Program Theory of change and Impact Pathway - Last Update 2015

Abstract

A theory of change (ToC) describes how a research-in-development project or program induces expected outcomes and impacts by describing the causal interrelationships from the project/program’s activities to outputs, outcomes and impacts, based on the underlying science for understanding the nature of change in the target systems. The ToC of the CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems (Dryland Systems) takes valuable aspects of contemporary systems theories - ranging from classical General System Theory (GST) to recently Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) and Socio-ecological Systems (SES) theories - as the basis for understanding the nature of change in dryland agricultural livelihood systems (ALS). This new systems science knowledge together with a trans-disciplinary approach is designed to integrate interventions to leverage positive changes in human actors' systemic knowledge, skills and attitude, which are essential for the sustainable management of ALS.