Позитивные изменения. Том 4, №1 (2024). Positive changes. Volume 4, Issue 1 (2024)

2. Create graphical representations for the distribution of responses to each question.

3. After aggregating the data, examine the details within individual territories.

4. Identify and note any significant deviations from the average results across studied territories. Survey findings can be utilized in crafting grant applications, detailing projects, and implementing initiatives.[59]

CREATIVITY IN METHODOLOGY: HOW TO CONDUCT AN EFFECTIVE PROJECT SESSION

So, the organizer already has a group of leaders and the qualitative results from the analysis of social life in the community. It is time to focus on social initiatives. Let us look at an example of such an event — a project session. The session comprises eight stages.

Stage 1. Introduction. The primary goal is to initiate a discussion with participants about local problems, needs, and opportunities in an open-dialogue format.

Stage 2. “Meet the People I know”: The main goal is to facilitate introductions among participants. Ideally, create groups of people who are less acquainted with each other; the optimal group size is 5–8 people, with no more than 5 mini-groups.

Each group is tasked with preparing a 10-minute business card-style presentation that captures the group’s name, the average or total age of the members, and unique characteristics. Each group will then present themselves.

During the discussion, you can ask how participants’ moods have changed or if they’ve learned something new about their peers. Take note of the common things and uniqueness that participants highlight.

Stage 3. Focus on the Past: The aim here is to emphasize the importance of acknowledging the past when planning for the future.

This involves the creation and analysis of the “Timeline.”

Participants will reflect on significant events in three areas: their personal lives, their local area, and their country. Each person receives three stickers, each of a different color representing one of the three areas. One event is recorded on one sticker. For each direction, there should be three stickers (representing three events). The events can be from any period.

The stickers are placed on the “Timeline.” Participants may be asked to write down the year or the exact date of the events on their stickers. It is common to question which events to write down — only positive ones or any at all? Note that they should indicate the events that are significant to them, and the interpretation of significance is up to them.

Participants are then divided into three groups, each analyzing one of the three directional areas. The task is to examine the events on the “Timeline” for each area (country, territory, self), identify common themes that are relevant to the group, note any peculiarities, and attempt to draw conclusions. Each of the three groups will present their findings. This will be followed by a group discussion on how our past experiences affect our lives today and how we might use this understanding in the present and future.

Stage 4. A Glimpse into the Present. The objective at this stage is to capture the current situation in the territory and reflect on the main trends (both positive and negative), as well as existing community resources available for the implementation of social initiatives. This stage consists of two significant exercises.

The initial task is the creation of a “Resource Map” for the territory. This exercise implies collaboration in small teams. Each sub-group is to creatively draft a resource map on a flipchart, which can be descriptive, illustrative, or schematic. It is vital for participants to understand that the term ‘resources’ here extends beyond just finances to encompass natural elements, community skills, and touristic appeal. The allotted duration for this task is 20 minutes. Documenting the outcome on a flip chart is a requisite step. Subsequently, each group is expected to deliver a presentation of their resource map. An example of a “Resource Map” can be viewed in Figure 1.

Following all mini-group presentations, a discussion should take place regarding which resources are commonly identified, which resources have been overlooked and reasons why, which are unique, and their potential as focal points for development. Overall conclusion: Determine which existing resources on the territory could serve as a foundation for project realization without the need for extra funding.

Next, participants are encouraged to individually note down in their journals what aspects of their community and region make them proud and what they regret. Participants must list at least five “prouds” and five “regrets” on separate stickers and then affix them to a collective sheet — the “Map of Consciousness.” Participants should then engage in a dialogue to reflect on their noted items. The sum of “positives” and “negatives” tallied on the stickers should be no less than 20 for each category.