DPMI, a program of the Monterey Institute of International Studies, is a professional certificate program that combines guided individual readings (completed prior to the commencement of class meetings), three weeks of intensive classroom instruction, and a personal reflection paper submitted three months after the conclusion of classroom work. The intensive DPMI training, organized as three separate modules, lasts three weeks: Managing Development Projects, Social Entrepreneurship and Strategic Partnering, and Facilitating Participatory Development.

A highly regarded current practitioner with extensive international development experience teaches each module. The modules are closely linked to the UN Millennium Development Goals. Participants receive a stand-alone Certificate of Completion from the Development Project Management Institute upon fulfillment of program requirements.

Module #1

Module #1: Designing and Managing Development Projects

Participants will learn the necessary components of project design. Implementation of strategies to ensure sustainable benefits and alternative evaluation methods will also be discussed. At the module’s completion, participants will create an overall evaluation plan for a project along with a detailed project implementation plan using the results framework (RF), an approach to project development that is widely used in bilateral and multinational organizations including USAID, the World Bank and UNDP.

Module #2

Module #2: Facilitating Participatory Development

Participants master tools and skills needed to effectively assume the roles of facilitator, trainer, and change agent. Local human resource development is an important component in every development project. The module focuses on transferring skills to participants so they can conduct their own training programs. Topics covered include needs assessments, adult learning practices, community mobilization, stakeholder negotiation, conflict mediation, and the training of trainers.

Module #3

Module #3: Social Entrepreneurship and Strategic Partnering

Participants, working within a context of social entrepreneurship, become proficient in the use of tools and techniques to conduct an analysis of vision and mission; identify core competencies; and forge strategic partnerships to enhance organizational effectiveness.  Innovative software applications are introduced to support a simulation.