Resources

From time to time I get asked what resources I recommend as a campaigner. I thought it might be useful to share them here. They’re quite UK focused, because, well, that’s where I am.

Blogs

Forums/ events

  • The eCampaigning Forum (ECF) mailing list. Good for getting advice very quickly from literally thousands of campaigners all over the world. Tip: set up an Outlook rule to divert the emails into a separate folder as there are a lot of them!
  • Engaging Activists Facebook group – good for talking volunteer engagement, mobilisation and generally connecting with fellow campaigners
  • Women in Campaigns Facebook group – sisterhood is always good. Useful articles get shared, and good for posting requests for help and advice.  They do occasional socials in London too. 
  • Wine & Wosits meetup (London) – a causal gathering with short, sharp talks by UK campaigners
  • Campaigns Forum (London) – another causal gathering that happens about once a quarter on a Friday afternoon. Typically attended by about 30 campaigners, and the go-arounds at the start of meetings are always useful in finding out what’s happening in different corners of the sector 
  • Sheila McKechnie Foundation often have events and masterclasses, mostly in London but they sometimes go regional
  • Recruitment agency Right Ethos do occasional events, although note that entry is limited to senior campaigners (whatever that means)

Websites

  • MobLab (formally of Greenpeace, now independent). Their newsletter, MobLab Dispatches, is a treasure trove of case studies and interesting articles
  • 350.org have excellent resources, particularly good for running workshops with new campaigners: https://trainings.350.org
  • Beautiful Rising – amazing repository of inventive campaigning tactics. Good if you want to mix it up, attract new audiences or simply feel inspired
  • Visit the Craftivist Collective for tips on the art of gentle protest and creative tactics
  • Act Build Change, a free online training site particularly good on community organising and in refreshingly plain English
  • NEON (New Economy Organisers Network) toolkit, including an excellent guide on power and privilege
  • The Guardian Voluntary Sector Network for wider sector stuff
  • Positive News – working in campaigning isn’t easy when you’re up against it, and the mainstream press can portray a pretty gloomy world. This website is a good reminder of lovely, progressive stuff that’s happening in the world
  • A bit left field but Harvard Business Review is great on strategy, leadership and innovation, with lots of transferable lessons
  • TED talks, still spreading great ideas.

Podcasts

Books

There are an growing number of books being published on campaigning and movement building. As a starter for ten try:

  • How Organizations Develop Activists. Civic Associations and Leadership in the 21st Century by Hahrie Han
  • Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky – dated but a classic
  • Rules for Revolutionaries: How Big Organizing Can Change Everything by Becky Bond and Zack Exley
  • Networked Change: How progressive campaigns are won in the 21st Century by NetChange Consulting – Not really a book but an essential read IMO
  • New Power: How Power Works in Our Hyperconnected World – and How to Make It Work for You by Henry Timms and Jeremy Heimans – find out what the crowd can do for your issue, and how to blend this with traditional tactics  

Films

LOVE a film with a social message. Try:

I hope you find the list useful. I’ll aim to update it periodically, and do contact me with your suggested additions!