SBC at a Crossroads: Charting a Collective Path Forward

At a pivotal moment for the social and behavior change (SBC) field, this interactive side event explores how practitioners are grappling with a shifting SBC sector, fluctuating funding landscapes, fragmented identities, and increasing demands for measurable impact. Drawing on insights from the CORE Group SBC Connect Initiative, including several global listening sessions with SBC practitioners across the United States, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and multilateral agencies, the session surfaces five defining themes that reflect both the challenges and opportunities facing SBC today.

Through a presentation of findings and a dynamic panel discussion, SBC regional and global leaders will reflect on this "crossroads" moment-interrogating the field's identity, its evidence base, and its evolution from household-level interventions toward systems change. Participants will then engage in small group ideation to identify concrete, collective actions to strengthen and align the SBC ecosystem for the future, with an emphasis on locally led, connected, and accountable approaches. Global leaders from different regions will reflect on the changes that have occurred in the past year and discuss the SBC sector's path forward, with collaboration and inclusivity as a focus. This will be interactive and participants will be invited to share their experiences.

Agenda:

1. Opening Remarks. Lisa Hilmi, Executive Director, CORE Group

2. Presentation of Findings. Listening sessions, survey results, and key themes – Joel Mercado, World Vision, Barbara Muffoletto, Impact Global Health Alliance

3. Panel Discussion. Your reflections and reactions to the findings (Speakers being confirmed)

4. Q&A from the Plenary

5. Small Group Ideation. Participants work together to prioritize actions for the future of SBC

6. Closing Remarks