Strategic entry point 2: Support community and civil society engagement on the social determinants of health equity

Community engagement and civil society participation are foundational to promoting health equity, because they ensure that the voices of populations in conditions of vulnerability are central to planning and policy development. This participatory approach strengthens accountability, transparency and inclusiveness in decision-making, fostering policies that align with the lived experiences and priorities of diverse communities. Empowerment and participation are also key principles of the human rights-based approach.

Acknowledging that communities are essential drivers of transformative change, and expanding the world report recommendation 4.2, “Support community and civil society engagement on the social determinants of health equity”, this strategic entry point seeks to empower local actors and civil society organizations (CSOs) to co-create and implement equity-focused strategies. By building trust, fostering sustainable social mobilization and adopting an asset-based approach, this strategic entry point ensures that communities are not only beneficiaries but also active participants in decision-making processes that shape health and social policies and services. It also emphasizes a community social development perspective, focusing on actions that build capacity, mobilize resources and create sustainable systems for collective problem-solving and advocacy for addressing the social determinants of health equity. It is organized into four interconnected core areas:

This strategic entry point is interlinked with other strategies to address the social determinants of health and advance health equity, as outlined in the SIMASHE knowledge-sharing diagram.