Powerful Narratives Work (PNW) Fellowship Program

Building Narrative Power for an economy that prioritizes ecological and social well-being - for the people by the people.

The 2025 Powerful Narratives Work (PNW) Fellowship is a new program generated by COO’s commitment to narrative power as a critical component of community power building, and our understanding of the significant role narrative strategy can play in strengthening policy, systems and culture change. This first offering is geared to support individuals who are working to build a regional Solidarity Economy, and forwarding material changes centered on the principles of a Just Transition. 

Fellows will attend two day-long intensive sessions at launch and program close, as well as 5+ virtual learning sessions to support and strengthen their narrative change/power building projects, interventions, and increased knowledge and skills relevant to narrative power/ & change. Supported by the subject matter experts at Resource Media, Fellows will be facilitated through a curriculum that explores and strengthens narrative change and power building strategies and have access to “office hours” or practice sessions to further their thinking, problem-solving, and tactical development. Fellows will also receive a $7,500 award and strategic support for their proposed narrative change or narrative power building project during this six-month period. 

This program is for individuals who:

  • Are strongly familiar with and/or working on programs/projects/policies that further a regional solidarity economy 

  • Are committed to strengthening a narrative power building ecosystem – including collaborative connection and relationship building, knowledge and skill sharing, and long-term infrastructure development 

  • Are committed to strengthening their knowledge, skills and connections relevant to narrative power and narrative change 

  • Are able to commit to full participation in the Fellowship program 

  • Have strongly formed project idea or ongoing project to strengthen narratives that inform and strengthen a regional economy that is democratic, generative, and inclusive.  

Applications must be received by 5pm on December 16th.

Watch the info session recording with COO and Resource Media staff at the link below: Watch the recording. (Use passcode 7R9RS%xd)

Program Details:

This is a small program; we anticipate having 5 Fellows for this first pilot.

The program begins with a daylong gathering on January 31, 2025, ends with a daylong gathering on June 27, 2025, and includes four 90-minute virtual learning sessions in February, March, April, and May. Each participant will receive a $7,500 award to support a narrative power/change project. 

Successful applicants will be notified in late December.

Questions? Email Sian Wu at sian@resource-media.org

Program questions and answers:

Program participation and curriculum:

  • Q: Will participation support deepening partnerships/connections with other folks doing this work? E.g. strengthen connections & networks? And will COO help to launch projects in any way?

    • COO and Resource Media intend to support Fellows by connecting them to capacity building resources and connections in our broader networks as is applicable and possible. There is not guaranteed or further funding available outside of the program.

    • Support to projects’ launch depends on the specifics of Fellow’s projects. COO may be able to share out on communications platforms at minimum.

  • Q: How will the projects be used within the COO space (will there be Intellectual Property (IP) Ownership use constraints)?

    • COO does not intend to ask for IP ownership over project outcomes or Fellowship work.

    • COO does hope that the learnings and projects that are developed and strengthened by participation will be shared widely, as applicable, to strengthen the knowledge, skills and tools in community that are necessary to build and sustain a regional narrative power building and community-power building ecosystem

  • Q: As this Fellowship is a pilot program for COO…. Any thought to what sustained support or a 2.0 might look like?

    • We are committed to supporting narrative power building work as part of our commitment to community power and power building for changes to the polcies, systems and material conditions that create greater equity in health, housing, economic opportunity and community connections.

    • What a second Fellowship program or ongoing support to Fellows looks beyond this program, we do not yet know. This Fellowship will have an embedded evaluation to help support that thinking.

  • Q: Do you have any examples of what sorts of content or support will happen in the four virtual sessions? And what support will be provided throughout?

    • The curriculum is still being finalized, but the program will focus on examples of narrative change and aspects of narrative power building. There will also be opportunities for support for specific project needs/questions and opportunities to connect with and get feedback from subject matter experts in Resource Media and their partners in narrative work.

Program context and applications:

  • Q: Some people may not understand the “Solidarity Economy” as a phrase, could you expand on the concept?

    • For purposes of this program, we’re referring to “Solidarity Economy” to describe a vision and framework for shifting from our current economy of extraction and exploitation, were wealth and power accrues to a very few; to an economy and way of being that is democratic, (re-)generative, and centered on a culture of mutuality, care and cooperation for health and well-being of all people and planet.

    • Narrative power-building and narrative change projects or project ideas may focus on advancing any element or area of this shift - such as models of inclusive and democratic enterprise, locally rooted finance, fair work, just use of land and property, or shared frameworks of economic connection and cross-community solidarity.

  • Q: Who is reviewing applications and making decisions? How? What is the criteria?

    • Fellowship program staff across COO and Resource Media will be reviewing applications and making ultimate decisions.

    • Primary criteria we are looking at is:

      • Participants are working in/on programs, projects, activities to shift our regional economy to one of solidarity and well-being

      • Clear and aligned project/project idea to use narrative to further a regional solidarity economy

      • Interest in, and commitment, to strengthening narrative power building and narrative change knowledge and skills

      • Individuals and their projects would clearly benefit from participation

      • Participation will grow the diversity of the experience and knowledge base to the Fellowship cohort, for a strengthened the experience for all Fellows (diversity across King County geographies, lived experience, projects/programs, etc.).

  • Q: Can individuals who are not part of a group or organization able to apply?

    • Yes, this is for individuals, and applicants do not need to be a part of or staff member of a group/organization.

  • Q: For the purpose of this application, are we needing/looking for applications/projects that span beyond Seattle (to the whole County)?

    • This program is intended to support individuals who live in and whose work is rooted in King County communities.

    • Project’s do not need to have a specific geographic boundary or focus, as long as the outcomes of the narrative power/change (if successful) will positively impact the health and well-being of King County communities, particularly communities of opportunity.

  • Q: Are links or attachments in the application welcome or allowed?

    • Links or attachments are fine if they would add significant context and clarity to the project scope/progress or applicant background. Recommend limiting to 1-2 attachments/links at maximum.

  • Q: Can you share more examples of narrative change or narrative power building across the different sectors of a solidarity economy?