Coalition building and change management toolkit - World Bank (2026)

Reform success often hinges more on human dynamics than technical design. Persistent gaps between current and desired states typically stem from interpersonal dynamics, entrenched norms, poor coordination and resistance to change.

This toolkit, produced by the World Bank's Coalitions for Reforms Program, offers an integrated, evidence-based approach to closing that gap. It combines coalition building (mobilising stakeholders around a shared purpose) with change management (motivating sustained behavioural shifts). Drawing on political economy, change management, stakeholder engagement, and communication, it provides practical, research-backed tools for designing and implementing context-specific change plans.

The toolkit covers:

1. Resistances to change and political economy challenges affecting implementation
2. History and evidence base of political economy, change management, and coalition-building, with World Bank case examples
3. Diagnostic tools and change-readiness assessments
4. Leadership and skills development tools
5. Multistakeholder engagement tools
6. Strategic communication tools
7. Building a results framework for monitoring and evaluation

8. Conclusions and a way forward