Check out the module offerings

About the module structure

About the facilitators and contributors

How to join

FAQs about the modules

The need for systems change

Funders across sectors play a catalytic role to deploy resources nimbly and sustainably in a fast-changing world.

The Investors for Change learning modules equip strategic decision-makers in philanthropic, impact investing and public sector organisations with the capabilities to work on systems change initiatives; enabling them to navigate and address complex challenges, reduce risk, accelerate learning across teams and networks, and drive innovation and impact.

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Module structure

What it is

Our modular learning helps you navigate the rapidly changing field of systems change and adopt the practices that best fit the pace of your work and team. Each module introduces multiple frameworks and methodologies, with the support of experienced system change practitioners.

• Online learning modules running at different times of the year in different timezones
• A unique opportunity to cultivate connections globally with other investors in change and practitioners from the Americas, Europe, and Africa
• An introduction to a diversity of conceptual system change frameworks and tools coming from different worldviews
• A chance to engage in pioneering systems practice while developing your own learning journey and approach fitting to your organisation

Who it is for

People in strategic decision-making roles within their teams and organisations wanting to invest in systemic change (funders, philanthropy, impact investors, public sector)

• You want to champion for new approaches, funding models and mindsets within your organisation;
• You want to experiment with new ways of working and want to take strategy up a level
• You are seeking practical ideas, questions, frameworks and tools to help you and others work differently
• You want to learn from peers including experienced practitioners across the foundation /investment space

Learning objectives

Module details

Each five-week module is structured with kickoff and closing weeks and three weeks of peer learning group calls and coaching support in between, with the following:

• Facilitated online sessions for the full cohort and smaller groups via video calls, approximately a total of 19 hours of instruction time
• Group coaching in practice, with feedback and support from an experienced facilitator to support your growth as a systems change practitioner
• A tailored online learning environment and set of learning resources
• Readings, exercises and reflection to be completed in your own time 

How each module is structured:

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Facilitators & contributors

	ABDUL DUBE Facilitator/graphic recorder, Visual Confidence Abdul Dube is the co-founder of Visual Confidence, where two visual worlds come together to share our love and energy around drawing for insight. Abdul has been based in Denmark - Aarhus, making this the centre of his visual world. For the past 10 years Abdul has been actively learning and teaching the communicative practice called visual recording and facilitation.
	LAURA WINN Head of School of System Change Laura is head of the School of System Change at Forum for the Future. She works to develop the School as a networked organisation that supports change-makers from diverse backgrounds and contexts, providing them with new capabilities to tackle an increasingly complex set of sustainability challenges. Laura's own practice stems from living systems and regenerative approaches, learnt and applied across multiple small-scale and large-scale projects.
	LOUISE ARMSTRONG Systems Change Facilitator & Coach Louise Armstrong is freelancer enabling and supporting those committed to living change. Over the last decade she has lead, facilitated and coached a variety of collaborate endeavours with system shifting ambitions at Forum for the Future including the Sustainable Shipping Initiative, Civil Society Futures, Boundless Roots Inquiry. Her recent work has been focused on transformative governance and as a learning and practice partner for trusts, foundations and collaborative funding initiatives wanting to experiment and apply more systemic approaches to their work. She plays multiple roles in the work she does, navigating, designing, facilitating and coaching.
	RODRIGO BAUTISTA Principal, Forum for the Future Rodrigo is an award-winning multidisciplinary-designer from ICSID and AIGA and founder of 21st Century Design and Engage by Design. He is Principal at Forum for the Future and advisor for the sustainability startup Made of Air. His work has covered different sectors, including urban and mobility issues, technology for impact, sustainable materials, education and entrepreneurial ecosystems.

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How to join

The School of System Change does not have an upcoming module for Investors in Change. Stay tuned for more information!

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Investors in Change FAQs

Can I join the later modules? 

Yes, those interested in Module 2 and Module can enroll if they choose, though we expect participants in later modules to have some background in systems change including systems diagnosis concepts and frameworks.

