The article explores the power and risks of narratives from a universal perspective while incorporating a few examples from the Slovak context. It understands narratives as defined in communication studies, highlighting their role in disinformation campaigns and their broader influence on society. Beyond analyzing their negative use, the article offers insights into how building and sharing strong, value-based narratives can serve as a powerful tool for driving social change.

The Digital Activism Accelerator Closing Ceremony brought together nearly 80 civil society activists from organizations that were part of the Digital Activism Accelerator project funded by Google.org, coming from 15 countries, for a day packed with meaningful exchange, reflection, and inspiration in Warsaw. The event marked the culmination of a challenging yet rewarding capacity-building journey that supported organizations in areas such as digital transformation, countering disinformation, strategic communications, cybersecurity, and more (depending on the needs of organizations).

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.

Hacking Creativity: Art, Disruption and Artivism for Digital Freedom feat. Tatiana Bazzichelli (Disruption Network Lab)

The Closing Ceremony of the Digital Activism Accelerator marks the culmination of a year-long journey for 71 civil society organizations (CSOs) from 12 CEE countries in the Visegrad, the Baltics, the Black Sea, and the Western Balkans.

We spoke with a Lithuanian military officer about how trust in the military is built, what lessons Lithuania has learnt from the war in Ukraine and how every citizen can contribute to national security. He shares his personal views and insights on the role of society in safeguarding the nation.

As part of VitaFest 2024 and the Fourth Conference of the Network for Diversity in Journalism (Redipe) in Mexico City, the panel “Positive Narratives: Why Disinformation and Violence Can Be Countered with Human and Positive Statements” brought together experts from various countries to discuss the links between disinformation, violence, and narrative tools to combat them.

In an era where disinformation and fake news are increasingly pervasive, an innovative project in North Macedonia sought to confront these challenges through a unique medium: art. The idea of the project was to introduce a creative, emotionally engaging and easily accessible approach to raising awareness about the dangers of disinformation. This project leveraged the power of creativity, public dialogue, surprise, and visibility in public spaces to reach new audiences who might not be familiar with the phenomenon and its negative consequences.

Join us in Slobodovo, a unique interactive workshop for primary school students. Designed to bring history and civil rights to life, Slobodovo inspires both students and teachers by transforming learning into a dynamic, immersive experience.

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.

"Chatbots fail to recognize human sensitivity, diversity, and values, which can lead to algorithmic errors. The real threat is allowing chatbots to make decisions for us," warns psychologist and psychotherapist Marija Stefanova.

In today’s society, influenced by social media, the lure of online trends can often lead to actions with dangerous consequences. TikTok is a social media platform where users can create, share, and watch short videos.

According to the Code of Ethics of Journalists, "Freedom of the media is an inalienable right" is one of the fundamental principles of journalism. Every journalist should be fully aware that "The fundamental duty of journalists is to respect the truth and the right of the public to be informed,” as per Article 16 of our Constitution.

When it comes to reading, many opt for easy and enjoyable reads, but we have an excellent recommendation for those looking for something more profound.

“The Mirage of Truth: Complexities and Challenges of Disinformation in the Western Balkans” is a perfect read for those who want to learn more about the disinformation landscape in the region.

A student party in Skopje this spring took an unexpected turn when playing an Albanian song towards the end of the event sparked controversy and hate speech on social media. Despite the organization’s inclusive nature, which includes members from diverse ethnic backgrounds, a nationalist group named “Patriotsko drushtvo” (Patriotic Society) on Instagram, self-proclaimed as a “young, ambitious group of patriots filled with enthusiasm,” criticized the inclusion of the song in Albanian, triggering hate speech aimed at the student organization.

The new video from the Metamorphosis Foundation reminds you why we should focus more on Open Data.

As an organization focused on helping children affected by domestic violence, Centrum LOCIKA often faces various forms of disinformation and misinformation about its activities. Both can significantly damage reputation, erode public trust, and have a negative impact on the work of the organization. In this article, we will share specific experiences in refuting misinformation and offer practices that may be useful for other organizations.

In the third article of a series on radicalization in Poland, Katarzyna Fereniec discusses the role of a culture of trust and soft competencies in the age of information overload.

There comes a time in the life of many NGOs when they commission a professional crew to produce a video - but what does it look like in practice? What to prepare for and what to avoid?

