Systems Change
Our Point of View
What is Systems Change?
For us, systems change means realigning the underlying policies, relationships, functions, incentives, and motivations to higher, outcome-focused, and more inclusive equilibrium; such that millions of people, and in particular historically disadvantaged constituencies, experience meaningful and sustained improvement in their lives.
Guidance
Grant Agreement: Co-Impact Grant Agreement Template
Round 3 Prospectus Guidance: Guidelines for Design Grant Priorities and Systems Change Prospectus [May 2021]
Suggested "roadmap" for Design Grant thinking, analyses, partnership-building, and organizational engagement.
Illustrative Examples
Program Partner Prospectuses:
One Acre Fund & Landesa Prospectus [June 2021]
Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator Prospectus [June 2021]
Video: Systems Change with Andrew Youn (One Acre Fund) - What it means to apply a systems change lens [July 2021]
External Resources
K4D | Guide | Systems Thinking and Practice: A guide to concepts, principles and tools for FCDO and partners byJim Woodhill, Juliet Millican [February 2023]
The guide offers a common language and shared framing of systems thinking for FCDO and its partners. It explores what this implies for working practices, business processes and leadership. It also offers links to additional resources and tools on systems thinking.
The Donella Meadows Project Academy for Systems Change | Repository | Must-Reads
This reading list compilation of Donella Meadows' most foundational works helps communicate difficult systems thinking concepts in understandable and exciting ways to develop system thinking skills.
SSRI | Article | Preventing System ‘Snap Back’ by John Kania [June 2021]
Because systems naturally resist change, systems thinkers must learn to build change with resilience.
Doughnut Economics Action Lab | Guide | About Doughnut Economics [September 2020]
Explores the economic thinking needed to bring humanity into the Doughnut, drawing together insights from diverse economic perspectives in a way that everyone can understand.
Doughnut Economics Action Lab | Repository | Tools & Stories
How-to guides for others to use and adapt, and examples of Doughnut Economics in action
Springfield Centre | Paper | A Pragmatic Approach To Assessing System Change [May 2020]
This paper presents guidance on a back-to-basics approach to assessing system change.
Center for International Development, Harvard University | Toolkit | Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) Toolkit: A DIY Approach to Solving Complex Problems [October 2018]
PDIA is a step-by-step approach which helps break down problems into its root causes, identify entry points, search for possible solutions, take action, reflect upon what you have learned, adapt and then act again. It is a dynamic process with tight feedback loops that allows you to build your own solution to your problem that fits your local context.
Market Systems ResourcesFSG & The Rockefeller Foundation | Guide | Shaping Inclusive Markets: How Funders and Intermediaries can Help Markets Move toward Greater Economic Inclusion [July 2017]
In this paper, other funders and partners share thinking of shaping markets.
Beam Exchange | Repository | Market Systems Development
This portal provides resources on the why and how of making markets work better for those living in poverty by growing incomes, services and livelihoods. A key resource is The Springfield Centre, The Operational Guide for the Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) Approach, 2nd edition [August 2015]
The Springfield Centre | Guide | The Operational Guide for the Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) Approach, 2nd edition funded by SDC & DFID [August 2015]
The Guide aims to provide an accessible operational resource to help practitioners put the market systems development approach into practice. It explains the key principles and frameworks which guide the process of effective intervention in – and development of – market systems, addressing common challenges with examples of good practice based on practitioner experience
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