D. Theory of change

The world around us is in a constant state of transformation which is why both individuals and organisations must be prepared for development and change. This is PMU InterLife’s theory on how this comes about, as well as the actual goals for change.

PMU InterLife’s Theory of Change

The definition of change and development:

Changing and developing involves leaving the familiar behind, and finding new ways of thinking about, or doing things that are better adapted to a changed world. Change may occur spontaneously if a good, new idea comes up, but also when the world around us forces us to change. But change can also be directed and well thought out too.

Main thesis:

• A changed world requires changes in individuals and organisations.
• Every individual has an inherent capacity to develop and learn what is meaningful to them.
• Every person is willing to change if the change is positive.
• Belief in people’s own capacity to change, a belief that God influences people to change in a positive manner, and is a necessary condition for being able to do the work needed to bring about change. This includes meeting both material and existential needs.

Accomplishment:

• Change occurs when people believe in their abilities and see that change is possible.
• A guided change process arises whenever people meet and interact, see the need for change, and then unite on a common plan for development.

PMU InterLife’s role is:

• to create conditions for people to acquire increased knowledge on both their own developmental possibilities, and the possibilities of influencing society and the world.
• to participate in designing creative environments in which people can interact, so that in the process of participating in a dialogue they can work on both their own living conditions and also conditions in society.

PMU InterLife’s vision is:

• that people shall establish restored relations with each other, and be able to live in harmony.
• that society and the world shall be fashioned according to God’s will, i.e. that peace, freedom, democracy and human rights shall exist for all, and that economic resources be fairly distributed.
• that all people shall live in harmony with nature and ensure that we hand over a healthy world in good condition to coming generations.

The Project Manual was written primarily for Swedish churches and local partners who are currently working with or would like to begin working with PMU.

The purpose of the manual is to facilitate the management of projects primarily financed by Sida or the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO). The manual is a steering document and provides advice on many different aspects of project management – from ideas for new projects to the presentation of project results.

It describes several types of project support in development cooperation and humanitarian work. The first section describes PMU’s value foundation and the attitude and approach that are to permeate all activities carried out with PMU support. Our relationships and the way in which we treat and describe others are important and impact to what degree we succeed in reaching our common goals.

PMU’s work methods are primarily based on an interactive learning process. We aim to be a learning organisation in which dialogue takes centre stage. This means using what we learn in discussions with our partners to constantly re-examine our actions and methods. We strive to understand how everything fits together in a process in which we are continuously influencing each other. Our Project Manual is therefore a fluid document that is updated on an ongoing basis. The rules and guidelines we currently apply are based on instructions from Sida and ECHO, as well as on our practical experience.