Social Innovation Studio

From Mapping Problems to Finding Solutions

Abhishek Lonari,

Service Designer and Researcher @Social Innovation Studio

Systems Thinking

Social & Behaviour Change

March 18th, 2025

Decoding NGO Challenges Through System Maps

What’s Inside:

Introduction

Low Community Engagement

Sustainability of Adoption

Sustainability of Funding

Solving social challenges isn’t just about good intentions—it’s about understanding the bigger picture. In the previous edition, we explored how causal loop system maps help NGOs untangle complex issues. (Did you miss the previous edition? Click here to read it) In this edition we are diving into real-world examples from the field. From boosting community engagement to securing sustainable funding and breaking social stigma, these case studies reveal how system maps turn insights into action.

Let’s see how causal loops can help NGOs in India solve real-world challenges:

Introduction

The Problem:

NGOs often struggle with building trust and participation in programs, particularly those requiring behavior change, such as health initiatives or sanitation drives. Low engagement perpetuates a cycle of poor outcomes, thus eroding trust.

The System Map:

Low Community Engagement

Reinforcing Loop (R):

Low trust in NGOs → Low participation → Poor program outcomes → Further erosion of trust.

Balancing Loop (B):

Building trust through local influencers → Increased participation → Better outcomes → Enhanced trust.

Intervention Points:

Engage community leaders as champions for the program.
Use participatory design methods to co-create solutions with the community.
Provide visible, short-term wins to build trust and momentum

The Problem:

NGOs often see strong initial adoption of their programs, but over time, the number of new participants naturally declines. This plateau can signal that the program has reached saturation in a given area, leading to reduced visibility, lower impact, and potential donor disengagement. Without a strategy to maintain momentum or transition effectively, NGOs risk stagnation instead of sustainable scale-up.

The System Map:

Sustainability of Adoption

Reinforcing Loop (R):
Declining adoption rate → Reduced program scale → Lower visibility and impact → Declining donor confidence

Balancing Loop (B):
Increased adoption → Fewer potential new adopters → Need for expansion to a new project site

Intervention Points:

Establish clear impact measurement frameworks to showcase progress and effectiveness.
Plan for strategic transitions, such as introducing complementary programs or preparing for NGO exit.
Diversify funding streams by engaging corporate donors, individual philanthropists, and government grants to ensure long-term sustainability.

The Problem:

Many NGOs successfully implement holistic approaches at smaller scales, but when it’s time to scale, misalignment between strategy and execution can create roadblocks. This leads to challenges in maintaining quality, which in turn affects funding opportunities. Without a clear way to demonstrate impact, securing long-term investment becomes even harder—creating a cycle that prevents sustainable growth.

The System Map:

Sustainability of Funding

Reinforcing Loop (R):
Holistic approach → Effective resource allocation → High-quality small-scale implementation → Increased funding

Balancing Loop (B1):
Scaling up → New partnerships → Strategy misalignment → Reduced quality in large-scale implementation

Balancing Loop (B2):
Investing in clear impact communication → Stronger strategic alignment → Higher quality large-scale implementation → Increased funding

Intervention Points:

Strengthen impact storytelling through data-driven reports and case studies.
Align program strategies with funder priorities, such as SDG goals, to attract long-term commitments.
Build partnerships that focus on sustainable funding models rather than short-term grants.