The Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership encourages and supports ideas that
...build partnerships involving citizens, businesses, communities, organizations, or agencies and University of Minnesota faculty and students;
embody the principles of sustainable development interdependence, stewardship, conservation, shared responsibility
seek a balance among environmental, economic and community priorities.
...make good use of University of Minnesota resources.
... focus on northwest Minnesota.
involve research, outreach, and/or education;
have a clear public purpose so the results will be useful to others in northwest Minnesota;
... address regional priorities such as natural resources, agriculture and tourism
enhance the local economy;
... connect the partners necessary for success.
Frequently asked questions about how the Northwest Partnership seeks ideas and develops projects.
Who can submit an idea form?
- Anyone with an idea can submit the idea form.
What is the idea form?
- The idea form is a way for citizens, local governments, non-profits, businesses or faculty to put an idea, concern or situation on the table.
- An opportunity for stakeholders in the region to register their interest in working with the Partnership.
- A starting place for the conversation about sustainability, partnership and active citizenship.
- An indication to the partnership about the priorities in the region. Clusters of ideas addressing the same situation may indicate a priority.
- Because of the questions it asks, the idea form should get people thinking about partners interested in the situation and particularly how the University of Minnesota might be able to help.
What the idea form is not:
- Ideas need not be limited to business ideas, or ideas relating to economic development in the region.
- The idea form is not intended to describe the project to be implemented. It is not the same thing as the work plan.
How are ideas reviewed by the Northwest Partnership?
· Idea forms are included in board packets. Submitters are welcome to attend the meeting and discuss the idea with the board in person. Often the discussion that occurs with the board generates more connections and more opportunities for partnership.
What actions might the board take in response to ideas submitted? The concept decision
- Some ideas will fit together with others - in such cases the NWP will convene those indicating similar interests, and seek partnerships between the region and the University of Minnesota.
- Some ideas will embody the principles of the NWP; in such cases, the NWP will invite a full proposal or direct staff to assist partners in developing a work plan and budget.
- Some ideas will be outside the scope of the NWP program; in such cases, staff, board members and the board collectively will communicate that message to the submitter.
Submit an idea form online using the form below, or download the MS Word document form, also below.
PROJECT PROPOSAL GUIDANCE:
What happens next? What is a project proposal?
- The project proposal is the document that describes what the partners will do, the schedule for the work, and the budget.
- Please use the format provided.
- The project partners are invited to make a presentation to the board.
NWP makes the details decision
- The NWP applies established criteria to use in evaluating work plans and making funding decisions.
How can the NWP help with a project?
- The NWP board can allocate funds to research, education and outreach efforts.
Implementation - Partners are responsible for implementation of the work plan, and for reporting progress to the NWP.
Evaluation - Evaluation takes place at project, regional and statewide program levels.
- Qualitative and Quantitative measures are used.
- Partners in projects cooperate in evaluation.
Please download the MS Word format Project Proposal below.
