Theory of Change in Rwanda

HOW WE APPLY THE THEORY OF CHANGE IN RWANDA

Rwanda is a small country where the Theory of Change components of Innovation, Scale, Partnership and Voice can be applied and have an impact.

• Innovation – This is being demonstrated through the Education Signature Programme. Rwanda is a country ‘in a hurry’, as defined by the Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, and the Government is keen to take on and support ‘innovations’ – as long as they are properly backed-up by a strong evidence-base.
• Scale – Being a small country, results can be achieved at scale – with maximization of resources given the short distances.
• Partnership – The Government and the different Ministries are open to engage in partnership with development actors and to support their programmes. Civil society is still quite weak in Rwanda and there is the potential and obligation on our part to support and build their capacity. Our approach to the capacity building of Umuhuza, our Education Signature Programme partner, is an example of how partnership (led by a capacity building process, including organizational structure strengthening) can be achieved in Rwanda.
• Voice - In Rwanda, advocacy is done with the Government, not towards the Government, to ensure success. And it works. We are constantly engaged in sector working groups, participatory policy development processes, and Government level annual reviews. Agreements reached in these forums will support the success of projects and programmes.