Mapping Social Change Networks: A Guide to Why, What, How, and Who
Whether through a group of community organizations coordinating on service delivery or a national coalition of advocacy organizations working on a current policy issue, networks serve as powerful tools for social change. A network approach can unfold rapidly within a changing context. Taking the time to document, measure, and learn from network- based efforts through network mapping can lead to numerous benefits, such as better coordination of resources, the faster spread of solutions, and the activation of diverse perspectives. Network mapping, while not new, holds particular relevance during this time of philanthropic and nonprofit attention to large-scale social change efforts. It can be a valuable tool for ensuring and enhancing equity as part of a network strategy.
This paper is an up-to-date guide for people leading, funding, or supporting network-based social change efforts who are interested in learning and enhancing their work. We explore what it means to take a network approach, define network mapping within the context of learning and evaluation, and share examples of various ways to use network mapping to support your work.
