RISE & The Red Cross
Empowering Global Youth: The International Federation of the Red Cross and the RISE Model
In January 2024, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) embarked on the second year of its Limitless program, an ambitious social innovation incubator addressing climate change at the local level. To enhance their efforts, the Global Innovation Office of the Solferino Academy reached out to Emily Wray, creator of the RISE Model for Meaningful Feedback.
The IFRC sought to leverage RISE to support the development of over 100 innovation leads, who in turn would mentor +10,000 program participants around the globe. The request included translating the RISE Model into 11 languages, integrating it into their mentorship process, and including it in their global WhatsApp learning conference.
The Challenge
The IFRC faced the challenge of effectively scaling their youth-led climate initiatives across multiple countries and languages. With a mission to empower local solutions to climate change, the organization needed a robust feedback mechanism to foster meaningful conversations, facilitate idea development, and ensure consistent mentorship quality. The complexity of mentoring a diverse, global pool of young innovators required a structured approach to feedback that could transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.
The Value of a Shared Framework
The RISE Model, which stands for Reflect, Inquire, Suggest, and Elevate, is designed to structure and facilitate developmental conversations. It provides a common language and clear steps for giving and receiving feedback, making it an ideal tool for the IFRC's diverse and distributed network. By implementing RISE, the IFRC aimed to enhance collaboration, communication, and reflective practice among young innovators, preparing them for future challenges and opportunities.
To support the IFRC's needs, we provided access to our online course "How to Be Better at Feedback Using the RISE Model." This course served as foundational training for the innovation leads, equipping them with the skills necessary to guide and mentor program participants effectively.
Looking Ahead
With the Limitless 2.0 program in full swing, the focus remains on the ongoing implementation and integration of the RISE Model. As innovation leads continue their training and begin to apply the RISE framework in their mentoring roles, we anticipate a positive impact on the program's outcomes. The translation of RISE into 11 languages ensures that feedback remains accessible and effective across different cultural contexts, supporting the development of local solutions to global climate challenges.
The collaboration between the IFRC and the RISE Model underscores the importance of structured feedback in driving social innovation. By adopting RISE, the IFRC is empowering its global network of young innovators, enhancing their ability to tackle climate challenges more effectively. This initiative serves as a testament to the value of meaningful feedback in fostering mentorship and collaboration on a global scale.
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