4. How it Works

Ehsan Zaffar Last updated 
Ehsan Zaffar

How to join

  1. Understand our approach by reviewing our website and this handbook
  2. Develop a basic project idea that matches your skills with community needs
  3. Submit your application when the quarterly window opens; you can complete this form to be notified when applications formally open.
  4. If selected, you'll begin at the start of our next 6-week cycle

The 6-week cycle

We work in 6-week cycles with 2-week "cool downs" between. This creates urgency, prevents scope creep, and builds in time to reflect. You'll move through three phases:

DISCOVER (1 cycle) Define the problem, understand community needs, build relationships, and create a clear project proposal. You will have three check-in meetings: 
  1. Kickoff & Orientation: Align on goals, roles, and expectations
  2. Midpoint: Share research insights and emerging proposal draft
  3. End-of-Discover Cycle: Finalize and present project proposal for feedback and approval

DESIGN (1 cycle) Develop detailed plans including stakeholders, resources, timeline, evaluation, and sustainability. You will have three check-in meetings: beginning, middle and end, for this cycle. You will have three check-in meetings:
  1. Planning: Review proposal and begin outlining project plan
  2. Midpoint: Present timeline, resource plan, and initial M&E framework
  3. Final Design: Finalize and submit comprehensive implementation plan
Timeline visualized
Timeline visualized Download
BUILD (2 cycles) Implement your project, adapt based on feedback, document impact, and present progress. You will have four check-in meetings, two per cycle:

  • Build Cycle 1:
    1. Launch Ready?: Confirm implementation readiness
    2. End of Cycle 1: Adjust plan as needed, share initial outcomes
  • Build Cycle 2:
    1. Cycle 2 Kickoff: Review revised plan, align next steps
    2. Final Check-in: Present final deliverables, impact summary, and reflect on sustainability

Between cycles, you'll have 2 weeks to “cool down,” wrap up loose ends, document progress, prepare for what's next, and recharge.