6.3 Approaches to community engagement

To build and maintain energy in the community during data collection, you need to develop approaches that are continuous, focused and intentional. Key approaches included:

• Creating vibrant spaces for communication: We used WhatsApp groups for daily updates, shout-outs, solving problems, and sharing good news.

• Running special events: For example, data collection marathons, meaning periods of intense data collection. We used challenges to create the hype, and themed weeks to get more people to join us.

• Localizing communication: We used language that people could relate to in our messages, showing respect for local culture and language differences. We draft a standard message first, then the adapt it and add some bits of local language.

• Direct, human support: Language Leads acted as first points of contact to increase trust and answer any questions. This is a tried and tested approach.

• : As well as giving recognition points that people could collect and swap for money, we noticed that the cost of data is high in low-resource settings. So we offered data incentives and this helped to increase levels of engagement.