Collective impact: The bedrock of the CIP

United for inclusive neighbourhoods

Credit: Valérie Paquette

A definition of collective impact

"Collective impact requires all participants to have a shared vision for change, one that includes a common understanding of the problem and a joint approach to solving it through agreed upon actions."

Kania and Kramer, "Channeling change: how to achieve collective impact", Stanford Social Innovation Review, 2011, translation by the authors.

The Collective Impact Project (CIP)

It's a strategy for fighting poverty and social exclusion, adapted to the Montreal context in 2011 on the basis of several North American experiences.

Recognizing that no single organization can address the complex issues of exclusion and poverty on its own, the CIP relies on collaborative, cross-sectoral work to support communities and help them achieve their goals.

The CIP approach also includes a reflexive stance to emphasize the synergy of actions, knowledge, and expertise to make these initiatives a success.

The keys to successful collective impact

Five conditions for success are required for collective impact.

Numerous collective impact initiatives have been deployed in different countries around the world, all of which have been a source of learning to refine the CIP approach. 

Below is an overview of what we mean by “conditions for success for the collective impact approach”. They are presented as points of reference to guide our practices and our paradigm so that we can aim both high and wide. 

  • Foster engagement, dialogue and collaboration in the process toward systemic change.

  • Forge a collective vision for change and a shared plan.

  • Mobilize local stakeholders, including the main people affected by the issues, at various stages of the project.

  • Identify progress and challenges, adjust practices, and share lessons learned.

  • Increase the scope of the initiative (stakeholders, practices) and adopt a systemic approach.

For more information on CIP and the collective impact approach, the CIP team is updating the Phase 2 Guide (coming soon).

Neighbourhood roundtables: Important platforms for collective impact in Montreal

For over 40 years, citizens, organizations and institutions in Montreal's neighbourhoods have been working together to find solutions to local problems.

In particular, they mobilize around issues of poverty and social exclusion through neighbourhood tables. By dint of their experience, the neighbourhood tables have become the forerunners of collective impact in Montreal. The PIC has seen fit to draw on their expertise and their recognition by the community.

Collective impact initiatives are carried out by neighborhood tables, which are support structures that bring people together that keep the focus on collective change.