BOOST : Building On Our Strengts Together

Based on field observations (such as difficulties in applying training, sometimes too theoretical and general, the use of a technical jargon, stimulating initiatives to bring changes followed by short-lived enthusiasm, ad hoc formation of a few individuals, …), CERAR has created his specific methodology to achieve a climate of change and lifelong learning.

This innovative action research program proposed by CERAR combines an alternative methodology of Structural Capacity Strengthening (BOOST – Building On Our Strengths Together) with a specific contextualized and ongoing mentorship method for implementing changes in everyday practices (CPM – ontextualized Proximity Mentorship).

Lasting change can only be gradual and promoted by teams within the organizations concerned. It is necessary to plan levels respecting the possibilities and limits of the organization and therefore to resize the objectives in successive, realistic and feasible stages:

Key steps in the CERAR innovative methodology

 

In order to lead to a practical implementation of our training modules and follow-ups, and thus to the creation of a real climate of change, BOOST is built on some of CERAR’s specific methods

• a 360° self-assessment
  involving the whole team and all levels of the organization
  
  
• the spider web method
  When you move a spider web by choosing 3 pivots, 3 turns, the rest of the web automatically follows.
  Likewise, BOOST intends to determine and work on 3 “pivot shifts” at a time, so that the rest of the reinforcement automatically follows

• the pivotal changes
  To change too much at the same time risks tearing the associative fabric, putting too much pressure and making ownership of the process impossible. If, on the contrary, the association determines three pivotal changes each time, it sets up a gradual process manageable by themselves.
  BOOST limits the Capacity Development to 3 pivotal actions per cycle to arrive at the identification of realistic and feasible changes feasable with the available resources, affecting the concrete priorities of the organization
  
  
• a strengths-based approach and success stories
  BOOST takes own specificities, needs and strengths, rather than deficits, as a starting point, in function of available resources
  
  
• the theory of ‘small changes’
  BOOST values each change made, even minimal, in a concrete action plan determined by the team and empowering it
  

• the integration of local professional or lived experiences and knowledge
  BOOST integrates the experiences and knowledge of the team, professional or lived, the specific points of view of the participants, following the rhythm of this

• the creation of a local team
  BOOST invests in ToT to support, monitor and multiply training and support

This innovative methodology BOOST – based on a Contextualized Proximity mentorship (CPM ) – moves away from “plug and play” to support and mentor local teams in the implementation of their learnings in their everyday practice.

BOOST capitalizes by jointly developing scalable tools that can be transferred within local networks
and supports the translation of learnings into action plans and achievable steps.

BOOST takes into account

• the environment and resources (limited means of communication, difficulties of access and movement, stress due to insecurity, etc.);  

• the various cultural issues inside and outside the humanitarian realm;

• personal stories and circumstances

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