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These slides are to be used as a guide to

writing success stories. The format that involves
using situation/background, program activities,
results/impact, and conclusion/restatement, is a
standard success story format that can
be used
for multiple audiences and for numerous
development programmes

Definition of Success
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
defines success as an outcome or
result a degree or measure of
succeeding or a favorable or desired
outcome.

What is a Success Story?

A success story is the successful
favorable or desired result or outcome of
a programme. In other words, you want to
paint a picture as to how
Extension/development make a difference
in the lives of the people it serves.

So consider these factors when

you write success story
Pretend the reader knows nothing whatsoever about your
programme.
Dont assume anything!
Remember You are telling a short story about what you
want to achieve in a programme.
Tells the reader why and how your programme was
implemented.
Tells the results or the impact of the programme.
Tells the measurable results or how programme success
was achieved.
Defines the public value of a programme.

Why write Success Stories?

To show how the public fund/grant is used
To document that Urban Development used funds
for intended purposes, which is to make

positive and lasting impacts in the lives of

Afghan citizens.
To share programme ideas and to learn what
works and what doesnt work.
show development and extension.

When to write Success Stories?

When you have something important to report and
you have impact data to back up your work.
When you are proud of a programme.
Ongoing -- Dont wait until you are told to write one
by your supervisor or at the end of the year.

Structure of Success Stories

Situation/Background
Programme Activities
Results/Impact
Conclusion/Restatement

Situation/Background
Why does the programme exist in the first

place?
What are you trying to achieve?
Why is this programme important to the
people of Afghanistan?

Example#
Improving capacities and skills through vocational trainings, like
metal work, plumbing, photography/ video film, tailoring,
beautification, computer software, repairing of computer, car and
motor Bike, refrigerator/AC and mobile phone, carpentry and
welding require a few technical trainings centers, expert teachers,
practical working environment, motivation and good management
to utilize a new generation. Afghan Ministry of Labor (MoLSAMD),
Directorate of Vocational Trainings have some vocational trainings
centers nationwide in which only minorities were active. These
centers were established and equipped through support of different
donors and international community, which were recently activated
and practically used through support of UN-Habitat CLUIP
Programme. Capacities improvements of technical vocational part is
the key backbone part needs to be improved and considered even
play as sector level, but unfortunately remains still as sub-sector in
very small portion, If focused, we have good skills with quality
potential demand which can play a good role for creation of jobs,
income source, security and livelihood source in order to transform
the lives of money rural and urban Afghans and their families.

Programme Activities
How was the programme
implemented?
What steps did you take to carry out the programme
fulfill the programme objectives?
Who is your target audience?
What were they asked or required to do?

Example#
Community Led Urban Infrastructure Programme (CLUIP), funded
by Government of Japan and implemented through United Nations
Human Settlements Programmes (UN- Habitat)- Afghanistan.
CLUIP has signed a protocol with Afghan Ministry of Labor,
Directorate of vocational trainings to support implementation of
CLUIP vocational training component. This component is designed
to address vocational training centers and support them
financially and technically in order to increase students capacity,
job creation, and improve linkages between Afghan Directorate of
Vocational trainings and community Gozars/ Shuras.

Results/ Impacts
What was achieved as a result of this
programme?

What behavior changed?

What actions are being put into place to ensure
your desired results?

Example#
CLUIP has recently closed in March 2016; vocational training
component supported 10 training centers in five provinces, in total
60 training classes, 17 in Kabul, 6 in Jalalabad, 12 in Kandahar, 12
in Hirat, and 13 in Mazar provinces. The training were for 5 days in
a week and 22 days in a month for the duration of the course, it
totally reached over 1700 urban youth, which include of 600 young
women, stated Mr. XXXXXXX. He added the trainings brought
capacity changes for new initiatives to help difference productivity
e.g. in Jalalabad vocational training center a student firstly initiated
to make a device which can help a mobile to give signal without
coverage area, not last but least that one of Kabul vocational
training center student made a metal pillar which structure and
layout we can use for other large building and apartments.
Thanks from UN- Habitat team who seek us about our duties and
improve our relation with Afghan Ministry of Labor, Directorate of
Vocational Trainings, Mr. XXXXXX said (Head of Gozar 11th Kabul,
Afghanistan).

Conclusion/Restatement
How do you restate your thesis
statements?
Start with an expression of (in summary, finally, in
conclusion, with conclusion etc).
Try to restate thesis statements; means you need to
repeat thesis statements with different ideas and
words.
Try to end with importance (quotes),
recommendations, prediction or future plan.

Example#
In conclusion, CLUIP has only been activated for two
years, and closed in March 2016, current outcomes are
promising. Totally 1700 students in which include 600
women were trained in 10 vocational training centers in
five provinces of Afghanistan. Majority of the graduated
students e.g. Kandahar were already requested by
private sector to joint them.

10 Tips for writing an effective success story

1. Writing for your reader, not yourself
o Your reader is interested in his or her cause, not your program or project!

2. Develop an angle
o When identifying an angle, ask yourself what it is that you want your reader to think, do, or
feel after reading your story.
o As you write, frequently re-read what you have written and ask yourself what is this story
about?

3. Create an emotional hook

o Ask a question which paint a picture of the people behind the facts e.g. who was at risk? Who
was suffering? Etc

4. Avoid wordiness and run-an sentence and

jargon
o Eliminate unnecessary words and sentences. Be concise and to the point.

5. Focus on facts not fluf

o Broad sweeping statements and grandiose words can destroy the credibility of your story.
Know the facts about your program and clearly state what you know.

Cont
6. Follow the format
o Make the story easy on the eyes.
o Use white space to reduce the density of the text.
o Use bullets to highlight important points. In some instances only the bullets
will be read.
o Keep your story to one page.

7. Follow the 80/20 rule to efective writing

o 80% is research and planning, 20% is writing.

8. Give it a rest
o One of the best ways to write well is to put what you have written aside for a
day and then re-read your story with a fresh mind.

9. Remember, success stories are the tip of

the programs iceberg!
o Does your program capture outcomes?

Helpful Tips
Keep paragraphs short no more than 5-6 sentences.
Keep story to no more than two pages.
Avoid using passive voice (e.g., Trainings were
provided.). Use active voice (e.g., X partner provided
Y trainings.), and be clear about who is doing the
action in every sentence.
Limit use of acronyms. If you use acronyms, spell them
out on first mention
Use plain language
Avoid jargon. readers often skip over terms they dont
understand, hoping to get their meaning from the rest
of the sentence
Keep messages simple and concise.
Use pictures