In this document, we lay out the concept of collaborative systems change—what it takes to mobilize diverse, disparate actors to imagine and create long-term, sustainable, positive change. The concept of collaborative systems change is derived from the experience of Child & Youth Finance (CYFI), an organization working globally to ensure full economic citizenship for children and youth. Since 2010, CYFI has mobilized a network of 23,700 organizations across 137 countries to empower 24.4 million children. The aim of sharing this experience is to encourage and stimulate the adoption of collaborative systems change methods in social change efforts across sectors and geographies.
This report is developed for social change practitioners who are seeking to understand collaborative systems change, and considering it as an approach for their work. It is also written for funders who are considering funding systems change approaches, and would like to understand the concept to guide their funding decisions.
