SBC Learning Central Platform

"Putting Learning into Action!"

Breakthrough ACTION developed SBC Learning Central to provide public health professionals with knowledge and skills to incorporate the spectrum of social and behaviour change (SBC) methodologies into their work. The aim is to create a critical mass of skilled SBC practitioners and supportive decision makers worldwide who use SBC approaches and best practices to design programmes that transform structures, systems of power, and community and household health practices. With an intentional focus on francophone West Africa, most of the online courses and toolkits are offered in French and English.

Content on SBC Learning Central focuses on how to apply SBC to key public health topics, including sexual and reproductive health, malaria, nutrition, and emergency outbreaks, such as COVID-19. At its launch in early June 2023, 10 courses were made available. As of September 2023, Breakthrough ACTION had added 21 more courses, with plans to release at least 10 more courses in the subsequent year.

Registration is free. Each course is authored by subject matter experts, is highly focused, and can be completed in about two to three hours. Learners can return to a course at any time to pick up where they left off. A "Taking Notes" feature allows learners to save notes to their profile for future reference, and course materials are also often available for download for further study. Finally, learners who score 80% or higher on the posttest and complete the course feedback form will earn a certificate of completion.

To reinforce and enhance the online courses, Breakthrough ACTION offers blended learning courses that combine asynchronous lessons with participation in virtual, synchronous discussions with course authors and peers. These blended learning opportunities include live office hours, question-and-answer sessions, project planning support, and "deep dives" during which course content is applied to practical exercises.