https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/myevent?eid=130031747457

1. How do we navigate
uncertainty while trying to
shift the systems we work
in?
Corina Angheloiu & Louise Armstrong

2. Introducing Forum for the Future and the School of
System Change
Forum for the Future2
Forum for the Future (FftF) is a 23-year-old leading global sustainability non-profit.
From our offices in the UK, US, Singapore and India we are working to accelerate the big shift to a
sustainable future. We work with people, organisations (across foundations, civil society, business)
and initiatives to address complex environmental and social challenges. We focus on three key
strategies:
1) We innovate solutions through collaboration.
2) We develop and deliver transformational strategies for systems change.
3) We equip people to drive systemic change in practice.
We have nurtured the School of System Change to support and coach people and organisations to
deliver system change in practice. In the School we focus on making systems approaches applicable
in practice to drive the desired impact towards system-wide goals. Our approach is to help people and
organisations navigate the emerging field of systems change, to build capacity and to coach them in
order to find the appropriate tools and methods for them.

3. A bit about ourselves...

4. Purpose of today
Today we will…
...Share some reflections on our approach to systems change and the
forms of organising & governance supporting this
...Have a conversation about how to navigate uncertainty while seeking to
enable systemic shifts.

5. What is systems change?
5

6. Our systems are changing at all levels
6

7. Why a systems approach?
A systems approach can:
- Enable the development a better analysis of the challenge - systems
diagnosis [Understand]
- Support strategic decisions making
- by better understanding where the leverage to intervene is in the
systems and informing decisions [Decide]
- Support the design and approach to the interventions one might take
[Deliver]

8. System
diagnosis
Strategy design: Where
might leverage systemic
impact? What is the systems
change theory of change?
Interventions The approach taken to cultivate
and catalysing systemic change
LEARN
ADAPT
Objectives
Develop an understanding of
the elements, relationships,
actors and purpose of the
system (and the challenges)
Define
A process of catalysing
systems change
Understand
Decide
Deliver

10. 10
Where systems
change is most needed

11. Some of the projects, initiatives
and inquiries we have catalysed

15. Scotland’s Climate Assembly - Scenarios and future narratives

16. Exploring systems change tools & models through storytelling

17. Some lessons
and reflections
we’ve picked up
along the way...

18. How do we live the change - at all levels

19. How the world works...the importance of worldviews

20. Governance as a balancing act between soft and hard

21. Governance as a balancing act between implicit and explicit
forms and structures

22. Governance as a balancing act between visible and invisible

23. Mental
models
Relationships
& connections
Power
dynamics
Resource
flows
Practices
Form / way of
organsing

24. Over to you...
Based on what you’ve just heard and the moment in time we’re in -
What is alive for you, in your work now?
What is your intention for the year?
What one opportunity do you spot opening?

25. Find out more:
https://www.forumforthefuture.org/investors-in-change

26. Reports
● Systems change: A field building
convening (School of System
Change)
● Exploring the new world: Practical
insights for funding,
commissioning and managing in
complexity (Collaborate CIC)
● The Water of Systems Change
(FSG)
● Mapping Momentum: A snapshot
of the emerging field of systems
change (SIG, The Systems
Studio)
● Funding Systems Change:
Challenges and Opportunities
(SIX, SIG, Forum for the Future,
The Systems Studio)
● Building Ecosystems for Systems
Change (SIG, Oxfam)
Toolkits, guides, newsletters
● School of System Change
newsletter
● The Systems Studio newsletter
● Systemic Design toolkit
● Systems Grantmaking toolkit
● Systems Thinking workbook,
Smart CSOs
● A Systems Leaders Fieldbook,
Academy of System Change
● Omidyar Systems Workbook
Further capacity building
General intro and orientation
Acumen Systems Change
More specific and deep dive
● Systems sanctuary
● The School of System Change
Basecamp
Some resources on systems change...

27. Thank you!
Louise Armstrong
Inquiries Lead
l.armstrong@forumforthefuture.org
Corina Angheloiu
Principal Design Strategist
c.angheloiu@forumforthefuture.org