Founded in 1995 by the Institute for Democratic Alternatives in South Africa (IDASA), the Budget Information Service evaluates federal budgets to determine whether government human rights obligations to particular groups of people are being met.  After first determining the government’s legal obligations to a constituency, then analyzing budget tables to see how the constituency’s economic and social rights are promoted and protected in budget allocations.  IDASA uses a human rights-based approach to draft budget recommendations, presenting them to government members, lobbying groups, and members of the media.

The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) trains peer counselors to provide mental health services to refugees in Guinea and Sierra Leone.  With more than 300,000 refugees from Sierra Leone and more than 100,000 refugees from Liberia, staff and resources were far too limited to meet the needs of those who could benefit from mental health services in the refugee camps.  As a result, CVT began training of refugees themselves as peer counselors—or Psychosocial Agents (PSAs). Over 120 para-professionals have been trained through this approach.

For a detailed exploration of this tactic, please click on the following link to consult our tactical notebook, <b><a href="http://www.newtactics.org/en/RebuildingCommunities">Rebuilding Communities</a></b> by Binta Barry and Nancy L. Pearson.