SBC Foundations for Impact
Explore Breakthrough ACTION’s innovative approach to tackling social and behavioral challenges through cutting-edge SBC methodologies, designed to promote health equity and drive sustainable, community-led change.
Breakthrough ACTION uses a multifaceted approach designed to address persistent social and behavioral challenges through cutting-edge social and behavior change (SBC) methodologies. Breakthrough’s approach aims to promote health equity and positive health outcomes by addressing deep-rooted social and gender norms that inhibit the uptake of services. Built upon a foundation of innovation, community engagement, and evidence-based interventions, the project recognizes the importance of leveraging decades of SBC research while embracing newer, hybrid approaches like behavioral economics, human-centered design, and marketing science. By synthesizing these methods, Breakthrough ACTION creates impactful solutions which adapt to diverse contexts while maintaining scalability and effectiveness. This holistic strategy aims to create lasting, scalable health solutions that empower communities and drive sustainable change. For more details, explore the full strategy and look at our curated collections by Breakthrough ACTION’s seven strategic pillars.
Embrace Experimentation and Learning in a Systematic Way
Breakthrough ACTION fosters innovation in SBC through continuous learning and experimentation, embodying a growth mindset. This approach encourages teams to test ideas, learn from failures, and synthesize insights. By cultivating an environment that values iterative learning and co-creation, Breakthrough ACTION innovates and adapts existing solutions to address complex social and behavioral health challenges.
Place Users and Communities at the Center
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.
Elevate the Importance of Social and Behavior Change
Global health and development increasingly rely on evidence-based SBC programs. Yet, scaling proven SBC programs often lacks support. To address this gap, Breakthrough ACTION convened key stakeholders to collaborate and advocate for heightened investments in SBC.
Build and Capture Learning Related to Program Integration
Breakthrough ACTION contributes to greater understanding and shared learning focused on if and how integrated programs—across health areas and sectors—support greater effectiveness of SBC programs and economies of scale.
Promote Quality of Care Through Improved SBC for Service Delivery
Breakthrough ACTION shows how integrating SBC into health services improves quality of care. SBC enhances client-provider interactions, promotes healthy behaviors, and strengthens linkages between the community and facility. It focuses on fostering trust and empathy and improving client education through shared decision-making, enriching the experience of care.
Engage in and Support Gender-Transformative Programming
Breakthrough ACTION has garnered insights into gender-transformative programming using SBC approaches to effectively address social determinants and structural barriers. By prioritizing those with the greatest needs and addressing inequitable gender norms, Breakthrough ACTION fosters equitable health and development outcomes.
Institutionalizing SBC Capabilities and Networks
Breakthrough ACTION institutionalizes SBC within public and private sectors by ensuring stakeholders use best practices, strengthening SBC capacities, and fostering collaborative networks. Breakthrough ACTION enables evidence-based programs that transform health and development practices at all levels of the socio-ecological model for lasting impact.
