Stories are an essential part of how we understand the world, our place in it, and the values that connect us. We can better grasp the power of stories by examining the mechanisms behind films, books, and other works of art—often shaped by vulnerability. Stories allow us to see new perspectives and pass on values to future generations in a natural and effective way. In this article, we explore how stories shape our identities, bridge cultural divides, and naturally pass down shared values. They offer a chance to share fresh perspectives and influence public conversations in ways that resonate with the universal human experience. Storytelling is a deeply personal craft, giving us both the privilege and the opportunity to create with intention and care.

Discover how we’re bringing the "KIRA" comic book from concept to reality. Dive into our fundraising journey, the strategies we use to connect with donors, and the obstacles we've faced and overcome along the way.

We live in multilayered, complicated, and complex times. The ambivalence and ambiguity of the world have never been so visible on a daily basis. Alongside growth, development, and positive societal changes, we also observe rising inequalities, human rights violations, and social problems.

With phones practically glued to our hands and constantly going off with notifications, we are in an era where devices dictate our every move. The pressure to remain constantly informed and up to date with current events can sometimes become too big and overwhelm us. This marks a period where it is necessary to take a step back and create some distance from the devices dominating our lives.

In a world filled with disinformation, building meaningful connections with your audience is more important than ever. This article introduces a series of three short video tutorials by our expert and master trainer, Hubert Sobecki, from the Love Does Not Exclude Association in Poland. Focusing on emotional messages, shared values, and a hopeful future, these videos offer essential communication tips for building a strong and engaged community.

Civilians need to have more and more skills to reach the people who can become their future supporters. In today's media frenzy, you can't just stand out by being an interesting organisation and representing a good cause. That is why it is good for NGO members to keep themselves trained and learn, for example, how to target their audience or how to check whether their campaigns have achieved their objectives.

The art of storytelling is the oldest art of humanity, its ways of reaching populations have evolved over the centuries. Today, a social organization that wants recognition and support in its processes must know how to tell its mission and purpose in less than 1 minute.

Unlock the power of storytelling with the takeaways from the "How to Keep Hope Alive in the Darkest of Times: Communicating Ukraine" online workshop by Val Voshchevska.

One of the most recurring problems in the work of NGOs is how to get the message across. Often, developing an annual communications strategy can take up a lot of manpower and time, and a targeted campaign can be particularly challenging. But in almost all cases, coordinated and planned communication is essential to ensure the stable functioning of an NGO.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) play a vital role in addressing some of the world's most pressing issues, from poverty and inequality to environmental degradation and human rights abuses. However, the challenges faced by NGOs can be daunting, and it can be difficult to maintain motivation and inspire support from stakeholders. This is where the power of positive narratives can make a significant difference.

In the digital age, online campaigning is crucial for political and social activism. Whether promoting a political cause, raising awareness about an issue or rallying support for a charity, online campaigning can reach a wide audience and drive real change. To help maximize the impact of your outreach efforts, this article provides tips and tricks for effective online campaigning with a focus on search engine optimization (SEO).

It has become increasingly common to read news on the internet where young people participate in viral challenges that have harmful consequences for their health or even for the rest of their lives and those of their families.

When getting ready to design your online campaign, first, you need to understand the scope of the challenge you are tackling. You ought to figure out what IS the specific problem you should address with your campaign and what is its cause.

In the international media market, the children's news programme is a television format with a decades-long history in many countries. This is a complex, mindset-shaping programme aimed at 8-12 year olds. In Europe, the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) “Newsround” and the German Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) “Logo!” are the leading examples.

NGOs and activist groups often wish to involve famous people, influencers to their communication to reach a wider audience with their help. However, perhaps even the most open-minded organisations in Hungary would not have thought to ask "Pumped Gabo", originally known for his muscles and senseless partying, to be an ambassador for their cause. A coming of age story or the true face of a previously misunderstood celebrity? We looked at why the bodybuilder-turned-activist’s story works.

If your organization has run a crowdfunding campaign before, you are probably familiar with the basics of campaign planning and online fundraising.

We have collected a few tips that beginner fundraisers often don’t think of, but they could boost your crowdfunding success!

Hive Mind and NIOK's podcast is curious how active and socially aware Generation Z's young adults are. We caught up with two different organisations that have been successful in engaging young people: Greenpeace Hungary can proudly name many generations of activists and volunteers, while the Amigos for Kids Foundation has only been running for seven years but has already built a very strong community of student volunteers. Based on the podcast we have put together a list of key tips, communication channels to use and activities to organise in orther to successfully mobilise and involve young people.

What are the values ​​that as organizations and communicators we are promoting to build trust with our beneficiaries and our stakeholders? Building relationships of trust requires a high dose of humility, of seeing people and not just what they represent. Trust is earned by hand, not only by sharing timely and truthful information, but also by establishing permanent communication channels beyond the day-to-day news.

An engaging storytelling ability is crucial to catch the attention of an ever-distracted audience. The best stories share the same essential elements, arranged in a specific order to gradually build tension, that makes us want to find out what happens next. Let’s learn together how to build a powerful story that our audience won't be able to keep their eyes off!

You’ve got a good reason to do what you do, but how can you present this reason in a compelling way to those who think differently? This is where the persuasion (learning with an emotional dimension) comes in.

It’s only by learning what really counts for your audience and why it does, that you can really figure out what kind of communication will be in alignment with their needs and values.

In order to identify their behaviour, their beliefs behind it, or the emotional drivers, try out the Mapping Technique.

Knowing your audience perfectly well is the cornerstone of every successful communication. So, there are three essential questions you need to get the answers to before you start crafting your campaign. The first one is about who you’re talking to, the second - about their behaviour related to your cause, and then the last one, to look for their motivation.

Have you ever found yourself trying to shape your communication strategy when the cause you’re pleading is surrounded by strong narratives dominating the public sphere with stories full of disinformation, propaganda, or even hatred?

It’s like playing chess with a demanding opponent: you have to pick the right strategy in order to win.

Read on to find out which strategies prove the most effective...

On September 28-30, TechSoup held a three-day campaign, focused on teaching Digital Storytelling to Nonprofits and NGOs entitled "Lights, Camera, Take Action!". Its aim was to help organizations learn the basics of effective, impact storytelling during three days filled with online workshops led by top experts in the sector. Hive Mind was present there, too, and we are especially proud of the webinar session that was run as part of the event by our Polish Master Trainer and Localisation Expert on Building Positive Narratives, Hubert Sobecki.

On September 28-30, TechSoup will hold a three-day campaign, focused on teaching Digital Storytelling to Nonprofits and NGOs. Join free training today and make an impact with your story!

"Bro/ Sis, Just Be YOURSELF. I got your back!" - 1st Community Building Billboard Campaign Targeting Siblings of LGBTIQ+ Persons.