Topic 2 Continue carrying the light in the longtime
- We propose the use of Theory of Chang as a tool for strategic thinking about the most effective way to create impact in society through the PROSECUW Hub.
- Hubs seek to make a positive impact on the communities they serve. To do this, it is vital to clarify the impact you want to create through your hub activities and who will benefit.
- You must plan the change you want to make, create the conditions for success, and gather evidence to demonstrate that you have achieved your goal.
Theory of Change is a structured approach to map out the steps you need to take to meet the challenge you have identified. It promotes a long-term view and covers the various levels of impact you want to make. Use it to test your idea, review your situation, or plan ahead.
Impact planning helps connect your proposed activities to the communities you want to serve and the ultimate change you want to bring about.
Having a clear idea of your intended impact and how you plan to do it can help keep you focused and on track. This can ensure that your hub members understand the broader goal, their role in achieving it and how to give a more effective contribution.
Theory of Change
What is the problem you are trying to address or needing to resolve?
For whom is it a problem? And who else cares?
What action can you take to initiate change?
In the long term, what will happen as a result of your actions?
How will you show that your actions have achieved the desired impact?
A theory of change is a map, a diagram or written description of how the activities you take part in will create the change you want to see in the world, and ultimately deliver on your long-term goals. It works through the inputs you need (from funding, human resources and equipment) and what main activities you need to do in order to achieve the completed products or services, which your charity provides. Crucially, however, it then maps out the journey your beneficiary needs to go on to see that change becoming a reality in the world. This journey occurs through step-by-step changes (known as intermediate outcomes) to achieve the ultimately impact or long-term goal.
Source: Analytics in Action
Impact Evaluation
- Demonstrating the effectiveness of the impact of the PROSECUW Hub can be challenging, but it is essential to demonstrate the value of your hub and its initiatives.
- Your community, partners, and all stakeholders in general will be interested in the impact of your hub. It is also great for motivating you and your team to recognise the difference you are making!
You should decide what data to collect → quantitative data showing facts and figures, qualitative data to deepen your understanding of the influence of your hub, or probably a combination of both.
Hubs often create spillover effects → generating additional collaborations between hub members.
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It is important to recognise these indirect benefits as well!
- What evidence will be gathered? What are the impact measures you need to capture to see that the change is happening?
- Where are you starting from? What data is available to show this? Having a baseline allows you to show that the change has occurred.
- What people or documents can give you the information you need? What data already exists?
- What tools and methods will you use to measure your impact? What is the best way to involve your beneficiaries? What can you automate?
- How often and at which points do you collect data to understand the impact of your activities?
For more information on the impact assessment tool: https://www.sopact.com/social-impact-assessment
