Before starting elaborating your creative project, have in mind that:

• The project is a problem-solving technique.
• A creative project makes the world a better place.
• Realization of a creative project makes us happy!

 There are always three viewpoints on a project:

• My orgainisation/my team – what do we want to achieve and why?
• Funders’ priorities – to whom do we apply?
• Relevance to the world – what is our strategic approach and how does the project fit to the current and future needs.

Important general tips:

• Mind the importance of the executive summary! It is NOT an introduction to the project, but reflects all important parts and milestones.
• Emphasize on the uniqueness- elaborate what is your competitive advantage in comparison with similar organisations and projects.
• Make sure that there is a coherence between the stated objectives, the overall methodology and the expected results.
• Believe in the reason for implementing this project: why is it so important: for your local community, for the world?
• Be motivated and write the project with joy!

Advices on the project’s methodology:

• Make sure that the project’s methodology answers the key questions: Why? What? How, With whom?
• Explain the methodology in an easy-to-understand language.
• Split the methodology into phases of implementation of your project to be clearer what do you envisage.
• Connect the interim deliverables with the key objectives and the expected results.
• Show well the uniqueness and innovation in the approach, methods, outcomes, or other areas.
• Elaborate well partnership opportunities and make a stakeholders’ mapping at local, national and international level.

When writing your marketing plan:

• Consider using digital marketing strategy and implement methods that better fit to your creative projects.
• Mind the differences between target groups, market segments, beneficiaries, audiences – depending on the type of your project.
• Elaborate a thorough media plan and connect media tools with the project phases and interim results accordingly. Mind the launch date in case of a new product or service.

In your operational plan:

• Find out the ways to motivate your team members.
• Split well tasks and responsibilities between all parties and organisations involved.
• Elaborate well the flow-chart, organizational chart, and all relevant logistical parts in the project implementation.
• Consider the proof of credibility of your organisation and your team members and add relevant evidences.
• If there is a need for certain permissions to realize the project-add all in appendices.

When elaborating the budget, mind that:

• In the nonprofit sector we work with the money of others and transparency is important.
• Show and prove the self-financing and all other external funding that is already secured.
• Elaborate realistically the whole budget.
• Make sure that all budget items are well connected with the project text and planned activities.
• Agree in advance with your project partners how to split diverse budget items based on their specific responsibilities and tasks.

Finally:

• When elaborating the expected results, think of: qualitative and quantitative results, marketing and financial results, external and internal results.
• Mind the sustainability! Elaborate well what will happen with the project results and how would they continue their lifetime after the project is completed.
• Emphasize on the maintenance and operational side of the project continuation.

Good luck!