My dear fellow modelers… The time is ripe for me to share my ideas with you. Basically, I am looking for an advice from all of you modeling think-tanks out there. The idea has been haunting me for years, but I’m still trying to work out details strategically.

Most of you are aware that I come from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have gone through the terrible war that lasted until 1995, when the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed. It is not my intention to delve into reasons and the outcomes of this war, but I would like to stress that my country faces many challenges after the conflict. The memories of the bloody war, probably the bloodiest in European history since the WWII, are still vividly present and many analysts say that the possibility of conflict is still there. Although the overall impression is a bit gloomy, I see many positive developments and share some optimism about our bright future.

The idea is very simple, but difficult for me to achieve. I live in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is rather developed and still provides one with limited but existing opportunities. I would like to set up a hobby center in Sarajevo, but this is not all of it. I did some research, however, and I am almost certain that there’s not a single hobby shop in my country. I will confront you with some statistic material: I live in a city with approx. 700 thousand, which is roughly a 1/5 of the total estimated population in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This would be a sign for potential business opportunity, save the fact that my country is a bureaucratic mess for any domestic or foreign investment. But my story is not primarily about business.

But as I said earlier, my intention is to set up a hobby center with slightly different vision and approach. Since there are no hobby shops, no plastic modeling clubs or anything similar (the economists would say: “no market opportunity”), I would like to set up a one-stop-shop for modelers with some interest in social dynamics. I truly believe that our hobby has some potential for initiatives that aim at revitalization of broken ties in post-conflict societies, especially among the children and the young. Apart from an opportunity for interested modelers like me to obtain plastic kits and other modeling stuff (which is clearly market-oriented), this hobby center might contribute to the overall popularization of plastic modeling, but also organize special events like exhibitions, modeling competitions, and/or summer schools for young modelers in areas of special interest, i.e. where tensions between the ethnic groups are still present. The idea is not only to get children together and teach them different modeling skills, but also helps them to socialize with their respective “others”, i.e. their neighbors (who are, sadly enough, presented to them only as their “enemies”) with whom their share only limited social ties.

Our hobby brings people together and crates new social ties and friendships. The Kitmaker’s Network is a good example. Although I am fully aware of possible obstacles on the way and the calls for special attentiveness (as the matter of fact, our hobby is also very expensive and creates addiction, so you have to be aware that most of the children in my country cannot afford it!), I am still very confident that something can be done. However, I need some help from those who are more familiar with the business side of the story, since I am looking for able contributors and partners on the project. I haven’t got too far (probably nowhere at all), but I would like to hear some of you comments, ideas or anything that might be helpful to get this idea rolling. This is particularly aimed at all of you who feel that they can somehow contribute to this idea, and not least with a word of support.

Thanks for reading!

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/culture/programme/who_participate_en.php

Contact this EU organisation, tell them what you are saying here in this thread, make sure that they understand that this is a non-profit endeavour, and ask what the options are.

Ask them, if the reply is that they can't help you, if there are other EU initiatives that are better placed to help you.

And, before doing all that, your idea's will have to be much better prepared than now, a simple email containing nothing more than what you say above will not impress them. You have to STAND OUT above the million similar requests they get every year.

But you have taken the first hurdle, you are understanding that trying to socialise, work together, learn how to understand each other is way more important than creating stupid nationalistic sentiments.

Good luck!!! Your're the kind that makes Europe a great place to live and I hope that your initiative is succesful and leads to a brilliant future

@drabslab: Thanks for your interest and kind words... I am totally aware of the IPA instruments and the concept of EACEA activities. As the matter of fact, I am very able in writing a project proposal for European funds available to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is also technical side of the initiative. The reason why I posted the initiative here as well as to get more involvement from fellow modelers. I still need to sort out many details about it, but I just wanted to get some feedback from the dear people here at Aeroscale.

But thanks for reminding me about the IPA funds.

Cheers

The only thing I can offer up for you mate is Market Research, market Research and then some more Market Research.

From my own business experience you have to gain an intimate knowledge of your market and what they want, your take on it is not good enough you need hard data from your specific market.

I'd first try to find some like minded friends in your country and then brainstorm with them on some ways to judge the interests of the broader community.

Try to "piggy back" an exhibition with a popular event and see what results you draw maybe ?

Or, this project has little to do with modelling, nbut everything with establishing and managing a competetn organisation; seems likt you have to start by writing a mission statement, and establish which "tools" you need to need to realise that mission.

This is what I hopped for... only two responses, and yet such a good material to start with. To be honest, I have the market research already covered by a good friend of mine who runs a market research agency. Market research is logical first step on the market side of the story. But drabslab is correct in guessing that I am up to a slightly different approach with more impact assessment. I am already discussing this idea with some of my friend here as well, so I am getting very interesting answers to my doubts. Yes, first things first... This is what the European funds call "Logical matrix" of the project. I am already doing this, but I just wanted to see how many of you feel like contributing to this developing idea and are willing to take a part in it. Your response really delights me and encourages me to go one step further... However, start small first, and set SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed) - things that the bureaucrats (like myself) adore, but it is inevitable in any plan or project. So, Entoni, work on the objectives first!

Though, I would like to emphasize possible social impact of the project. People may find it profitable or interesting, but as I may recall correctly, EU funds actually permit you to gain profit only after the project is successfully implemented. Which is more than OK with me.

Keep us posted with how you are getting on mate, I can't imagine there is terribly much I can do in a practical sense from half a world away but I'd be keen to offer what ever support I can.