How to fill out a project application to pass?

How to fill out a project application to pass?

Our team received 347 applications from women who want to create their own social business as part of the “Dreams in Action” project. The goal of the program is to strengthen the role of women in Ukrainian society, involvement in public activity, their support in self-realization and increasing self-confidence.

We analyzed the most common mistakes and collected tips for you on how to fill out an application so that it is selected.

• Decide what exactly you want

Do you need money to cover basic needs? Does the word “business” conjure up images of a luxurious life with cool cars and vacations by the sea in your head? Or maybe it’s about a big test? Search for more information. What risks and problems does the business face? Talk to people who have this experience. Are you ready to take risks and take responsibility for complex tasks? Maybe you just need a stable salary and a convenient schedule? Applying to a project with the thought “maybe something will happen” is not the best option. Imagine that you have reached the end point of the project – you have completed training and received funds for implementation. How are you feeling? Is this really what you want? Are you ready to invest your time and energy in the program? Because without effort there will be no result.

• Answer briefly, but not in one word

Expectations from the program are not enough to be “the best”, and business ideas – “grandiose”. Such answers only indicate that you have no idea what you will do. Do not use generalizing words. They do not reveal your individuality and do not characterize you in any way.Age, marital status, presence or absence of children do not reveal you as a person.

We expect to read confident answers that show understanding of the matter and willingness to work hard on the project.

• Be honest and consistent

If you really want to open a shoe workshop from eco-leather, or you have the skills of a confectioner and you want to scale it into a business – write it. You will still have time to think through the idea in detail during the study.

Can’t articulate expectations? Write honestly “I have no experience with similar programs, but I would like to…” Write at least approximately. Perhaps you would like more support from project curators, new acquaintances or connections? Are you afraid it might be too complicated?

There are no “wrong” answers, but there are those that show the seriousness of your intentions or vice versa.

• Prepare social networks

Take a critical look at your social media pages. Maybe something better removed so as not to spoil the experience? Or vice versa, add a few posts or photos that will tell more about you? For example, if you are applying for your own floristry business, post a few photos of the bouquets that you are doing.

Add an active link to your social networks in the response to the application, and not just write how you are signed up there. (An active link is one that, by clicking on it, you can easily go to the desired site) Thus, you will save the time of the team searching for your page.

• Do not rush to send the application

After filling out the application, pause and read it again. Perhaps, after resting, you will find more appropriate words that will better reflect your thoughts.Is nothing missing? Is nothing messed up? Read the answers to loved ones. Do they understand what it is about? But check the words for mistakes and typos. Such little things also affect the general perception.

• Ask

If you do not understand something, write to the program organizers. Asking questions will not make you look stupid, on the contrary. This will give you the opportunity to better understand the project and your attitude towards it, and this is the most important thing.

• Do not be afraid of rejection

Have you applied for grants several times, not received a result and decided that it is not for you? Try again. People are said to be successful not because they don’t make mistakes, but because they try a lot more. Everything will definitely work out for you.

The initiative is being implemented with the technical support of @unwomenukraine and with funding from the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) @wphfund, a flexible and operational funding tool that supports quality interventions to improve the capacity of local women in conflict prevention, crisis and emergency response and use key peacebuilding opportunities.

WPHF provides emergency funding to local women’s civil society organizations (CSOs) in Ukraine. With the technical support of the UN Women structure