What are the most effective ways to manage LGF projects for social change?

2 Design your process and methods

The next step is to design your process and methods. How will you structure and sequence your LGF project? What methods and techniques will you use to facilitate the group interactions? How will you balance the needs and interests of different stakeholders? How will you ensure that the process is inclusive, participatory, and adaptive? You can use frameworks such as the Technology of Participation (ToP), the Art of Hosting, or the Liberating Structures to help you with this step. You can also consult with other facilitators or experts to get feedback and suggestions.

3 Prepare your materials and logistics

The third step is to prepare your materials and logistics. What resources and equipment will you need to facilitate your LGF project? How will you arrange the venue, the agenda, the invitations, the registration, the catering, and the transportation? How will you communicate with the participants before, during, and after the project? How will you deal with any contingencies or emergencies? You can use checklists, templates, or platforms such as Eventbrite, Zoom, or Miro to help you with this step.

4 Deliver your facilitation and engagement

The fourth step is to deliver your facilitation and engagement. How will you create a safe and conducive environment for the group interactions? How will you introduce yourself, the project, and the methods? How will you guide the participants through the process and methods? How will you manage the group dynamics, the conflicts, the emotions, and the energy? How will you capture and document the insights, the decisions, and the actions? You can use skills such as active listening, questioning, summarizing, paraphrasing, or reframing to help you with this step.

5 Evaluate your results and impact

The fifth step is to evaluate your results and impact. How will you measure and assess the effectiveness and relevance of your LGF project? What indicators and criteria will you use to evaluate the outputs and outcomes? How will you collect and analyze the feedback and data? How will you report and share the findings and recommendations? How will you celebrate and acknowledge the contributions and achievements? You can use tools such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or stories to help you with this step.

6 Follow up and sustain your efforts

The sixth and final step is to follow up and sustain your efforts. How will you support and monitor the implementation and accountability of the actions and commitments? How will you maintain and nurture the relationships and networks that were formed or strengthened? How will you learn and improve from your experience and feedback? How will you apply and share your learning and insights to other LGF projects or contexts? You can use methods such as action planning, coaching, mentoring, or communities of practice to help you with this step.