We created this checklist to support both program design and ongoing implementation of social norms-shifting interventions. Often programmers plan to challenge and shift harmful social norms but are not certain of where to begin and how to adapt their activities to include norms-shifting components, effectively moving beyond individual behavior change. Programs that do not understand how to shift harmful norms may inadvertently reinforce them, or simply be ineffective at challenging and shifting them. This checklist provides examples of questions to ask while designing activities, examples of how to fill in any gaps identified, and what norms-shifting interventions look like in action. The checklist should be used after the program identifies the harmful social norms that act as barriers to positive behaviors and outcomes and thus the context in which norms operate. Available in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.
This version includes the full GBV Guidance for Development Programs with the following annexures, and more resources. This is the complete and comprehensive version of CARE's GBV in Development Guidance which can be used and adopted by all projects, across impact areas, when integrating a GBV mitigation, prevention or response approach. Read More
Young people represent a large proportion of the population in many countries: one in six people worldwide is between the ages of 15 and 24, and nearly half of the global population is under 30. These formative years are filled with opportunity, yet they are a finite amount of time to inform the pathway of a young person’s future. CARE’s Power Within model is a competency-based framework to support young people in building essential life skills during this critical window. In 2008, CARE launched the Power Within model for adolescent leadership development, focused on building five core competencies for people ages 10-19. Power Within’s competency framework supports young people’s development by building life skills that help them deal with the challenges and demands of their daily lives. The model contains three primary competency domains: strong self-image, strong mind, and strong voice. The competencies are transferable, which means that they can be applied in many situations, and they can be practiced throughout program activities in most, if not all, of CARE’s direct work with adolescents and youth. This approach is similar to teaching Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies in formal education that integrate ‘soft’ skills into a subject area curriculum. Power Within also aligns with the Positive Youth Development Framework, which prioritizes the development of young people’s assets, agency, contribution, and enabling environment. In 2024, the model was updated to include youth (now inclusive of ages 10-24) and reflect lessons from CARE’s work and other prominent models and evidence regarding what young people need. Read More
CARE wrote this manual for Community-Based Trainers (CBTs) who are responsible for training and mentoring VSLA. The manual's purpose is to provide a standard approach to delivering training and mentoring sessions to VSLA members. It provides instructions for organizing and facilitating the full range of sessions and topics for VSLA members. Read More