Why small matters
Not everything that matters needs to be big.
Small projects make space for people to try something, contribute something, or take a step that feels possible. They are often informal, relational, and responsive — shaped by real needs rather than funding rounds or long timelines.
This page holds examples of small, human-scaled projects that have emerged through conversation, lived experience, and shared curiosity.
What do we mean by “small projects”?
Small projects are:
- Time-limited or lightweight
- People-led, not system-led
- Often experimental
- Built around relationships, not outcomes alone
They might look like:
- A table set up to give things away
- A simple food or hospitality initiative
- A creative or musical gathering
- A micro-enterprise idea being gently tested
- A shared activity that creates connection where isolation once lived
They are not pilots for something bigger — though sometimes they grow.
They are valuable as they are.
How these projects begin
Most begin quietly. A conversation. A need noticed. Someone saying, “What if we tried…?”
Rather than asking “Is this scalable?” the first question is usually:
Is this helpful to someone right now?
From there, a small structure forms — just enough to hold the idea, the people involved, and the care required to do it well.
The role I play
My role in small projects varies. At times I:
- Walk alongside someone shaping an idea
- Help create a light structure or rhythm
- Offer reflection from lived experience
- Connect people or organisations where useful
- Document what’s happening so it can be learned from
I’m not the owner of most projects here.
Often, I’m simply present long enough for something to take shape.
What you’ll find here
On this page and in the posts linked below, you’ll find:
- Short reflections on projects as they unfold
- Notes on what worked — and what didn’t
- Observations about care, dignity, and participation
- Stories where small actions made a meaningful difference
These are not case studies in the traditional sense.
They are accounts of real work done at human scale.
Who this is for
This work tends to resonate with:
- Community practitioners and councils
- Churches and faith-based groups
- People exploring micro-enterprise or mutual aid
- Anyone curious about doing good work without burning out
If that’s you, you’re in the right place.
A gentle invitation
If you’re carrying an idea that feels too small to mention — or you’re curious about something already happening quietly in your community — you’re welcome to reach out.
Small projects don’t need certainty. They need attention, care, and enough room to begin.
Explore small projects below
- Small Project: Tip Shop Trolleys
- Small Project: $5 Bag Clothes
- Small Project: Starting a Rock Band (and Ending It Well)
- Small Project: Shoes That Fit
Discover more from Christiaan McCann | Risks and Solutions for the Vulnerable | Socialwork Projects in Hobart
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