NSO Implementation

NSO Implementation

As a National Scout Organization (NSO), your role is to develop, design, and deliver Scouting's Youth Programme based on your country's specific realities and context in your educational proposals.

 
We believe that aligning community development projects with young people's needs, the purpose of Scouting, and the 17 SDGs strengthens the relevance of Scouting as a partner in tackling local issues. This will offer young people more meaningful opportunities to transform their communities. Your role in aligning these objectives contributes to upholding Scouting’s legacy of fostering peace and development for more than a century.
 
We are here to help guide and support you in implementing Scouts for SDGs initiatives in your NSO. Ready to get started? Let’s take it step by step!

Your NSO Guide to Implementing Scouts for SDGs

 
Implementing Scouts for SDGs initiatives and challenges into your NSO doesn’t have to be complicated. Here you’ll find our roadmap to support you in examining, mapping, designing and planning for the implementation of the WOSM initiatives you believe can enhance your National Youth Programme. Further to this, you can find specific guidance on implementing each challenge under its page.
 
Take it step by step, and we’ve got your back if you have any questions or need guidance along the way!
 

STEP 1: EXPLORING

  • Explore issues related to the 17 SDGs affecting your country
  • Zoom in on the issues affecting young people and their communities
  • Review the links between your youth programme’s offering and these issues
Guiding Questions:
  • What are the top issues arising in our local communities today?
  • What issues related to SDGs are affecting our young people?
  • What level of understanding of the SDGs and education for sustainable development exists in our NSO?
  • On a scale from 1-10, to which extent does our programme have a direct link to the SDGs and contribute to fulfilling those goals?
 

STEP 2: IDENTIFYING

  • Identify the area of intervention and issues to address
  • Define your potential contribution
  • Consider the scope of Scouting education and your NSO's capacity to tackle those issues
  • Understand what your current Youth Programme has in relation to the four themes of the initiatives
Guiding Questions:
  • What kind of resources are already in place for challenges to be implemented?
  • Which of the challenges can be implemented?
  • What impact do you wish to see from your NSO’s contribution? What are your indicators of success?
 

STEP 3: MAPPING

  • Consider the national programmes and initiatives contributing to community development in your NSO
  • Map out the initiatives, challenges, programmes and recognition badges that could contribute to the issues identified in step 2
  • Map the gaps between the desired outcomes and existing results related to solving those issues
Guiding Questions:
  • What existing resources and materials do we already have at our disposal to tackle the identified issues?
  • Are there any local projects or actions already contributing to solving the same issues we are trying to solve? What are they? How can we collaborate?
  • What is the impact of these issues on young people, the environment and communities?
 

STEP 4: CHOOSING

  • Select the initiatives and challenges your NSO will adapt, integrate and/or match within your youth programme
  • Choose which learning objectives your NSO will use to enhance and complement any existing programmes
Guiding Questions:
  • Which initiatives and challenges fit your needs the most? Why?
  • How will you integrate those initiatives and challenges into your programme?
 

STEP 5: ALIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING

  • Create an action plan to match WOSM initiatives and challenges to NSO needs
  • Request the support of consultants via WOSM services or reach out to your WOSM regional team
  • Appoint one person in charge of the process and recruit a multi-generational, gender-balanced team for implementation
  • Integrate, match and/or adapt initiatives and challenges to your youth programme, making sure to involve young people in the process.
  • Develop capacity in the team with the support of WOSM Services
  • Engage local leaders, young people and local partners, and communicate your plans with them
  • Celebrate achievements.
  • Integrate and onboard existing teams, networks, and resources.
Guiding Questions:
  • How will young people be involved in the implementation process?
  • Is there a local network in place?
  • How will you cascade your action plan to Adult Leaders working directly with young people?
 

STEP 6: MONITORING, EVALUATION AND DEMONSTRATING IMPACT

  • Align with WOSM KPIs for the Initiatives and Challenges. 
  • Plan how and when to capture best practices, testimonials and story moments. 
  • Identify other relevant KPIs for partners and action in your country and local communities. 
  • Monitor and evaluate the progress of young people, the process of implementation and the impact on the community
  • Share your stories and achievements on sdgs.scout.org 
  • Capture quality photos and videos to share the impact of your story
  • Organize training and promotional events for young people and adults
Guiding Questions:
  • How will the institution monitor and evaluate the results and impact?

