The role of civil society organizations (CSOs) as community-based knowledge brokers: A qualitative study with CSOs during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

Abstract

Background: This study explored how civil society organizations in British Columbia, Canada, obtained, shared, and communicated multilingual COVID-19 information with people whose first language is not English. Aim: The aim was to examine civil society organizations’ role as community-based knowledge brokers during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Commencing in December 2022, virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees from civil society organizations in British Columbia (N=15). Results: Civil society organizations played a crucial role in sharing multilingual information with people whose first language is not English. They amplified public health messages, addressed confusion concerning public health orders, and engaged with community members to better understand and address local needs. Discussion: Civil society organizations contributed to health communication efforts and succeeded in reaching populations overlooked by mainstream communication channels. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to reflect on the role of civil society organizations as community-based knowledge brokers that acted as intermediaries to support information-sharing from government public health communications to priority populations. Based on this study’s findings, we propose several recommendations to enhance equity-based preparedness, responses, and re­covery for health emergencies.