BOOST : Building On Our Strengts Together

Capacity building is not a linear process. Moreover, there is no single way to build capacity. It is rather a process of exchanges and continuous proxy-monitoring?

BOOST : A FLEXIBLE PROGRAM ADAPTED TO THE CONTEXT

BOOST confirms that it is not possible to apply the ‘plug and play ‘ or ‘one fits all ‘ principle in fragile contexts. An effective and efficient capacity building program could only be implemented when adapted to the capacity and resources, interest and objectives, needs and availability of each local actor.

Capacity building requires a contextualized approach adapted to the diversity and specificities of local actors.

CERAR has developed BOOST, an alternative methodology for strengthening structural and organizational capacities that allows the initiation of a climate of structural change and continuous learning, adapted to the interest, needs, resources and availability of each partner

This requires a variety of tools and methods, a flexible and contextualized approach, appropriate support and long-term investment.

BOOST : THE BASIC PRINCIPLES

BOOST is based on learning by doing.

An organization learns better and takes ownership of the learning more easily if that experience is gained through practice (“doing”) and combined with proximity mentoring.

Therefore, three conditions are necessary for the application of this method:

– spaces and attitude towards experimentation but with a safety net (right to make mistakes, joint search for alternatives, reduction of fear of failure and abandonment, respect for individual rhythm and time),
– a clear framework and awareness of the process (repetition of the framework, updating of the process and objectives)
– explicit capitalization of learning.

a holistic approach
Capacity building is not an accumulation of activities or a one-way street (top down), but rather a process of exchanges and the creation of an enabling environment taking into account the context and the whole organization ( for example, it is not enough to teach the accountant a new accounting tool to be financially credible)

an approach based on strengths and successful experiences
BOOST takes specificities, experiences, knowledge, good practices and needs, rather than deficits, as a starting point.

a gradual approach
Local actors need time, space and supervision to experiment, become familiar with and take ownership of learning.

a participatory approach based on complementarity
The intention is not for each organization to become a copy of the others, but rather to develop according to its own vision and mission, and its own specificities, in order to be complementary to other organizations.

BOOST :SPECIFIC METHODS

BOOST combines several methods in an innovative way and thus responds to the recommendations of the localization program :

the theory of ‘small changes’
BOOST values each change  or successful experience, even minimal, obtained by a  concrete action plan designed by the team and thus empowers it.

the spider web method
Changing everything at the same time is impossible. This is why BOOST applies the spider web method. When you move a spider’s web by choosing 3 pivots, 3 turns, the rest of the web automatically follows. Likewise, BOOST intends to identify and work on 3 key priorities – one “pivotal change” at a time, so that the rest of the reinforcement automatically follows.

the gradual approach through the pivotal actions
BOOST avoids overload and the risk of tearing the associative fabric, putting too much pressure and making ownership of the process impossible. Following the 360° assessment, the association determines three pivotal changes at once, and sets up a gradual and manageable process on its own. Thus BOOST limits the CD to 3 pivotal actions per cycle to arrive at the identification of realistic and feasible changes with the available resources, affecting the concrete priorities of the organization.

the active integration of local experiences and knowledge
BOOST actively  integrates the professional or personal experiences and knowledge of the team,  with the specific points of view of the participants, following the rhythm and directions of all.

co-learning and peer-to-peer learning
BOOST invests in peer-to-peer learning and ToT – the most appropriate path towards contextualisation, ownership and lasting impact – to scale up training and support. BOOST builds a local team for co-animation, co-facilitation, testimonials, experts by experience, etc.

BOOST : A GRADUAL AND PROGRESSIVE METHODOLOGY

In order for our training and follow-up to lead to practical application
and thus to the creation of a real climate of change,
BOOST is built on a specific methods

This innovative BOOST methodology is accompanied by a Contextualized Proximity Accompaniment (ACP) which supports and accompanies the local teams in the implementation and achievements of their learning in their daily reality and practice.