The basic idea
Focus on activist training instead of media work.
1) What are the main things we would do, if we chose this option?
Build on the activist training work PN has done over the last 12 years, bringing Training for Change and Class Action over from the US to train trainers. Instead of producing a paper publication, focus on helping British activists to be more effective and more inclusive – and to develop their skills, including in terms of their strategies – working both face-to-face and online.
2) What are the main needs the project is serving?
Developing the skills of activist groups. This could include helping ordinary people with little experience of direct action to make the step for things people care about, Gaza, fossil fuels, nature, local projects. This project could also help make British activism more inclusive.
3) What is the hole that this project is filling? (Are we sure somebody else isn’t already doing this? How much would we be adding?)
There are already several activist training collectives in the UK (Navigate, Tripod, Seeds for Change, Resist + Renew). Many organisations (Neon, Extinction Rebellion and so on) run their own trainings. We would need to be adding something extra.
This could be the ‘direct education’ approach of Training for Change. It is not clear that there is any training group in the UK focused on this approach.
We could be helping to bring the TfC style of anti-oppression training to the UK, which is very different to the mainstream of ‘diversity, equity, inclusion’ work either in the mainstream or in activist circles.
We could be bringing a UK version of the anti-classism training that Class Action used to do (they have sadly closed down in the US). There is some work on classism going on in British activist circles, but much more is needed.
4) How would we define the ‘success’ of this project?
If there was a steady demand for our trainings, that would show there was a need and that we were fulfilling it. We could do follow-up evaluations with participants to see how they were using the skills they had strengthened with us.
5) What are some of the main pros and cons of adopting this option?
It is easy to get grants for education, training good citizens; this could be easily adapted to different groups, children or older people. This might or might not be useful for what we want to do.
The main con is that there are already a lot of activist training groups.
On the other hand, we could bring something new and different to the mix. Also, there are lots of activist groups who never get training: there is a lot of potential demand out there.
6) How does what is happening in the world, right now and over the next five years or so, support or work against the success of this project?
More concerned citizens and yet tougher anti-protest laws put people off protesting. Peace News can be a resource for those who want to to protest successfully without getting arrested as well as for those who want to explore arrestable options.
The world is getting worse in lots of ways, with more and more need for activism and organising. Training to help people develop and improve their skills and confidence is going to be much needed.
7) Which kind(s) of people is the project focused on/prioritising?
Established activists and organisers – and also concerned citizens unfamiliar with organising and direct action.
8) Which organised group(s) could we partner with to help deliver this project?
Direct action groups like Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil. Existing activist collectives like Navigate and Tripod. Organisations with venues that might host trainings like Quaker Peace & Social Witness.
9) What skills/qualities/experience will be needed to deliver this project?
Facilitation skills. Perhaps also knowledge of protest law and skills in avoiding burn out and other activist problems.
10) What seems to be the minimum budget needed to deliver this project?
Theoretically, this could be done as a volunteer project with minimal expenses, if groups paid for trainers’ travel and accommodation. Skilling Up could be a Core Work project with just an administrator fielding requests and maintaining a basic email list and website, and a volunteer ‘workforce’.
However, to be done properly, Skilling Up would have to be an Ambitious Project with properly-paid trainer staff as well as a large volunteer support base. Even if participants were coming from across Europe, there would almost certainly need to be some grant support to make this financially viable, in addition to PNT’s core funding.