Planning and Implementing

HAC Model Prioritizing

Planning and implementing comes as a natural and expected result of networking, partnering and prioritizing. It can be the most exciting part of the capacity building process, when the project specific work begins. How this phase of capacity building is shaped really depends on the type, scale and/or scope of the project, as well as the specific needs of the partners involved.

The projects can range in their complexity from more hands-on, task specific activities (that often require intensive work of the partners within the shorter timelines) to more complicated projects that sometimes include strategic planning with identified long-term goals, follow-up activities and evaluation as well as the involvement of stakeholders at higher levels of power.

Planning and implementing the projects often requires an establishment of a formal group such as a steering committee or a coalition that manages the project. Planning and implementing the projects can also involve searching for funding and hiring an additional person to coordinate the project.

 

Different approaches to planning and implementing…

Dianne Gillespie: “We came up with the idea of creating a video that would be a novel way of supporting the ‘Action for Healthy Community’ in applying for funding.”


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Molly Hanson-Nagel: “Once the project is set up and ready, other partners are quite willing to take it over.” 


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Florence Senecal:  “The participating restaurants feared that the community would not be perceptive to the changes.” 


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Ask yourself...

  1. What additional resources are needed for successful implementation of the project?
  2. What are the most likely sources for additional funding?
  3. Are you aware of any external influences that can have impact on your project (e.g. government cuts, change in partners’ mandate)?

Funding the implementation of the project may become a challenge. It is important to have a good inventory of the existing resources that are already available in the community.  Very often the partnering organizations are willing to contribute different kinds of resources: seed grants, staff, volunteers, practicum students, space, facilities, equipment, all of which can minimize or completely call off the need for external financial assistance.

If a more substantial amount of money is needed, be creative in searching for suitable funders. Apart from the traditional funders, there are local businesses and/or philanthropists who are willing to support community initiatives. Engage them, if possible, from the early stages of  project development, so that they can have a good grasp of what needs to be supported and why.

How to maximize your community resources…

Molly Hanson-Nagel: “People are always interested in looking at something that is a unique project that they can volunteer to help out with.”


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Margo Fauchon:“Community gardens have been a perfect example of maximizing our resources”


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Dianne Gillespie:  “We found a private funder to support the part-time community coordinator for the Avenue Food Security Network right in North Central Edmonton.”


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It is not always easy to keep the project partners equally enthusiastic and eager over longer periods of time. Gradual project planning (that provides opportunities to reflect, re-group and re-evaluate the progress of the project) is good practice that will enable partners to stay focused and engaged. 
 
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Alberta School of Public Health       CHPS