Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) is a participatory, story-based evaluation approach that captures both the direct and unexpected outcomes of community development efforts. In facilitated group sessions, participants use appreciative inquiry and visual mapping to trace the connections between actions and results. This session highlights how REM can be applied to evaluate collective impact initiatives. Drawing on hands-on experience, we explore when and how REM is most useful. For groups further along in their collective impact work, REM reveals interconnected outcomes and fosters stronger collaboration. For newer groups, careful facilitation is essential to surface insights without discouraging participants, helping to maintain momentum.
This paper explores two key questions that reflect the themes of the call for proposals:
- How can participatory storytelling approaches like REM make progress and learning visible in complex collective impact initiatives?
- How should REM be applied (or adapted) across different stages of collective impact work to enhance cross-sector collaboration?
