Recently, the number of NGOs has steadily increased. There are logical explanations for this: grant assistance from different institutions gives you the opportunity to raise money for development. But those who engage in social activities professionally, in the majority, are guided by entirely different arguments. To help them others – need and style of life. Our heroine is well-known in Zhytomyr and beyond, because in ten years time she has implemented a large number of projects important for the community. About the victories, defeats and opportunities in the public sector is told by a professional manager, chairman of the board of the NGO “Contemporary format” and “Zhitomir community fund” Zhanna Soloviova
“Everything started with the youth organization” Modern format “ten years ago. Five years later, we realized that we needed to develop, to do more useful things, and for this purpose it was necessary to involve not only the youth but the whole community as well. So the idea to create a community foundation in Zhitomir emerged. There are many more projects and programs now and we already feel that we need to replenish the team and expand »
“I would not say that I was too active at school. Yes, I learned well, often helped my neighbor, especially if I had to instruct me, correct, give a write-off, for example, control work (Smiling). Already at school I understood that we should cooperate, because through cooperation we can achieve more and faster. At school, we had arrangements: each row in the classroom was divided into two variants, and the whole second option was my “parish”. During the control work, my classmates and I agreed on who will solve the problem, and then there is an exchange ”
“Education, even if a person does not work in a specialty, is absolutely necessary. It’s like in sports: if you want to feel healthy, you have to always invest in development, holding the muscles in a tone. Similarly, education gives a tone for the brain, a methodology of thinking, gives persistence, the ability to bring the case to completion, an understanding of where and what information can be found »
“In my childhood I had been judo for several years. True, I immediately had a black belt (Laughs). It was not easy to get a kimono then and there was no money for it. My mother kimono my clothes, and for the belt of white cloth was not enough, there was only black ”
“When I needed to make an important decision in my life, and I did not know how to do it, I went to my mother or my parents for advice. But I was told: “You know best how to do”. (Smiling) Now I understand that this may well be good, because for all the decisions made, responsibility was on me. I had my decision-making principle, which consisted of a “controlling question” like “Will I regret if I do not do a certain thing?” This, in particular, concerned the choice of field of activity, training, first place of work. If I felt that I would then regret it, then the answer was unequivocal: “This must be done!”
“When ten years ago I decided to engage in social activities, it was generally poorly understood. They said: “Public organization ?? Is that a sect? Is not it possible, as all normal people, to go to work? Come home from work and have a rest for yourself! “But I understood: if you do as everyone, then the result will be like everyone else”
“It’s important not even what you do, but with whom you work. We now have a lot of friends and partners. Looking back, I understand that people have met me and meet life very well ”
“Have you been defeated? Well of course! Before I got my first grant, I have developed more than a dozen projects. And every time I was denied, I thought: “All this is the last time, I will never do it anymore!” Maybe at some point it’s really a defeat: your expectations were not justified, you were told: “Who are you? Come on,goodbye. ” And one could say: well, it did not work. But no! Each major can be turned into a plus: if something does not work out, it means the wrong way is chosen or the wrong tools”
“What gives social activity? It provides opportunities: both professional and personal development, and most importantly, the opportunity to do something valuable and socially useful. There is also a huge opportunity for creativity!”
“I think that the most important thing in people is kindness and honesty. Even if you did something wrong, it’s better to tell the truth. There are no situations that can not be solved by talking about everything openly. Honesty builds trust, it’s important to be able to trust people yourself and trust your people. For me, my team is a turbine, a base, the basis of everything. I can not say that all my achievements are just my achievements. There were always and there are people with whom you are doing business. Together we can achieve more. And even happiness is then happiness when you share it!”
“Recently, we conducted an external and internal evaluation of our organization’s activities, thanks to our partners – UNDP. As a result, we realized how much we have done in ten years of activity, that we have a very low staff turnover, that we have already achieved some of our strategic goals and need to put new ones, etc. They recently held a symbolic summing up of their ten years of activity: they met with partners, friends, colleagues, volunteers and former employees. The event turned out to be very valuable and memorable ”
“Our loved ones are extremely supportive because public activity is like a good virus. (Laughs) It’s good when you see your family, what you do, feel involved and also have the opportunity to grow. ”
“The community foundation of Zhytomyr has been acknowledging the national charity rating of Ukraine for two years in a row as a leader in the nomination” Expenses for Economic Development “.
We were able to earn such status through our cooperation with the International Organization for Migration Mission in Ukraine, namely, the implementation of the project on business development and self-employment of HIP and local population. Only in 2017, we provided equipment to our beneficiaries for a total amount of more than 4 million UAH. This is a project that supports not only the economic independence of people, but also influences the development of the region. Two years ago, nobody believed that this is happening, but now there are powerful success stories »
“Our organization plans to further develop projects aimed at the integration of internally displaced persons. I often say that settlers are an additional social capital for our region ”
“Today, there are so many opportunities available to NGOs: grants and organizational support. But getting support for your project from the first attempt is far from everyone. And if you get a refusal, it’s not an occasion to lower your hands. It is worth remembering that if you do not know or do not know something, you can contact your friends, partners who have experience in the area you are looking for, have a high credit rating. There are many available resources for newly created NGOs, such as Marketplaces from ISAR Unity, where you can apply for organizational development and receive expert support »
“If there is a desire and a goal, then the possibilities are themselves. The main thing is to know exactly what you want and where you are moving ”
Translated by Aliona Matushevich
