Master’s programme in Strategic Business Development acknowledges Tiphaine Delecour’s thesis as the best in 2024

The framework combines two theoretical perspectives: theory of change and the utilization-focused evaluation approach. It is based on interviews with several representatives of non-profit organizations. The result is a conceptual representation that helps organizations assess whether their programs are running as intended and whether conditions, actions, users and uses are appropriately matched.

- I’ve been volunteering in non-profit organizations since I was 13. It’s something I’ve always been passionate about. When I moved to Finland, I continued this work and joined an association that promotes community between Finns and foreigners. Over time, I noticed that many organizations shift their strategies without a clear understanding of what exactly needs to change. That’s what inspired me to develop a tool that could help them identify what’s working and what isn’t.

Delecour’s thesis was selected as the best on the basis of its theoretical contribution and its potential to be developed into an academic article.

- As a supervisor, I found this thesis to be of high quality, turning strong theoretical understanding, methodological rigor, and excellent data into real-world relevance. The thesis gives NGOs and community groups as well as public service providers a practical tool to evaluate and strengthen their impact, turning routine programme reviews into opportunities to see whether their programmes work as intended and to learn how to make an even bigger difference and societal impact, says Professor Rodrigo Rabetino Sabugo.

Looking ahead, Delecour plans to continue working in research. 

- I want to keep studying topics that matter to me and hopefully also to the world, she says.