FUNDRAISING & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

 

Jugend- & Kulturprojekt e.V. has built synergies and networks at local, regional, national and European level where we exchange our ideas and visions and design projects. The main tools we use are, art, culture and non-formal education, having a positive social impact, one step at a time. Thus, the projects that Jugend- & Kulturprojekt e.V. implements, have always a strategic objective, and this goal cannot be reached without having a cross-sectoral and cross-disciplinary cooperation with partners and stakeholders such as universities, education institutions, cultural centres, NGOs, municipalities, creative and social enterprises, and NGOs dealing with art, culture, and non-formal education. A strategy can only be fullfilled, if we have a well-established technical background and funding. In Europe we seek funding mainly from European Funding Programmes, some of which are the Erasmus+ programme, Europe for Citizens, Creative Europe, Europeans for Peace etc. In addition, we also apply for state, regional and municipal funds such as Sächsische Stiftung, Kulturstiftung Dresden, Kulturstiftung des Bundes, Sozialstiftung der Stadt Dresden. To achieve in getting this funding, we follow a 7-step project management methodology which we have developed:

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Ideation: By observing the environment and by using design thinking techniques we work on new project ideas.

Testing: These ideas should be tested to resonate with a core target group that matters and to match with the priorities and the thematic areas of the funding schemes.

Finding and selecting our Partners: Selecting the right partners is a very crucial step for project success. The selection is made from an existing pool of previous partners, or, we are looking for new ones by participating in contact making events or being a member in different networks and platforms.

Writing the Proposal: When Jugend- & Kulturprojekt e.V. is the lead partner (the main applicant), the project management team is responsible for writing the projects’ proposals in cooperation with the support from selected project partners.

Project Planning: If the project proposal is approved, then a preparatory/kick-off meeting is held, which in most cases takes place in Dresden. During this meeting the project management plan is developed, which is our roadmap towards reaching our goals.

Project Implementation: The project management team, under the guidance of a project manager, is responsible for coordinating the delivery of the work packages, according to the schedule and budget. From our experience, we have observed that effective communication among project partners is the second key to success, after selecting the right partners. Additionally, based on a well- established communication strategy, the project results are disseminated to key stakeholders, as we want our projects to have a real social impact.

Project Closure: As the project comes towards its completion, we organize an evaluation/assessment meeting during which the lessons-learned, the methods and tools which were used, and the results of the project are discussed. Moreover, follow-up activities and projects are planned, which ensure and enhance the effective dissemination and exploitation of the project’s results. A close-out report is developed, so as the project to be officially terminated.