OVERVIEW AND GAPS: Policy, Strategy, and Investment Implications - SBC Direct Impact Evidence

As highlighted in the introduction and on the Direct Impact site, the criteria for inclusion in the database that informs the policy, strategy, and investment implication priorities outlined above are very strict. The goal is to ensure that there can be few external criticisms. The data all come from large-scale RCTs or systematic reviews that have been subject to peer review through the publication process for very respected journals. The oldest date for any of the selected publications is 2010, so the data relate to current conditions. There is a numeric data point: Impact is quantified and easily explained. That impact relates to a programming initiative or natural process (e.g., a social movement) that is related to social change and/or behaviour change.



At this time (we are looking for more), 108 studies meeting those criteria have been identified and included. As this is UNICEF-supported and -focused work, there may be a tendency toward that organisation’s strategic priorities (though those are of course broad in their scale and scope). There was also a stress on research from and related to the Global South.



Within the focus outlined in the two paragraphs above, is there anything we can learn about the state of the impact data for social change and behaviour change? What lessons emerge, for example, around: the balance across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); the prevalence of particular SBC strategies; the range across different countries and regions; and the focus on particular media? From the filtering process on the site, some of the relevant data include:

There is considerable balance, and, of course, many of the studies cover a number of issues, countries, strategies, and SDGs. But there are also some obvious gaps. Examples include climate action, entertainment, North Africa, and risk management.



We very much look forward to both the ways in which:

A. The data and strategic insights outlined in this paper are used to advance the effectiveness and scale of social change and behaviour change action to advance positive change across all communities and all development issues; and

B. The conversation, debate, and dialogue that follow related to the policy, strategy, and investment argument implications of the high-level and compelling data presented.

Warren Feek

Executive Director

The Communication Initiative

April 3rd, 2023

Links to other strategic and investment Implications

INTRODUCTION: Policy, Strategy, and Investment Implications - SBC Direct Impact Evidence

WOMEN'S NETWORKS and GROUPS - Policy, Strategy, and Investment Implication 1 from the Direct Impact Evidence

VOICE, CONVERSATION, DIALOGUE - Policy, Strategy, and Investment Implication 2 from the Direct Impact Evidence

PARTICIPATORY ACTION - Policy, Strategy, and Investment Implication 3 from the Direct Impact Evidence

DIGITAL NETWORKS - Policy, Strategy, and Investment Implication 4 from the Direct Impact Evidence

STRUCTURAL CHANGE FOCUS - Policy, Strategy, and Investment Implication 5 from the Direct Impact Evidence

... and this specific look at the implications for action on a 2 key child protection concerns. 

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION and CHILD MARRIAGE: Impact Data with Action Implications