Using the EAST Framework in the Social and Behaviour Change Work of Community Health and Nutrition Volunteers: Training Guide

"Say: 'Let's now try to make sure that all of you leave this workshop with many practical ideas of how you can use all the four aspects of the EAST framework in the everyday work you are doing."



This document provides guidance on delivering one-day workshop that aims to increase the ability of community health and nutrition volunteers to promote various behaviours in a way that enables and motivates people to adopt them. The acquired skills can be used in the context of group sessions, household visits, and individual counselling. Designed to be used by people who work on enhancing community volunteers' behaviour change capacities, this guide was prepared by ADRA Yemen in 2023 as part of the Yemen Emergency Multisectoral and Lifesaving Interventions (YEMLI) project. The project was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and technically supported by ADRA International.



The training uses the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT)'s EAST framework, which explains how to  encourage behaviour change by making it Easy (in the ADRA guidance: Easier), Attractive (in the ADRA guidance: Appealing), Social, and Timely (EAST). The framework draws attention to the importance of drawing on context-specific understanding to help people make the desired change. While the EAST framework originally featured examples from economically developed countries, this training guide shows how it can be used by international development projects and in protracted humanitarian crises, such as in Yemen.



The training outlined in the resource is designed as a one-day participatory learning event using brief talks, individual reflections, work done in pairs and groups, and discussions. ADRA indicates that it should be accompanied by other types of support, such as: training on social and behaviour change (SBC) communication and facilitation skills; technical training on the promoted behaviours; regular workshops discussing the main enablers and barriers to the promoted behaviours; on-the-job supervision; and regular opportunities to discuss any challenges and possible solutions.