First, describe your path for change:
4 September 2023
Before you start to tell or even collect stories, it’s useful to connect what you are trying to accomplish with whom best can help you accomplish that goal.
Are you trying to help a donor make a stronger case for investment in ending child labour?
Are you trying to get a ministry to increase its investments in enforcement?
Are you trying to get someone to adopt a new habit or policy or stop an existing one that can help create an environment more amendable to your goals?
It’s helpful to have your path for change in mind at the outset of this process to guide the kinds of stories that are most useful to helping others find hope and agency, and see their own roles in addressing the problem. If we are asking folks to invest time and attention in what we care about, we have an obligation to ensure what we are sharing with them is worth their time and we can demonstrate how their act contributes.
The ILO has utilized a theory of change application for many of its projects. Some of what you are trying to do may have already been answered in this process and you should review the work that has already been completed. Focusing on actionable parts of the theory of change is useful when establishing your story goals and may even require further refinement to break down to even further granularity of the actors required to accomplish your goals.
This is your opportunity to pick a smaller segment of your greater theory of change to focus your energy on for this story. What do we want to have happen now as a result of engaging with this story?
This is a deceptively complex question. Projects and environments are extremely nuanced and the conversations on answering this query may take time or multiple revisions. This is important because if you, the experts, can’t say why you’re are asking for people’s attention with your story, they will not know how to help you accomplish your goals.
Are you trying to help a donor make a stronger case for investment in ending child labour?
Are you trying to get a ministry to increase its investments in enforcement?
Are you trying to get someone to adopt a new habit or policy or stop an existing one that can help create an environment more amendable to your goals?
It’s helpful to have your path for change in mind at the outset of this process to guide the kinds of stories that are most useful to helping others find hope and agency, and see their own roles in addressing the problem. If we are asking folks to invest time and attention in what we care about, we have an obligation to ensure what we are sharing with them is worth their time and we can demonstrate how their act contributes.
The ILO has utilized a theory of change application for many of its projects. Some of what you are trying to do may have already been answered in this process and you should review the work that has already been completed. Focusing on actionable parts of the theory of change is useful when establishing your story goals and may even require further refinement to break down to even further granularity of the actors required to accomplish your goals.
This is your opportunity to pick a smaller segment of your greater theory of change to focus your energy on for this story. What do we want to have happen now as a result of engaging with this story?
This is a deceptively complex question. Projects and environments are extremely nuanced and the conversations on answering this query may take time or multiple revisions. This is important because if you, the experts, can’t say why you’re are asking for people’s attention with your story, they will not know how to help you accomplish your goals.
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