A theory of change can help guide campaigners, their teams and communities. A well-crafted theory of change helps align the available energy, keeping your team focused and clear-headed about the change you plan to make and how. To influence people and institutions to veer from the status quo or the path most frequently taken – such as deciding to reject a development application or to prioritize programs that put health, the environment and education first – we need to understand what makes them tick. Community campaigners often craft theories of change that rely heavily on awareness-raising. A theory of change created to explain how we’ll influence one or more political decisions this year is unlikely to provide a compelling explanation about how people who share our values and concerns will bring about a better world over decades or generations. The theory of change for a campaign we aim to win this year will be based on this year’s political realities and incorporate fine-grained information about what will influence specific decision-makers. Here’s an example: IF workers and community members refuse to provide labor and services for the construction of a new coal mine THEN the mine’s development will be slowed and costs will increase, possibly resulting in the mine not going ahead BECAUSE the company relies entirely on local labor and community resources.