Strategic investments build nonprofits' capacity to integrate project management into programming and operations
PMI Educational Foundation (PMIEF) today announced its partnership with three of the world's leading nonprofit organizations to further amplify and sustain their global impact by integrating project management into programming for youth ages 5 to 19. Through these strategic investments totaling US$ 2.4 million, PMIEF will help prepare young people to better pursue their academic and professional goals by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for 21st century success.
PMIEF executes its current youth-focused strategy through nonprofits around the world that engage young people in highly experiential, project-oriented activities. The foundation partners with organizations that serve young people in at least two countries to ensure youth acquire and apply skills in critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. In addition, the generosity of PMIEF's donors and volunteers allows the foundation to deliver project management fundamentals training and a one-year mentored experience to its partners to strengthen their ability to embed project management into business and administrative functions.
"Nonprofits are increasingly expected to deliver societal value by readying youth to meet global demands," said Jeannette Barr, Executive Director of PMIEF. "Our partnerships provide organizations fiscal support, educational resources and access to volunteer expert project managers so they can better prepare their program participants to lead happy, productive lives and more effectively deliver against their stated mission."
PMIEF's three partners are:
- F1 in Schools, which delivers a global science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition that challenges youth in 26,000 schools to create the fastest, miniature, compressed air-powered racecar they can using Formula 1 (F1) model block and computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing software. The nonprofit will more deeply integrate project management into this contest that inspires young people to practically apply classroom lessons in aerodynamics, physics, design, manufacturing and marketing and branding.
“We’re delighted to welcome PMIEF as a partner of F1 in Schools, and look forward to a long and successful relationship," said Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman F1 in Schools. "Project management is fundamental in our challenge as the students have limited time and resources for taking their F1 in Schools entry from concept to reality, and I’m sure that PMIEF will be able to assist our students with this process. The scope of the partnership allows us to extend the learning and training to F1 in Schools staff and our in-country coordinators (ICCs), who deliver the program internationally, and I am sure there will be enormous benefit to both individuals and F1 in Schools to have this opportunity.”
Staff and ICCs began participating in project management training and coaching at the start of the year, and will integrate project management into the competition handbook. More than 1 million youth in over 50 countries will ultimately use this project management-enhanced handbook annually beginning in 2021. - Junior Achievement Africa, which ensures youth across the continent acquire and apply the competencies necessary to launch their own business, succeed in today's global economy and make prudent financial decisions. The organization will integrate project management into the JA Company Program®, an entrepreneurship competition that empowers young people to either solve a problem or fulfill an unmet need in their community as they design, execute, manage, market and monitor their own microenterprise.
“One of our priorities as an organization is to ensure that the content we deliver to young people is continually reviewed and refreshed to make it more work-relevant. Therefore, incorporating the discipline of project management into our flagship program will enhance its impact as a program. We are proud of this partnership with PMIEF and looking forward working together toward improving learning outcomes for young Africans,” said Elizabeth Elango Bintliff, CEO of JA Africa.
The organization will integrate project management into the JA Company Program® in 14 member nations through a phased scale-up. With training and coaching for headquarters and country staff beginning in 2020 and continuing through 2022, Junior Achievement Africa will pilot the project management-enriched programming starting the 2020-21 academic year. It will reach an estimated 20,000 youth continent-wide through this partnership. - Special Olympics International, which encourages inclusion with the aim of eradicating discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. The nonprofit will create an interactive e-learning platform with content in six languages, establish a project management track for its youth leadership summits and award Youth Innovation Grants that fund young people's design and execution of social good projects around the world.
“With the support of PMIEF, Special Olympics youth leaders will be even better equipped to lead projects in their communities with more confidence, enthusiasm and proficiency than ever before,” said Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics. “I am excited for our youth leaders around the world to gain an understanding of project management principles to make their projects come to life. The opportunity to gain hands-on experience creating smart work plans will help them get to the finish line faster. Understanding project management and how it increases impact is a skill they will use for their entire careers.”
Special Olympics staff will participate in project management training and coaching beginning in 2020. The nonprofit will develop and pilot its e-learning platform this year, which will support recipients of Youth Innovation Grants to execute their social good projects in more than 40 countries. In addition, Special Olympics will integrate project management programming at its youth summits by 2021. The organization will reach approximately 10,000 youth through this partnership.