Media for movements

When the villains are already in power, how do you turn the tide? Media for movements is openDemocracy’s flagship space for asking what has actually worked – and how people made it work anyway. It brings together concrete lessons from campaigns, conversations between organisers across generations and borders, movement history, political education and practical resources, creating a shared space where movements can learn from victories, setbacks and one another. It is about turning journalism into something movements can use: working alongside organisers in pivotal moments, rather than simply arriving to cover them.

Campaign victories, organising lessons, political strategy and what movements learn from success or defeat.

How students got universities to divest from the border industry

People & Planet turned universities’ financial links to detention, deportation and surveillance companies into a target students could organise against

openDemocracyNandini Naira Archer

How Botswana’s LGBTQI+ movement got colonial anti-gay laws off the books

‘Court rulings matter, but it’s sustained civic action that turns them into real protection’

openDemocracyFaith Gunda

‘Kenya’s Gen Z beat the tax bill. Now we’re coming for the ballot box’

Two years after Kenya’s Gen Z uprising forced President William Ruto to withdraw the Finance Bill, organiser Ahmednoor Haji explains how protesters won – and why state violence is driving young people towards the 2027 ballot box.

openDemocracyCIVICUS Staff

Inside the campaign that stopped The Gambia reversing its FGM ban

When lawmakers moved to legalise FGM again, Gambian feminists turned a dangerous rollback into a landmark victory

openDemocracyIsatou Touray

Hungary’s election: a breakthrough – but not a simple win

We spoke to Bernadett Sebály, who has tracked Hungary’s resistance for years, on the vote – and what others can learn

openDemocracyBernadett Sebály

What movements can learn from their own histories

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah on memory, risk and organising beyond backlash

openDemocracyNana Darkoa Sekyiamah

What counts as a win? Harsh Mander on peace in India

Harsh Mander on solidarity, peace, and why holding together can be the real victory

openDemocracyNandini Naira Archer

Protest, direct action and creative resistance as it unfolds.

Flamingos, Jared Kushner, and Albania’s fight against Trump’s Resorts

Campaign against luxury developments in protected wetlands has become national revolt over land, corruption and power

openDemocracyNandini Naira Archer

‘Direct action is not terrorism’: Filton 25 on the sentencing of Palestine Action defendants

Committee representing activists sentenced for ‘terrorism’ tells openDemocracy ruling marks a dangerous escalation

openDemocracyNandini Naira Archer

Far-right chaos won’t define Northern Ireland – solidarity will

While extremists grabbed headlines, hundreds of ordinary people mobilised to protect our neighbours

openDemocracyNicola Browne

Inside the Palestine Action trial that could redefine protest as terrorism

Four activists may become first protesters in Britain to be sentenced as terrorists without being convicted of terror offences

openDemocracyNandini Naira Archer

Gaza-bound land convoy forced to abandon mission after arrests in Libya

Volunteers remain detained in Libya after a bid to deliver aid to Gaza by land collapsed amid violence and obstruction

openDemocracyNandini Naira Archer

We’re NHS analysts organising together against Palantir. Here’s why

As NHS data workers, we see Federated Data Platform’s flaws up close. That’s why we’ve launched an open letter to fight it

openDemocracyNHS Analysts Together

OnlyFans meets the climate crisis: can shock tactics cut through?

Jessica Riches on porn parody, parasocial audiences and why climate campaigns need bigger risks

openDemocracyJessica Riches

Palestine Action: Protesters and the history of non-violent direct action

As jurors acquit Palestine Action and a court overturns their proscription, is the government fighting a losing battle?

openDemocracyPaul Rogers

Practical guides, resources and information for organisers and communities.

How tech workers can spot deceptive recruitment in Kenya

Migrant workers recruited to Kenya’s tech jobs face hidden risks. Here are warning signs and where to seek help

openDemocracyNandini Naira Archer

After the aid cuts: Eight lessons from a leaner past

As the democracy, rights and governance sector faces cuts, earlier funding models offer clues for what could come next

openDemocracyBlair Glencorse