Institute for Community Based Sociotherapy (ICBS)

The Institute for Community Based Sociotherapy (ICBS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing psychosocial well-being and fostering peace in communities affected by conflict, violence, or natural disasters. Established in 2019 and headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, ICBS serves as a global expertise center for the Community-Based Sociotherapy (CBS) methodology.

Mission and Vision

ICBS’s mission is to support individuals impacted by humanitarian crises by providing access to community-based sociotherapy—a group-based approach that strengthens feelings of safety, trust, dignity, and restores social fabric. The organization envisions communities where people, whose lives have been disrupted by crises, can live in peace and re-establish meaningful relationships.

Core Activities

ICBS focuses on several key areas to promote and implement the CBS methodology:

• Quality Standards Development: Establishing and promoting quality standards for the implementation of CBS, including certification possibilities for projects and organizations, and examination of facilitators and trainers.

• Training and Capacity Building: Providing training for facilitators and trainers in guiding CBS groups, and supporting partners worldwide in designing and implementing CBS projects.

• Knowledge Sharing: Facilitating a platform for exchange of experience and expertise among implementing bodies, and providing access to a database of training manuals, guidelines, research, publications, and project documentation on CBS.

• Research and Advocacy: Conducting research on the effectiveness and scalability of the CBS approach in post-conflict societies, and developing advocacy initiatives for its use in addressing difficulties in such settings.

Global Reach and Partnerships

ICBS collaborates with various organizations to implement CBS in different regions. Notable partnerships include:

• CBS Rwanda: A local organization established to build upon the successes of past CBS initiatives in Rwanda.

• TPO Uganda: Collaborating to introduce CBS in refugee settings in Uganda.

• ZOA Ethiopia and South Sudan: Providing training and support for CBS implementation in these countries.

• Sustaining Peace through Development Initiatives (SPDI) in Liberia: Supporting the establishment of a local organization to continue CBS work after the departure of international partners.

Methodology: Community-Based Sociotherapy (CBS)

CBS is a psychosocial methodology aiming to restore and strengthen safety, trust, dignity, and social cohesion in societies affected by violent conflicts or natural disasters. The approach involves group sessions facilitated by trained individuals from the community, guiding participants through phases of safety, trust, care, respect, new life orientations, and processing emotional memories. The method is based on principles such as equality, democracy, participation, responsibility, and learning by doing.

Organizational Development

In 2022, ICBS underwent significant organizational changes, including the establishment of a new supervisory board and restructuring to align with the principles of community-based sociotherapy. The organization aims to develop a knowledge institute for CBS professionals worldwide, focusing on quality enhancement of CBS projects and expanding its global network.