Participatory Approaches

A global partnership integrating behavioral science into plastic waste management, moving beyond traditional information campaigns to use emotional appeals, social influences, and choice architecture. Implemented through the GEF Small Grants Programme's Plastics Innovation Programme supporting 54 community-based projects.

An intercultural leadership program cultivating youth leaders for dialogue, cohesion, and peace since 2010. Participants attend intensive training workshops, develop community-based action plans, and upon implementation become recognized 'Ambassadors' committed to peace and conflict resolution.

A global program building ocean literacy and behavior change for sustainable ocean stewardship. Includes the Blue Schools Global Network connecting schools worldwide, hands-on cross-subject projects, and the Generation Ocean campaign using transformative storytelling to drive ocean conservation action.

A strategic education program developing knowledge, skills, values, and behaviors for learners to become responsible global citizens. Uses three learning domains—cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioral—to foster peace, tolerance, inclusion, and sustainability through project-based learning.

An EU-funded non-formal education program in Kenya's Dadaab refugee complex providing catch-up education for out-of-school girls. Accelerated Education Centres help over-age girls build literacy and numeracy while addressing cultural barriers like early marriage through community engagement.

ActionAid DR Congo, in partnership with Action des Volontaires pour la Solidarité et le Développement (AVSD), has launched a project aimed at improving access to safe, inclusive, and quality education as well as protection services for children and women affected by conflicts in the Kirotshe health zone, Masisi territory, North Kivu, DRC. This project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), will be implemented from February 2026 to July 2027.

This initiative used human-centered design (HCD) to adapt and co-design a multifaceted implementation strategy for integrating HIV and non-communicable disease (NCD) services in Lusaka, Zambia. The approach involved healthcare workers in the design process to ensure the strategy's appropriateness, feasibility, and adoption in local healthcare settings.

This initiative focuses on addressing social and gender norms to promote sustainable change in family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) in East and Southern Africa. Through the Learning Circles approach, SBC practitioners shared experiences and insights to tackle deeply rooted norms and improve access to FP/RH services.

The study highlights the rise of Anopheles stephensi, an invasive mosquito spreading across African cities, posing a new challenge to malaria control efforts. It emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and addressing human behaviors, such as water storage and fever response, to prevent the mosquito from becoming a widespread threat.

A study by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs explores a practical and cost-effective method to track adherence to micronutrient supplements among pregnant women in rural Ethiopia. This approach aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes by addressing micronutrient deficiencies and ensuring program effectiveness.

Breakthrough ACTION addressed behavior-related practices and enhanced case finding to combat Lassa fever in Nigeria. The initiative focused on risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) to improve health outcomes.

This article discusses formative research conducted in coastal Ghana to inform the development of a culturally relevant multi-component intervention that combines parenting support with parental mental health strategies. The findings highlight facilitators and barriers to positive parenting and mental health, emphasizing the need for community-based programs to improve child and family well-being.

This program focuses on addressing deeply rooted social and gender norms to achieve sustainable change in family planning and reproductive health in East and Southern Africa. It leverages peer perspectives and learning circles to promote social and behavior change tailored to local contexts.

Breakthrough ACTION trained Ward Development Committees in Nigeria to address barriers to accessing and using malaria services. This initiative focuses on empowering local communities to support malaria control efforts through social and behavior change strategies.

Breakthrough ACTION introduced an innovative approach to foster collaboration between the Bangladesh government and community-based organizations (CBOs) through pause and reflect exercises. This initiative aims to enhance partnerships and improve program outcomes.