OADI 2425 - Securing Resources for Multilateral Organizations whilst leveraging Diplomacy (New course)

***UPDATED for 2025/26***

Resource mobilisation is a complex and dynamic process involving a wide range of actors where the operating environment as well as internal and external factors influence the capacity of organisations to successfully and effectively identify, mobilise and manage resources.

The “Resource Mobilisation while Leveraging Diplomacy in Multilateral Organisations” course is designed to provide students with a good understanding of the foundations and the various sources, strategies, and instruments of fundraising and resource mobilisation for sustainable development. It will allow them to develop/strengthen the ability of preparing and defending successful funding proposals for different types of stakeholders and funding partners.

The course is practical in nature focusing on the future professional track of students and aims at providing them with hands-on, real-life experience as they navigate the resource mobilisation field.

Through interactive lectures, case studies, role simulations, group activities/presentations, brainstorming and debates, students will learn and practice key diplomatic skills required including negotiation, coalition building, and advocacy, while also understanding how to effectively engage with the multilateral system.

High level and experienced guest speakers will be invited on specific issues, which additionally provide an opportunity for students to strengthen their professional network.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Define the relationship of diplomacy and multilateralism with resource mobilization;
• Analyse and assess the contextual, political, structural, and ethical challenges, including power dynamics, in mobilising resources;
• Effectively navigate the structures, mandates, and decision-making processes of key multilateral organizations;
• Demonstrate skills for negotiations, conflict management, advocacy and consensus building in multilateral settings;
• Formulate resource mobilisation strategies and proposals, including donor profiling, partnership building, and innovative financing mechanisms.

Professional Skills

• Skills gained in stakeholders’ dynamics and engagement in resource mobilisation;
• Ability to use diplomacy for bilateral/multilateral dialogue and negotiations, lobbying and alliance building;
• Developed/strengthened skills in applying innovative approaches for resource mobilisation;
• Ability to develop funding proposals and successfully engage donors in supporting them.

Feeback will be provided periodically, unless early warning signs require immediate intervention. Peer feedback will be encouraged as a good practice during class presentations and evaluation of group work.

4th week: Early feedback: Oral/written comments on class participation and the simulation exercise.

8th week: Mid-term feedback: Written comments on the Log Frame developed followed by oral discussion in class and one-to-one with the student.

11th-12th week: Final feedback: Written and oral Feedback on the concept notes developed and overall assessment of performance.

10%: Class participation (individual)

25%: A role play: negotiation simulation with diversified stakeholders (group work)

25%: Creating a Log Frame Matrix (individual)

40%: Final project (developing a 2-4 concept note of a funding proposal)

Assessment will be continuous throughout the course, through observation and interaction. As for the specific deliverables, the time frame will be as follows:

4th week (Role play: negotiation simulation)

8th week (Log Frame)

11th week (Concept note of a funding proposal)

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Online learning activities: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 3 hours a week / 36 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 2,5 hours a week / 30 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 3 hours a week / 36 hours a semester