Learning, Evaluation & Adaptation
Root Change works with partners to use data, dashboards, reflection, and real-time learning to understand what is changing, improve decisions, and adapt as work unfolds.
Helping groups learn, reflect, and adapt through lived experience and social interaction
We design learning experiences that help participants generate shared knowledge, interpret what matters, and apply insights to real-world priorities. By centering participants and honoring expertise gained through lived experience, our learning events create space for people to share practical knowledge, test ideas, and turn local insight into action.
Our learning-focused work spans both formal and informal settings and includes:
- Complexity-aware monitoring and evaluation, which utilizes participatory data collection methods, network health dashboards, feedback loops, findings briefs, strategy memos, and decision-support tools
- Adaptive learning loops, in the form of lean experiments, action research, and action learning
- Peer-to-peer support models, including learning partnering, peer mentoring, coaching, collaborative networking, and knowledge exchange
- Impact storytelling, turning data and insights into case studies, digital products, written stories, and compelling narratives
Stories & Insights
Trust Capital: What Two Years of Participatory Action Research Taught Us About Economic Development
Telling the Stories Behind Social Change
Beyond the Dots: A Conversation with the IAC Berlin Network
From the Community Power Studio: Knowledge Products in Practice
Learning, Evaluation & Adaptation in Practice
Real-time learning tools: Root Change serves as learning and impact partner to The Carter Center’s U.S. democracy programs, providing interactive dashboards, evaluation frameworks, strategy summits, coaching, and real-time feedback loops that strengthen decision-making and program effectiveness.
Adaptive learning loops: We provide action research tools and reflection spaces for 65 Fellows in 42 states, including nine Tribal Nations, two U.S. territories, and five multi-state collaborations to use action research to tackle community challenges under the Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) program. Through their initiatives, fellows are using targeted financial investments to create long-term systems change and economic development outcomes.
Complexity-aware evaluation: Root Change designs evaluations that help partners make sense of change in complex systems. For the past three years, we have conducted an annual evaluation for Listos California, combining statewide convenings, inclusive data collection, network mapping, collaborative sensemaking, and audience-ready products. This work helps community organizations and government agencies adapt and improve preparedness strategies for reaching California’s most vulnerable populations. Our evaluation and learning portfolio also includes work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, USAID, the World Bank, IFC, UNDP, the Packard Foundation, and the Aga Khan Foundation.
Peer-to-peer knowledge exchange: Root Change hosted a week-long Community Power Studio gathering, which connected community power organizations in the United States with grassroots movements around the world to exchange strategies, strengthen relationships, and learn from lived experience. Sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the initiative generated actionable insights, expanded peer networks, and helped community leaders adapt proven approaches for advancing health equity, civic participation, and community-led systems change.