Early Action Neighourhood Fund Evaluation: Learning Summary - January 2020

Introduction

This learning summary outlines what was learned from evaluating the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund (EANF). EANF is a programme designed to test prevention‑focused systems change in 3 local areas.

It supports evaluators, funders and organisations interested in designing or assessing similar complex systems change initiatives.

Findings

The evaluation found that achieving systems change required regularly revisiting theories of change and working closely with stakeholders to understand system boundaries and behaviours.

Evaluators identified the value of flexible, adaptive methodologies that could capture complex, new findings. Embedded evaluators were highlighted as a major strength, improving understanding of local dynamics and supporting co‑produced learning across stakeholders.

Projects learned that adopting or adapting systems change frameworks strengthened their ability to identify enabling conditions for early action, though attributing change to specific activities remained difficult.