theory of change
A theory of change that made the impossible possible
Of all the hot campaign trends from the past few years, the one that’s probably most commonly implemented on new campaigns is the “theory of change”. A critical part of storytelling and engagement, having a credible one helps smart but cynical audiences decide whether...
Theory of change essentials online | November, January
This interactive online course prepares you to develop a quality theory of change for your programme or organisation which meets industry-recognised quality standards as well as donors’ requirements. Learn how to develop a theory of change by working through the...
Theory of Change Guidelines
A Theory of Change (ToC) approach helps in deepening your understanding – and that of your partners – of how you collectively think change happens and what the effect will be of your intervention. Not only does it show what political, social, economic,...
Theory of Change Online
Theory of Change Online (TOCO) is the only web-based software (no download required) that you can use to design and edit and store your Theory of Change, learn the concepts of theory of change, and capture your outcomes, indicators, rationales and assumptions in an...
Participatory Impact Pathways Analysis (Theories of Change)
People act on the basis of their understanding of how the world works – their ‘theories of action’. We do X because we believe, based on past experience or what we’ve read, that Y will happen. This applies to projects and programs as well. So it follows that if...
Developing a theory of change
A guide to developing a theory of change as a framework for inclusive dialogue, learning and accountability for social impact. The process of developing a theory of change is an exciting and often liberating process of interaction and discovery that helps...
Simple theory of change exercise
We use this exercise to jump start a group thinking about the changes they really hope to make, what will get them there, and most importantly, why. Sometimes it is helpful to start by drawing a vision for change for the top of the map, or the long-term goal (rather...
Knowledge tree
We have used the Knowledge Tree as a tool for doing a “learning review” or a systemization of what has been learned through for example past monitoring exercises, and more in-depth discussions with staff and community members. At the bottom of the tree are...
Road Journey: A community-friendly approach to Theory of Change thinking
This activity can take the shape of either a road, river, or even a chain of cenotes! We suggest inviting as diverse a group as possible, people from the community of course, but also community leaders, religious leaders, educators, other actors from NGOs and...
How Change Happens | Duncan Green
“Providing a theory of social change that is convincing is already a tall order, but Duncan Green sets himself an even higher bar. The book aims to be a practical field guide to social activism. More than that, it aspires to be a field guide not just for the...
This is an Uprising: How Nonviolent Revolt is Shaping the Twenty-First Century
There is a craft to uprising – and this craft can change the world. From protests around climate change and immigrant rights, to Occupy, the Arab Spring, and #BlackLivesMatter, a new generation is unleashing strategic nonviolent action to shape public debate and...
The Sierra Club Movement Organising Manual 2016
This manual is designed to aid your work as an organiser: building campaigns that enlist grassroots power to achieve outcomes that improve the world. Our objective is to lay out key ideas and practices that, in our experience, result in campaigns that succeed. This...
Conservation enterprise: lessons for corporate engagement
Does engaging with corporations compromise independence and integrity or reduce pressure on nature, and mobilise resources for conservation? Pepe Clark’s 2016 paper discusses key lessons for conservation leaders, including the need for conservation...
‘What leads to’ (map and share your theory of change)
whatleads.to makes working together to make real change simple. It lets you visualise your aims and how you’re going to achieve them really quickly. It’s derived from the idea of a Theory of Change, which is a process where you define what your ultimate...
Stopping the Australian Coal Export Boom
This campaign strategy received saturation media attention when it was leaked to the Australian media. It’s interesting to look at for several reasons. Its authors used ‘theory of change’ in a very practical way, building their tactics around a...
Shifting strategies to advance community level impact: Building movement
For service agencies that decide to take on advocacy and organizing tactics as part of their strategy for making their social change vision a reality, there’s sometimes a tendency to assume that hiring an organizer or creating an advocacy arm will suffice. But I’ve...
Pathways for change: 10 theories to inform advocacy and policy change
Sarah Stachowiak’s report lays out 10 theories grounded in diverse disciplines and worldviews that have relevance to the world of advocacy and policy change. These theories can help to untangle beliefs and assumptions about the inner workings of the policy...
Organizing Toolbox: New Organizing Institute
Welcome! Whether you’re here to develop your own skills or to put a training together for others you’ll find videos, templates and resources for your organizing, campaigning and training work. These materials have been developed and refined by organizers...