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Information for Organisations looking to Propose Research Projects Role of the Partner Organisation

The partner organisation is not required to provide any financial support or promises to EWB-UK for the implementation of the projects. EWB-UK only asks to support the projects through advice and opinions from the organisation's experience, via email or telephone, for the students involved. Unless advised otherwise, a maximum of 2 students will be involved per project. Students may want to visit the area prior to or during the course of their research.  If a field visit is possible it is the student’s responsibility to cover the cost, though some assistance may be required from the organisation in terms of co-ordination. After the project is complete the organisation would be asked to review the project and keep EWB-UK informed if the project becomes implemented.

Contact details will not be given to any student without the Partner Organisation's permission.

EWB-UK would like the support of organisations through email or telephone contact with the students. The amount of time expected from the organisation would be approximately 1-2 hours per month for the organisation, per project. This is down to the organisation's discretion. EWB-UK will inform the student of the amount of time available for consultation via email and telephone.  We also warn students that there may be problems with communication at times due to the nature of field work. The main inputs from the organisation include advice on the project (if applicable), information on the local situation (for example, tools available, or materials locals can provide for themselves, prices of local goods). Specific enquires are encouraged rather than more general information, as this specific information will give the student far greater insight to the project than they would be able to gain from textbooks.

Queries from students will be specific questions on the projects to ensure that the organisation will not have to waste time finding information. The student will be advised that their own research is the primary source of information and the organisation is to be called upon when information cannot be found. Students will be advised that information can only be given if specific questions to the project are asked.

Examples include:
•    What are the local materials available in the village?
•    What is the worst-case scenario for walking conditions in the area?

We do not expect the organisation to supervise the project via emails, such as checking calculations or drawings. Advice and support will be of a simple email specific nature. We aim to have email replies back to the students within 1 week unless the organisation is working in the field at the time or if the organisation states that it may not be possible. This will hopefully give the organisation time to schedule when the response can be done.

The aim is that the project will give the organisation a solution for the problem specified. If the organisation then feels that the solution is viable the organisation can take all information for the project. In terms of financial help, EWB-UK will support the student if they have a solution that can be taken to the organisation in terms of bursaries for field testing and materials. EWB-UK cannot provide direct financial assistance to the organisation, but we will assist in the promotion of the project worldwide and applying for grants for the project, such as the Mondialogo Awards or World Bank Development Marketplace Awards. The student and EWB-UK will aid the organisation in any way that we can, in terms of resources that EWB-UK receives.

Criteria for a Successful Project

These are some points to consider when drafting Project Proposals.

• Generic - Can be used in more than one country and more than one community.
• Continuity - Projects have to have a strong link within the country/communities to ensure a higher possibility of long term effectiveness.
• Duration - Project must have enough of a challenge to last 300/1200 hours worth of work. Projects must have an element of quantifiability.
• Appropriateness - Appropriate Technology is an important issue, but this does not have to mean low tech solutions. Research has to be done into the wider areas past just inside the community. Sometimes, mass production in a factory may favour the use of local microeconomics.
• Socioeconomic aspects - All development projects will have a social and economic impact on a community. This needs to be mapped out carefully and taken into consideration. Wider impacts may be hard to predict but possible outcomes need to be investigated.
• Understanding roles - Organisations and people that are based in the foreign country must understand their roles if and when research projects are to begin.

If you would like to submit a project idea to EWB-UK, please complete our Project Proposal Form.