Foundations' fundraiser and storyteller

"<< Background >>The third sector, comprising millions of workers and volunteers, plays a vital role in addressing social and economic challenges in Europe. Its functions, including advocacy and value guardianship, are integral to a democratic society. However, barriers such as identity issues and lack of support hinder its effectiveness. This project focuses on Foundations within the third sector, aiming to overcome these limitations and enhance their role in promoting common values, civic engagement, and participation. Foundations contribute significantly to EU objectives, including human rights, social progress, and environmental conservation, fostering smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth while encouraging citizen and civil society involvement in the European context.<< Objectives >>By implementing the FIRST project, our primary aim was to empower third sector entities, specifically foundations, to enhance their visibility and impact within the EU public space. We recognized the pressing need to redefine their identity and collaborative capacities, addressing issues such as a lack of common understanding across Europe regarding the third sector's role and an unawareness of shared attributes, values, and potentialities.The FIRST project sought to address these needs by creating a new professional figure to represent foundations at both national and international levels. This individual has the function of facilitating collaboration and networking among foundations across Europe and secure funding for EU-wide activities. Through innovative training combining storytelling, fundraising, and digital literacy, this ""Foundations' promoter 4.0"" is equipped with the necessary skills to create not only financial but also cultural and social value.<< Implementation >>Project Management activities, carried out throughout the whole implementation process:- Definition of project monitoring and reporting tools- Monitoring of the output quality, through a project result quality check- Sharing and Promotion Plan- 3 transnational project meetings and online meetings between partnersProject activities related to project outputs:PR1: definition of a new professional figure, the Foundations' Promoter 4.0, through:- a research paper- guidelines and roadmap for trainers - training course on Fundraising, Communication and StorytellingPR2: creation and implementation of an Interactive networking tool- interactive map that allows Foundations and other non-profit entities to network and collaborate.PR3: creation and implementation of an Online training platform- Learning online platform that hosts the training course content- A LTTA activity in Cyprus- 7 (6 + 1 - the ME in Naples not originally planned) multiplier events, one in each partner’s country.<< Results >>The results reached are categorized in MANAGEMENT RESULTS, and PROJECT ACTIVITIES RESULTS:MANAGEMENT RESULTS include:1)BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH PARTNERS;2)PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS, which include - Partners’ REPORT/TEMPLATES, a semi-annual report on performance, budget spending, and issues encountered. 3)QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN (QAP), addressing intellectual outputs quality and risk management;4)SHARING and PROMOTION STRATEGY and PLAN, for the dissemination of project results.PROJECT ACTIVITIES RESULTS, related to the specific objectives of the project:- SO1 - Foundations' promoter 4.0 roadmap:DURING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATIONR1.1 Research paper on Foundations’ state of the art, needs, and solutions provided by Storytelling to improve the promotion of Foundations’ identity and activitiesR1.2 Guidelines for the definition of skills-set framework of Foundations’ Promoter 4.0; R1.2a) list of competences based on the results of the research combined with the competences identified mergingEntreComp, DigiComp and the EU Fundraising Association frameworks.R1.3 Training course for Foundations’ Promoter that combines Fundraising and Storytelling competencies.R1.4 Guide for VET trainers and teachers:1.4a) Available Guide for VET providers containing the competencies framework of the promoter 4.01.4b) Increased trainers’ ability to support Foundations’ staff and young professionals in acquiring new competencies;ON ITS COMPLETIONR1.5 Increased and diversified job market’s professional offer;R1.6 Increased Foundations’ staff knowledge and ability to create and run their own new promotional campaign;R1.7 Increased awareness among VET providers, educators, policymakers and the general public about the potential economic growth laying on Foundations at local and European levels.SO2 – Interactive Networking tool:DURING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATIONR2.1 Collection of all relevant information about the European Foundation (location, contact and field of interest, activities/promotional campaign best cases, legal information sorted per country, etc.) R2.2 Creation of a database of contacts for a pilot network; R2.3 Interactive map;ON ITS COMPLETIONR2.4 Increased number of Foundations joining the networkR2.5 Increased number of international collaborationsR2.6 Increased awareness about Foundations’ activities (directly participating in FIRST) through the implementation of best cases selected in the platform.SO3 - FIRST online training platform DURING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATIONR3.1 e-learning modules including the contents of FIRST training course developed during the PR1ON ITS COMPLETIONR3.2 Increased awareness among Foundations’ staff of Fundraising and Storytelling opportunity;R3.3 Increased awareness among the target group about the new profession of Fundraiser and Storyteller for Foundations.R3.4 Increased promotion and competitiveness of the possible new activities run by the new professional profile."