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Description
The negative media campaign launched a couple of years ago against civil society organizations (CSOs) inevitably affects the reputation of the civil society sector and will have consequences in the long run for the support of civil society initiatives. Negative coverage has been targeted at CSOs active in the fields governed by specific business interests (for example protests related to the environment), the reform of the judiciary and human rights, minorities and refugees. Advocacy campaigns organized by CSOs are often followed by smearing media coverage focused on the organizations behind the initiatives not on their arguments. Media coverage is one of the main reasons for mistrust of the civil society sector. This project brings together the efforts of two organizations that have been working proactively over the last years to address the three issues mentioned. Darik Foundation and 42 Foundation will carry out together a series of 74 radio shows (aired by Darik Radio with an audience of 1.2 million listeners) and 12 live events to enable the public to meet the people working for CSOs and find out what lies behind their efforts, their motivation and success. Focusing on the people from the civil society sector (CSOs, causes, formations, activists) will enable conditions for transparency in the work of the sector, attracting like-minded people and raising trust. Special emphasis will be made on togetherness or how joint efforts can make a real difference. Our messages will not seek to persuade but be compelling through personal example. Thus more than 86 CSOs and initiatives will be directly included in the project and the outcomes will benefit the society in general.
Summary of project results
Darik Foundation and the Forty-two Foundation realized a series of 85 radio broadcasts (on Darik Radio with an audience of 1.2 million listeners) and 12 live events (live stream) in order to raise the awareness in the public about the people working in civil society organizations, to promote what is behind their efforts, what is their motivation and what are their successes. By focusing on people from the civil sector (civic organizations, causes, formations, activists), the project activities supported the transparency in the work of the civic sector, stimulated the process of attracting followers and increased the level of trust in the NGO sector. The project activities increased the visibility of civil society organizations both in the target groups and in the project participants themselves. The team engaged in the implementation of the project "Causes with voice and face" gained valuable experience and resources to work on the specialized topic of combating hate speech against NGOs. The partnerships built in the course of the project also have a high potential for sustainability, which will be the basis for further initiatives between the leading media like Darik radio and the non-governmental sector. The Project Promoter presented to the public 97 organizations and initiatives, and the materials from this activity remain published in various communication channels for later use – on the project website, YouTube, podcast platforms, the site of Darik Radio. The initiative has its own website - https://kauzisglasilice.org/