Activist training and capacity building

Indonesian campaigners receive intensive video training during an Ecostorm assignment in 2007

In early 2007 Ecostorm launched an innovative and worldwide programme of work dedicated to training activists and journalists working in the ethical campaigning sphere. Our unique and pioneering approach sees individuals and small groups receive intensive, professional training and instruction in investigative research and video filming techniques, enabling them to incorporate these newly learned skills into their wider campaigning and reporting activities.

By equipping activists, campaigners and journalists with the skills and confidence to safely undertake investigations as part of their work, and use the results to press for positive change, Ecostorm believes the chances of successfully exposing and confronting environmental crime – and abuses against people and animals – are greatly increased.

So far we've trained activists in four countries – Indonesia, South Korea, Croatia and Poland – with more projects planned for early 2008. Ecostorm is now expanding its training and capacity building programme and seeking fresh partnerships and funding to carry out this vital work, particularly to enable us to respond directly to requests for investigative training from small or unfunded organisations and activists in the developing world.

What we offer:

All of our training and capacity building is tailored specifically to the needs of individual participants, and takes into consideration every aspect of their situation and needs, including safety and legal issues. Through a unique mixture of classroom-style teaching and on-the-job practical instruction, Ecostorm offers training in the following fields (not an exhaustive list):

• Video and stills photography, including filming for campaigns and broadcast
• Covert filming, including using hidden cameras
• Planning, editing and production of campaign films
• Investigative journalism and research techniques
• Planning, undertaking and managing undercover investigations
• Safety and security for investigators
• Compiling information and visual evidence
• Preparing investigative material for public release

What they've said:

“Thanks to this training we are able to be more professional and successful as campaigners and our materials will be more valuable.” (Poland)

“10 out of 10 – Every part of training is very useful for our job. We think that the training has really prepared us for this work” (Hungary)

“As my role involves supporting Member Societies who film undercover, I was particularly interested in learning about legal, safety and management issues. The discussion about managing and supporting undercover investigators was of particular interest. The exercises about planning undercover investigations were also extremely useful. ....Thank you for all your hard work in Bali, which has made us all better campaigners.” (Indonesia)

“I think it is important for AFC to have footage from Croatia, instead of footage from abroad, it gives more credibility and authenticity to our campaigns.” (Croatia)