Theory of change for a Circular economy start up: from a challenge to a solution

Hands-on Impact helped several purpose driven startups to elaborate their theory of change, bringing a strategic vision to help solving global challenges. 

What is a Theory of change?

The theory of change is a collaborative project between the organization and Hands-on Impact in which, from the information shared by its founders and some other leaders, we can highlight 5 fields: the inputs who refer to some assets (software, human resources, etc..) used to develop the organization’s core activities; the outputs, these results from the activities who generate a measurable short term contribution to the pursued issue; the outcomes, the mid term results from the activities contributing to reaching the impact goal; and finally its impact, which is the purpose goal of the organization and guiding all activities. 

The theory of change is a fundamental pillar to evaluate impact.

Concretely, Hands-on Impact partnered with a start up specialized in circular economy, whose desired impact is to reduce construction waste going to landfill. During the project, were found as inputs its material guide and its software tool that helps guaranteeing waste traceability; as outputs, their customers cost and time saving, the legal compliance and obtention of two labels “value” and “recycle”, which promotes new processes in the industry in the long term. As outcomes, this will allow them to avoid landfill and energy recovery, to improve different material recycling processes and longer term, they will reduce raw material extraction. Lastly, their impact is defined as construction waste reduction, while at the same time, gives them a second life and promotes greater awareness