Ice breaker for capacity building

Here are some icebreaker ideas that can be used for capacity building:

  1. Two Truths and a Lie: Each participant shares two true statements about themselves and one false statement. The others have to guess which one is the lie. This game helps to build trust and encourages participants to share a bit about themselves.

  2. Human Bingo: Create bingo cards with different traits, characteristics, or interests in each square (e.g. "has traveled to another country", "speaks more than one language", etc.). Participants need to find someone who fits each of the characteristics and get them to sign the corresponding square.

  3. The Name Game: Have each participant introduce themselves and share a unique fact about themselves that starts with the same letter as their name (e.g. "I'm John and I love jogging"). Then, ask each participant to repeat the names and facts of the others.

  4. Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items or challenges that participants need to complete during the capacity building session (e.g. "find someone wearing the same color shirt as you", "take a photo with someone who has the same birthday as you", etc.). This game encourages participants to mingle and interact with each other.

  5. Word Association Game: Have each participant write down a word that is related to the capacity building topic (e.g. "sustainability"). Then, ask each participant to share their word and explain why they chose it. This game helps to build connections and encourages creative thinking.

  6. Would You Rather: Present participants with two difficult choices and ask them which one they would prefer (e.g. "would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?", "would you rather have a million dollars or the ability to travel anywhere for free?", etc.). This game encourages participants to think creatively and share their opinions.

  7. The Human Knot: Have each participant stand in a circle and put their hands in the center. Each participant should grab the hand of someone across from them, not next to them. Then, ask them to work together to untangle themselves without letting go of each other's hands. This game encourages teamwork and communication.

  8. Show and Tell: Ask each participant to bring an object that represents something they are passionate about or something that is important to them. Then, have each participant share the story behind the object. This game encourages participants to share their personal stories and build connections with each other.

  9. Role-Playing: Divide participants into small groups and assign each group a scenario related to the capacity building topic (e.g. "you are a team working on a sustainability project", "you are a group of stakeholders discussing a new policy", etc.). Ask each group to role-play the scenario and then discuss what they learned from the exercise.

  10. Gratitude Circle: Have each participant share something they are grateful for related to the capacity building topic (e.g. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to work on a project that makes a positive impact on the environment"). This game encourages participants to focus on the positive aspects of the capacity building process.

Remember to keep the icebreaker games simple, fun, and relevant to the capacity building topic. The goal is to build trust, encourage participation, and create a positive and engaging atmosphere for the rest of the session.