Theories of Change

Virtual Trainings for Chemonics International

STS led the design and facilitation of two training courses to strengthen Chemonics International’s in-house capacity so that staff may successfully incorporate theory of change (TOC) methodology and models into project design, monitoring, and systematic learning.

Working with Chemonics’ Environment & Natural Resources Team, STS developed the curriculum and related materials for two virtual courses focused on developing TOC and utilizing the Miradi software.

Course 1: Beginner (10 sessions) met four goals:

1. Increased staff awareness of the evolution of TOC, how it evolved in the design of USAID programming, and how to approach TOC at the proposal stage.
2. Improved staff understanding of the basic mechanics of TOC, including situational analyses, development of causal pathways, results chains, and key assumptions.
3. Built staff capacity to apply TOC in project implementation, specifically as a foundation for adaptive management and learning; and
4. Provided a basic overview of the Miradi software.

Course 2: Intermediate (13 sessions) met three goals:

1. Built staff capacity to facilitate TOC sessions and assume leadership of training others in TOC in the future.
2. Provided an in-depth understanding of the evolution of TOC in the design of USAID programming and how to approach TOC at the proposal stage.
3. Provided practical working knowledge of developing a TOC at the proposal stage, including a situational analysis and results chains, use as a foundation for developing the proposal, and adoption in project implementation.

Dates: 2020 – 2021