Eight sites that have kick-ass online resources
There’s a wealth of resources out there, you just have to know where to look. So to save you some of the searching and digging around the internet, I’ve listed eight below so that you can get started!
Unfortunately, they don’t teach activism 101 in school, or at least they didn’t in mine. Which means that we have to go elsewhere to learn these skills. Attending a training like Campaign Bootcamp is one way you can get campaign skills, but not everyone can commit extra time to training. That’s why online resources can often be the next best thing!
Campaign Bootcamp is on a resource mission, and we are constantly developing new resources that we share once a month with you – check our library out here. But it’s not just us. There’s a wealth of resources out there. You just have to know where to look. To save you some of the searching and digging around the internet, I’ve listed eight below so that you can get started.
1. Training for Change
Based in Philadelphia, Training for Change develops kick-ass training programmes, but they also have some solid, easy-to-read, downloadable resources for you to develop your trainings at home. You can find energisers, facilitation tools, and exercises to help you lead workshops.
2. Neon – New Economy Organisers Network
NEON develops and runs trainings and supports campaigns to help them win. They have a handy toolkit online that covers things from ‘framing the economy’ to ‘movement building’. If you are not a fan of reading lots of text, don’t worry as NEON also have podcasts, planning templates and worksheets you can use. An added bonus is that NEON encourages you to download and adapt the resources for your own needs.
3. 350.org
If you want to skill up on strategy, organising or facilitation then this might be the site for you. The resources also give lots of activities for trainers and let you know the numbers of people that the activity is good for so you can always plan your trainings ahead. You can’t download these resources, but you can easily embed them into your own website.
4. Seeds for Change
Seeds for Change specifically focuses on training and facilitation and cover things like consensus decision making and campaign skills. They are easily downloadable and anti-copyright. This means that you can adapt and redistribute them as long as the final work remains anti-copyright.
5. Momentum
If, like me, you don’t like to read, then check out Momentum. Momentum (not to be confused with the UK-based Labour party organisation) are a training institute in the US. They have a great selection of webinars so you can learn about movement building and integration without having to read a word.
6. The Edge Fund
The Edge Fund is a grant-making body that supports social, economic and environmental justice groups and campaigns that would normally struggle to get funding. They have a handy glossary, an extensive list of places to apply for funding and suggestions of where to go for more resources. A great organisation and website for grassroots groups looking to get funding for their campaign.
7. Act Build Change
Act Build Change is an online community organising course. Easy to read, it takes you through seven different lessons that you can do at your own pace. They have a great monthly newsletter you can sign up to as well.