UPLIFT Facilitation Guide for Community-Based Groups
The UPLIFT Study
The UPLIFT Study (2023–2025) was a multi-country research initiative designed to strengthen the evidence and operational guidance for Community-Based Groups (CBGs) for people affected by skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin-NTDs). Building on a scoping review, consultations with people affected, NGOs and researchers, and implementation experience across Bangladesh, Ethiopia and India, UPLIFT developed and tested a harmonised, operational and adaptable CBG model integrating self-care, psychosocial support, group governance and empowerment, social participation and advocacy. The model was implemented across different skin-NTDs, communities and health-system contexts, generating evidence and practical learning that informed the development of the two complementary resources below.
UPLIFT was developed through a partnership involving Effect Hope, Lepra, the German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association (DAHW), Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), with implementation led by LEPRA Society in India, Lepra in Bangladesh and GLRA in Ethiopia. The study was primarily funded by the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP).
Facilitation Guide for Community-Based Groups
The Facilitation Guide is a companion resource to the Implementation Manual, designed primarily for facilitators and others directly supporting CBG implementation. It translates the UPLIFT model into practical guidance for facilitating group development and activities across the three first stages.
The guide provides session guidance, practical tools and training resources covering areas such as group formation and needs assessment, governance and leadership, self-care, psychosocial and peer support, social participation, advocacy, community and health-system linkages, and monitoring. It is intended to support facilitators in adapting implementation to the capacity, progress and context of group members while working towards the milestones set out in the Implementation Manual.
You can access the resource here: Facilitation Guide for Community-Based Groups