21 Sep “The Power of Togetherness” Means You
Dear colleagues,
From 8-12 April 2019, CIVICUS and Civic Initiatives will host International Civil Society Week (ICSW) 2019 (link to website) in Belgrade, Serbia. The event is designed to connect participants across sectors, themes, regions and backgrounds to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
This year’s theme – “The Power of Togetherness” – will explore ways that individuals and organisations around the world can work together to protect civic space and help ensure the resilience and sustainability of civil society locally and globally.
This year’s event is designed to:
1 – Connect and build alliances, solidarity, and collective action across issues and geographies
2 – Explore forms of participation that connect what’s happening on the streets to conversations in the boardroom
3 – Share tools, resources, and skills to strengthen people’s participation around the world
To make this happen, we need you – your voice, your ideas, your experience, and your energy.
10 Ways to participate
There are 10 ways you can get involved – before, during, and after ICSW 2019. Read on for more details and to play your part in “The Power of Togetherness”; deadline to apply is October 7th, midnight GMT.
Before ICSW
- Stay informed about ICSW 2019 happenings by signing up for updates
- Host an event in your community – ICSW Local
Purpose:To connect local voices and ideas with ICSW and ensure “The Power of Togetherness” reaches the grassroots
What/how: Community organisations are invited to host events on locally relevant topics that are connected to “The Power of Togetherness”
Support: Successful applicants will receive support for the local event and an invitation (including funding) to participate in ICSW 2019
Deadline to apply: October 7th; event must take place before March 15, 2019.
Is this for me? Do you want to bring local stakeholders together and add their ideas to the global conversation? Apply here
- Host an event online – ICSW Virtual
Purpose: To get a global perspective on the issues, spread learning, and stimulate discussion of “The Power of Togetherness” online with those who won’t be able to attend ICSW
What/how: Organisations are invited to host virtual events (e.g. webinars) that bring together experts and interested participants to discuss relevant topics of your choice related to “The Power of Togetherness.” Conversations are recorded and packaged afterwards so they are easily accessible to a wider online audience.
Support: Successful applicants will receive support for the webinar (e.g. designing infographics, animations)
Deadline to apply: October 7th; webinar must take place before March 15, 2019.
Is this for me? Do you want to create an opportunity for civil society to learn about a global perspective through interactive discussions online? Apply here
At ICSW
- Register to attend ICSW 2019 and join a community of 600+ stakeholders working to harness “The Power of Togetherness” and strengthen civil society around the world. Registration will go live on December 1st.
- Share a big idea – ICSW Spark
Purpose: To share a big idea through a five-minute presentation on a topic of your choice related to the event’s objectives.
What/how: Each presenter prepares a 20-slide presentation; each slide is shown for 15 seconds. This kind of fast-paced, highly visual format is designed to spark ideas and discussion.
Support: Successful applicants will receive coaching (as desired) on slide presentation and script, and an invitation (including funding) to participate in ICSW 2019 . (See pechakucha.org and here for further guidance)
Deadline to apply: October 7th
Is this for me? Do you want the opportunity to share what you’re doing, inspire others, and get coached/develop your skills along the way if needed? Apply here
- Design the programme – ICSW Youth Assembly
Purpose: To design a dedicated space for ICSW delegates under age 30 to connect, learn, and foster new partnerships
What/how: The Youth Assembly will convene 100 youth participants in the two days preceding ICSW (6-7 April, 2019).
Support: Successful applicants will be invited to participate as an organiser in the Youth Assembly
Deadline to apply: October 7th
Is this for me? Do you want to be a part of a team that designs a compelling, innovative event for ICSW’s youth participants? Apply here
- Facilitate a session – ICSW Buzz
Purpose: To connect and gather the tips and experiences of 8-20 participants interested in a specific topic related to civil society effectiveness through a facilitated discussion
What/how: You will design and facilitate a 30-minute session where participants form mini-groups of 2-3 who discuss the topic at hand – ‘buzz.’ Each group then reports back to the plenary (you) and next steps are established.
Support: Successful applicants will receive coaching (as desired) and an invitation (including funding) to participate in ICSW 2019.
Deadline to apply: October 7th
Is this for me? Do you want to make civil society more effective by facilitating a session that will bring together participants to share their experiences? Apply here
- Amplify our Impact – ICSW Ambassador
Purpose: To amplify the impact and reach of what’s happening at ICSW in participant countries and around the world – in your voice
What/how: For those who love communications, throughout the event, you will act as a ‘journalist’/’blogger’/social media ‘Ambassador,’ capturing what’s happening on social media and sharing what you see with those who are not able to attend.
Support: Successful applicants will receive coaching (as desired) and a media kit including tools to use once you get back home.
Deadline to apply: October 7th
Is this for me? Do you want to help make sure that your community + those not able to attend ICSW can benefit in real-time? Apply here
- Host a session – ICSW Workshop
Purpose: To highlight the work and perspective of key civil society organisations on topics related to “The Power of Togetherness.”
What/how: Concurrent 90-minute workshops will be convened with up to 100 participants each. Applicants will decide the specific theme of each event and will be expected to reflect ICSW organising principles of inclusion, equality, sustainability, transparency, and diversity.
Support: Successful applicants will be asked to cover the costs of their event ($2500 USD).
Deadline to apply: October 7th
Is this for me? Do you want the opportunity to interact with ICSW participants on the topic that matters most to you? Apply here
After ICSW
10. Host a follow-up event in your community – ICSW Pop-Up
Purpose: To bring what happened at ICSW back to local communities
What/how: Community organisations are invited to host post-ICSW events that share the ideas and discussions that happened at ICSW with their local communities in the months following the event.
Support Successful applications will receive support and materials (e.g. video presentations, discussions) for use at their event.
Deadline to apply: October 7th; event must take place before August 1, 2019.
Is this for me? Do you want to bring stakeholders together, relate global discussions to your local context and make sure your peers and colleagues benefit from ICSW 2019? Apply here