On 19–20 June 2025, Polylogos had the privilege of hosting “From Idea to Impact: Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation”, a dynamic two-day training in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. This Community-Led Event, funded by NGO Academy, brought together 20 dedicated participants from Romania and Moldova — NGO professionals (project designers, managers, coordinators, junior staff, and volunteers), social entrepreneurs, teachers, and educators — all eager to transform their ideas into meaningful, fundable, and impactful projects.
The training focused on equipping participants with practical tools to design projects that truly address community needs, navigate the complexities of funding, and integrate robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategies from the very beginning. Through interactive workshops, group work, and engaging discussions, participants learned to formulate SMART objectives, develop logic frameworks, and balance funder expectations with their organizational missions.
A special highlight was the emphasis on participatory approaches, encouraging participants to involve beneficiaries directly in project design and needs assessments — shifting the mindset from designing for communities to designing with them.
Another key focus was integrating M&E and impact measurement from the outset, as a core part of project design rather than an add-on activity at the end. By embedding M&E within the overall mission and objectives — and aligning with funder priorities and impact goals — organizations can avoid last-minute reporting challenges and capture outcomes, both intended and unintended, as they arise. This approach ultimately saves time, strengthens accountability, and ensures that impact is meaningfully tracked and communicated.
Participants also explored how to use AI tools intelligently and ethically in project design and grant writing, gaining practical insights into what works, what doesn’t, and how to stay mission-focused in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The atmosphere throughout was one of openness, curiosity, and collaboration. Many participants shared that this was the first time they had the opportunity to structure their ideas into a coherent project proposal, unlocking new confidence and clarity.
Beyond skill-building, the event created space for meaningful networking, exchange, and future collaborations across sectors and borders. Several participants expressed interest in further trainings in Moldova and Romania, with a special focus on M&E, impact measurement, and youth engagement.
For Polylogos and the wider stakeholder community, the event offered invaluable insights into regional capacity-building needs and laid a strong foundation for future partnerships and joint initiatives.
We are deeply grateful to all the participants for their energy and commitment, and to NGO Academy for supporting this important initiative. Together, we took significant steps — from idea to impact.
