Making a step forward

Description

“Jaunvide” is a new NGO that unifies the active young people in Vārkava county who want to realize different initiatives and organize events and activities in nature for the good of their county. The project aim is - by strengthening the human resource competences of the society "Jaunrade" and improving its management processes, to facilitate the development of the society for efficient goal achievement. During the project “Speram soli uz priekšu”/”Making a step forward” the organization will develop a future strategy, learn and implement effective management principles, master the skills and knowledge needed for the fundamental work of the organization, plan out different directions of the future economic activity of the organization, organize team building and communication activities for the members of the NGO as well as take part in exchange of experience meetings. With the help of all of these activities “Jaunvide” will become a stronger, more motivated and effective civil society organization.

Summary of project results

The project aimed to address the following challenges faced by the society Jaunrade:

1. Insufficient Human Resource Competences: The organization lacked the necessary skills and knowledge among its members for efficient and effective functioning.

2. Weak Management Processes: There was a need to improve internal management processes to facilitate better coordination, decision-making, and goal achievement.

3. Lack of a Long-Term Strategic Plan: The absence of a clearly defined future strategy hindered the organization’s ability to plan and direct its activities toward sustainable development.

4. Limited Capacity for Economic Activities: The organization needed to explore and plan potential economic activities to ensure financial sustainability and diversify its income sources.

5. Low Team Cohesion and Communication: Members required team-building and communication activities to strengthen their collaboration and motivation.

6. Need for Best Practices and Learning Opportunities: The organization lacked exposure to effective management principles and experience from other similar organizations.

The project strengthened the capacity and effectiveness of the "Jaunvide" association through a series of targeted activities:

1. Capacity Building and Financial Diversification:

   • Conducted training sessions on goal-setting, evaluation approaches, and strategic planning.
   • Diversified income streams by providing paid services to municipalities and organizing events with participation fees.
   • Developed financial sustainability through enhanced economic activities.

2. Strategic Development:

   • Defined the association''s vision, mission, values, and priorities in a structured development plan.
   • Conducted a SWOT analysis to guide future growth and improve operational quality.

3. Skill Development:

   • Provided training in occupational safety, document management, and accounting to improve organizational competence.

4. Operational Improvements:

   • Established clear principles for quality management, emphasizing transparency, continuous improvement, and sustainability.
   • Improved internal communication, defining respectful and empathetic engagement practices.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation:

   • Implemented a structured system for tracking progress against organizational goals with quarterly evaluations.

1. Outcomes and Impacts:

   • Increased Recognition and Collaboration: The "Jaunvide" association became more visible and established collaborations with other organizations in Preiļi municipality.
   • Financial Independence: Achieved multiple increases in income from non-project sources, enhancing financial sustainability.
   • Strategic Focus: Developed a comprehensive action plan with measurable goals, leading to better organizational alignment and efficiency.
   • Skill Enhancement: Members gained vital skills in administrative and operational areas, enabling improved service delivery.
   • Improved Quality Management: Clear principles for quality assurance and communication were established, laying the groundwork for better governance and stakeholder relationships.

2. Beneficiaries:

   • Direct Beneficiaries: Members of the "Jaunvide" association, who gained skills and tools for organizational development and financial management.
   • Indirect Beneficiaries: Municipalities and event participants who benefited from enhanced services and community engagement initiatives.
   • Broader Community: Residents of Preiļi municipality, who now have access to a more robust and collaborative local organization contributing to community growth.

These achievements not only strengthened "Jaunvide" but also positioned the association as a sustainable and proactive contributor to civil society.