiosity drove me to understand the practical tasks I was completing and also the wider purpose of CorfuGen and the EU funding process. Determination helped me work through unfamiliar policy documents and funding guidance despite the steep learning curve. The value of being Good was reflected in my commitment to producing accurate work and ensuring that the organisation's messaging and funding documentation were as clear and compliant as possible.

There was some tension between being Fast and being Good. As I was working in an unfamiliar area, I prioritised accuracy and understanding over speed. I recognised that producing reliable work was more important than completing tasks quickly during my first week.

Character

Humility and judgment were the character dimensions most tested this week. I recognised that I had much to learn from colleagues with extensive experience in EU funding and international project management, and I adopted a listening mindset throughout meetings. That being said, I was proud that I was able to contribute effectively. My supervisor had considered that there were no more Erasmus+ funding calls until 2027. I thought that I had read somewhere that there would be a second call for applications in October 2026. After some research, I found that an Erasmus+ funding call had been put out, welcoming proposals until October. My supervisor was very impressed with my research, which is now guiding the next phase of funding applications that CulturePolis is undertaking. 

Good judgment was also important when reviewing website content and funding guidance, as I needed to distinguish between stylistic improvements and substantive requirements.

Although I occasionally lacked confidence in sharing my ideas, I responded by asking questions, seeking clarification and remaining engaged, rather than withdrawing from discussions.

Capacity

The leadership capacities I relied upon most were research and analysis, critical thinking, communication and project management. My legal background proved particularly valuable when reviewing EU programme guidance, analysing funding criteria and comparing policy documents with the relevant regulatory framework.

The capacity that felt most stretched was communication. While I was comfortable producing written work, contributing in meetings with experienced colleagues was more challenging than I anticipated. Developing greater confidence in sharing my perspective will be an important area for growth. 

Ethical Engagement 

This week reinforced that my role is to support an established organisation rather than direct its work. My colleagues have extensive knowledge of the local context, funding landscape and long-term objectives, while my contribution lies in providing research, legal analysis and an external perspective for international audiences.

Reviewing previous unsuccessful funding applications was particularly valuable because it demonstrated that effective project development is a process built on learning rather than immediate success. It also highlighted the importance of accountability and continuous improvement within organisations seeking public funding.

Working with colleagues across different disciplines has broadened my understanding of how legal analysis, communications, project management and community development interact in practice. This has strengthened my appreciation that sustainable development depends upon collaborative, long-term partnerships. 

Next Week

Next week, I will make an effort to contribute more actively during meetings by sharing at least one observation or suggestion whenever appropriate. Rather than waiting until I feel like an expert, I will recognise that my new perspective can provide value, particularly when reviewing English-language communications and EU funding materials which are written in English. 

The value I will intentionally develop is Brave, while the character dimension I want to strengthen is Courage. In terms of leadership capacity, I will focus on communication and influencing by actively participating in discussions and confidently delivering my presentation on improving the Erasmus+ funding application. These are the leadership qualities I most often struggle with but I am prepared for the challenge!