CCRDA/CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP), Ethiopia
Success Stories _ Template
Background descriptions
A success story describes a positive change and shows how that change benefits the
people of the intervention areas. A good success story uses evidence from evaluation to
show the value of the programs. One can write a success story about an entire program
or part of a program that is particularly noteworthy and significant. A success story:
Describes a problem or issue and the program’s solution or response to this
issue
Includes direct quotes from individuals impacted by or involved in program and
flows like a story
Includes the name(s) and locations of the person(s) who are central subjects of
the story
Avoids acronyms, program names, and partner names
Focuses on the people that the program helps
Success stories generally follow the SRRE structure as described below:
Situation: What prompted the program?
Response: How did we respond? (Inputs and outputs)
Results: Who benefited? What resulted? (Outcomes)
Evidence: What’s the evidence? (Evaluation)
1. Situation: This is the first section where you tell why you started the project. What
problem, issue or concern needed addressing? Who cares? Who are the key
stakeholders? The opening should make the case for why you stepped in.
2. Response: Describe your response including inputs (staff, funding, volunteers,
research, and expertise) and outputs. Outputs include activities (trainings, facilitation,
services, initiatives, etc) and people reached (number of people and demographics).
Be sure to spell out your role in programming.
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3. Results: Use quantitative and qualitative data to describe important outcomes
(changes and benefits) achieved as a result of the response. Who benefited and how?
Outcomes include changes in knowledge, skills, motivation, behavior, decision
making, practices, social action, social, economic and environmental conditions.
Describe outcomes in terms of value or meaning behind the change. Link to existing
research, if possible, and include future plans or lessons learned based on results.
4. Evidence: Briefly describe how you evaluated the program to attain the reported
evidence. Include the data collection method (pre- or post-test surveys, interviews,
testimonials etc), sample (number and how selected), response rate and the date of
data collection. Remember – a good success story depends on credible information
Reasons to write Success Stories:
To show accountability for donor funds and increase visibility
To verify that we are using resources to make a positive difference in people’s
lives
To share successes so individuals, partners and others
To spread the word about interventions/innovative approaches/management
styles and etc as a valuable resource
To show that reports alone don’t tell the whole story of programs
To reflect and learn from our work and increase credibility
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Annex I:Template for Writing Success Stories
Situation
1. What was the problem, issue or concern that needed addressing?
2. What are the evidence (data or information) to understand the situation?
3. How did the issue or problem manifest?
4. Why we should care?
5. Why did you need to address the issue?
6. Was it appropriate for you to respond?
Response
1. What inputs went in to improve the situation? Like (Staff, funding, Volunteers,
research, expertise)
2. What were the outputs-including activities like training, service provision, people
reached including the demographics)
3. Were there partners and stakeholders involved?
4. What was the contribution and role of YOU?
Results
1. What are the outcomes as a result of YOU’s support? Outcomes could be: change in
knowledge, skills, motivation, behavior, decision making, practices, policies, social
actions, economic or environmental conditions
a. Describe the outcome in value or meaning- Help the reader to understand the
meaning behind the change
b. Link to Existing research
c. If possible include future plan and lessons learnt
Evidence
2. How did you get the reported evidence for change?
a. Include data collection method
b. Tell if sample is taken
c. Include response rate and date of data collection
d. Try to provide as much credible information as possible
May includes 2-3 photos minimum, and tables
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Annex II: Checklist for Writing Success Story: How good is your success story?
Title Rating Scale Comments
Situation Poor Fair Good Excellent
Clearly describes an important
issue or concern-why we should
care?
Indicate the issue or need is
appropriate for you to respond
Includes Data demonstrating need
Response (inputs and outputs)
Spells out your role/contribution
clearly
Identifies participants, numbers
and demographics of individuals
or communities reached
Identifies partnership if available
Identifies funding source if
available
Results (outcome and impacts)
Tells who benefited and how
Uses numeric and narrative data
to describe important outcomes
Answers “so what?” makes value
clear to the reader
Links story to research if available
States future plan based on
results
Evidence (Evaluation)
Describe data collection method
Includes sample (Numbers and
how selected)
Describes response rate
Tells when data was collected
Writing Style
Uses Active voice
Ready like a story
