Helping to create a 'Theory of Change'

Forest Community Energy recently had a great time at the Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership (FODCAP)’s recent Theory of Change Workshop at the wonderful Dean Heritage Centre — a full day of ideas, discussions, and planning for the future, with representatives from Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF), Forest of Dean District Council, FODCAP, Social Change Nest, and Forest Food Forum. Unfortunately, not all the contributing organisations involved in the work to get to this point were able to attend this particular session. The workshop was designed to help ensure FODCAP has the biggest impact it can in the coming months and years.

We kicked things off, at 10am, with a look at what has been learned so far through a survey, and stakeholder chats, which gave everyone a helpful starting point. From there, we worked together in small groups to sketch out some draft Theories of Change for FODCAP, bringing lots of perspectives into the mix.

After a working lunch in the Centre's cafe, the group dug into any tricky areas or differing views, then chatted about what should be prioritised and how quickly different pieces could move. We rounded things off with the usual steering group updates before finishing right on time at 4pm.

All in all, it was a really positive day — great conversations, plenty of shared thinking, and a real sense of working together to shape what comes next for the Forest of Dean, expertly facilitated & led by Anya Hyndside from Holding the Space. Thank you, Anya!