Hubs and partners
Use the most human contact a site allows.
BBC is delivered through facilitated cohorts. The rule for choosing how a site runs is simple: use the most human contact the site's resources allow, and add virtual sessions only to reach what a hub cannot.
Ways to run a cohort
Mode
Physical hub
The cohort meets in person each week at a hub, with virtual sessions for experts and reviews.
Mode
Hybrid
In-person meetings plus a reliable connection and a room set up for virtual sessions.
Mode
Virtual, live-facilitated
For learners who cannot reach a hub, with small teams, a facilitator and a local community partner for each team.
A hub can be a university room, a school classroom, a library, an NGO centre or a community hall. Hubs aim to provide shared devices, so that no learner needs to own a device to take part.
What a hub needs before it opens
A hub runs a cohort only when it has both of these.
Required
A certified facilitator
Young people take part only in sessions run by a certified facilitator.
Required
A signed data protocol
With a named data owner, before any learner information is kept.
Who BBC works with
| Partner | What they give | What they get |
|---|---|---|
| Hub host | A safe space and shared devices | Certified hub status, a certified facilitator and the toolkit |
| Regional partner | Hosting and supervision of several hubs | Standards, facilitator training and support |
| Community partner | A real community problem and access to it | Learner work on their problem, documented openly |
| Employer or field mentor | Time, field knowledge and review | A view of emerging talent |
| Funder | Money for cohorts, facilitators or hubs | Reports on learner skills and community outcomes |
| Independent evaluator | An evaluation design and findings | Access to anonymised programme data |
The path to a first cohort
Every partner moves through four stages in the same order.
- A conversationWhether the partner accepts the seven commitments below.
- A pilot agreementThe commitments are written down and signed.
- Hub certificationA certified facilitator, a signed data protocol and a named data owner. No cohort runs until this is passed.
- RenewalNeeds a safely finished cohort, with results shared.
What every partner agrees to
Every agreement carries the same seven commitments.
Safeguarding
Under-13s take part only in facilitator-led sessions, and minors only in facilitator-run sessions. The facilitator signs the Do-No-Harm Check.
Data
A signed data protocol and a named data owner. Minimal data, no tracking, no profiling, and no sale or sharing with advertisers.
Open content and the BBC name
Programme content and documented solutions stay open. Partners may use the BBC name only as the agreement allows, and may not present their own programme as BBC.
Learner ownership
The learner owns their portfolio and can export it. A partner may use a learner's solution only with that learner's written consent.
AI use
The programme's AI use modes, unaided checks and stop rules apply at every site, whatever tool is used.
Standards and reporting
A certified facilitator at every cohort, the hub checklist met, and anonymised results shared with the core team and the independent evaluator.
Independence and exit
Payment buys no say over content, learner data or evaluation findings. Either side can leave. Learners in a running cohort finish it, and the partner returns or deletes data as agreed.
To start a conversation, see get involved.