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Since the Theory of Change became a widespread tool, both in programs and in evaluation, evaluators have been more concerned about what a theory looks like rather than about the nature of change. Change can take place in different ways: either according to planned directions or in unexpected, even surprising, ways. This article proposes to take a different perspective: beyond an evaluation demand for the explanation/verification of the intended working of a program it is suggested to demand how change can happen, possibly even in a surprising way, that might challenge rigid hypotheses and models. To this purpose, it suggests to grasp the elaboration of "possibilism", originated by Colorni, theorized by Hirschman and practiced by Tendler. Such an approach may suit those evaluators who advocate that evaluation challenge a ToC's assumptions, and that new hypotheses, based on the experience of an intervention implementation, be developed in an iterative way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of the research activity carried out within the framework of the European project H2020 REFLOW, which aims to build an integrated approach for the development of innovative participatory practices dedicated to urban circular metabolisms. As a result of the survey conducted on the application of collaborative models for the urban circular economy, it emerged that there is no shared operational strategy that can be adopted for the circular development of complex systems, such as cities. Based on this premise, this paper offers a new perspective on how to build and validate a transitional pathway for the development of circular cities through the adoption of a design-oriented approach that orchestrates different resources and capacities.

The article presents the results of the research activity carried out within the framework of the European project H2020 REFLOW, which aims to build an integrated approach for the development of innovative participatory practices dedicated to urban circular metabolisms. As a result of the survey conducted on the application of collaborative models for the urban circular economy, it emerged that there is no shared operational strategy that can be adopted for the circular development of complex systems, such as cities. Based on this premise, this paper offers a new perspective on how to build and validate a transitional pathway for the development of circular cities through the adoption of a design-oriented approach that orchestrates different resources and capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper starts from a reflection on the structural and emerging problems affecting migration phenomena. It also provides an overview on the project design in international cooperation with the Theory of Change (ToC). Based on these the paper develops some aspects that are considered relevant for the construction of development interventions in the international migration field, such as the definition of assumptions or the formulation of indicators. An evidence-based approach that integrates the dimensions of research, problem analysis and project design is presented, based on a case study carried out in Ivory Coast. Moreover the paper focuses on the learning outcome on project design relating to L-19 study programmes to reflect both on the knowledge/skills that are needed to work in specific areas such as the one herein presented and on the educational and professional contexts that can encourage the construction of this type of expertise. Progettare interventi di sviluppo nel settore delle migrazioni internazionali: teorie, strategie, approcci e competenze A partire da una riflessione sui problemi strutturali ed emergenti che interessano i fenomeni migratori e attraverso una panoramica sul tema della progettazione nella cooperazione internazionale con la Teoria del Cambiamento (ToC), il lavoro sviluppa alcuni aspetti ritenuti rilevanti nella costruzione di interventi di sviluppo nel settore delle migrazioni internazionali, come la definizione delle assumptions o la formulazione degli indicatori. All’interno di questo quadro, viene presentato un approccio evidence-based che integra le dimensioni di ricerca, analisi dei problemi e progettazione, basato su uno studio di caso realizzato in Costa d’Avorio. Il contributo declina in ultimo i contenuti core dell’obiettivo formativo sulla Progettazione relativo ai corsi di studio L-19 al fine di riflettere, da una parte, sulle conoscenze e sulle competenze utili per lavorare in ambiti specifici come quello qui presentato; dall’altra, sui contesti formativi e professionali che possono favorire la costruzione di questo tipo di expertise.

The article aims to be a methodological contribution to promote the debate on the ex-post evaluation in the field of development cooperation. The authors present the case study of ex-post evaluation of the project "Macedonia, Cities of Stip and Prilep: Improving the quality of life of Roma and promoting integration", financed by the Italian Cooperation and implemented by a non-govemmental organization (NGO). The project was carried out from 2004 to 2007. The evaluation, realised in 2013 by the authors of this article, has used the instrument of the Theory of Change, which is currently not so widespread in Italy. The methodology has allowed to formulate a comprehensive assessment of the project despite there were some significant limits: i) the intervention did not have a specific plan of ex-post evaluation; ii) the project had ended seven years before the assessment with a consequent loss of historical memory concerning the original design and its implementation, as well as the presence of other factors that have influenced the impact of the initiative itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]