Training Program
Training, Sharing, and Mutual Learning
Tostan’s Training, Sharing, and Mutual Learning program is a response to growing requests from community activists, NGOs, philanthropists, and government leaders to learn from our proven model of Community Empowering Education. The program offer structured and co-created learning journeys that combine experiential seminars, peer exchange, participation in the Lafia Community of Practice, and in-country implementation support. The Tostan Training Center (TTC) in Thiès, Senegal serves as the hub for experiential learning on participatory and community-led approaches and methodologies, with many of the longer seminars taking place there. Seminars also take place in the countries where the interested partners are located.
What to Expect as a participant ?
As a partner organization or participant in one of the programs,you will be exposed to the theoretical foundations for the Community Empowering Education Model and gain practical skills from one of Africa’s most recognized models of community-led development.
Our courses provide a hands-on introduction to principles and key aspects of the Community Empowerment Program (CEP) that has supported thousands of rural communities across West and East Africa to achieve lasting change.
- Be introduced to Tostan’s unique human rights–based education model
- Connect practice to key development theories, including wellbeing, social norm theory and the capacity to aspire
- Experience core CEP sessions and take part in field visits to partner communities
- Explore monitoring and evaluation practices for holistic, integrated programs
- Exchange with a diverse group of activists, practitioners, and development leaders
Learning Journeys can take different shapes and follow different time frames, depending on the needs of partner organizations. They typically consist of one or more sequenced seminars coupled with continued learning through the Community of Practice and customized coaching.
What we offer ?
A first step into Tostan’s empowering education model—introducing core principles, methodology, and space for joint planning.
5 days typically held in the partner’s country in
- High-level Overview of Tostan’s empowering education model and methodology, including selected theory sessions.
- Core values and practices that underpin community-led change
- Opportunities and challenges of applying these principles in your own context
- Foundation for co-creating a longer learning journey with Tostan
- Experiential sessions from the CEP
- African cultural learning methods—storytelling, song, dance, theater, and dialogue
- Collaborative planning exercises for the next phase of the journey
- Virtual or in-person exchanges with in-country facilitators or alumni who share first-hand experiences
- Discussions with Tostan trainers on practical application in participant contexts
- Staff and leaders of NGOs, CSOs, or government programs seeking to strengthen community-led approaches
- Practitioners interested in exploring collaboration with Tostan
We encourage networks of organizations to apply together. When applying as a single organization, we encourage at least two representatives to take part.
10 full days, usually at the Tostan Training Center in Thiès, Senegal
- Introduction to the CEP with selected sessions from the curriculum
- Tostan’s Theory of Change and the Theory of Wellbeing
- Understanding social norms and their influence on behavior and systems
- The Capacity to Aspire and how it supports community visioning
up to 22 participants
- Facilitated, participatory activities
- African cultural methods—song, dance, theater, poetry
- Two field visits to Tostan partner communities
- Roundtable with Community Management Committees (CMCs)
- Q&A with Social Mobilization Agents
- NGO leaders with organizational or program-level responsibilities
- Trainers, teachers, and influential leaders in social or international development
- Government officials overseeing local development programs
- Representatives of foundations or multilateral organizations investing in community development
We encourage two people per organization to apply. Please coordinate so the two best-placed colleagues submit applications.
An in-depth, trainer-focused step equipping motivated alumni to share and adapt Tostan’s approach within their own organizations. It is a training of trainers with practice facilitation, reflection, and coaching.
3 weeks, usually at the Tostan Training Center in Thiès, Senegal
- Deeper understanding of CEP principles and methodology
- Facilitation skills to lead learning sessions in your organization or network
- Access to a detailed training manual for adaptation and in-country use
- Strategies for scaling community-led initiatives
- Tostan’s Theory Of Change
- The Theory of Wellbeing
- Practical facilitation exercises with coaching from Tostan master trainers
- Peer-to-peer training and feedback sessions
- Continued use of African participatory methodologies
- Field visits to CEP partner communities to observe and practice facilitation
- Engagement with CMCs and local leaders
- Alumni of the 10-Day Seminar with demonstrated facilitation skills and strong motivation
- Partner staff ready to act as trainers or multipliers in their organization
A customized step for partners committed to embedding and scaling Tostan’s approach within their programs and ecosystems.
1 week (tailored to partner needs) and in partner countries
- Applying CEP principles to areas such as governance, health, education, or gender equity
- Strategies for partner-led seminars and national scaling efforts
- Approaches to coaching, mentoring, and monitoring during implementation
Tools for tracking impact and organizational learning
- Customized sessions co-designed with the partner organization
- Case studies from partner contexts
- Joint action planning for scaling and sustainability
- Deeper engagement with partner field sites and networks
- Ongoing coaching and mentoring from Tostan trainers and alumni
- Partner organizations committed to long-term integration of Tostan’s approach
- Trainers and program managers seeking to scale practices across teams, networks, or national platforms
Need More Information?
If you have additional questions about the training—or if you are interested in renting a space at the Tostan Training Center—please contact us at training@tostan.org.
Calendar of Events
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1 event,
An official meeting bringing together local authorities, partners, and Tostan staff to discuss program impact and future collaborations. |
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2 events,
Three-day training session for community facilitators to strengthen implementation of the CEP (Community Empowerment Program). |
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1 event,
Join our interactive workshop focused on strengthening community-led development practices through Tostan’s Human Rights-Based Approach in the Kolda region. |
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Training Program Highlights
Videos
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The Story of LAFIA Community of Practice
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Un Rappel des Principes de l'Approche Communautaire
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A Refresher on the Principles of the Community-Led Approach
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Building Resilience for 2025 | Insights from Lafia Group's Community Call
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Village Vibes: A Virtual Retreat for Community Catalysts
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Overcoming resistance through storytelling
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Weaving Narratives: Storytelling and Branding for Enhanced Community Part 3
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Conversations with Molly, Session #2
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Weaving Narratives Storytelling and Branding for Enhanced Community Wellbeing
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Conversations with Molly, Session #1
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Synergizing Strategies for Collective Impact Enhancing Organizational Collaboration within the CoP
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Programs where communities improve their wellbeing