Make your project happen

Turning your project into a reality doesn’t have to be a lonely journey. The Active Citizen programme is designed to enable the sharing of ideas, support, information and advice from start to finish, and this is where it begins.

Throughout the course of the programme, we’ll ask experts in the field to share their experience in the different aspects of getting a project up and running. The result? A hands-on series guaranteed to help you make a difference.
 
Stage One: Refining your project 
It’s one thing coming up with a big idea for your community, but can it actually work? How can your project achieve the aims of the Active Citizens programme? How can it help open up an intercultural dialogue, to make a positive difference within the community or to help bring about greater global understanding? We asked Active Citizen Project Leader, Neil Burns for his insight into transforming a great idea into a realistic and effective community venture.
 How do you evaluate whether a project stands a chance of success? We all know that enthusiasm is one of the driving forces in making a project happen, but without proper consultation and planning you risk disappointment for all involved. Evaluation is also a necessary procedure, says Neil. “You need to look at things practically and take one step back from your project,” he says. “It all comes down to the question of whether there’s a need for the project within your community. If not, either make some changes so it’s unique, or go back to the drawing board and start again. It might be tough to accept for some, but in the long term could make the difference between failure and success.”

“Your first step is to speak to people of influence within the community,” Neil advises. Subject your proposal to a peer review, whereby local leaders, as well as trainers and participants within the Active Citizen programme, can offer advice on how best to achieve your goals. “Set out your proposal and then listen to what they have to offer,” says Neil. “No matter how passionate you feel about your idea, it’s vital that you take on board any reservations or recommendations, and tailor things accordingly.” Clearly, communication is vital, but at what point do you know whether it’s going to work? “Ultimately, you do have to make a judgement,” says Neil. “Will your community genuinely benefit from your project, or is it time to put it aside and devise something different. It’s your call, so make it count.”

Considering costs and practicalities

Even if there’s a genuine need for your project, how can you be certain you have the resources to make it a success? “It’s fine to have a big idea, but vital that you plan getting there in small stages,” says Neil. “For example, a community centre might be just what your local area needs, but that’s a massive undertaking. Without financing, time and skill, you’re destined to fail. Instead, consider finding premises on loan or rent where you can stage a one-off event. Afterwards, evaluate the success. If it works out, you might find funding sources open up to help you work towards your ultimate goal. It’s all about being realistic in the steps you take. Over time, you could make a huge difference!”

As well as money, you need to consider how much time you can offer the project. “We all have busy lives, so be honest with yourself,” says Neil. “And prepare to adapt in order to make things work out. If you can build flexibility into your project right at the start then it increases the chances of success in the long-term.”

Will your project have a global impact?

The Active Citizen programme aims to work on a local level as well as the world stage, but just how can this be achieved? Neil feels it’s a question of broadening your horizons. “Just being able to bounce ideas between different regions has a global influence,” he points out. “Even participating in a scheme that brings you together with individuals you’d never otherwise meet expands the boundaries of your experience. At the same time, what matters is that your project begins with a local focus. This is your immediate community, after all. You understand what it can offer, and what’s needed to improve lives. This is your area of expertise, and if your project is a success then perhaps other regions can learn from the experience and apply it themselves.” To put it another way, should your community project tackle a subject of global relevance, you are, in effect, contributing towards resolving a global issue.

How do you intend to seek support or partners?

This is a question that every participant on the Active Citizen programme must ask during the planning stages for their project. Support is central to any successful venture, after all. In Neil’s view, help is built into the network. “The Active Citizen facilitators, support workers and mentors are here for you. We have the local knowledge and contacts to help you make connections. Even if you find a project has been run in the past that is similar to yours, we can help you to reinvent it. Establishing the support you can call upon really is critical at this stage. So long as you bring the energy and drive, we can enable you to channel it constructively for the benefit of your community.

“Also turn to your fellow participants,” he adds. “Seek advice from them. You might find someone has already forged a relationship that could benefit you too. Once again, communication is central to success.”

Getting your project started

So, you’ve identified a need within your community, and put forward a project proposal. You have access to support and advice, but what next? Exactly when do you know that it’s time to commit?

According to Neil, time has been built into the training sessions to help you assess when the time is right. “Much of it is down to taking advice and also your gut instinct,” he says. “If you’ve built up this project from scratch, you’ll have a clear idea of the obstacles you face and ways to overcome them. Discussing your progress so far will help you to identify when you’re ready to take the next step. It means when the moment arrives, all the groundwork you’ve put in can only give you the confidence you need to progress the project.”

Related Articles
Active Citizens Explained
Joining Forces
Regional Spotlights
Setting Up Your Project 

Further Reading
Learn more about basic project management by visiting Businessballs.com Check out this useful step-by-step guide to project planning from Project Smart

A summary of Neil’s strategy

• Use your support network. Everyone is united in wanting your project to be a success
• Consult your community to ensure that your project is something that is wanted and needed
• If the project isn’t working at the planning stage, be prepared to reassess
• Be open and honest with yourself about your abilities and commitment
• Whatever happens, simply by participating in the Active Citizen programme means you can only benefit from the experience
• Read through your plan one last time, then gather your resources and go for it!