Theory of Change for Comprehensive Clusters

This theory is based on the W. K. Kellogg Foundation's work in Latin American and Caribbean communities, as described in "Partnering with Youth to Build the Future" (2006).

Comprehensive clusters are built on a framework that proposes two key drivers for community change:

• Engaging youth as key actors by mobilising and involving them in the process of building a vision for the future, and bringing energy to the implementation of local development strategies; and
• Fostering the formation of community alliances and inter-sectoral collaboration that involve individuals, civil society organisations, the business sector, and local governments to align efforts and create an environment to promote inclusion and participation of citizens in general, and youth in particular.

Through those alliances and a true participation of youth - not only as beneficiaries of programmes but also as partners in designing the possible future - communities should build a shared vision of how to improve their wellbeing. This vision ultimately encompasses three strategies for local development:

• Developing human capital;
• Strengthening social capital; and
• Increasing productive capital.

According to the Kellogg Foundation, by improving opportunities for better education, fostering entrepreneurship, and stimulating income generation among youth and their families, projects will help reorient the communities. As projects work with families and communities to welcome the dreams and energy of youth, they create an environment in which trust, collaboration, and intergenerational dialogue are present. Building the human, social, and productive capitals promotes an autonomous and sustainable process of local development, which contributes to changing community systems.

The early engagement of local government and community leaders is crucial in this strategy. Their involvement helps assure that any innovations developed by each alliance might be built into the practices and policies of local organisations and governments. Such positive changes include school system improvements (infrastructure and curricula); increased family income; and a safe, just, and inclusive social environment. In turn, these initial victories pave the way for permanent changes in the attitudes of leaders and individuals - potentially generating a new political culture where paternalism tends to disappear.