W H A T   I S   A N   I M P A C T   N A R R A T I V E    ?

It is a narrative description of the project’s impact pathways. We have found that the discipline in writing an explanation of causal mechanisms and influence strategies helps surface further assumptions and improves clarity and understanding of the project’s impact pathways. The main approach we use is for us, the PIPA facilitators, to redraw the network maps produced in the workshop using social network analysis software (e.g.: UCINET/NetDraw) relationship by relationship and then ask the participants to explain what needs to happen for the changes in the future network to occur. We also construct a graphical representation of the causal model and outcome chains to achieve the vision, which is the outcomes logic model.

We have found that writing good impact narratives requires a lot of work for both the PIPA facilitators and the project staff involved. Hence they should not be entered into without real commitment from the project management that comes from them wanting the clarity that an impact narrative brings.

E X A M P L E S  

Here are a few examples of draft project impact narratives.

• Volta Basin CP projects :

• Impact Narrative for the Strategic Innovations in Dryland Farming (SIDF) Project
• Impact Narrative for the enhancing rainwater and nutrient use efficiency for improved crop productivity, farm income and rural livelihoods in the Volta Basin Project
• Impact Narrative for the Safer Urban Vegetable Production and Wastewater Irrigation – Opportunities and Risks Projects
• Next Step towards the PN34 (Improved Fisheries Management) - Impact Narrative: Impact Pathways Model Development
• Next Step towards the PN47 (African Models of Trans-boundary Governance) - Impact Narrative: Impact Pathways Model Development

• International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) :

• Impact narratives for Project 1: ''Conservation, characterization and targeted access to maize and wheat-related biodiversity" & Project 2: "Technology-assisted tools and methodologies for genetic improvement"