In a world where headlines often amplify polarisation, the Forus network gathered with a different mission - to celebrate collaboration between civil society and the media, amplify hope and shape inclusive and solutions-focused narratives for change. Held under the banner of positive narratives, journalists, communications experts and civil society representatives from every corner of the world explored how media and civil society organisations can co-create stories that's not only expose injustices but also illuminate solutions and strengthen community voices.

The session also saw the inauguration of the Forus journalism fellowship – a cohort of professional journalists and storytellers from around the world who will work with Forus and its members to amplify civil society voices.

“Communication is not just about visibility, it is about voice-about who gets to speak, how, and whose stories get heard,” began Bibbi Abruzzini, Forus Communications Coordinator.

She explained that the positive narratives campaign grew from a shared need: that too often, the stories about civil society focus on crisis rather than courage. “We wanted to create a space to share experiences, learn from each other and show that our movements are not only about fighting problems - but about imagining better futures.”

Sumando Voces: amplifying Bolivia’s grassroots

Sandra Mamani and Mery Vaca from Forus member in Bolivia, UNITAS talked about how their media initiative “Sumando Voces” (Adding Voices) has become a cornerstone of independent, civic-driven journalism in the region.

“Sumando Voces started because we felt that the stories of Bolivian civil society were being told by others- often distorted, simplified or ignored,” explained Sandra Mamami, institutional communications lead at UNITAS. “We wanted to create our own space, where those working on democracy, gender equality and environmental justice could tell their own stories in their own words.”

Their project has grown into a digital media platform that not only publishes civil society news but also trains journalists and activists to collaborate ethically. With more than 400 media reprints in the last year alone, Sumando Voces demonstrates how consistent, values-driven storytelling can reshape national debates.

“We see communication as a right. Our challenge is to help communities understand that their voices power - That by sharing their stories, they are also shaping public opinion and policy,” added Mery Vaca, a multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience, correspondent for international media outlets, university lecturer and coordinator of Sumando Voces. “Our philosophy is simple: we build bridges between journalists and organisations. We do not want communication to be a competition - we want it to be a corporation,” Mery Vaca concluded.

From Sofia to Santa Marta: journalism as a tool for justice

Nancy Borissova, communication manager at the Center for Sustainable Communities Development – an NGO which is part of the Bulgarian platform for International Development (BPID) - Forus member, shared her journey from journalism to civil society and back again.

“In my early years as a journalist, I believed that neutrality meant keeping a distance but I have learned that true neutrality means giving people the tools to be seen and heard,” she said.

Through her work on the journalism for development award, Nancy Borissova has been mentoring journalists who cover migration, women's rights and inequality with empathy and rigour. “We discovered that many journalists and NGOs struggle to understand each other. They want the same thing - truth and impact - but often speak different languages.”

Her initiative bridges that gap through media trainings, joint workshops and editorial collaborations. “We work with journalists who go beyond headlines to show the humanity behind statistics,” she said. “They tell stories that build solidarity, not stereotypes.”

Nancy Borrisova also touched on her research on disinformation on propaganda. “When I studied how Russian disinformation distorted debates around child protection and gender equality, I saw how powerful false narratives can be. That is why we must counter them not just with facts - but with human stories grounded in dignity.”

How words resonated deeply. “Ethical journalism is not about avoiding emotion, it is about responsibility – knowing that your words can protect or harm, uplift or erase. Be proactive, seek information, do not to be afraid to ask even questions you think probably are not very good. Don't forget that through your storytelling, you really can inspire and you really can change the world” she concluded.

Regional voices: trust, transparency and transformation

The discussion opened up to participants as they shared examples from their own contexts.

Cosmin Barzan, from FOND, Romania spoke about the initiative to create a youth-led radio station that combats disinformation by supporting young reporters to produce local podcasts. “We realised that people don't distrust information - they distrust who gives it,” he explained. “So we train young people from their own communities to tell their own stories, to regain credibility.”

From Uganda, Innocent Kiiza, a Forus journalism fellow, shared a moving example of advocacy journalism: “We investigated the high taxation of sunscreen and realised it was putting lives at risk for people with albinism. After our story gained traction, the World Health Organisation recognised sunscreen as essential medicine. That is what journalism can do - it can save lives.”

Borso Tall, Forus journalism fellow shared: "Today, the real power increasingly comes back to citizen journalists—those on social media who analyze, collect, and share information live. Even in Senegal, where traditional journalism still exists, we see that the influence of classical media is waning, and the landscape is shaped more by social networks than by journalists themselves."

Nfor Hanson emphasized the need for transparency between CSOs and journalists. “If we want journalists to trust us, we must also be open - about our funding, agendas, our limitations. Trust is a two way street.”

The Forus journalism fellowship: a new generation of storytellers

The meeting was marked by a special moment - the introduction of the pioneer batch of Forus journalism fellows, a group of inspiring storytellers working with civil society organisations across the world.

“This fellowship is our laboratory. This is where journalists and civil society organisations can experiment, co-create and learn from each other,” explained Bibbi Abruzzini. “We want to shift the narrative from crisis to possibility - to show that communities facing challenges are also creating their own solutions. Positive narratives is not about ignoring pain, it is about recognising that resilience, creativity and courage exist alongside it. That balance is what makes our stories human,” said Clarisse Sih, Forus digital communications coordinator.

Extra resources

• Click here for the global presenations from all speakers
• More on the "Sumando Voces" initiative from Unitas, Bolivia