At the Heart of Our Work
Tsikbal (pronounced sic-baal) is a behavior change consulting firm that collaborates with organizations to design and implement strategies for meaningful change through dialogue — between people, within communities, and across systems.
Tsikbal is a Mayan concept that means “to talk” or “to dialogue.” A conversation is not only about exchanging words, but about weaving collective knowledge, memory, and vision for the future. It reflects a way of relating that values listening and collaborative decision-making.
Courtesy of Catholic Relief Services
From Dialogue to Action
Behavior change is more than individual choices. It’s also about the environments, norms, and structures that shape why we do what we do. That is why we combine behavioral insights, community innovation, and communication tools to create change that is grounded in both science and lived experience.
Research & Insights:
To understand what drives behavior and where opportunities for change exist.
Co-Design & Strategy:
To create pathways for change together with communities and partners.
Creative Production:
To bring new ideas to life through stories, media, and conversational tools.
Systems Support:
To strengthen the connections between people, services, and institutions so that change can happen and last.
What We’re Working On
Through our programs, we are designing solutions that improve people's lives. From sustainable farming in Latin America to sexual health in the United States, our constant is a sound and rigorous process: Listen → Learn → Co-design → Produce → Measure → Improve → Scale → Share
Courtesy of Catholic Relief Services
Con los Pies en la Tierra
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has launched a three-year partnership with Tsikbal to advance sustainable farming across Central America and Mexico by continuing to engage a network of radio stations, co-producing locally relevant programming in multiple languages, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation. Developed in 2020 by CRS and Rising Impact, Con los Pies en la Tierra uses radio and edutainment content to share practical information with rural communities to improve soil health, protect water sources, and increase farmers’ incomes.
To date, the campaign has reached 32% of rural farmers. Among listeners, six in ten reported adopting new practices, such as using crop residue as compost and planting cover crops.
Courtesy of Raven Crow Entertainment
Stay True
In collaboration with the Policy Research Group (PRG), Tsikbal is designing and implementing the pilot testing of an edutainment video series, along with discussion guides and supporting materials for dialogue sessions with youth ages 14–19 across diverse settings. Produced by Rising Impact and Raven Crow Entertainment, the series builds self-regulation, strengthens decision-making, and supports healthier coping around substance use and sexual-health choices.
Courtesy of Rising Impact
Unstained
Tsikbal is partnering with the Policy Research Group (PRG) on a large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) to measure the effectiveness and scalability of an edutainment video series — produced by Rising Impact and Raven Crow Entertainment — focused on preventing teen pregnancy and strengthening healthy sexual decision-making among adolescents.
Our Team
We are a committed team designing and delivering social and behavior change programs, at the individual, community, and policy levels. Our expertise brings together research, strategy, creative production, and on-the-ground implementation. We tailor solutions to context and resources, delivering hyper-focused interventions or large-scale programs with the same rigorous, collaborative approach. With a broad network of consultants, we take on challenges where needed.
Let’s Partner to Achieve Your Goals
We’d love to work with you, creating pathways for change together. Reach out and let’s start the conversation!