CARE Malawi Program Shift: Impact Groups Impact Goals and Theories of Change Program Design Workshop CARE Malawi November 21 st 2008

CARE Malawi Program Shift: Impact Groups Components of Program Design (5)PROGRAM STRATEGY Coherent set of initiatives with clearly articulated strategies for achieving the outcomes With and by Whom E.g. Allies Strategic partners and other stakeholders, (3)SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS (1)IMPACT GROUP+ - (2)LONG-TERM IMPACT GOAL (4)THEORY OF CHANGE CAUSAL PATH OUTCOME Year 1 ASSUMPTIONS + RISKS (6)LEARNING AND IMPACT MEASUREMENT SYSTEM Year 15 Hypothesis “if Then” Hypothesis “if Then” -

CARE Malawi Program Shift: Impact Groups Theory of Change A set of hypotheses and critical assumptions that make up a causal pathway of change which is the basis of the program design. A set of hypotheses and critical assumptions that make up a causal pathway of change which is the basis of the program design. Hypotheses are ‘if-then’ statements between different levels of the change pathway. Hypotheses are ‘if-then’ statements between different levels of the change pathway.

CARE Malawi Program Shift: Impact Groups

Pathways of Change A path of change is a road map where we know the destination, but will have to experiment to find the way of getting there. The change pathway has to be hypothetical, because it is based on assumptions. The change pathway has to be hypothetical, because it is based on assumptions. It gives us a hypothetical answer to “what is the change we are working for and what needs to happen for the change to come about?” It gives us a hypothetical answer to “what is the change we are working for and what needs to happen for the change to come about?” The change can be in beliefs, behaviors, structures, or laws and policies. The change can be in beliefs, behaviors, structures, or laws and policies. It serves as a planning and reflection tool and should be regularly reviewed and adjusted (testing the assumptions, measuring breakthroughs and re-examining the pace of change). It serves as a planning and reflection tool and should be regularly reviewed and adjusted (testing the assumptions, measuring breakthroughs and re-examining the pace of change).

CARE Malawi Program Shift: Impact Groups Breakthrough A change that represents a leap forward or an advance on the pathway of change that is not easily reversed. A change that represents a leap forward or an advance on the pathway of change that is not easily reversed. In its most important form, it is a structural or systemic change. On a smaller scale, it can be something that happens for the first time. In its most important form, it is a structural or systemic change. On a smaller scale, it can be something that happens for the first time.

CARE Malawi Program Shift: Impact Groups Domains of Change Are areas in which change is essential to achieving an impact goal. Are areas in which change is essential to achieving an impact goal. A goal may have 2-4 domains of change A goal may have 2-4 domains of change A domain of change may be: A domain of change may be: a relationship between groups of people a relationship between groups of people behavior and/or structural change in a system behavior and/or structural change in a system Laws and policies related to a specific issue Laws and policies related to a specific issue