initiative
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initiative
The first step or decisive action to get something going; the ability to act independently and without instructions.
Sie ergriff die Initiative und organisierte eine Spendenaktion.
She took the initiative and organized a fundraising campaign.
initiative
A group of people who work together for a specific social or political goal.
Eine Bürgerinitiative kämpft für den Erhalt des alten Parks.
A citizens' initiative is fighting to preserve the old park.
A very important and common expression is 'die Initiative ergreifen' (to take the initiative). It means that you are the first to act in order to change or start a situation.
Niemand wollte anfangen, also habe ich die Initiative ergriffen und das Gespräch begonnen.
Nobody wanted to start, so I took the initiative and began the conversation.
When 'Initiative' (initiative) refers to a group of people, it is often combined with verbs such as 'gründen' (to found), 'starten' (to start), or 'unterstützen' (to support). A common form is 'Bürgerinitiative' (citizens' initiative).
Anwohner haben eine Initiative zur Verkehrsberuhigung gegründet.
Residents have founded an initiative to calm traffic.
You can often recognize the two meanings from the verb. Verbs like 'ergreifen' (to take) or 'zeigen' (to show) point to an action. Verbs like 'gründen' (to found) or 'beitreten' (to join) point to an organization.
Er zeigt im Job leider wenig Initiative.
Unfortunately, he shows little initiative at work.
project
A project is a planned, organized undertaking with a specific goal and usually a fixed time frame. An Initiative emphasizes more strongly the coming together or commitment of people for a goal and does not need a fixed process or end date. Use Projekt for the implementation and Initiative for the joint effort.
Eine Initiative von Eltern setzt sich für einen grüneren Schulhof ein.
An initiative by parents is campaigning for a greener schoolyard.
Das Projekt zur Begrünung des Schulhofs soll bis zum Sommer fertig sein.
The project to add greenery to the schoolyard is supposed to be finished by summer.
