PMI Germany Chapter e.V. - Social Responsibility – Chapter Members Generate Social Impact

260408 Maisha Bora The search for project partners for our Social Responsibility program is up and running: The first NGOs and NPOs that support the UN's Sustainable Development Goals with their projects are already working with us and more have now been found in the south of the republic. We briefly introduce the current project partners and give an insight into how PMI Chapter members can effectively use their project management expertise for social projects.

Early on, the Eastern Region of the PMI Germany Chapter had already found a partner in the EPIZ – Development Policy Education and Information Centre and now our Ambassador Social Responsibility Region East Thomas Sturm together with Chapter member and volunteer Paul Karnowka is already close to completing another project with their support at the Berlin City Mission (BSM).

In the Southern Region, Head of Social Responsibility Dr. Werner Waldner and Ambassador Marcus Andrä have been able to (re)gain further partners:

Ackermannbogen e.V.:
Ackermannbogen e.V. in Munich is a non-profit neighborhood association with a focus on neighborhood, environment, sports (for young people) and culture. We support Ackermannbogen e.V. in improving internal organization and collaboration and improving the digital offerings for the members of the association. If you have the desire and time, apply as a PM Coach.
Maisha Bora e.V.:
Maisha Bora is a non-profit association that supports people in developing countries through needs-based infrastructure projects, currently with a focus on East Africa and Kenya. One of the focuses is on enabling basic needs such as access to clean drinking water and hygiene. The guiding principle of "helping people to help themselves" means that Maisha Bora works closely with the local people and actively involves them in planning and implementation. For the implementation of a new project in Kenya - "Borehole", a certain amount of project management expertise is necessary to coordinate the various stakeholders such as Engineers Without Borders, Maisha Bora and the local institutions. PM coaches are now also being sought for this.

Why should you support Social Responsibility?
There are various aspects that play a role in this:

Support non-governmental (NGOs) and non-profit organizations (NPOs) in the implementation of their social projects
Use your project management skills specifically for socially sustainable projects
Bringing about societal change that helps third parties

This is what cooperation looks like in practice:
PMI Chapter Volunteer Sandra Jüttner, PM Coach Social Responsibility for our project partner EPIZ – Entwicklungspolitisches Bildungs- und Informationszentrum e. V., reports in a German speaking video interview with Thomas Sturm here: https://youtu.be/b_ieceLpa0A

For us, social responsibility means: using project management for a better future. With the initiative of the PMI Germany Chapter, we support non-governmental (NGOs) and non-profit organizations (NPOs) in making their goals clearer, their projects more structured and their impact more sustainable. Our ambassadors are on the road throughout Germany and everyone can participate.

How does the chapter get partner projects?
Our ambassadors are working throughout Germany and everyone can participate.

For example, Mahmoud Basha made intensive efforts to find an organization for the West region that supports the construction of schools in Kenya. Now we are looking for a new ambassador for the West region as further support.

As a so-called "ambassador", you can identify relevant topics (usually related to one or more SDGs) and organizations with which we want to talk and, ideally, enter a cooperation. You will be responsible for defining the support of members of our chapter who want to use their expertise for a "social impact". And you talk to the organization to agree on this support. In the end, a mutually coordinated project charter is created in joint work, whereby the support for the project partner is agreed.

And how do members get their social impact experience?
As a PM Coach, you accompany NGOs on an equal footing – not operationally, but as a sparring partner. You help to sharpen goals, clarify roles, plan resources realistically and reflect on the impact in the long term. Your contribution: methodological impulses, reflection and moderation so that teams can implement their projects more clearly, in a more structured and effective way.

Why participate? 

You will strengthen your coaching and leadership skills.
You will gain practical experience outside of your work environment.
You'll expand your network in the PMI community and with NGOs, and you'll become part of a worldwide network of project management enthusiasts who want to make a social impact.
You will actively shape social change.

Do you want to be part of it?
If you have experience in project management and enjoy coaching or facilitation, you've come to the right place!

Do you have experience in project management, and would you like to use your skills as a coach? Then join us – get in touch with us at: 
SocialResponsibility@pmi-gc.de or apply now