Theory of Change is essentially a comprehensive description and illustration of how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context.
This tool or this can help you visualize your work on this important foundation for your activities.
Here are 9 steps with proven methodologies on how to craft a successful social movement strategy:
1 Start peaceful
Here’s the evidence that it’s more successful!
Greta – no rules 
study – 3.5% 
study – peace wins 
198 Forms of Civil Disobedience
2 Understand your environment
Societal Forms 
The TIMN Era
3 Think big – create a societal tipping point
Find out about the science here. And read about climate solutions.
Societal Tipping Points 
Societal Tipping Points
4 Find your pillar of focus
pillars of power 
pillars of power – process 
pillars of power – strategy
5 Create an Influence Map
and re-frame the conversation based on the values
of your audiences and be mindful of polarization.
Influence Map – Shift 
overton window – shifting norms 
polarization – green new deal 
adoption curve
6 Do a Social Landscape Analysis
7 Create SMART goals & plan ahead
…but stay agile
SMART Goals 
OKR – Objective – Key Results 
plan of action
8 Be in it for the long game
Find out more here.
cycle of support 
agenda setting 
civil rights movement progress
A very good Step-by-Step Guide to Direct Action. What It Is, What It’s Good for, How It Works.
9 Move your activists up the Engagement Pyramid
Engagement Pyramid
The DIY Theory of Change Toolkit & Training has been especially designed for development practitioners to invent, adopt or adapt ideas that can deliver better results.
Here’s another video taking you through an example Exercise (topic: HIV) and here the template:
Bonus: good Sunrise Movememts post to a 4 step plan to build up local activism/power
The Commons Social Change Library is an online collection of educational resources on campaign strategy, community organising, digital campaigning, communications and media, working effectively in groups, fundraising, diversity and inclusion and much more.
First they ignore you,
Mahatma Gandhi
then they laugh at you,
then they fight you,
then you win.