How did the vlog of two Palestinian boys reach more people on Instagram than the UN Food Programme?

During the last two years more than 240 educators have participated in NPO Tuleviku Meedia training and projects, and thanks to them we had an opportunity to validate, improve, and implement different methods of teaching media and information literacy. We want to share some insights that may help you or your colleagues find a way to teach media and information literacy in your school and community.

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.

The "Kira" project is a Slovak educational initiative using a comic book to depict the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine. Targeted at students, the comic aims to fill a gap in the Slovak educational system, where discussions about the war are often absent or minimized. By presenting the story of Kira, a Ukrainian girl who witnesses the destruction of her home and family, the comic aims to make students more resilient to disinformation and encourage critical thinking about the conflict. The project also seeks to counteract the widespread influence of Russian propaganda in Slovakia, particularly among the youth.

See the newest video from Metamorphosis Foundation and learn about the mechanisms behind the political manipulation.

We live in a digital age where every day we witness the advancement of one of the most prominent trends of our time: artificial intelligence. The beauty of this new trend lies in its accessibility to everyone and its versatility for virtually every need: writing texts, assembling ready-made code for programs, assisting in the creation of 3D models, which can then be used in medicine, and much more. However, for the time being, artificial intelligence is mostly used for generating images.

Learn more about the two-factor authentication in a new video by Metamorphosis Foundation!

An algorithm is a procedure used to solve a problem or perform a calculation. Algorithms operate based on an exact list of instructions carried out step by step or routinely based on hardware or software. On social media, algorithms are rules, signals, and data that govern the platform's operation. These algorithms determine how content is filtered, ranked, selected, and recommended to users. In a way, algorithms influence our choices and what we see on social media.

Images created by artificial intelligence are becoming more and more realistic, and thus more difficult to distinguish from real photographs. There are several methods which may be used to identify photographs created by AI, by noticing their unnatural textures or warped backgrounds.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence is permeating every facet of society, from daily life, education, healthcare, manufacturing, security, and finance, all the way to social media. One critical issue emerging is the challenge of distinguishing between what is real and what is generated by AI. Due to negative criticism, addressing and clarifying how AI should be utilized properly becomes imperative.

Our goal with the presented communication campaign is to aid in fact-based awareness by presenting credible information regarding the internally displaced persons living in Ukraine, particularly in the country's poorest region, Transcarpathia. The "Medical Help Where Needed" – MedSpot Foundation provides care for families living as internally displaced persons in the hinterland of the Russian-Ukrainian war, in and around Uzhhorod, Transcarpathia. In the communication campaign, we present the lives, mental burdens of the internally displaced persons, and the work of our team.

Video games (VG) have evolved from simple entertainment to a powerful cultural force. As VG become embedded in the fabric of people's daily life, their influence is far-reaching, spanning the entertainment industry, social interactions, economic activities, and educational approaches.

It has probably happened to you - you comment on some of your own views on Facebook or post something that may not seem so controversial to you. Someone with an opposing opinion appears and conveys this in a provocative and stubborn tone. Suddenly, the entire conversation is thrown in an illogical direction, you waste time and nerves, and in the end, you wonder how such people can exist.

In short, you’ve encountered a troll.

At present, more than one third of the world’s population uses the Internet, and this trend is on a continuous rise. It is almost impossible to imagine life without the Internet, which offers thousands of information sources, digital books and maps, social media, e-commerce, digital libraries and museums, news…

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.

Fake news is believed to be complex for various reasons. Among other things, they refer to our personality and attitude to facts, and there are various cognitive mechanisms that distort our perception. The question arises: How can we become more resilient?

Online scams are an inexhaustible topic where virtually anyone can be a victim, no matter how knowledgeable and educated they are and how many times they say "don't click" to themselves. This is true in particular when someone's health is at stake, and people can easily fall for manipulations and fake news when they are vulnerable or feel helpless. Thus, there are frequent examples of users of social networks clicking on advertisements for medicine promising to cure hundreds of diseases, various supplements for rapid weight loss within a few days, purifying the body in just a few hours, etc.

