Ready
• Why is the event being organised? • What is the bigger picture? • What are the issues facing this community? • What can this event do for this community?
to know the community and recognise what matters locally by zooming in, but also to always make connections to the bigger picture by zooming out. The aim is to see how separate (often fairly localised) actions contribute to achieving broader goals. Converting ideas into objects (e.g. visual maps) works really well to encourage people to think through the connections they can make to related organisations and initiatives, local policy and action plans, and the bigger issues.
There are two ways to approach creating lasting and positive impacts. Event Plus is primarily focused on event delivery, in the belief that event hosting will automatically lead to lasting and positive social impacts. Plus Event , on the other hand, focuses on development first, with the event then contributing to this. Event Decentring requires a Plus Event approach. To achieve lasting and positive social impact, Event Decentring brings far more benefits than the traditional Event Plus approach, because it ensures social impact is built into event planning from the start. This can then justify wider investment in other community projects, encouraging Microgrants or other funding opportunities.
Soil, roots and trees
For most people, an event is like a tree - they only see what is visible above the surface. Event Decentring appreciates that the majority of social impact work takes place below the surface, in the soil. The roots nurture and feed the tree, while creating widespread networks. Similarly, social impact relies on a network of Community Explorers (individuals, groups, businesses, and other organisations). For the event to flourish, build these networks, nurture them and factor sustainability into Collaboration Kick-On activities.
Zoom in and zoom out
Positive impact is inevitably linked to what local communities need and want. It is important
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