manual for social impact assessment of land-based ... - Forest Trends

TOOLBOX AREA 1: SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORKS
T2 Causal Model of Theory of Change Approach
T2.1 Introduction
The causal model or theory of change approach was introduced in SIA Stage 3 of Part One of the
Manual. Here we present three specific causal model or theory of change methodologies with
potential for use by land-based carbon projects with some adaptation. Project developers could
choose one of these as a model or template, or they may decide on a hybrid model combining
elements of several of the models. The three methodologies selected for more detailed presentation
are:
• The 'Open Standards' approach developed by the Conservation Measures Partnership
• The 'Review of Outcomes to Impacts' (ROtI) approach developed by the Conservation
Development Centre for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Evaluation Office
• 'Participatory Impact Pathways Analysis' (PIPA) developed by the Institutional Learning and
Change Initiative (ILAC) and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
The Open Standards approach is a comprehensive and holistic approach to project design,
monitoring and evaluation, so is of most value when used at the design stage (although all the
variants should ideally be used at the design stage). The Review of Outcomes to Impact (ROtI)
approach could be used as a more ‘stand alone’ approach to SIA if the project design process was
robust. On the other hand it is mainly designed for ex-post evaluation so would need to be adapted
for the validation stage assessment. Participatory Impact Pathways Analysis (PIPA) may be more
appropriate for situations in which stakeholder relationships are complex. All three approaches
require some training and/or an experienced facilitator for at least part of the process.
T2.2 The ‘Open Standards’ Approach
The ‘Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation’ have been developed by the mutliinstitutional
Conservation Measures Partnership (2007) 2
. They are backed up by the Miradi software
package ( www.miradi.org ) developed specifically for project developers or managers. The Open
Standards methodology views the ‘conceptual model’ as an integral component of project design,
and more broadly of project cycle management. It is therefore presented as a complete project cycle
management package consisting of five main ‘Stages’ as shown in Figure T1. Since the Open
Standards methodology is broader than impact assessment, only the most relevant steps for SIA are
more fully described.
2 This includes The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Wildlife Fund
(WWF) and Foundations for Success (FOS). The Open Standards are also based on a long-term study of good
principles for project cycle management, including results of the ‘Measuring Conservation Impact Initiative’
which drew on M&E experience in seven fields – conservation, public health, family planning, international
development, social services, education, and business. There is also a CMP Audit Protocol for certifying
organizations for their adherence to the ‘Open Standards’.
Social Impact Assessment of Land-Based Carbon Projects (1.0) – Part II | 3