How do you build trust and rapport with community partners in CBPR?

2 Communicate effectively

Communication is key to building trust and rapport in CBPR. You need to communicate frequently, openly, and respectfully with your community partners. You also need to listen actively, acknowledge different perspectives, and address any concerns or conflicts that may arise. You can use strategies such as regular meetings, newsletters, social media, and feedback mechanisms to facilitate communication and keep everyone informed and engaged.

3 Respect cultural diversity

CBPR involves working with diverse communities that may have different values, beliefs, norms, and practices. You need to respect and appreciate the cultural diversity of your community partners and avoid imposing your own assumptions or biases. You can use methods such as cultural humility, cultural competence, and cultural safety to learn about the culture of the community, adapt your research methods and interventions, and ensure that your CBPR project is culturally appropriate and respectful.

4 Share power and resources

CBPR is based on the principle of mutual benefit and reciprocity. You need to share power and resources with your community partners and ensure that they have a meaningful voice and influence in the research process. You also need to recognize and compensate the contributions and expertise of the community and provide opportunities for capacity building and empowerment. You can use approaches such as participatory decision making, co-creation, and co-ownership to share power and resources in CBPR.

5 Disseminate and apply results

One of the goals of CBPR is to produce knowledge that is useful and actionable for the community. You need to disseminate and apply the results of your CBPR project in ways that are accessible, relevant, and respectful to your community partners. You also need to involve them in the dissemination and application process and acknowledge their role and impact. You can use formats such as community forums, policy briefs, and action plans to disseminate and apply results in CBPR.

6 Evaluate and sustain relationships

CBPR is not a one-time event, but a long-term relationship. You need to evaluate and sustain the relationships that you have built with your community partners and ensure that they are mutually beneficial and satisfying. You also need to celebrate the achievements, learn from the challenges, and plan for the future of your CBPR project and partnership. You can use tools such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups to evaluate and sustain relationships in CBPR.