Theory of Change

Theory of Change

Theory of Change (ToC) is a framework for planning, implementing, and evaluating social change initiatives, including those in relief, humanitarian, and development projects. It provides a detailed road-map outlining the steps and conditions required to achieve desired outcomes. Theory of Change enhances project planning and execution, ensuring that initiatives are impactful, sustainable, and aligned with community needs.

Through a Theory of Change, projects can:

• Achieve Clarity and Focus: By articulating the causal pathways between activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact, projects ensure alignment of efforts with the intended change.
• Improve Planning and Design: Using a structured framework to design projects, identifying assumptions, risks, and dependencies leads to more robust strategies and better allocation of resources to achieve desired outcomes.
• Enhance Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: Clear links between actions and results make it easier to track progress and measure success. Projects can also capture lessons about what works, what doesn’t, and why, to improve future interventions.

Gain the expertise to:

• Design Impactful Interventions: Learn how to create clear, actionable pathways to achieve desired outcomes. Build your ability to align projects with community needs and stakeholder priorities.
• Master ToC Methodology: Apply the Theory of Change framework to map causal pathways, test assumptions, and create a solid foundation for project planning and evaluation.
• Navigate Complexity: Develop strategies to address context-specific challenges, incorporate participatory approaches, and ensure flexibility in your project designs.
• Enhance Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: Strengthen your capacity to link activities, outputs, and outcomes, and integrate monitoring and evaluation for continuous learning and improvement.

Who should attend?

This training is for anyone in working in relief, humanitarian or development contexts who plays a role in project planning or program design, planning, monitoring, and evaluation. You will learn a step-by-step process for Theory of Change (ToC) that will help you clearly map out how your project or program activities lead to desired outcomes and impacts.

Course Process

This course is designed to provide a practical learning experience, combining coached live sessions, self-paced study, and personalized post-training feedback to ensure actionable results. With a focus on real-world applications, the program supports you every step of the way, from learning essential tools to refining your skills. Here's what you can expect:

• Live sessions: Engage in five interactive weekly live online sessions (recorded for future reference). Led by expert instructor Neil Kendrick, these small-group live sessions provide a unique opportunity for real-time discussions, targeted coaching, and practical problem-solving—ensuring you can immediately apply what you’ve learned to real-world challenges.
• Flexible self-study: Access practical downloadable video presentations, transcripts, handouts, exercises, and tasks, allowing you to learn and apply skills at your own pace between live sessions.
• Knowledge checks: Assessments at the end of each module test your understanding, reinforce learning, and help you reflect on key concepts.
• Discussion spaces: Share insights, ask questions, and engage with other participants in discussion sections designed to enrich your learning experience and shape the focus of live sessions.
• Post-training personalized feedback: Submit an assignment to receive detailed, tailored feedback designed to help you refine your skills and apply what you’ve learned effectively.
• Certification of professional achievement: Upon successful completion, earn a certificate that recognizes your skills, dedication to learning, and commitment to professional excellence.

Meeting Schedule

Each Friday for 5 weeks, from 10:00 to 11:30 UTC.
Starts 7 February 2025.

You can check current UTC time here.

See the full curriculum below.

A maximum of 8 participants will be accepted for this training.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss whether this course is suitable for you or your team, feel free to email or chat with us.