Developing and applying a theory of change assessment

2019 ◽  
pp. 100-108
Author(s):  
Angela M. McIntyre
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Change Assessment

Articulating a strategic approach to face complexity in design projects

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca SIMEONE ◽  
David DRABBLE ◽  
Giorgia IACOPINI ◽  
Kirsten VAN DAM ◽  
Nicola MORELLI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complexity Theory ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Strategic Action ◽  
Community Initiatives ◽  
Uncertain Environment ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
Design Projects

In today’s world of global wicked problems, constraints and imperatives imposed by an external and uncertain environment render strategic action a quite complex endeavour. Since the 1990s, within community initiatives and philanthropic projects, the construct of Theory of Change has been used to address such complexity. Theory of Change can be defined as the systematic and cumulative study of the links between the activities, outcomes, and context of an intervention. The area of focus for this paper is to explore whether Theory of Change can support more strategic approaches in design. In particular, the paper examines how Theory of Change was applied to DESIGNSCAPES - a project oriented, among other things, toward offering a supporting service for all those city actors interested in using design to develop urban innovation initiatives that tackle complex issues of broad concern.

Useful Theory of Change Models

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Mayne
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Change Models

Educate! Developing a Theory of Change for “Changemakers”

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Kay Gugerty ◽  
Dean Karlan
Keyword(s):  
Change Process ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Program Design ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Youth Empowerment ◽  
Evaluation Plan ◽  
Final Theory

A theory of change can build consensus on a program’s vision and guide the development of a right-fit monitoring and evaluation system. This case examines how the Uganda-based youth empowerment NGO Educate! used the theory of change process to clearly define its intended impact and decide how to measure it. After analyzing the process Educate! used to develop its theory of change, readers will be able to discuss the value of gathering internal perspectives and conducting field research to develop a theory of change. Readers will also assess how successive iterations of the theory of change provide clarity on program design and objectives and determine whether the final theory of change is sufficient to design a monitoring and evaluation plan that adheres to CART principles.

scholarly journals Identifying pathways for large-scale implementation of a school-based mental health programme in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a theory-driven approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii112-ii123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olakunle Alonge ◽  
Anna Chiumento ◽  
Hesham M Hamoda ◽  
Eman Gaber ◽  
Zill-e- Huma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Programme Implementation ◽  
School Based ◽  
Mental Health Programme ◽  
Health Programme

Abstract Globally there is a substantial burden of mental health problems among children and adolescents. Task-shifting/task-sharing mental health services to non-specialists, e.g. teachers in school settings, provide a unique opportunity for the implementation of mental health interventions at scale in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is scant information to guide the large-scale implementation of school-based mental health programme in LMICs. This article describes pathways for large-scale implementation of a School Mental Health Program (SMHP) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). A collaborative learning group (CLG) comprising stakeholders involved in implementing the SMHP including policymakers, programme managers and researchers from EMR countries was established. Participants in the CLG applied the theory of change (ToC) methodology to identify sets of preconditions, assumptions and hypothesized pathways for improving the mental health outcomes of school-aged children in public schools through implementation of the SMHP. The proposed pathways were then validated through multiple regional and national ToC workshops held between January 2017 and September 2019, as the SMHP was being rolled out in three EMR countries: Egypt, Pakistan and Iran. Preconditions, strategies and programmatic/contextual adaptations that apply across these three countries were drawn from qualitative narrative summaries of programme implementation processes and facilitated discussions during biannual CLG meetings. The ToC for large-scale implementation of the SMHP in the EMR suggests that identifying national champions, formulating dedicated cross-sectoral (including the health and education sector) implementation teams, sustained policy advocacy and stakeholders engagement across multiple levels, and effective co-ordination among education and health systems especially at the local level are among the critical factors for large-scale programme implementation. The pathways described in this paper are useful for facilitating effective implementation of the SMHP at scale and provide a theory-based framework for evaluating the SMHP and similar programmes in the EMR and other LMICs.

scholarly journals A Review of the Community Health Club Literature Describing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1880
Author(s):  
Jason Rosenfeld ◽  
Ruth Berggren ◽  
Leah Frerichs
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Health Club ◽  
Qualitative Evidence ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene

The Community Health Club (CHC) model is a community-based health promotion program that utilizes water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) education as the first stage of a longitudinal development process. Although the CHC model has been implemented in fourteen countries over 20 years, this is the first review of the literature describing the model’s outcomes and impact. We conducted a review of the literature that provided quantitative or qualitative evidence of CHC interventions focused on WASH in low- and middle-income countries. We identified 25 articles that met our inclusion criteria. We found six major outcomes: WASH behaviors and knowledge, social capital, collective action, health, and cost or cost-effectiveness. The most consistent evidence was associated with WASH behaviors and knowledge, with significant effects on defecation practices, hand washing behaviors, and WASH knowledge. We also found qualitative evidence of impact on social capital and collective action. CHCs catalyze favorable changes in WASH behaviors and knowledge, yielding outcomes commensurate with other WASH promotion strategies. This review provides insights into the model’s theory of change, helping identify areas for further investigation. The CHC model’s holistic focus and emphasis on individual and collective change offer promising potential to address multiple health and development determinants.

scholarly journals Achieving Social and Ecological Outcomes in Collaborative Environmental Governance: Good Examples from Swedish Moose Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2329
Author(s):  
Sabrina Dressel ◽  
Annelie Sjölander-Lindqvist ◽  
Maria Johansson ◽  
Göran Ericsson ◽  
Camilla Sandström
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Collaborative Governance ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Ecological Context ◽  
Discretionary Power ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Resource Governance ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
The Social

Collaborative governance approaches have been suggested as strategies to handle wicked environmental problems. Evaluations have found promising examples of effective natural resource governance, but also highlighted the importance of social-ecological context and institutional design. The aim of this study was to identify factors that contribute to the achievement of social and ecological sustainability within Swedish moose (Alces alces) management. In 2012, a multi-level collaborative governance regime was implemented to decrease conflicts among stakeholders. We carried out semi-structured interviews with six ‘good examples’ (i.e., Moose Management Groups that showed positive social and ecological outcomes). We found that ‘good examples’ collectively identified existing knowledge gaps and management challenges and used their discretionary power to develop procedural arrangements that are adapted to the social-ecological context, their theory of change, and attributes of local actors. This contributed to the creation of bridging social capital and principled engagement across governance levels. Thus, our results indicate the existence of higher-order social learning as well as a positive feedback from within-level collaboration dynamics to between-level collaboration. Furthermore, our study illustrates the importance of institutional flexibility to utilize the existing knowledge across stakeholder groups and to allow for adaptations based on the social learning process.

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