Lessons learned

Lesson Learned in brief: It can be difficult to gather end of project data after funding has finished.

Lesson Learned in brief: Limited community baseline data and beneficiary information can result in skewed representation of community participation and a lack of understanding of the outcomes and indicators.

Lesson Learned in brief: Investing in project evaluation can foster sustainability.

Lesson Learned in brief: Use of a common evaluation tool (the Outcomes Star) for outcomes-based commissioning enables a more efficient project selection process.

Lesson Learned in brief: Even though we work to empower communities, managers often overlook the capacity of users themselves to mobilise for change, especially when they are dependent actors, such as children. Communication and listening are essential to learning about beneficiaries and their dedication to your organisation.

Lesson Learned in brief: Grant managers have to be diplomatic when dealing with pre-existing community conflicts and power relations. Listening to all stakeholders, whether involved in the process or not, is important to create community cohesion.

Lesson Learned in brief: Working in partnership with other local organisations can bring wider benefits to the community. In Kimberworth Park, Rotherham, improved financial services were made possible because of linkages with statutory bodies that may not have been viable without the involvement of the Community Partnership.

Lesson learned in brief: Apathy from the community can slow down initial interest in projects, but this can be overcome by continuous encouragement to build trust.

Lesson learned in brief: Political externalities can have a marked impact on Panel dynamics and agenda-setting. In Scotland, changes to the external strategic and policy environment affected the ability of key Panel members to influence and advocate for the continuation of the Fair Share Trust Panel model.

Lesson learned in brief: Using someone to achieve media coverage who has local media contacts is more efficient and increases the likelihood of profile. Timing is important too. For example, one story had to be held up until it ‘dated’ because of press ‘purdah’ due to the election, and a second failed to make the local papers because of a similar story the previous week. The media and community leaders also appreciate the effort made by the Agent to attend events and acknowledge the work of local community projects and volunteers.