START UP 1.0

Project facts

Project promoter:
Ogre Youth Initiative Association ""TALANTU KALVE""(LV)
Project Number:
LV-ACTIVECITIZENS-0153
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€19,717
Programme:

Description

The aim of the project is to take an important step to develop the association in future so that by means of working out the strategy and introducing the brand book and the communication plan, as well as by means of increasing and strengthening the team spirit and realizing the pilot project of the mentoring project it would create not only the recognition and gain the confidence about the development of the association and the opportunities of the fundraising for the implementation of the basic goals of the association, but would also allow to reach and influence the promotion of participation and advocacy of interests of young people.
In order to achieve the intended, we have scheduled in the project the following interconnected activities:
- development of the organizational development strategy for 2023-2025; the strategy would be based on the evaluation and analysis of the previous work;
- the visual identity of the association''s brand and communication plan will be developed;
- increasing the human resource capacity of the Association, effective and purposeful team work;
- a fundraising campaign will be implemented;
- the training of the mentors will be accomplished and the pilot project of the mentoring program within which we will test its correspondence to the work of the association and the needs of the target audience.
While moving through the stages of the project, the recognition, the role of the association and its influence in the territory will be promoted, facilitating the financial independence and the long term development of the association and its progress towards the goal: to become the leading organization of the field of youth in Ogre region, promoting the youth participation and the advocacy of their interests. The project will give us the opportunity to improve and develop overall.

Summary of project results

The project aimed to address several key issues and challenges:

  1. Lack of Organizational Strategy: The project seeks to develop a comprehensive organizational development strategy for 2023-2025, building on an evaluation of past work. This indicates a need for a clear, strategic direction for the association''s growth.

  2. Weak Brand Identity and Communication: The creation of a brand book and communication plan points to challenges in the association''s visual identity and how it communicates with its audience.

  3. Limited Team Capacity and Spirit: The project aims to increase human resource capacity and improve team effectiveness, suggesting that the association may have had issues with team cohesion, capacity, and effectiveness in pursuing its goals.

  4. Fundraising Difficulties: By launching a fundraising campaign, the project addresses the challenge of securing financial resources necessary for achieving the association’s objectives and ensuring financial independence.

  5. Lack of Structured Mentoring Program: The pilot mentoring program addresses the need for mentorship within the association, testing how well it aligns with the association''s work and target audience.

  6. Limited Recognition and Influence: There is a focus on increasing the recognition and influence of the association within its territory, indicating a need for better visibility and impact.

  7. Youth Participation and Advocacy: The project aims to promote youth participation and the advocacy of their interests, aiming to position the association as the leading youth organization in the Ogre region.

The overarching challenge is the association’s need for development and recognition, both internally (through strategy, team building, and mentoring) and externally (through communication, fundraising, and advocacy).

The project undertook several key activities and produced tangible outputs aimed at developing the association. Here are the activities and results:

Activities:

  1. Development of Organizational Strategy: A comprehensive organizational development strategy for 2023-2025 was created, based on an evaluation of the association’s previous work. This strategy incorporated goal-setting and performance evaluation approaches (M&E system).

  2. Brand and Communication Plan: A visual identity for the association was designed along with a communication plan. This enhanced the association’s recognition and helped in regularly informing the public about its activities, through a distinctive communication style and valuable content.

  3. Capacity Building: Efforts were made to increase human resource capacity through effective teamwork and purposeful action. Team spirit was strengthened, and leadership within the association was promoted.

  4. Mentoring Program: The project introduced a pilot mentoring program, where mentors and youth leaders were trained. This program was tested to ensure it aligned with the association’s goals and the needs of its target audience.

  5. Fundraising Campaign: The project implemented a fundraising campaign, initiating talks to secure services for the Ogre municipality and small-scale events, resulting in financial contributions.

