Critical Analysis of Theories of Change in International Development

This paper provides an analysis of how "Theories of Change" are used in the day-to-day practice of an international development organisation, The Asia Foundation. They use the approach in three ways:

-to communicate

- to learn

- to be held accountable.

Programme staff often found developing a Theory of Change is a helpful process since it provided a greater freedom to explain and analyse programme interventions. However, it could also result in top-down accounts of change which spoke more to donor interests than to the ground realities of people affected by these interventions. While a Theory of Change approach can create space for critical reflection, this requires a solid and broad commitment from individuals, organisations, and the development sector itself.