What Makes a Good Social Innovation Project?
PROJECT CRITERIA
Significance of the Project
A need has been identified and the proposed project will successfully address that need. The local and specific context has been taken into account in designing the project: the history of the need in that community, prior solutions that have or have not worked, and identifying existing community strengths and resources to contribute to the solution.
Potential indicators of strength:
Compelling evidence is shared that the need being addressed in this community is important.
The solution offered by this project will clearly address the need identified through attention and action.
Literature or research has been cited, of previous successful outcomes or pilot projects that validate the project's potential to create meaningful change.
Impact of the Project
The scope of the project is reasonable and realistic, and has both short and long-term outcomes. The objectives are practical, achievable, and relevant.
The project utilizes the available resources and support from GW, GW Community and the Nashman Center to ensure meaningful impact.
Potential indicators of strength:
Clear articulation of the project's overall objectives, strategies, and intended outcomes, with relevant evidence and references.
Use of clearly defined, measurable, and specific indicators to quantify the anticipated social, economic, or environmental outcomes.
Well-defined plan for monitoring and evaluating the project's progress and impact.
Quality of Community Partnership
There is evidence that the community partners and the applicant were working in a reciprocal partnership, co-creating and learning together.
Potential indicators of strength:
Evidence of ongoing or past collaboration and communication with the proposed community partner.
Incorporation of feedback from community partners and members to shape the project's goals and strategies.
Established mechanisms for measuring and ensuring community participation and ownership in project activities.
Capacity of Student/Team to Lead the Project
The student/team has the prior experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully see the project through. The proposal provides evidence of credibility, track record and commitment of the applicant(s). The overall submission demonstrates the applicants’ professionalism and readiness for this leadership role.
Potential indicators of strength:
The applicant has made a convincing case for why they are the ones to implement this project (given prior experience, personal background, existing relationships, specialized skills).
Proposal itself is high quality product, demonstrating competence and professionalism. Properly formatted and error-free writing, attention to detail, persuasive communication.
The project has a diverse and multi-disciplinary team with expertise in different areas relevant to the project's goals.
Team member's skills and background complement the strengths and skills of community partners and community members, contribute to addressing gaps and leverage each other's strengths to achieve project success.
Feasibility of Budget and Timeline
The project has an itemized tentative budget that is a detailed and realistic breakdown of potential costs associated with executing the project. The proposal also includes a comprehensive timeline broken into phases and specific activities. Both the budget and timeline must be feasible, achievable, and realistic.
Potential indicators of strength:
Clear breakdown and explanation of how grant funds will be allocated to different aspects of the project.
Realistic timeline that outlines key milestones, activities, and their corresponding timeframes.
Integration of contingency plans to address potential budget or timeline challenges.
Sustainability
The knowledge or processes that the project addressed/created are housed in the community in a sustainable way so that the community has benefits of the project after the project is completed.
Potential indicators of strength:
Incorporation of strategies to ensure the project continues to deliver benefits after the grant funding ends.
Clear vision for scaling the project's impact over time and generating long-term funding or resources beyond the grant period.
Integration of environmentally conscious practices and resource management techniques.
Creativity and Innovation
This project is unique and not already in existence within the community. It provides insightful and innovative solutions to problems existing within the community.
Potential indicators of strength:
Introduction of novel approaches or technologies to address the identified social issue, rather than replicating existing solutions.
Integration of interdisciplinary concepts or methods to tackle the challenge in a unique way.
Incorporation of artistic, cultural, or unconventional elements to engage the community and enhance the project's appeal.
TIPS FOR APPLYING
Developing a Detailed Project Plan
GWupstart applicants must provide a clear project plan that maps out the purpose of the project and the timeline for executing the ideas in the project. The timeline must be sensible and well thought out, to garner serious consideration from the commission.
A Strong Summary/Description
The theory of change must be immediately clear. What issue is being addressed, what will this project accomplish, and why is that an effective solution? This is a written version of the “elevator pitch” so it needs to be both make the project aims and activities clear AND be persuasive.
Project Knowledge
Applicant must show previous knowledge about this project issue area, about the community, and about the community partner. This might include specific research done by them from reliable sources.
Balancing a Budget
A precise budget with accurate figures is vital for a successful proposal. Students should provide close estimates for the costs of the items needed in the project.
Feasibility and Sustainability
The proposal should discuss the intended results in the short and long term, thus capturing how the project can be implemented feasibly and sustainably. Specific performance indicators and evaluation parameters should be mentioned.
Commitment to Addressing Social Inequity
A successful project does not have to change the world but be able to make a lasting, realistic, and positive change. The project must demonstrate the impact it will be making on a particular community by addressing existing gaps.
CONTACT [email protected] FOR QUESTIONS AND MEETING REQUESTS!
Public Service Grant Commission
Clinton Global Initiative Entrepreneurship Program
Eco-Equity Challenge
Projects for Peace
Knapp Fellowship for Entrepreneurial Service-Learning
Julian Clement Chase Prize for Community Impact
Nashman Center MicroGrants
>>Click the Application Link Here<<
Questions?
Contact us at [email protected]