Each one of us has lived through some devastation, some loneliness, some weather superstorm or spiritual superstorm, when we look at each other we must say, I understand. I understand how you feel because I have been there myself. We must support each other and empathise with each other because each of us is more alike than we are unalike.
Maya Angelou
It’s important that we know for ourselves what our youth projects’ purpose is, and how our activities are designed to create long- and short-term benefits for young women and girls. But all of us know that one woman, such as Chidi, working alone can only achieve so much.
We need to convince others that our projects are worth supporting. We need other people to get involved through their labour, financial contributions, young people who want to participate, parents investing their trust in you and so on. These people are often called stakeholders – they have an investment in your project being successful or an important role to play if you are to reach your goals.
If you have been working on your Planning Triangle alone or have been working with others already invested in the project, now is the time to see if it makes sense.
Seeing through others’ eyes
Show your finished triangle to someone new. Do they see that:
- Are there clear relationships between the aims, specific aims and objectives? Are they logical?
- Are your plans realistic and achievable?
- Can you explain to others how achieving your specific aims will address the overall aim?
- Can you explain how your objectives – your project – will help you to achieve the specific aims?
- If you have specific aims that your objectives aren’t addressing, maybe you need to spend a little time thinking about whether your project is the best fit. Can it be improved to have the impact you really want?
- Make it simple. If you are working with young women and girls, the language you use should be simple enough that they understand.
Now that you have feedback, spend some time thinking about how to make the triangle clearer. It’s worth it! This is your foundation stone!
Don’t put it in a drawer and forget about it. Use it to inform your project, explain it to others, and develop your strategy.