Purpose & Strategic Importance
Improved strategic planning requires National Societies to think differently about the future and become better at interrogating evidence on the changes and challenges they face.
Core Concepts & Definitions
Futures literacy and strategic foresight
- Help National Societies navigate uncertainty.
- Support them in spotting new opportunities.
- Prepare them for a shifting environment.
Activities & Decisions
What these tools do
- They do not try to predict the future.
- They help explore how trends might unfold.
Even if scenarios never happen, thinking them through:
- Gives the National Society the opportunity to better nuance its strategic planning.
- Helps the organisation to stay ready for what may come.
By reflecting on possible futures, a National Society can strengthen its ability to adapt and build a strategy that is resilient to change.
Examples & Learning
British Red Cross
“It’s important that National Society strategic planning includes scenarios that demonstrate how the National Society would prioritise their resources if they weren’t able to secure the full budget ambition.”
— International Strategy Lead, British Red Cross
Salvadoran Red Cross
“Planning is not static. We’re preparing a mid-term review to see if updates are needed, and we’re also using prospective planning to anticipate changes.”
— Head of Planning and Institutional Development, Salvadoran Red Cross
