Symptom 1: Limited digital presence and online engagement

Forus members brought to the networks’ attention the little visibility their platforms has online. In an era of overflow of information and disinformation, civil society organisations with a local, national, regional and international relations are urged to ensure their digital presence is up to date and in a clear, concise and inclusive way . The connections, reputation and credibility they aim to ensure with their members, partners and potential funders or governments strongly connects with the quality and engagement of their digital presence.

Symptom 2: Challenging Narratives

One key challenge discussed was how to promote positive narratives around the work of civil society organisations. Narratives hold significant power. Forus and its members have embarked on an innovative journey to create alternative narratives, much of which is being driven by CSOs within the human rights community. This effort is aimed at better articulating the critical role of civil society and highlighting the public value of their contributions. Here's how you can integrate narrative-building work into your communications strategies.

Symptom 3: Doing More with less

The third challenge discussed was how to do more with less. CSOs around the world often struggle with limited financial and human resources, which constrains their ability to boost communications efforts and limits their visibility both online and offline.

Web Development Guide for Civil Society Organisations: Best Practices from the Forus network

Websites are vital tools for national civil society platforms to engage members, share information, and coordinate efforts across diverse regions. Designing a website for such purposes requires a structured approach, clear objectives, and a focus on inclusivity. Here’s a detailed guide developed with the support of Forus members for the unique needs of civil society organisations.