Settingupprojectsabroad.org: the support and advice you need when setting up your own project

Small advice from others:

Look for a trusty and local partner that knows more about the country, culture and needs in the area.
When you do something, think structural and think in long term solutions.
Make sure you are on one line with your local partners and / or the people you want to serve.
Realise that your own perspective is small. So listen carefully and try to be aware that you don’t want to push your own (primitive) thinking upfront.
Formulate clear goals and write them down.
What are your own (private) goals? What do you want to accomplish and how do you want to maintain your dreams.
When you want to reach out for governmental support or foundation money you need to have a legal organisation (NGO).
Try to find a lot of support from friends and family. Tell them about your plan.
Think about how to be self-supporting and how the project creates it's own finance.
Make sure you have good communication with the people that are supporting you and the ones who donated towards your project.
Evaluate the work your doing? How is it assisting the people your serving?
Try to get local politicians and government into promoting and supporting your project.
Start small and simple, but keep dreaming big.
Make sure that local people feel ownership towards your project, so they will take responsibilities and will carry the project.
Just do it! Belief in your own dreams! And make the project happen.
Join others, they already have made things successful, the community is supporting this project already.
Learn about the village or tribe structure. Learn to know the leaders and their partners.
Be aware of disappointment. Make sure there is money for your project and than start your project.
Contact businesses, mostly they might have some budget for supporting your project. Try within your own network (friends, family at work).
Build up your network. Join other network and organisations.
Learn from others. Don't try to do it different, when the information is there how to do it right.

Partners

You want to start your own development project in one of the development country's. What tot do, where to go, what not to do, what to think of, you will find a lot of information and stories of others who did the same or different than you.

Alles over JoHo projecten en programma's op het gebied van internationale samenwerking

Assistance of a JoHo center

What can you expect from a JoHo center abroad?
A center usually makes a choice from the possibilities mentioned below. Some of the services are for JoHo members exclusively and sometimes you also get discounts as a JoHo member.

Contact with other projects
Volunteer work mediation
Language courses & mediation
Travel agency
Accommodation
Internship possibilities & mediation
Help finding accommodation
Help with problems
Possibilities to buy basic travel needs
Possibilities to buy books, travel guides, maps, Lonely Planets
Use of the internet
Information board
Message service (e.g. friends or travel mates)
Possibility to have your mail delivered

Project Assistance

More info: cooperation@joho.nl

Checklist

How to start a development project (in a nutshell)

Personally
The plan
Research
Organisation
Finance

Assistance by volunteers & interns

Why would you work with volunteers?

A volunteer brings you no high staff expenses, but will bring you his expertise and a helping hand for free.
Volunteer can help you with fundraising or will bring you funding.
Volunteers can contribute to a cultural Exchange for your staff members and the people within your project.
Volunteers might be willing to continue their assistance when they are back in their home county. They can be boardmembers in the future.

Where do you find volunteers and trainees?
Write an email to: cooperation@joho.nl

Websites that might be handy:

JoHo Foundation

The JoHo foundation supports:

250 international development projects.
500 Environmental and animal protection project all over the world
1.000 projects with funds and assistance
1.500 adventures people with a job somewhere else on the globe
2.500 small businesses in development countries
5.000 caretakers, communityworkers and grass root development staff who help where it is most needed
25.000 international students with their study
50.000 youngster with a broader view on the world, and prepare them for future
150.000 children with a voluntary teacher and teaching materials
250.000 people who travel more safe and are more aware of their environment