Building a football field or a park in a neighborhood, promoting a reading and writing campaign in a school, or launching an environmental program are examples of activities that can become social projects. Like any social intervention, carrying out these actions requires a specific perspective and incorporating certain tools. In this note, we’ll discuss what to consider for the strategic management of social projects aimed at sustainable development.

What are social projects?

Social projects aim to improve the living conditions of a group of individuals, society, and their environment as a response to a problematic situation that is the focus of the same actors involved, other stakeholders, and/or the State.

Unlike private, investment, or business projects, which primarily seek economic profit, social projects pursue general well-being, that is, creating social value.

What is social value?

Social value encompasses everything that improves, perfects, and completes the human condition in its broadest and most complex sense, seeking freedom, happiness, justice, love, peace, respect, cooperation, transparency, knowledge, responsibility, and work.

Thus, when we talk about social projects, we must understand that they are part of processes of social transformation and involve a political intention, with consequences for the strengthening and quality of life of individuals and groups.

Now, if that transformation is approached by following the principles of sustainable development, we can provide a more comprehensive and holistic perspective in the search for solutions.

What does it mean to think about social projects oriented toward sustainable development?

It implies an approach that addresses social challenges and promotes the well-being of people and communities by integrating three key dimensions: social, economic, and environmental. This perspective is present throughout the entire process, guiding the design, execution, and evaluation of the project.

Let’s imagine there is a genuine interest driving us to do something for others or a cause, whether it’s from our workplace, professional sphere, political activism, or personal motivation. We’ve decided to embark on a social project, but what tools do we need to carry it out? What does managing a project involve? And how can we do it strategically?

Managing Social Projects

Strategic project management is the art of planning, organizing, and coordinating all the necessary stages and resources to effectively address and resolve, in this case, social problems.

Strategic management goes beyond merely executing tasks. It involves making decisions responsibly and continuously reflecting on ethics, based on a deep understanding of social, cultural, political, and environmental dynamics. At the same time, it adapts constantly to achieve meaningful and transformative results for the benefit of the people and communities involved.

Discover the five challenges for managing social projects oriented toward sustainable development strategically.

1) Understanding the Context and Defining the Problem

To understand the context, it is necessary to conduct a situational analysis, that is, to know the social, economic, cultural, and political reality of the community or environment where the project will take place. Understanding the context also means recognizing that communities are dynamic, constantly evolving, and not free from tensions and conflicts. Limited knowledge of the context or preconceived notions can result in a misguided proposal.

With this diagnosis, we can define the problem to be addressed. The key is to ensure that when considering an intervention in the area, the problem is not framed around the solution, but instead focuses on identifying and defining the issue at hand.

A clear and precise problem definition lays a solid foundation for developing the strategies and actions of our social project.

2) Co-designing Solutions

How can we make things effective and meaningful? How do projects gain significance? If we want to manage sustainable projects where the community takes ownership of the solution, we need to design with key stakeholders so that people become protagonists.

Real participation requires the involvement of the project’s target audience to generate ideas, co-create solutions, and make decisions together.

3) Building Political, Economic, and Organizational Feasibility

It is key to conduct a feasibility analysis at the start of the process, as it allows us to identify areas for improvement or, if there is no feasibility of any kind, to create it.

In this analysis, we can identify institutions, organizations, and resources available in the community, including potential allies, local partners, and key stakeholders who can contribute to the project. Are there any conflicts? Which actors can we connect with and form partnerships?

Building economic feasibility means analyzing whether there are enough resources to launch the actions. Organizational feasibility asks whether the human structure, roles, knowledge, and technologies needed to achieve the goal are in place.

Social projects face the great challenge of learning to deal with social complexity.

4) Evaluating and Learning

Why evaluate? What do we evaluate? Evaluation is also part of the process of every social project. Through various techniques for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information, we can learn from the process, results, and long-term impact. It allows us to adjust current actions and improve future ones. Additionally, it is a tool that helps ensure accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

5) Ensuring Sustainability

Finally, if we want social projects to generate meaningful transformation, we have the responsibility to ensure that the focus on sustainable development is not lost in the intervention proposals.

This means always keeping in mind the balance between social, economic, and environmental impact. Ensuring sustainability will empower the community or target group, strengthen local capacities, and promote civic participation so that the access to opportunities and rights achieved through the project endures and expands.

Now you know the challenges involved in the strategic management of social projects.

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