A theory of change explains how change happens, and how interventions can shape that change.
An effective theory of change helps to guide the development of evidence-based programme strategies, informs project monitoring and management, and provides a framework for evaluation and impact assessment.
Transformation needs more than evidence
At IIED we believe that achieving sustainable development requires tackling the structural barriers that lock people into poverty and environmental degradation.
IIED's theory of change
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APPROACHES
CHANGES
OUTCOMES
Our theory of change recognises that transformative outcomes cannot be achieved through evidence alone. They demand approaches that bring together diverse perspectives, forge alliances across sectors and scales, provide credible evidence and ideas, build bridges between local realities and global processes, and convene capabilities for collective action.
Through these approaches, we and our partners work to overcome systemic obstacles: destructive economic models that prioritise profit over people and planet; entrenched mindsets that perpetuate poverty and exclusion; unjust power dynamics that marginalise communities; and protectionist laws and rules that prevent fair participation in governance and decision-making.
By unblocking these barriers, IIED contributes to transformative change across the sustainable development spectrum, expressed in the six propositions in our manifesto.
Learning from impact
IIED uses a learning and impact framework (LIF) system to track and learn from how change happens.
Unlike traditional frameworks that focus narrowly on outputs, the LIF enables us to capture the richness, complexity and uncertainty of sustainable development.
This gives life to IIED’s theory of change. The framework tracks how our approaches unblock systemic barriers, and how this contributes to our six long-term propositions.
Just as importantly, it helps us adapt in real time, ensuring that our evidence, alliances and ideas translate into better outcomes for people and planet.
