Depending on the project, the number of stakeholders can be very small, or can include entire geographic areas. The following is a list of examples of possible project stakeholders:
- Surrounding neighborhood, city or geographic region
- Governing bodies of tribal groups
- Funding agencies, creditors or shareholders
- Nonprofit organizations or environmental groups
- Prospective customers or users
- Professional groups, unions or trade groups
Almost universally, funders want to see that your project has stakeholder support. To have a truly competitive project proposal, it is imperative that you identify and involve project stakeholders. Additionally, by involving stakeholders, you are able to get a more varied perspective on your project. This will help you to anticipate potential problems and develop creative ways to address them proactively.
It is natural to be nervous about involving stakeholders in a project. There is often a fear that by bringing more people to the table, the process will become more complicated. However, it is better to think of project stakeholders as potential allies that can help your project to succeed. Through the involvement of stakeholders, you have the opportunity to build your project’s credibility and ultimately strengthen your proposed project.
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