The Lasting Difference is a unique guide
to sustaining organisations and their impact.

You can download it here, completely free of charge.

The Lasting Difference has been used by over 6000 voluntary organisations, social enterprises, funders, commissioners and policy makers all around the world since 2016. People tell us it is:

  • Clear: easy to understand and use
  • Relevant: grounded in practice, it is unique in providing not just definitions and self-assessments, but action plans, exit strategies and ideas for doing something about sustainability
  • Powerful: able to transform the way people think about – and run – their organisations.

People have also told us they would like the guide to have a dedicated website. So this site will help you to:

  • Find resources and links in one place
  • Find – and share – real life examples of what people are doing about sustainability
  • Get practical tips on using the tools.

New to sustainability?.. Start here

‘The Lasting Difference’

Graeme Reekie, author of the Lasting Difference resource, explains where the ideas and toolkit originated, and some of the principles that underpin it.

The paradox of change

Sustainability isn’t easy. The challenges are complex and often paradoxical – more of one thing often means less of something else. First up, the paradox of change: only by changing can we stay the same.

The octopus paradox

If sustainability requires us to change and develop, can we do this without getting pulled out of shape? There are good reasons many organisations are octopus-shaped, as Graeme explains in this short clip.

The yes/no paradox

We often say ‘yes’ to things because we think they will help us survive. Yet most organisations have sustainability challenges because of saying yes, not in spite of it.

More than just money

Ellie Sandercock of Shared Care Scotland explains why sustainability means more than just money, and how the Lasting Difference toolkit can help.

Sustainability and systems

Dee Fraser of the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland takes a systems view of sustainability. Organisations can use the Lasting Difference guide to take action on funding, workload, capacity and involvement.

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