Building a Shared Language for Systemic Change at ClientEarth

The Three Horizons (3H) framework was introduced to ClientEarth, a legal NGO that uses the power of law to bring about systemic change that protects the earth for – and with – its inhabitants, by Dr Apolline Roger, Head of ClientEarth Innovation Lab. The initiative aimed to establish a shared language for navigating systemic challenges.

The journey began with an hour-long session led by Bill Sharpe of Future Stewards during ClientEarth’s annual planning season, engaging over half the organisation live and more afterward through recordings. The assumption was that the framework would equip change-makers with a framework to align perspectives and explore transformative futures, within teams and across the silos of the different departments. This initial introduction aimed at testing the interest and fit.

To nurture the momentum after this first success, ClientEarth identified 13 highly motivated individuals with diverse and tight social networks within the organisation. These individuals underwent 3H facilitator training, creating a network of ‘spreaders’ who integrated the framework into their teams and projects. The 3H framework was especially popular for strategic reflections and away days. Over the course of a year, the framework’s language and applications permeated the organisation, reaching teams across departments up to the Board.

Scoping Statement

Not Applicable for the general spread. However, some of the teams used it for an internal exercise with a clear scoping statement – for example, “The future of business services in ClientEarth, to foresee the transformation curve we want, to start preparing for it now.” With programmatic teams, the framework was used slightly outside its main aim as a way to collectively make sense of the portfolio of interventions across the Berkana two loops understanding of system change (what do we do to accelerate the demise of H1 / to block H2− / nurture H2+ / to articulate H3 vision & protect, create, nurture H3 pockets?) which also helped refine what were H3 visions and what we considered as H2+ and H2− in different sectors.

Three Horizons tools

• Concept Sharing (e.g. back of a napkin, within a conversation)
• Videos by Future Stewards (e.g. Intro to 3H, Three Voices)
• Other: the facilitator toolkit shared after the facilitator training

Topic

#SharedLanguage #Law #NGO #Visioning #Cross-teams understanding

Use Experience

The double effect of having both a phased dissemination plan and a fully organic dissemination of 3H proved highly effective. By starting where energy and enthusiasm were the strongest, the framework naturally gained traction across the organisation. Participants found 3H both accessible and robust, providing an easy-to-grasp framework without sacrificing complexity. The resources provided, particularly the videos, were highly valued by participants. These concise and engaging materials served as an effective hook, offering just enough insights into the framework to spark interest and motivate teams to explore it further during their away days and planning sessions.

The shared language given by the 3H framework helped to foster cross-team collaboration and alignment. Teams began using 3H to map their portfolios, exploring areas where long-term visions were missing or could be expanded and sparking discussions about systemic transformation. Away days structured around 3H became a space to embed the framework into team practices. External engagement, such as introductory sessions for sponsors, further amplified its impact by starting a dissemination in the organisation’s network.

Impact

Key impacts include:

• The adoption of 3H has introduced a shared language across the organisation, facilitating clearer communication and alignment during strategic discussions.
• The adoption of 3H has revealed when a vision of the future was missing or needed to be refined, and created a desire to develop it.
• The adoption of 3H helped to identify that some positions previously identified as “in conflicts” were actually expressions of the 3H.
• Teams used 3H for portfolio mapping and design, which built visibility on the collective work beyond silos and a desire to intensify the relations between the work happening in each horizon.
• Using the 3H in away days helped recenter on co-creation and sense-making rather than information sharing – supporting effective visioning and strategic discussions.
• The framework’s influence extended beyond ClientEarth, with sponsors engaging in 3H discussions and introductory sessions.
• The benefits of the framework created an appetite for discovering other frameworks and practices that can help collaboration, visioning and strategic alignment.
• Within approximately one year, 3H had reached every level of the organisation, including the executive team and board.

This first phase has established a foundation for deeper integration of 3H, ensuring that its language and practices continue to support ClientEarth’s mission to use the power of law to protect the earth and its inhabitants through systemic change.

Next Steps

Dr Apolline Roger is continuing to deepen the use of 3H across the organisation and is exploring ways to layer it with other methods and tools as part of a broader initiative with Future Stewards.