彼らの努力は

their efforts

→ 彼等
phrase Rare #42,083
their efforts は marks “their efforts” as the topic; it is usually not translated directly into English.
JA: 彼らの努力は大きな変化をもたらした。
EN: Their efforts brought about a big change.

彼らの努力は状況をある程度よりよくした。

Their efforts improved the situation to some extent.

彼らの努力は無駄ではなかった。

Their efforts were not in vain.

彼らの努力はみんな無駄だった。

All their efforts were in vain.