The project side of things
by Sylvia, Monday, Jan 26, 09 |
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My past experiences with non-profits has been more on the systems side of things, than direct program work. I have thought about and worked towards streamlining processes, encouraging collaborative investments, and building networks of organizations dedicated to taking risks and causing change, together. Not exactly the one for all, all for one approach, but definitely similar. Since working at G2C, however, my efforts have been focused on the other side of the spectrum: the project, as a single entity. The project may be grouped in a larger category (or under a broader program), but it works on its own, for its own group of beneficiaries, and with its own strategy of intervention and implementation.
Sometimes I wonder, how does something so singularly focused fit into the larger system of change? Or even more to the point: what is the system I am working with? Even though the spirit and energy for social service work is strong and abundant throughout Colombia, a systematic relationship between the levels of organizations and their impact, and even the relationship between funder and project executor (sometimes one organization can be both), is hard for me identify. In one long glance across my spectrum of Colombia nonprofits (meaning organizations that work in the country, not necessarily incorporated here), I see multinational NGOs, national and international government agencies, national foundations and corporations, and many many projects. However when I try to connect the projects to the multinationals, the socially responsible corporation, or the government agency, my lines are anything but straight. Let me try to put this in another way. I spend my day learning about national policies and players in social issues; and working with projects that, with an annual budget of less than $30,000, change life’s opportunities for100-300 tangible, real people.
Of the two ways of approaching social change, I am learning the most about the project side of things. I am learning the value of the number of beneficiaries as a measure of impact, because it may be the only available way to accurately measure the direct changes projects have on people. Policies introduce and normalize ways of thinking on understanding an issue, but projects can tell you how much money in training, materials, outreach, and follow-up is needed to reach one person: a child, a displaced family, a head of household working mother, etc...They target community mentalities, habits, and access to opportunities, but at the root, are based on creating an opportunity for a person. That is how we know they are making a difference, even if the larger system is not in clear sight. |
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