Explore selected resources covering diverse aspects of narrative work and find practical tools speaking to your specific narrative interests and needs.
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14 results
Safeguarding Civic Space: Harnessing Narrative Change to Restore Public Trust in CSOs
by International Centre for Policy Advocacy
2024
Available in English
In an era of shrinking civic space, civil society organisations (CSOs) find themselves under immense pressure, contending with a barrage of legal measures and narrative attacks aimed at undermining and vilifying them. Against this backdrop of democratic backsliding, the guide serves as a proactive resource, to move past commenting on the erosion of democracy to empowering actors to defend and promote civic rights effectively.
Crafted from first-hand experience and extensive research, the guide offers 10 practical lessons for proactive narrative change. Drawing from successful campaigns around the globe, including in-depth insights from a locally-led CSO coalition in Kazakhstan and efforts to counter 'foreign agents' laws in Kenya and Kyrgyzstan, these lessons provide actionable strategies to restore trust in CSOs with sceptical middle audiences.
Telling the story of civil society – A toolkit
by Telling the story of civil society.
2025
Available in English, Spanish
This resource provides a structured, three-step approach – Message, Audience, Story – to develop strategic and values-driven communication. It includes practical worksheets, case studies, and guidance on reaching key audiences while fostering positive narratives. By implementing these techniques, civil society organisations can enhance their public image, mobilise support, and safeguard civic space.
The toolkit also offers insights on collaboration, allowing organisations to amplify their impact collectively. Ultimately, it empowers civic actors to take control of their stories and shape public discourse in a way that strengthens civil society.
The stories we tell
by James Logan, Eszter Filippinyi, Darlington Marange (TAI)
2025
Available in English
This report explores how civil society actors are responding to increasingly hostile narratives and shrinking civic space by actively creating new ones. Drawing on global insights and trends analysis, it examines how narratives can build trust, legitimacy, and inclusion, while resisting authoritarian framing. The publication highlights the importance of moving beyond communications strategies towards more intentional, values‑driven and long-term engagement that resonate at local level while feeding into collective efforts. It also provides reflections for both practitioners and funders on how to develop and sustain narrative work.
Un cambio narrativo para ampliar la conversación política. Aportes desde el periodismo feminista del Sur
by LATFEM
2024
Available in Spanish
This is a digital book that begins with the question of the contribution that digital activism and political communication can make to recovering a common future. LatFem invites us to consider the context of polarization and misinformation, to delve into the concepts of framing, narratives, and narrative change, and to rewrite our own definitions from the political South. It recounts the experience of the experimental laboratory with feminist journalists; and proposes a guide to rights-based communication from the perspective of narrative change.
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