# Think about the future

Help participants brainstorm ways to sustain proposed solutions or stay engaged in community problem-solving into the future. Scope-a-thon conveners should thank community partners for sharing their challenges and opening their data to event participants.&#x20;

It's important to note that partners should feel as if they are walking away with valuable insights if not clear, implementable project ideas.&#x20;

![Civic Scope-a-thon, October 2017](https://1060224550-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LT-3LNTAsA_rjnEu_Uq%2F-LT0nYoDhsIuSr7q0UIH%2F-LT1-KvC9GeZHRX9ZvK2%2F20171007_115406.jpg?alt=media\&token=69194a9d-4bc9-45d9-aa56-303e0558fcb2)

Conveners should also consider whether they have funding or other resources to offer community partners to ensure that project plans resulting from the scope-a-thon at least have some runway to take off. For city governments hosting scope-a-thons, hosts should consider allocating public space or department funding to helping community organizations leverage open data and local technologists to carry out winning project ideas.&#x20;