Generally, for projects to be sustained, certain metrics and standards need to be set from project identification through feasibility studies, funding, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Project results should be used after the completion of its funding by the EU.
Project sustainability can be considered from several perspectives, including:
- Financial sustainability;
- Organizational sustainability;
- Operational sustainability;
- Multiplicativity of the project results
Financial sustainability of a project therefore implies the continuation of project activities without losses. It must be acknowledged that ensuring the financial sustainability of a project requires long-term planning to facilitate stakeholder engagement and potential investors – including those external to an organization. The project team can seek various sources of funding. It is possible to combine funding sources, that can conclude an agreement with both local government and with business entities. Planning should take place as soon as the project begins. By creating an effective financial sustainability plan, members of an organization will be able to achieve more to convert goals into reality and accomplish their mission.
The organizational sustainability is often misunderstood to mean primarily financial sustainability. That misconception occurs because, when an organization becomes unsustainable, the symptoms of that problem show up in the finances. However, organizational sustainability — or the surviving or even thriving of an organization — depends on much more than effectively managing the organization’s finances. Just like the sustainability of individuals and families, there are many complex and dynamic dimensions that must be sustainable in organizations, as well. However, in an organization, there are some primary dimensions that, if they are managed well, will ensure the sustainability of the organization. Maintaining the infrastructure and resources both human and intellectual, it involves teaching methods being met during the project, developed curricula that allows to produce products or provide services. It also include tangible/material products, books, brochures released during the project, other materials, the use of which will allow the university / structural unit to continue its activities in the area of the project.
Operational sustainability is the viability of the project after the completion of funding and commitment to sustainability that begins with the project’s top executives and becomes integrated to implement the tasks and functions identified in the project after the end of the project eligibility period.
Multiplicativity of the project results is reflected in the impact of the project on the extended group of beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
Involving the community is the key to have long term impacts from any projects. Make sure that your project involves the community at various stages, this will give them ownership of the project and there are high chances that they may continue with some project aspects even after the project duration. As the entire process will be participatory the skills and knowledge gained by the present group of people, will be transferable and also replicable. Sensitizing the community about the benefits of a particular project and then initiating a policy advocacy can also ensure sustainability in the long run.
Involvement of local agencies and government will ensure improved access to the government initiatives in this direction. As these agencies are permanent, they will help in sustaining the project activities beyond the project duration. Another major step to ensure sustainability is the involvement and participation of key stakeholders in program development. As part of the project activities you can initiate multi-stakeholder dialogue workshops to involve relevant people in your project.
The points mentioned above can be used by you while drafting your sustainability plan for your organization or while writing the sustainability section of a project proposal.
VISIBILITY AND DISSEMINATION
PROJECT VISIBILITY RULES
The main rules concerning visibility of projects are as follows:
- Each publication on a project should contain the following disclaimer: “The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. For more.
- During all project activities (when appropriate), it is necessary to emphasize the fact that they are implemented and funded under the Erasmus+ programme.
- Materials produced for project activities, teaching materials, project website, posters, leaflets, press releases, CD-ROMs, etc., should be provided with the “Co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union” logo, which can be downloaded from this following link. Changes in the colour and content of the logo, its distortion and reversal are not allowed.
- All equipment (including portable) purchased with Erasmus+ funding should be labelled with stickers “With the support of the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union”. The same rule applies to the Centres / Laboratories set up using the project funds.
At the final stage of the project, the NEO asks the team to prepare a package of materials for the Project Results Database. Materials are uploaded on the NEO website to disseminate the information about your project and ensure the sustainability of its results.
DEVELOPING A DISSEMINATION STRATEGY
One of the objectives of any project is to bring to the attention of representatives of interested parties its results: new programs, training materials, successful experience, other accumulated products. It is necessary to find a simple, clear and convincing way to convey the necessary information to specific target groups. Therefore, an important success factor for most projects is the availability and practical implementation of an effective information dissemination strategy.
I am Lirim Mehmetaj, a student from Kosovo at the University of Prishtina. Last winter semester, and currently this summer semester, I am studying at the University of Salzburg. By coming and being part of a new living and studying environment it was pretty interesting, but also challenging and very demanding. Referring to life in Salzburg, you can easily find yourself traveling into times because Salzburg indeed is a very old city filled with culture. Small and narrow alleys, paved with stones at the old part of the town, are impressive. Moreover, University is filled with students of different countries from all around the world, therefore every new acquaintance, except a new friendship is also a lesson which makes you know and understand better the diversity and multiculturalism. Erasmus is a great opportunity for Kosovar students to study and travel abroad. It is awesome that this kind of program gave me the chance to meet the world and meet new experiences, because I as a Kosovar citizen, cannot always travel freely. It is great that the EU made it possible for me to study with Erasmus. The program helps you not in just fulfilling your dreams, but also, living beyond them. Therefore, it is an extraordinary experience which changes your life forever.
"In life to be successful, you have to face challenges... and most of the time these challenges will make you understand yourself, life itself and your skills".
