On 10 September 2025, the Enablement Foundation was pleased to host a Partners’ Exchange on Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) at our Utrecht office. The meeting created a valuable space for knowledge-sharing, reflection, and dialogue among organisations working to make rehabilitation more inclusive, sustainable, and community-driven.

✨ What we discussed:

• Understanding CBR approaches: While the principles remain the same, each context requires tailored strategies. The exchange underlined how partners can inspire each other by sharing practical solutions.

• Transitioning from centres to communities: Balancing specialised care with inclusion remains a challenge. Partners emphasised combining approaches, strengthening prevention, and advocating with governments to expand sustainable services.

• Families and fathers at the centre: Initiatives such as ‘Father Days’ and community gardens show how engaging fathers can reduce stigma, generate income, and strengthen family participation in CBR.

• Sustainability and ownership: From integrating CBR into existing health and education systems, to ensuring local investment and avoiding dependency, participants highlighted pathways for long-term impact.

• Networking and collaboration: Mapping existing actors and building multi-organisational networks are essential to achieving stronger systems and coordinated action.

🔎 Case examples shared included:

• Impaction & Inspire 2 Care model for strategic integration and sustainable exit strategies.

• Perspective’s child-centered approach in Nepal, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Tanzania, linking children to health, education, income, participation, and family support.

💡 Key takeaways:

• Collaboration and context-specific adaptation are vital for CBR success.

• Exchanges should be thematic, practical, and evidence-based.

• Simplified reporting and knowledge-sharing tools can strengthen both practice and donor relations.

• Governments must play a greater role in ownership, alongside organisational support.

Looking ahead, Enablement will continue to engage in 1–2 partner exchanges per year, each focusing on a specific CBR theme. Together, we aim to expand collaboration, foster innovation, and support sustainable rehabilitation systems that empower communities worldwide.

👉 Many thanks to all participants for your valuable contributions — we are excited to take the next steps together.