Finding the perfect formula for innovation
18 January 2022
At YWCA Canberra we love to see women and non-binary people excel in all their creative and professional endeavours. We understand that for them to truly thrive, they need to have the right balance of support and resources to help lift their projects off the ground.
In celebration of the opening of our 2022 Great Ydeas Small Grants program, we thought of what better time to share some tips on how to get started on your very own project and what you can expect on the way!
Find your passion project and stick with it
For the most part, ideas and innovation don’t just appear out of thin air. They require thought, time and genuine interest. A successful project is crafted out of an idea that you believe in, and something that you are willing to invest time and energy into.
Establish a plan
So, you have your idea. Now what? It’s time to plan! In this step, try to consider the five W’s: who, what, when, where and why.
Who – Who are you creating this project for?
What – What is your project? Is it a product, organisation, or professional development opportunity?
When – When do you want to launch this project, and why is this timing important to you?
Where – Where is this project going to take place? Think local, national, or even international!
Why – Why do you want to launch this project?
Build a community
Don’t be afraid to expand your networks! Join communities and forums that support your interests and give you the impetus to continue chasing the things you love. Conversely, interact with people who may not know and explain to them why you think your project could benefit them. You might just find an unlikely supporter!
Be open to failure and making mistakes
Making mistakes is a necessary part of life, as they are important learning opportunities. Be open to failure and don’t expect yourself to have it perfect your first time around! Mistakes can help you figure out what may or may not work for your project and help improve your overall project. Remember to be kind and patient with yourself, and celebrate the small victories.
Gather the funds
By now, you might have gotten to the point where you have all these brilliant ideas and you’re ready to execute them, but you might lack the equipment to do so. This is where we come in!
YWCA Canberra’s 2022 Great Ydeas program is opening soon and we want to help you!
YWCA Canberra’s Great Ydeas Small Grants Program provides grants up to $2500 to support women, girls and non-binary people in the ACT to pursue their passions and improve our community.
Since launching in 2010, Great Ydeas grants have helped more than 80 local women and girls to progress projects including establishing a podcast, launching a public awareness campaign, running empowering programs for girls, attending a conference and launching a social enterprise.
For more information check out our Great Ydeas page, and subscribe to our ENewsletter to find out when applications open.
Tags: Canberra Community, CBR, community, empowerment, great ydeas, Leadership, professional development