Resources and fundraising

Various resources

Generally, project resources are defined as people, finance and materials or tools/equipment, facilities which are necessary for the successful implementation and completion of the project (see Figure no. 5). Starting plan the project, consider what resources are needed to successfully complete the project and achieve the planned results.

Fig. 5. Types of project resources (Male,2022; Sushmith, 2022)

Human resources are the most essential and difficult to predict type of project resources, so before to make a decision to organize a project and write a project application or concept, it is necessary to evaluate the possible intellectual potential, knowledge and experience of the staff or team about the announced main topics and range of questions of the project competition, including the practical implementation of the projects in context. Before preparing the application, it is necessary to consider whether the organization or community has at its disposal sufficient number of human resources. It is ideal if you can attract members of the staff group with the different backgrounds, qualifications and experience, as well as with a genuine desire, ideas and enthusiasm to participate in the project. The basis of the project implementation is the staff, which may consist of the project management group and project implementation groups sometimes allocate a monitoring group as a separate team (e.g. representatives of the funder or representatives of the academic and research institution providing the support for managing administrative and bureaucratic issues, including helping to organize rights officially represent the organization in the project). In academic institutions, research projects may involve both the scientific leader of the project and the project manager. Likewise, if the specifics of the project allow it and it is necessary, independent experts, consultants and amateur researchers and citizens. 

Significant efforts, intellectual potential and time must be invested in Citizen Science projects involving citizens and preparing them for participation in the project. It is even more difficult to predict available resources than specialists who have direct or indirect contact with the research. The effectiveness of the cooperation between project teams, professionals, amateur researchers and volunteers affect project outcomes. (Read more in the e-course module "Engagement and Communication in Citizen Science Projects")

Speaking about the concept of "human resources", it is important to mention that some critics argue – the term “resources” cannot be applied to human beings and the term “human resources” does not reflect the new, non‐hierarchical, network organizations and knowledge‐based workers with self‐directed careers of the twenty‐first century (Inkson, 2008). Also when referring to humans as resources, it makes them equal to a copy machine or a computer but people have personal characteristics and they are not so easily replaceable (Balyuk, 2020). Overall “resource” is just a term, what matters is treating people with respect and valuing their work and contribution. 

Time is also considered a resource. Each project has a defined start date and end date. Of course, citizen science projects can grow, become stronger long-term activities nurtured and practiced by the community, and move to a new level - a stable Citizen Science hub.

Citizens can freely decide how to spend their free time and what to dedicate it to. There will be people who can devote more and there will be people who can devote less of their time to Citizen Science projects. In situations where it is difficult to predict the time, it is best to focus on the goal.

Different and appropriate materials or tools/equipment or infrastructure may be required at different stages of the project. Good to have the latest technology available (for example, e-platforms for Citizen Science projects that serve various project needs and in most cases are available by mobile devices). The library is a great helper here, which can participate by providing premises and technological equipment, also the Internet, so that Citizen Science project participants can meet, communicate, share experiences, develop projects and implement publicity activities. Librarians can participate with advice in setting up e-platforms, as well as in organizing training sessions for Citizen Science projects. (Rozenberga et al., 2022) 

Finances for projects can be attracted by participating in funders tenders, or looking for sponsors, patrons. For the implementation of the project, not only the potentially obtained financing is essential, but also the financial resources that are under the control of the project applicant authority and which could be directed to the project needs. In certain project funding tenders, it is mandatory to indicate co-financing in the applications. During the project, it is necessary to manage the financial flow, which is the balancing of the finances necessary for the project with the planned activities and the workload of the team members in time.