Outputs:

  1. Increased Membership and Leadership Involvement:

    • The number of association members grew from 13 in January 2022 to 25 by the project’s end.
    • Competent participants, including mentors and youth leaders, became more involved in the association’s activities.
  2. Fundraising Success:

    • Financial resources amounting to EUR 1,651.86 were raised through small-scale fundraising activities. While modest, the experience gained and partnerships developed will support future fundraising efforts with greater impact.
  3. Enhanced Brand Recognition:

    • The association’s brand and communication plan were successfully implemented, leading to increased visibility. The public, especially youth, recognized the organization not only by its colors but also by its communication style and valuable content.
    • The increase in social media followers and engagement (with users sharing posts) reflects the brand''s growing influence.
  4. Improved Organizational Management:

    • The introduction of performance evaluation (M&E) and quality management methods helped distribute responsibilities more evenly across the team. Tasks became more structured and clear, increasing staff motivation and avoiding an over-reliance on the board chairman.

Through these efforts, the association has significantly improved its internal processes, external visibility, and financial capacity, moving closer to its goal of becoming a leading organization for youth participation and advocacy in the Ogre region.

The project achieved several important results and had a positive impact on key beneficiaries. Below are the outcomes and their respective beneficiaries:

Outcomes and Impacts:

  1. Increased Organizational Capacity:

    • Outcome: The association''s capacity significantly improved through the involvement of competent mentors and youth leaders. The human resources capacity was strengthened, leading to better teamwork and purposeful action.
    • Beneficiaries: The association and its leadership team, who now benefit from a stronger internal structure and skilled members, enabling them to better pursue their goals.
  2. Growth in Membership:

    • Outcome: The number of members in the association increased from 13 to 25, showing a growth in engagement and commitment to the organization.
    • Beneficiaries: Both the existing and new members of the association, who benefit from being part of a growing, more active, and vibrant community.
  3. Fundraising and Financial Sustainability:

    • Outcome: Although modest, EUR 1,651.86 was raised through small-scale financial activities, giving the association valuable fundraising experience. Additionally, partnerships and discussions with local municipal institutions opened up opportunities for future service provision.
    • Beneficiaries: The association and its long-term sustainability, as it now has a foundation to build future fundraising efforts. The experience gained will benefit future campaigns with larger goals.
  4. Enhanced Public Recognition and Brand Awareness:

    • Outcome: The association became more visible to the public through its new visual identity and communication plan. Regular updates and engaging content increased recognition of the association’s work. Social media followers and engagement grew, and people, especially youth, now associate the organization with a specific communication style and valuable content.
    • Beneficiaries: The general public, including young people, who are now more aware of the association’s activities and opportunities. This also benefits the association by attracting new participants, members, and supporters.
  5. Successful Mentoring Program Pilot:

    • Outcome: The pilot mentoring program was launched, training mentors and youth leaders, helping ensure that the program aligned with the association’s goals and the needs of young people.
    • Beneficiaries: Mentors and youth leaders directly benefited from the training, gaining skills and experience. The association’s younger members and other youth in the Ogre region indirectly benefit from the mentoring and leadership development opportunities now available.
  6. Improved Organizational Management:

    • Outcome: The introduction of the M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation) system and quality management practices led to more efficient task delegation, reducing the concentration of responsibilities on one individual (such as the board chairman). This improved team motivation and productivity.
    • Beneficiaries: The association’s management team and staff, who now experience a more organized, efficient, and less hierarchical working environment, improving the overall functionality of the association.

For whom:

  • Youth in the Ogre Region: The project''s focus on promoting youth participation and advocacy led to more opportunities for young people to get involved, voice their interests, and benefit from mentorship.
  • Association Members: Both existing and new members benefited from the improved capacity, structure, and leadership opportunities within the organization.
  • General Public and Supporters: With greater brand visibility and communication efforts, the public now has a clearer understanding of the association’s mission and activities, increasing community support and engagement.

In summary, the project not only strengthened the association itself but also created a more dynamic, recognized, and impactful organization that now better serves its members, young people, and the wider community.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.