There are moments when impact is not just a number, it’s a feeling. It is the quiet confidence in a young person’s voice when they speak up for the first time. It is the laughter shared between new friends who, just weeks ago, were strangers.
While these moments are powerful, they are only meaningful if they can be consistently understood and tracked over time. At Zip Zap Circus, our Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning approach focuses on capturing these changes in a consistent and systematic way across programmes.
In 2025, we reached 1,493 young people across nine programmes. Each programme is designed to provide a safe and intentional environment where participants develop both performance-based skills and critical life competencies.
Monitoring and evaluation are conducted at the programme level, with each programme using its own framework aligned to its specific objectives. To understand the impact across the organisation, findings are analysed and grouped into four overarching themes, which help us identify trends in participant development across different programme contexts.
Theme 1:
Empower
We focused on measuring the beneficiaries’ focus and self-efficacy. In 2025, 88% of participants reported increased confidence. This growth is supported through progressive skill development and challenge-based learning, helping participants build belief in their abilities.
Theme 2:
Inspire
We focused on increasing participants’ motivation and openness to new experiences. In 2025, 80% of participants reported feeling inspired. Exposure to new skills and performance opportunities encourages participants to step beyond their comfort zones and try new activities.
Theme 3:
Connect
We focused on strengthening social connections and cultivating a sense of belonging. In 2025, 83% of participants reported stronger connections to others. Collaborative activities and shared experiences support the development of trust, teamwork, and meaningful peer relationships.
Theme 4:
Transform
We focused on supporting personal growth and mindset shifts. In 2025, 74% of participants reported meaningful personal change. Ongoing participation and reflection enable participants to build resilience, shift self-perception, and adopt more positive behaviours over time.
These results represent aggregated data across programmes and are based on feedback collected from participants, teachers and caregivers.
Reviewing findings across multiple programmes allows us to identify trends while still recognising the unique context of each programme.
Qualitative feedback further supports these findings by adding context and showing how participants experience change in their daily lives.
As we reflect on the past year, we are grateful to our partners, communities, and most importantly, the young people who show up, take risks, and engage in the process. Ultimately, impact is not only reflected in data but in the confidence, connection, and growth demonstrated by participants over time.
To learn more about our impact and organisation, read our annual reports available on the website, or stay abreast of what’s happening on our social media profiles.
Jenna Morgan
M&E Coordinator
Zip Zap Circus