I am balancing my professional role in addition to participating in this module. What is the time commitment expected of participants? 

Each five week module has approximately 19 hours of instruction time with more time allocated during the first week. We try to schedule coaching sessions in Week 2 to 4 to accommodate the availability of those in the small groups and the coaches. Refer to the module structure above.

We ask enrolled participants to block off the half sessions early in their work schedules to have dedicated time to the sessions. 

What times are the sessions? 

Modules are offered at different times of the year and accommodated to different time zones. Kindly note which module session you would like to enroll in as well as your working timezone on your enrollment form, so our module team can onboard you to your preferred session. 

If a module is currently not offered in your time zone, you are welcome to express your interest here and stay connected with upcoming module announcements. 

I am interested in having my organization join this learning offering? How can I make that happen? 

If you are interested in having two or more colleagues from your organization join, please reach out to [email protected] to get in touch with the module  team.

I am interested in signing up for all three modules. How can I do that? 

If you are interested in joining all three modules, please indicate on your enrollment form submission, and the module team will reach out to process your enrollment.

I am not sure if this learning offering is right for me/my organization. Who can I reach out to ask more questions?

Please reach out to [email protected] to share more about where you are in your learning journey with the module team.

If you do not see your question listed, please reach out to [email protected] 

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Co-initiating partners

School of System Change

Forum for the Future, a leading sustainability non-profit, established the School of System Change in 2017. As both capacity-builder and field-convener, the School accelerates change agents’ journeys to gain necessary skills to realize a more just and sustainable future. The School:

• Inspires change agents and provide them with the capabilities to lead system change initiatives;
• Equips practitioners across NGOs, social enterprises, businesses,  governments and more - to navigate and address complex challenges; and
• Produces a wide array of learning experiences, tools and case studies, and amplifies others’ work in a global field of system change practice.

Ashoka

Ashoka is the largest network of social entrepreneurs worldwide, with more than 3,200 Ashoka Fellows in 83 countries putting their system changing ideas into practice on a global scale. Founded by Bill Drayton in 1980, Ashoka has provided financial support, professional pro-bono partnerships, connections to a global network of peers, and a platform for people dedicated to changing the world. Ashoka launched the field of social entrepreneurship and has influenced key global players across sectors to recognize and nurture the potential of entrepreneurial talent to solve social problems. Working across its network of leading social entrepreneurs and strategic partners, Ashoka has been able to spot key patterns and trends, and therefore enable collective entrepreneurship around emerging frontiers: empathy, new leadership, team-of-of teams work, and changemaking. With Ashoka Fellows at the center, Ashoka is enabling an “Everyone a Changemaker” world in which everyone sees their own potential to see a problem, develop a solution, and put the idea into action.

Catalyst 2030

Catalyst 2030 is a global collaborative multi-stakeholder movement initiated by leading social entrepreneurs from Ashoka, Echoing Green, Schwab, Skoll and others from some of the most prestigious global networks of social innovators. The group is inclusive and rapidly expanding to include governments, funders, bilaterals, multilaterals, and other intermediaries from across the globe.

Catalyst 2030 members have come together to accelerate progress towards the SDGs by radically transforming the social sector to adopt systems change approaches and by propelling systems change at a country level. Together, the aim is to drive a significant dent in the climate crisis, the reduction of poverty and to leave a lasting and positive impact on the lives of many millions of people.

Lankelly Chase

Lankelly Chase is an independent foundation working in partnership with people across the UK to change the systems that perpetuate severe and multiple disadvantage. Originally formed in 1962, Lankelly Chase’s work is now focused on creating an environment where people have the skills, motivation and freedom to help create a system that effectively responds to the interlocking nature of severe disadvantages, such as homelessness, drug misuse, violence and abuse, extreme poverty and mental ill health. Lankelly Chase is driven by a belief that people are resourceful and have strengths, and that collectively we can find solutions and create a fairer society where we are all able to thrive.