Disinformation from various platforms spreads rapidly around the world, proliferating through social media further without verification by users. Social networking platforms are designed to distribute as much content as possible to users that captures their attention. Since the human brain works in such a way that it pays more attention to negativity and fear, the content served tends to be negative. This enables social networks to influence entire populations at an unprecedented scale and speed. An MIT University study shows that fake news spreads 6 times faster than verified news. In such an environment, how can activists and officials communicate effectively, and how are they organized? How are they countering disinformation?

Digital transformation has made organizations dependent on technology for performing their work. But despite its many benefits, digitalization also brings cybercrime. According to the “Nonprofit Tech for Good Report” from 2023, 27% of NGOs around the world have suffered at least one cyberattack. NGOs collect, manage and process large amounts of data on people in sensitive situations as well as financial data from donors, which are the main reasons they are targeted by malicious actors, making the sector the third industry most targeted by hackers.

In Makaia, we work to strengthen social development capabilities based on technology, cooperation and innovation. From the Digital Resilience project, which is based on the Hive Mind platform, we seek to create and share tools, knowledge and good habits in the digital sphere to counteract misinformation in the Latin American region.

Watch a video from Metamorphosis Foundation and learn how to avoid scams!

Ever found yourself thinking, "How on earth do I connect with these Gen Z folks?" Well, look no further – you've landed in the right place! Watch this video recording from a recent, engaging Q&A session with our Comms Expert on Gen Z, Berina Bulatović, and tackle the perpetual challenge of improving your organization’s communication with the younger generation.

The need for objectivity, neutrality and balance in journalism is a daily challenge for professional media, but one of the biggest challenges to media professionalism comes with the elections. The election process presents a challenge for the media, as it puts into focus their purpose to offer citizens access to all facts, opinions and ideas in the campaign. Journalists must also ensure access to the media so that citizens' voices can be heard beyond the words of political debate.

Today, we would like to share with you an important awareness-raising campaign - a case study from the Local Action Plan carried out by our TechSoup Trainers.

Critical thinking is the ability of an individual to recognize or evaluate and critically analyze a particular issue. Critical thinking develops from an early age, and every person acquires it on an individual basis. To determine if we have critical thinking, we must acquire skills for observation, analysis, interpretation, reflective thinking, evaluation, conclusion, explanation, problem-solving, and making the most appropriate decisions, writes Portalb.mk.

Until a few years ago, online shopping was primarily associated with tech-savvy individuals or used for specialized products. However, nowadays, online shopping has become a normal part of our daily lives. Entrusting personal banking information to the online realm no longer sounds as daunting as it did a decade ago. Although online money transfers through banks are more secure than ever, it doesn't mean we shouldn't be cautious about spending money online.

The Association of Environmental Service Providers and Manufacturers (KSZGYSZ) is one of the largest Hungarian environmental advocacy organizations, whose members are key players in the Hungarian green industry, covering the whole spectrum of environmental activities. KSZGYSZ works to promote the aspirations of its members at national and international level. The association, which currently has 269 members, has been coordinating and training actors in the Hungarian environmental protection, nature conservation and environmental industry for more than 30 years, and is a prominent partner of policy makers and almost all actors in the business community.

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.

In this video, the Metamorphosis Foundation shows what propaganda actually is and where and how it shapes opinions even today.

The influx of media content in cyberspace sometimes makes us, as readers, seek information that is different from the rest. For the public, it is crucial to “discover” something new that brings fresh insights into certain important societal issues or questions of personal interest to individuals. However, sometimes behind the “new things”, we see bombastic headlines, spectacular claims unsupported by evidence, unconfirmed or unofficial information, as well as disinformation that can cause more harm than lead to positive change in society.

For medical professionals whose primary focus is mental health, it is no secret that exposing details about a committed suicide, either directly or through the media, increases the likelihood of suicidal behavior in others. There is even a term for this phenomenon – suicide contagion.

The global news agency Associated Press (АP) is a pioneer in the use of artificial intelligence in media. The Business news desk of this agency began using artificial intelligence as early as 2014 in order to automate the production of articles for the sake of companies’ corporate gains.

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.

The concept of “think before you click” is one of the most important factors in terms of information safety. This regards everything that is offered to you on social networks, the advertisements that pop up as you read a text on a web-page, links that “invite” you to open them as you are watching a YouTube video, and the "like" button.