Project Management Tips for Successful Implementation

 

There is no standard way to incorporate WOSM initiatives in your NSO or NSA. It is up to you to choose and design the ones that best fit your country’s context and seek the support you need for implementation. 
 
Look at the implementation of initiatives as a project:
  1. Assign a person as Project Owner to oversee the process
  2. Create a project team including members of the National Team, Youth Programme developers, experts in the area of knowledge, and partners. Include young people and engage them in the different phases of the project.
  3. Develop a project plan, adjust when needed and monitor its progress continuously with relevant stakeholders.
 
You need to consider aspects like content material, team, production and marketing, and project management. For each aspect, you should: 

Content Material:

  • Regularly review reference materials
  • Consult relevant stakeholders during the review process
  • Adapt and translate reference materials related to initiatives and challenges as needed
  • Ensure the tools and resources are in line with the requirements of WOSM and its partners.

Team:

  • Provide capacity building for National Teams and Adult Leaders at the grassroots level
  • Appoint a focal point to support continuous implementation of initiatives and challenges
  • Join a global network of volunteers coordinated by the World Scout Bureau
  • Celebrate your team and participants’ achievements

Production and Marketing:

  • Produce the reference materials, recognition elements, badges, and promotional materials
  • Create special events for launching, promoting, or advancing initiatives and challenges
  • Develop Communication resources and have a social media presence
  • Share stories and projects with internal and external audiences
  • Gather data and create comprehensive reports on results, outcomes, and impact
  • Utilize WOSM digital platforms for monitoring and reporting, such as the NSO data portal and Scouts for SDGs Hub

Project Management:

  • Develop monitoring and evaluation tools aligned with WOSM and partner requirements
  • Create a budget and fundraising plan to support the project
  • Apply for grants from WOSM, partners, or external organizations
  • Identify and collaborate with relevant partners at both WOSM and national levels

Implementation Roles and Benefits for All!

 
Adults in Scouting play a crucial role in supporting and guiding young people, giving them exceptional learning experiences where they can explore and get involved in their communities and the world around them.
 
The magic happens when quality adults step in and act as catalysts so that young people can take charge and lead on their initiatives, turning our mission into real-life adventures and making a positive impact on society. 
 

Young people:

  • Develop competencies for sustainable development to become active citizens.
  • Engage in initiatives and challenges that contribute to the SDGs.
  • Network, exchange ideas and participate in campaigns with other NSOs and regions, at a global level with different partners.
  • Implement innovative solutions in their community with the support of their teams, Adult Leaders and NSOs.

Adult Leaders at the grassroots level will:

  • Network with expert partners and NSOs to exchange best practices and implement the initiatives.
  • Receive a clear step by step process on how to introduce the SDGs, adopt and implement initiatives and challenges that complement their programme.
  • Promote, activate and inspire young people to support them in completing the challenges
  • Encourage young people to network with others, acquire new skills and develop new competencies towards active citizenship.

National team members in the NSO will:

  • Tailor their Youth Programme to suit the local needs without competing with the existing one.
  • Encourage NSOs to implement the initiatives in a way that is considerate of different needs, cultures and backgrounds.

NSOs will:

  • Have supported educational objectives for global citizenship and community development.
  • Have ready-made resources focused on specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and competencies. that complement the existing Youth Programme.
  • Be assisted in implementing community development initiatives.
  • Acquire a standardized monitoring and evaluation system for tracking Scouts’ contribution to SDG achievement.
  • Collaborate with programmes, campaigns, calls to action, partnerships, and events on a regional and global scale.
  • Have an enhanced reputation among young people, local community, and partners at all levels.
  • Create a phased approach for implementation from national to grassroots level, providing educational material for adults and young people.

