Theory of Change

Self-Study Certificate Course

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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 designed for professionals in relief, humanitarian, or development contexts who are involved in project planning, program design, monitoring, or evaluation. It’s ideal for:

  • Project planners and designers looking for a structured approach to connect activities with outcomes.
  • Monitoring and evaluation professionals seeking to enhance the clarity and impact of their work.
  • Teams aiming to adopt the Theory of Change (ToC) framework for better project and program alignment.

Course Process

This course offers a self-paced, practical learning experience, combining study materials, reflections, exercises, and end-of-module assessments to ensure effective results. Designed with real-world application in mind, the course encourages you to pause, reflect, and actively develop skills you can confidently apply to your own projects as you learn. Here's what you can expect:

  • Flexible self-study: Access practical downloadable video presentations, transcripts, handouts, exercises, and tasks, allowing you to learn and apply skills at your own pace.
  • Knowledge checks: Assessments at the end of each module test your understanding, reinforce learning, and help you reflect on key concepts.
  • Certification of professional achievement: Upon successful completion, earn a certificate that recognizes your skills, dedication to learning, and commitment to professional excellence.

See the full curriculum below.

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.

COURSE CURRICULUM


  INTRODUCTION TO THEORY OF CHANGE
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  THEORY OF CHANGE IN PRACTICE
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  ADDRESSING COMPLEXITY AND CONTEXT-SPECIFIC FACTORS IN THEORY OF CHANGE
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Instructor Profile


Neil Kendrick
Neil Kendrick

With over 25 years of expertise, Neil Kendrick, founder of ELD Training, specializes in Professional Writing, Reporting Skills, Proposal Writing, Results-Based Management, and Monitoring & Evaluation. Based in the UK, Neil has trained and coached humanitarian and development professionals from hundreds of organizations across more than 20 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.


How to Enroll

You can sign up immediately using secure credit card payment below. For individuals or organizations unable to pay by credit card or looking to enroll multiple participants, please contact us to discuss alternative payment options, including bank transfers or group enrollment packages.

Tiered Pricing

We understand that organizations in the humanitarian and development sector have varying financial capabilities. To ensure accessibility, we offer a two-tiered pricing system based on your budget. Simply choose the pricing tier that best suits your organization's needs. Both pricing tiers provide the same high-quality self-study experience—lifetime access to video sessions, downloadable resources, end-of-module assessments, and a certificate of completion—ensuring you receive full value regardless of the option you select.

Prefer a More Guided Approach?

If you prefer live interaction and personalized feedback, this course may also be available as a Coached Online Learning Program. View all scheduled programs here.

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