NGO support toolkit (English)  >  Partner and project selection  >  Project design and selection 

Project design

In those cases where partner organisations have yet to submit a project proposal, it may be necessary for NSPs to support them in designing a project. The ultimate responsibility for project design rests with the NGOs and CBOs and the communities they work with, since they are in the most appropriate position to undertake this. However, it must be recognised that organisations may need assistance in this process. Technical support in project design involves helping NGOs and CBOs to identify the steps and components involved in devising a good project, and ways in which the community can become involved in the design process. Technical support is also important to share lessons about effective strategies from elsewhere so that each community does not have to re-invent the wheel.

Project design is a multi-step process that involves:

• analysis of the needs assessment findings
• analysis of other relevant data; for example, epidemiological data, research findings, etc.
• consideration of the approaches and good practices that exist in community responses to HIV/AIDS
• development and articulation of project objectives
• identification of priority problems
• organisational and environmental analysis, such as a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis
• selection of strategies
• development of a project plan (workplan, monitoring and evaluation plan, budget and staff roles and responsibilities) using a log frame where appropriate
• consideration of how monitoring and evaluation will be incorporated and how it will be done.
• presentation of the project in the form of a proposal.

NGO/CBO support providers (NSPs) can support NGOs and CBOs in this process by providing them with frameworks, tools, formats and information about good, effective practice.

The project design process can also be an opportunity for NSPs to identify and plan for the future technical support needs of partner organisations.

Issues to consider

• NSPs have a role in ensuring that both donor and community priorities are balanced and reflected in the project design.
• NSPs’ assistance in project design should focus on building the capacity of NGOs/CBOs to design projects, rather than developing the project design itself. This will help NGOs/CBOs to deliver their own strategies and design future projects without over-reliance on the NSP.
• NSPs should be aware that while frameworks and formats can assist in the development of a project, they should not be so rigid as to stifle innovation and creativity.
• It is important to build flexibility into project design by incorporating opportunities for review and replanning – not just at the end of the project but mid-term as well.
• It is important to recognise and balance the tension between supporting communities to decide on their own strategies, and speeding up the response by being more directive about how the project should look.

Related themes

Project design and planning

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