When I first started playing, villagers would suggest projects every day or two, but in the past 6 weeks or so, I've probably only had 3 suggestions in total..
i forgot where (it was somewhere on the forums) that if you go diving in the ocean for about 5 minutes and catch some stuff (or get stung), once you walk in front of a villager they'll want something from you. it worked for me?? they don't always suggest projects though.