Start Network Systems Change Guide

Start Network
  • Start Network
    Systems Change Guide
    This guide is an attempt to describe in more detail what this means in theory and practice.
    It sets out our early thinking on what we mean by systems change, and how we go about it.
    Offering some guidance, questions and tools to start using.
  • Start Network
    Approach to Systems Change
    Systems change is a collaborative endeavour, and we’d encourage
    you to work through this guide and the stages it within in as a group -
    ideally across teams, group or organisational boundaries.
  • Start Network
    Systems Change Toolkit
    This guide is an attempt to describe in more detail what this means in theory and practice.
    It sets out our early thinking on what we mean by systems change, and how we go about it.
    Offering some guidance, questions and tools to start using.

FOREWORD

Start Network was set up to be a disruptive force for change within the Humanitarian sector. The need for change, for alternatives, were clear then and remain so today. Changing the humanitarian system to one that is decentralised, decolonised and that places crisis-affected communities at its centre takes imagination, resources, commitment and influence. This is the hard work of systems change.

t’s work that requires people and organisations both within and adjacent to the system to make a commitment to seeing some of this change through - over longer periods of time that may outlast business planning, budgeting, leadership and political cycles.

EXPLORE FOREWORD

Our working definition of systems change at Start Network is:

“An intentional approach to tackle the entrenched, colonial systemic challenges of the humanitarian sector. A shift to create a new system that moves away from the old, centrally controlled humanitarian system to a new one that has distributed power and resources among local communities and includes shared control.” - Start Network

EXPLORE

UNDERSTANDING SYSTEM CHANGE

Influencing, changing or shifting even part of it is incredibly complex and takes consider able time and energy. However it can be rewarding work, and systems change practice gives people structure and tools to create meaningful change.

A lady explaining the importance of Systems Change
EXPLORE

OUR SYSTEM CHANGE APPROACH

The approach builds on the ‘Four Keys of Systems Change’, as well as other systems change best practice. You can read about why we have taken this approach here.

EXPLORE

COMPREHENSIVE TOOLKIT

The approach builds on the ‘Four Keys of Systems Change’, as well as other systems change best practice. You can read about why we have taken this approach here

EXPLORE

OUR ROLE IN ACHIEVING THE VISION

We are [Start Network] an active part of the humanitarian aid system. This is important to say upfront. If we really want to bring about systems change then we have to acknowledge that we are not a passive or neutral player

This means that we contribute to many of the challenges that exist within the sector, but also have the potential and a role to play in upporting the system to transform and change.

EXPLORE
Community members working to improve their agricultural produce