The System
According to Donella Meadows in Thinking in Systems: A Primer, a system is "a set of things—people, cells, molecules, or whatever—interconnected in such a way that they produce their own pattern of behavior over time." Systems depend on their observers—their perspectives and the boundaries they choose to draw around the system. So, systems can be seen everywhere: the human body, a supply chain, or even a societal problem.
The Change
According to Social Innovation Generation (SiG), systems change is an approach that focuses on "shifting the conditions that are holding the problem in place." And, according to the School of System Change, it is both an outcome and a process. The outcome is the emergence of the system behavior one wants—a change from one state to another. And it is the process of envisioning a new system behavior and re-designing the system toward realizing that vision. The design process involves multiple cycles of experimenting, learning, and adapting.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARING OUR STORIES AND CREATING A SHARED NARRATIVE
Narratives are the driving force behind systems change in philanthropy. Beyond simple stories, they serve as the force for transformation. This Tool therefore delves as well into the indispensable role funder’s journeys and narratives play in propelling systems change. Narratives inspire purposeful action, foster collaboration among stakeholders, amplify the impact of philanthropic efforts and catalyze paradigm shifts.
Now, we invite you to take the next step and become one of our testimonial funders. By sharing your success story, you can inspire others and join us in reshaping the philanthropic landscape. Your testimonial will offer visibility, impact, networking opportunities, and well-deserved recognition. To get started, simply write us a message here, and we'll provide the details on how to share your inspiring journey.