Hey! These resources are designed to support your work in social acceptance.
In the Campaign Masterclass I ran with SolarPower Europe, I briefly introduced each of these four tools, which (with the exception of the argumentation tool) come from the world of social movements. Now, I’m providing resources so you can dive deeper into whichever tools are most valuable to your work. Of course, feel free to share these wherever they can support the cause. The final resource I’m willing to offer is myself. If you have a quick question, or you’re interested in working together, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Training slides
Although materials were produced for SolarPower Europe and the members of their communications forum, I am very happy for you to share them on! Running trainings and supporting organisations is my way of making money, but it’s also my way of having an impact. So feel free to use them and abuse them however you like. Check out the Google Slides.
Spectrum of allies
The Spectrum of Allies tool is a stakeholder mapping method designed to help you understand the range of support and opposition in a social change effort, such as the transition to solar! This tool helps you identify potential groups or individuals who could be shifted closer to supporting your cause with the right strategy. Check out the worksheet.
Ladder of engagement
This tool is about engaging supporters to support your cause. By conceptualising supporters as being on a ladder, you can design the right tactics and communication systems to move supporters from observers up towards leaders acting to support solar. This is especially useful with digital technologies, since the bottom half of the ladder can be largely automated. Read the guide.
Out-debate the Opposition
This guide will help you respond to common arguments against solar energy. To inform your general comms strategy, give this guide a skim read and consider how it applies to solar. If your organisation is ever in the situation of debating with opposition with other stakeholders present (such as a community or local council meeting), then save the resource and use it as a practical how-to guide in this situation. Remember: while it’s important to refute opposition, this is just one part of gaining social acceptance. Read the guide.
Common Destination reframing report
Common Destination is a narrative guide for the anti-aviation movement. It’s one of the best resources I’ve ever come across that introduces theory on narratives and then applies it to a particular subject. In particular, check out chapter 1 for the theory, and then chapter 3 for the proposed narrative. If you’re going to look at one thing, check the table of reframing on page 86 to see examples on how to reframe language to support your cause. Read the guide in English here, or French/German/Spanish on the Stay Grounded website.
Want to have a chat?
If you have questions about the content, or if you would like to be guided through working on these issues, I’d love to hear from you!