National youth programme teams and programme developers will:

  • Have a clear framework for collaboration between NSOs, donors, partners, and the local community.
  • Have long-term goals for the next ten years as a reference for NSOs to meet specific country needs.
  • Have a well-defined planning process for NSOs to integrate initiatives into the National Youth Programme.
  • Be able to offer different thematic areas and learning objectives to create more learning opportunities for youth.
  • Oversee the incorporation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Education for Sustainable Development Goals and initiatives supporting the National Youth Programme.
  • Keep up to date with the initiative or challenge teams.
  • Develop and support training processes for young people and adults.

Local community will:

  • Have enabled young people who contribute to achieving the SDGs through community development actions.
  • Attract partners to engage with young people in addressing global issues using innovative solutions.
  • Attract collaborations between local communities and NSOs to tackle relevant issues affecting youth and the community.

Some inspiration for you!

Scouts for SDGs Evolution in Singapore's Scout Association

 
By aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and integrating Scouts for SDGs initiatives into its scouting progress schemes, the Singapore Scout Association promoted holistic development in its NSO. It encouraged young Scouts to actively engage in initiatives that address global challenges and contribute to positive change in their communities.
 
The availability of online resources and platforms has also enhanced accessibility and awareness of Scouts for SDGs (formerly the Better World Framework), fostering a ground-up approach to scouting and global citizenship.
Project Orion where Scouts participate in turtle conservation in Singapore and Malaysia
When did it happen? Starting from 2006 onwards
 
Who were the changemakers? The Singapore Scout Association, a strong team of young people, recipients of the Scouts of the World Award and a commissioner leading the Better World Framework (now known as Scouts for SDGs)
 
Who were the beneficiaries? The Singapore Scout Association and its members, participants in the Scouts of the World Award and other Scouts for SDGs initiatives
 
How did they do it? The Singapore Scout Association embraced the Better World Framework (now Scouts for SDGs) starting with the implementation of the Scouts of the World Award in 2006 and subsequently introducing the World Scout Environment Programme (now known as Earth Tribe) and Messengers of Peace initiatives.
 
In 2016, the initiatives were consolidated under one commissioner and championed by a dedicated team of passionate young individuals who had previously been involved in the initiatives. They worked together to develop NSO-specific guidelines, integrating the framework into national progress schemes across all scout sections. Additionally, they created a website in 2017 and social media platforms to provide information, resources and updates related to the Better World Framework.

Driving Peace and SDG Awareness in Colombia

 
By incorporating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) awareness into scouting activities, the Scouts Association of Colombia promotes a culture of peace and sustainable actions among its members. The dissemination of these initiatives in Colombia through social networks and workshops has increased sustainable development awareness and engagement.
 
Collaborations with external partners have further strengthened the initiatives and expanded their reach. Overall, the integration of global initiatives has contributed to youth empowerment, environmental conservation, and the promotion of peace in Colombia.
Colombian Scouts take part in Messengers of Peace workshops
When did it happen? Starting from 2013 onwards
 
Who were the changemakers? The National Scout Organization of Colombia, the first Messengers of Peace coordinator, and the National Commissioners for Messengers of Peace, Scouts of the World Award and the Environmental Programme (now the Earth Tribe)
 
Who were the beneficiaries? The National Scout Organization of Colombia and its members involved in the initiatives
 
How did they do it? Colombia embarked on its journey with Scouts for SDGs (then the Better World Framework) in 2013 by launching Messengers of Peace during their event called JamCam. The NSO appointed a coordinator and assembled a team of volunteers to drive the implementation.
 
In subsequent years, the NSO established national commissions for various global initiatives and set requirements for national recognition. By 2019, a unified commission was created to streamline leadership across all initiatives. To promote and implement these global initiatives, the NSO utilized institutional channels on social networks and held meetings with regional teams and Better World commissioners.
 
The regional teams organized workshops, engaged in territorial animation, and formed alliances with partners such as WWF, UNEP and UN Women. The introduction of YUNGA received significant interest among young people. In 2020, Colombia launched Earth Tribe and Patrimonito, which are currently being disseminated and implemented.