theory-of-change_a-guide-for-small-and-diaspora-ngos-1

Theory-of-change_A-Guide-for-Small-and-Diaspora-NGOs-1

So many people in the development world are talking about ‘Theory of Change’ but many are confused as to what it really means. This guide, written for small and diaspora organisations as part of the Common Ground Initiative Peer Learning Programme, therefore aims to demystify theory of change and highlights a few useful resources for further exploration.
What is “Theory of Change”? Where has Theory of Change come from? The aim of the guide is to help address these questions and highlights a few useful resources. It includes the following: it clarifies what Theory of Change is and how it fits with the logframe. Part 3 shares some benefits and challenges of using it and who has found it helpful. Part 4 suggests how to encourage southern partners to reflect on and/or develop their own Theory of Change. Part 5 provides some practical ideas about how to go about a Theory of Change process (including participatory ranking and analysis tools that have been helpful) and how it can support strategic planning and monitoring, learning and evaluation. The final section or Part 6 draws out what makes a good Theory of Change process.

This guide, written for small and diaspora organisations as part of the Common Ground Initiative Peer Learning Programme, aims to demystify theory of change and highlights a few useful resources for further exploration.

Theory of Change: A guide for small and diaspora NGOs

<div>Logic Models are a popular tool that can be used to help conceptualize your change effort. This site by the University of Wisconsin presents a variety of resources on logic models, including handouts, slides, and other resources for facilitators to use in helping individuals and groups create and use logic models.</div>

Logic Models are a popular tool that can be used to help conceptualize your change effort. This site by the University of Wisconsin presents a variety of resources on logic models.

University of Wisconsin on Logic models

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ONTRAC-51

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The document is divided into parts. It highlighlights on different experiences from different contributors
The first section by Maureen Flynn first provides an overview of Theories of Change – what they are; how and why they were developed; how they relate to other methods of assessing impact; and how they can support effective 
development. The articles that follow then address experiences and applications of Theories of Change across differing contexts.
James Treasure-Evans outlines the development of Concern Universal’s Theory of Change, and the challenges and benefits that they found during the process.
Duncan Green provides an alternative approach to developing a theory of social change, describing how an Oxfam programme in Tanzania took on an evolutionary acceleration approach to its work on accountability. Finally, Isabel Vogel reports on the interesting results of a DFID commissioned review of people’s experience with Theory of Change.

This document contains contributions by different authors. It provides an overview of Theory of Change - what they are, how and why they are developed.