Chapter 2 - Ecosystem, Partnerships & Strategic Project Design
6. Partnerships & Local Ecosystem
Maps local schools, municipalities, NGOs, youth centres, community groups, support organisations and international partners.
Chapter 2 - Ecosystem, Partnerships & Strategic Project Design
This chapter turns organisational readiness into a project concept. It answers: Who are we working with, what are we trying to change, and how does the volunteer role fit the community?
This chapter turns organisational readiness into a project concept. Chapter 1 asked whether the organisation is ready; Chapter 2 asks who it will work with, what it is trying to change, and how the volunteer role fits the community. It covers five phases: mapping the local ecosystem and partners, managing those partnerships through clear agreements, choosing the organisation’s position in the funding structure, designing the concrete project and volunteer roles, and planning inclusion and accessibility. The aim is to move from a general wish to host volunteers to a designed project: this community need, addressed by these partners, through these volunteer roles, accessible to these people, under this grant structure.
Chapter 2 - Ecosystem, Partnerships & Strategic Project Design
7. Partnership Management & Role Agreements
Defines roles, expectations, communication routines, conflict handling, written agreements, partner responsibilities and escalation routes.
Chapter 2 - Ecosystem, Partnerships & Strategic Project Design
8. Grant Application / Lead Organisation Model
Clarifies whether the organisation applies directly or works under a lead organisation, and defines responsibilities for grant management, reporting and project coordination.
Chapter 2 - Ecosystem, Partnerships & Strategic Project Design
9. Project Design & Volunteer Role Building
Builds the concrete project logic: aims, activities, volunteer roles, task boundaries, learning opportunities, community impact and added value.
Chapter 2 - Ecosystem, Partnerships & Strategic Project Design
10. Inclusion & Accessibility Planning
Plans support for participants with fewer opportunities, barriers, accessibility, reasonable adjustments, reinforced mentorship, inclusive communication and extra support.