The Forus CommsForUs Working Group recently convened to tackle the following questions:

• How can we effectively counter the bureaucratic criminalisation of civil society and share the values of CSOs in meaningful and impactful ways?
• How can we make our communications more inclusive?
• What strategies can we use to promote narratives that highlight the essential work of CSOs while tackling polarisation?
• How can we engage the media and improve our public speaking skills?

The Power of Narratives and Media Engagement

Dora Lia Gomes and Danilo Feno from Abong, Brazil, shared their creative approach to promoting and defending civil society organisations in Brazil. Their strategy focuses on reshaping negative perceptions of NGOs through innovative storytelling, creative practices and targeted communications.

The initiatives discussed included:

• The Pajubá Project: an initiative led by Abong, Antra, and ABGLT, with support from Luminate, aimed at strengthening organisations and collectives advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights in Brazil. Inspired by "Pajubá," a dialect blending Portuguese and African influences, widely used in Candomblé and later popularised by the LGBTQIA+ community as a symbol of resistance, the project focuses on capacity building, political advocacy, network strengthening, legal support, and institutional development.
• Nanet: "Democratising technology", addressing digital equality and cybersecurity through inclusive campaigns.

Dora and Danilo highlighted the importance of tailoring communication styles and creating personified characters to resonate with diverse audiences. They talked about the need for counterarguments to negative portrayals of NGOs.

Climate advocacy and inclusive communication: Lessons from Côte d’Ivoire

Oscar Gaguy from CSCI, Côte d’Ivoire presented the Benkadi Project as a case for inclusive climate advocacy. The project supports communities—particularly women, youth, and individuals with disabilities—in coastal and protected areas affected by climate change.

Key communications strategies include:

• Collaborating with local communities and media to influence sustainable environmental policies.
• Translating key information into local languages to improve accessibility and engagement.
• Engaging influencers and media professionals to amplify messages and support grassroots solutions.

Oscar shared successes such as producing local-language media content and establishing a journalist network to promote climate justice stories.

Overcoming Communication Challenges

Practical tips for improving public speaking and media engagement were proposed building on the Forus’s Enabling Environment Working Group, which consolidated a document that counters anti-CSO narratives :

• Preparation is crucial: Research interviewers, refine key messages, and rehearse challenging questions and narratives.
• Stay on message: Use “bridging” techniques to steer discussions back to core themes.
• Know your audience: Use accessible, jargon-free language, and ensure messages are concise and engaging.
• Build relationships: Establish strong networks with journalists and media outlets, while leveraging digital platforms to amplify visibility.