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Description
The aim of the "r.a. "Siltumnīca"" association project is to lay a sustainable foundation for the future development of the society, creating a unified strategic vision, increasing and strengthening human resources, creating a unified public image and implementing a donation strategy.
The following activities will be implemented in the project:
• The association''s growth strategy 2022-2027 will be developed and carried out, as well as project management system, and donation attraction strategy;
• Improved administrative processes;
• Developed and implemented association''s branding and marketing communication strategy and communication plan;
• Creation of association''s website;
• Human resource development – by training current members and facilitating joining of new members.
Project results:
• Defined long-term goals of the association, indicating the direction the association is heading towards, providing clarity to the current and also new members of the association;
• 4-6 new and active members attracted to the association in 2022, as well as tactics developed to increase the number of members of the association every year;
• Acquired recognition of the association "r.a. Siltumnīca"" in the local community, which will increase the number of visitors to each project, and reduce the time spent in attracting the target audience for the projects;
• In 2022, a donation of EUR 1000 will be attained;
• Acquired new knowledge, which will be useful in the implementation of projects and attraction of the target group, the creation of the public image of the association and attraction of funding, which in the long term will increase the growth and influence of the association in educating society and promoting civic participation;
• Due to the implemented order of processes and time savings, there is the ability to participate in more project tenders than before.
Summary of project results
The project of the "r.a. Siltumnīca" association aimed to address several key issues and challenges related to the development and sustainability of the organization:
Lack of a Unified Strategic Vision: The project recognized the need to create a comprehensive growth strategy for 2022-2027 to provide long-term direction for the association. This would give clarity to both current and new members regarding the future goals of the organization.
Human Resource Development: There was a need to strengthen and expand the association''s human resources by training existing members and attracting new ones to ensure sustainability and continued growth.
Administrative Inefficiencies: The project aimed to improve administrative processes to enhance organizational efficiency, reducing time spent on operational tasks and allowing for more focus on project implementation.
Public Recognition and Branding: The association lacked a strong public image, making it difficult to attract attention and resources. The project focused on creating and implementing a branding and marketing communication strategy to improve public visibility.
Insufficient Online Presence: The absence of a dedicated website was identified as a barrier to effective communication with the public. The project planned to create a website to enhance the association''s digital presence.
Donation and Fundraising Challenges: A lack of a strategic approach to attracting donations and funding was identified. The project sought to implement a donation attraction strategy, with a specific target of acquiring a donation of EUR 1000 in 2022.
Limited Participation in Project Tenders: Due to inefficient processes, the association was limited in its ability to participate in project tenders. By streamlining processes, the project aimed to increase the organization''s capacity to apply for and manage more project opportunities.
These challenges, if addressed, were expected to strengthen the association’s operations, increase membership and public engagement, improve financial sustainability, and enhance the association''s role in the community.
The project involved several activities aimed at increasing the visibility and operational capacity of the "r.a. Siltumnīca" association. Here are the key activities and outputs described in the passive voice:
A marketing strategy was developed, which included an analysis of the existing communication methods to determine which types of content and interactions resonated best with social media followers. Members’ opinions were gathered and incorporated to shape the association’s image and messaging.
Communication and visual identity training was conducted, ensuring that members with access could effectively use the association''s brand in marketing activities. Regular monitoring of target audience interaction with the content was carried out to assess the strategy''s effectiveness and to make necessary adjustments.
Various communication channels were utilized, including Facebook, Instagram, email, the association’s new website, and press releases sent to the local newspaper and municipal website. WhatsApp, previously used for communication, was discontinued due to its ineffectiveness.
A website was created for the association, featuring sections like news, information about the association, past projects, a gallery, a blog, donation information, and contact details. The site received positive feedback from both the team and the public.
Interviews with members were introduced as new content, exploring why they joined the association and their thoughts on civic participation. These interviews received good reviews and a high number of views. In the future, video interviews with members will be created to diversify the content.
Presentation events were organized, allowing for a more personalized interaction with small groups, rather than a larger presentation as initially planned. Three smaller events were held, including one at a local business incubator, another at the association’s headquarters, and a third with municipal employees to establish better communication for future collaboration.
Fundraising strategies were explored and implemented, including participation in training on funding opportunities and learning about diverse fundraising methods. The association also focused on monetizing expert services, such as legal consultation, to generate non-project-related income. By the end of the project, EUR 3,790 in non-project funding had been secured.
Knowledge exchange events were conducted, with the association participating in experience-sharing activities with other organizations, including an online session and visits to other regions. These events allowed the association to identify best practices and implement improvements in its own operations.
Team-building and strategic planning activities were carried out, which allowed the association to reflect on past achievements, plan future projects, and strengthen internal cohesion. The event reinforced the importance of self-care and teamwork amidst growing workloads.
The project achieved several important results, generating outcomes and impacts for the association, its members, and the wider community. Here’s a breakdown of the key results and their beneficiaries:
Strengthened Strategic Vision and Operational Capacity:
- For the association: The development of a long-term marketing and communication strategy provided a clear vision for future growth. Administrative processes were streamlined, leading to improved efficiency and the ability to participate in more project tenders.
- Impact: The association now operates with greater focus and clarity, better positioning it for sustainable growth.
Enhanced Public Visibility and Community Engagement:
- For the local community: The creation of the association’s new website and implementation of a communication strategy improved the association’s visibility across social media and other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and the local press. This led to increased recognition and engagement from the local community.
- Impact: More members of the public became aware of the association’s activities, leading to greater participation in events and projects, as well as a higher number of visitors to the website and other platforms.
Increased Membership and Engagement:
- For new and existing members: The project attracted 4-6 new active members and developed tactics to ensure the yearly increase of members. Current members were also trained in branding and marketing, which strengthened their skills and involvement in the association’s activities.
- Impact: The association’s member base expanded, and members became more skilled in contributing to its success. This also helped boost overall participation and enthusiasm within the organization.
Diversified Fundraising and Financial Stability:
- For the association and donors: The implementation of a donation strategy, combined with the monetization of expert services, resulted in securing EUR 3,790 in non-project funding, a 25% increase compared to the previous year. A donation target of EUR 1,000 was also met during the project.
- Impact: The association’s financial sustainability improved, allowing it to continue its activities and plan for future growth. Donors and supporters gained confidence in the association''s ability to manage resources effectively.
Improved Communication with Local Authorities:
- For local authorities: Through the presentation events, the association established stronger relationships with local government representatives, ensuring smoother communication for future collaborations.
- Impact: Local authorities became more receptive to the association’s initiatives, supporting its public visibility efforts (e.g., featuring association projects in local media). This cooperation may result in increased support for future projects and activities.
Greater Focus on Youth Engagement:
- For young people: The project initiated efforts to engage youth through social media content tailored to younger audiences. Plans were made to involve a young person in creating content for platforms like TikTok, where the association currently lacks a presence.
- Impact: This strategy aims to attract younger members to the association and encourage their participation in civic activities, fostering youth involvement in local initiatives.
Positive Feedback and Recognition:
- For the wider community and stakeholders: Feedback from members and the public about the association’s new website and social media content was overwhelmingly positive, increasing the association’s credibility and reputation within the community.
- Impact: The association’s improved public image helped it gain recognition and trust from a wider audience, which could lead to more collaboration opportunities and further community engagement.
Overall, the project successfully strengthened the association''s internal capacity, improved its public image, increased community involvement, and diversified its funding sources. The beneficiaries included the association itself, its members, the local community, local authorities, and youth groups.