Keywords project management, monitoring, evaluation, complex networks IntroductionThe utilization of European funds and the participation in international projects is a trivial topic that always comes on the agenda when we talk about European financing. The present study is based on the analysis of project proposals that are submitted for funding by one of the EU educational programs. This analysis broadens our view not only on the utilization of EU structural funds, but also on our participation in large international projects where educational organizations directly apply for the funding of their ideas.The present study aims to reconstruct the relationship between the evaluation criteria of the already assessed projects and thus to show the real objectives that are achieved through the funding of European educational programs, objectives that might differ from those written down in the European papers. The aim of this study is sufficiently important by its own because on the one hand, the research methodology can be used in other areas of EU financing, and on the other, it provides a method of feedback and adjustment of the assessment. In reality, by post-monitoring of the evaluation results within a certain period one can receive a feedback and can make appropriate conclusions and corrections to the methods and actions for monitoring and evaluation. The study achieves other purposes as well -for example, another important outcome from the present research is the knowledge of the mechanisms of connectivity between the different quality assessment criteria, which enables us to create an architectural model of a project proposal that may enhance its competitiveness and efficiency.