Art of Transformative Change

Stewarding Networks for Systems Impact

How can we tackle the world's most complex challenges, creating change that goes beyond projects and shifts entire systems?

Driving transformative change means working across systems and networks that span institutions, sectors, and countries, where diverse actors, agendas, and dynamics are constantly evolving. Without an intentional approach to systems leadership, even the most ambitious initiatives can lose direction or momentum.

This course gives change leaders, project managers, and facilitators the tools to understand multi-stakeholder systems on a big scale, identify leverage points for transformation, and build networks that turn shared vision into coordinated transformation. It builds on the knowledge of the Foundation Modules Art of Leading Collectively (mindset and Compass foundations) and the Art of Stakeholder Collaboration (structuring multi-actor processes). Advanced methodologies as the Transformation Enablers and Collaboration Catalysts help navigate complex design strategies that connect people, purpose, and impact beyond projects.

The Art of Transformative Change takes the leap from collaborating within a system to influencing and shifting the system itself. It equips participants to work on transformation, not just participation.

Duration: 4 days
Format: Hybrid (in-person in Potsdam or online)
Tuition Fee: €2,000 in-person | €1,500 online
Methodology: CLI Dialogic Change Model
Part of: Collective Leadership Specialist Certification Programme

What You’ll Learn

This advanced four-day course provides tools and methodologies for stewarding transformation networks:

Understand Complex Systems and Identify Leverage Points
Learn how to understand complex systems and identify leverage points for real transformative change.

Map Your System of Actors and Design Network Strategies
Map systems of actors and design strategies to build networks that drive impact, not just coordination.

Develop a Transformative Theory of Change
Create a transformative Theory of Change that connects vision to measurable progress and outcomes.

Use the Transformation Enablers and Collaboration Catalysts
Apply the Transformation Enablers and Collaboration Catalysts to lead, guide, monitor, and adapt network momentum.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to lead cross-institutional and international networks that enable transformation and turn shared vision into systemic, sustainable change.

Who Should Attend

This advanced course is designed for professionals working on systems-level transformation.

Change Leaders, Project Managers, and Facilitators

Those working across systems and networks that span institutions, sectors, and countries who want to strengthen their capacity to steward transformation at scale.

Course Structure

Balanced Learning Experience: Three days of hybrid training plus one day of self-paced learning. This structure balances facilitated sessions with time for personal reflection and integration.

Day 1

Additional information will be provided soon.

Day 2

Additional information will be provided soon.

Day 3

Additional information will be provided soon.

Day 4

Additional information will be provided soon.

Find the next Courses

Open Course

Dec 8 - Dec 11, 2026 · Europe · hybrid · English

Art of Transformative Change

Potsdam and/or online at CET

Join our Certification Programme
Certification Programme
Become a certified Specialist of Collective Change.
Certification Programme
What Participants Say

Participants consistently value this course for deepening their understanding of systems transformation and network building.

"If you were searching for entry points on how to connect the dots for sustainable development, this is the training you should participate."

NGO Director, Germany

 

 

"Great people, great learning experience, very well done. Chapeau!"

Team Leader Development Cooperation, Albania

 

 

"This training was very enjoyable and constructive. Gave me a lot of thoughts to go through."

Programme Coordinator at a Foundation, Netherlands

Still Have Questions?

Join a Free Information Session and learn about CLI's methodologies, certification programme, and this course.

Infosession or Announcements

Jan 29, 2026 · online

Free Information Session

Learn about methodologies, our work and about us.

Practical Information

This course offers flexible participation options to accommodate different needs and circumstances:

Hybrid Format
This course is planned as a hybrid event. Both in-person participation in Potsdam, Germany, and online participation at Central European Time (CET) are possible. Please choose your format when you register.

In-Person Participation

  • Location: Collective Leadership Institute, Kurfürstenstraße, Potsdam, Germany
  • Potsdam is in the Berlin area
  • Includes course materials

Online Participation

  • Live sessions at Central European Time (CET)
  • Digital course materials

Flexible Arrangements
CLI reserves the right to change an in-person participation into an online participation if visa delays, new pandemic situations, or other short-term notice reasons prevent on-site participation. Registrations remain valid in any of these cases. CLI will come back to participants individually in such situations and find the best possible solutions together.

Language
This course is conducted in English.

Certification
Participants who complete the full course receive a certificate of participation. This course can be credited toward the Collective Leadership Specialist Certification Programme.