"A theory of change is a systemic and cumulative study of the links between activities, outcomes and the context of the initiative. The theory explains how and why the activities in an initiative will achieve short, interim and long term outcomes.”

Taken from “Evaluating Comprehensive Community Change", report of the Annie E. Casey Foundation March 1997, Research and Evaluation conference.

Vibrant Communities Edmonton believes that there has been a lot of good work done to address poverty in Edmonton. However a lot of this work focuses on addressing the impacts of poverty rather than working to substantively reduce poverty. Vibrant Communities Edmonton wants to build on existing work in Edmonton to strengthen, support and increase the impact by adding value to existing efforts and by shifting the focus to building family economic supports.