Breakthrough ACTION is an eight-year USAID-funded global project that accelerates the use of social and behavior change (SBC) through evidence-based tools and processes that encourage the adoption of healthy behaviors, while addressing structural barriers and underlying social and gender norms that prevent uptake of services and positive health practices. Our work builds upon seven pillars.
Breakthrough ACTION emphasizes inclusivity and community engagement in its social and behavior change programs. Involving communities in co-designing interventions empowers them to implement and monitor activities and enables sustainable, community-led change.
Case Example: Supporting User-Centered Design in Agriculture in Guatemala
In Guatemala, Breakthrough ACTION assisted Pro-innova/Popoyan in developing a user-centered and inclusive approach to adapting their tools and perspectives. During the AgriConecta App product design phase, Breakthrough ACTION supported Pro-innova to conduct an iterative process that gathered insights from key audiences to adjust the tool before full scale up. A subset of 500 farmers were identified as early adopters, and provided with a prototype to garnish their insights and suggestions to adjust the App. Breakthrough ACTION also supported Pro-innova/Popoyan with the incorporation of telephone and video calls into AgriConecta App to bridge barriers of illiteracy and create a dialogue and feedback mechanism between farmers and agricultural extension workers.
Featured Video: The Community Capacity Strengthening Approach - Community Health Action Resource Plan
This video showcases the Breakthrough ACTION-Nigeria Community Capacity Strengthening approach, which empowers communities to improve their health outcomes using local resources. By training and supporting ward development committees, the program promotes sustainable healthy behaviors. Highlighting results from a September 2019 training, where 75 committees developed and implemented Community Health Action Resource Plans, the video reveals significant community engagement, improved health indicators, and successful resource mobilization within a year. This initiative underscores the importance of placing users and communities at the center of health programming for lasting impact.
Featured Resources
- Community Empathways
- Malaria Social and Behavior Change Toolkit for Community Health Workers
- Mobilizing Communities for Health and Social Change
- Creating a Real-Time Rumor Management System for COVID-19
- Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Plus Nutrition Women's Empowerment Group Operational Guidelines
- Strengthening Social Accountability to Improve Reproductive and Family Planning Services
Lessons Learned
- Aligning and integrating community engagement activities with national policies, local planning mechanisms, and health system structures ensures that SBC efforts are embedded within the broader development framework.
- Strengthening the ability of local partners and institutions to independently lead co-design processes guarantees the sustainability and long-term impact of community engagement efforts.
- Building strong, ongoing relationships with community leaders based on mutual respect and open community foster trust and alignment, ensuring that the community feels not only heard and supported but also owns the interventions.
- Customizing engagement approaches to meet the unique needs of men, women, and the most marginalized in the community ensures inclusivity and effectiveness in behavior change initiatives.
- Recognizing and utilizing existing community assets and practices, while fostering a growth-oriented mindset, promotes a positive environment for sustained behavior change.
- Acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of key stakeholders through various forms of recognition, such as award ceremonies and peer learning visits, enhances their credibility and motivation, leading to increased engagement in SBC activities.
Thought Leadership
- A Review of Strategies and Levels of Community Engagement in Strengths-Based and Needs-Based Health Communication Interventions
- Strengthening the Merci Mon Héros Campaign Through Adaptive Management: Application of Social Listening Methodology
- Identifying Novel COVID-19 Rumours Through a Multi-channel Approach
- A Qualitative Study of Community Perspectives Surrounding Cleaning Practices in the Context of Zika Prevention in El Salvador: Implications for Community-Based Aedes aegypti control
This Adobe Express page is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Breakthrough ACTION and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
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