Online violence involves using digital technologies to perpetrate acts of violence. This can occur on social media platforms, messaging apps, gaming platforms, and mobile phones. According to UNICEF, it refers to repeated behavior aimed at intimidating, angering, or shaming those it targets.

The number of online purchases by Macedonian citizens is increasing, and concurrently, scams targeting citizens shopping on virtual stores are proliferating. To avoid "emptying" credit cards through scams, there are several recommendations that we, as citizens, should follow when making our online purchases.

The influx of media texts, videos, photos, as well as social media posts, nowadays is immense, as they constantly appear on our devices through which we communicate on the internet daily. Bombastic headlines and announcements of spectacular discoveries in such content often lead us to forget one of the fundamental rules of creating media content — the signature of the author behind them.

Two headlines of news articles appear to you simultaneously: the first one reads, “Wonderful Weather Today!” whereas the second one announces, "Terrible Storm Is Approaching the Country!". Which headline would you click on?

What needs to be thought through and then re-planned in an advocacy campaign? How is it possible to keep a message alive for years? Can one of the most vulnerable people in the society fight for change? The 'Let's move so they can move!' campaign organiser tells us how it has been built in the fight for public and social recognition of homecare as a job.

How do different opinions appear in the media? Is there a place, a space for differences of opinion? What opportunities do we have as civilians to publish our own narratives?

In this space we talk to Juan David García and La Fiera, the two artists who work in Casa Kolacho and live in the Comuna 13 and were part of the transformation process held in the community.

Have someone make fun of you in front of other people?

Have you been critized and offended by how you dress, think or talk?

Do you know of people that follow or investigate you?

Case study on the "Invalid question, invalid answer!" campaign of Amnesty International Hungary and the Háttér Society

A család az család — Family is family. It seems so self-explanatory, yet this phrase infuriated some while bringing hope to others. But how did this statement become a slogan of a movement for social equality in Hungary?

Open call for civil society organizations, independent media or journalist and digital activist of Latin America.

Case study on the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) #TogetherWithOneAnother campaign

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.

We share the investigation and educational web series created by DIP

As part of the Empowering Europeans Against Disinformation (EEAD) project, we are happy to invite all interested educators residing in Europe to express the interest and take part in a 2-day onsite Training of Trainers (ToT) on Countering Disinformation and Building Positive Narratives in Warsaw, on April 19-21, 2023.

Comuna 13 in Medellin is surprising for its history of resilience and social transformation through art.

Join us for a panel discussion about the current war-time disinformation landscape and learn about ways of mitigating its harmful effects.

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.

The war in Ukraine continues. We’ve been watching brave men and women fight for their country’s freedom and independence, while many others are organizing their lives after being forced to flee their country and settle abroad.

While the war in Ukraine progresses and we are forced to watch the brave men and women fight for their country’s freedom and independence, many others are organizing their lives after being forced to flee their country.

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.

Get to know an exciting joint European project that uses technology and research against online hate. From anti-vaxxers using Eriksen’s collapse at EURO 2020 to Russian propaganda on the war in Ukraine, their content is worth taking a look at.

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.

This article is a production of Ciudadania Inteligente (Ciudadania AI), a Latin American, inclusive and feminist organization that fights for social justice and for the transformation of democracies.

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...

The second podcast of NIOK Foundation and Hive Mind focused on philanthropy as with Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, another celebration has arrived: Giving Tuesday! Unfortunately the podcast itself is in Hungarian, but for those who are yet to learn this wonderful language, we have collected some tips and thoughts for NGOs from the conversation.

We live in the Information Age. Our ability to synthesize and use information well is crucial to our fate and future well-being. Our Experts have been designing bespoke courses on topics that are relevant, set in a meaningful context and important. From making sense of the news online, to protecting your own or your organization’s digital safety and privacy.

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!

Main goal of this Local Action aimed at development of parenting skills of fathers in the cities of Falesti, Calarasi and Orhei by encouraging active involvement in their education, and fostering positive narratives by building their online community, as well as offering dedicated courses and trainings.

According to Peter Ditto from the University of California, one of the many reasons why people fall prey to the influence of misinformation lies in so-called motivated reasoning (MR).

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

Missed any of our events, feeling like watching it again diving straight into the extra resources and materials? We've got it covered.

PETA Research Shows Positive Outcomes