Social Change Initiative

Disinformation: Defining the problem and how best to counter it | Social Change Initiative Read our report on:

We captured the key insights in a report and reflection piece that remains highly relevant today.

🔗 Read the full report and insights here: www.socialchangeinitiative.com/disinformati...

🔁 Throwback: Tackling Disinformation

Disinformation continues to threaten lives and democracy - and the conversation remains urgent. In this past SCI-hosted discussion, Mike Posner, Aoife Gallagher and Kavisha Pillay explored practical strategies to respond.

▶️ Watch highlights in this video.

Social media post featuring the Social Change Initiative logo and promoting a new report titled "The Hidden Tribes." The main text reads "New report explores how different values and perspectives in Greek society shape democratic participation and political representation." The post includes a QR code and website URL (socialchangeinitiative.com/hidden-tribes-mapping-social-perceptions-in-modern-greece) for accessing the full report. On the right side is the report cover showing a stylized 3D geometric design with "HIDDEN TRIBES" text and subtitle "of a homogeneous society" along with Inter Alia and SCI logos.

A new study by Inter Alia co-funded by Social Change Initiative explores how Greek society has split into five distinct "tribes" with very different takes on democracy, immigration and identity. 🔗 Read it now 👉 socialchangeinitiative.com/hidden-tribes-mapping-social-perceptions-in-modern-greece

How can philanthropy and government work together to transform public services? visit: socialchangeinitiative.com/making-change-with-government-page

Changing the government's approach isn't easy, but it's essential for lasting impact. Our partnership with Northern Ireland's government showcases how philanthropy can drive meaningful reform.

Check out the lessons learned 👉 lnkd.in/d-madT6a

Discover how a values-led approach is opening new pathways for community dialogue. Read our World Values Survey - Lessons Learned report: buff.ly/MzRjIkw

Narrative Change | Social Change Initiative Lessons and tools for activists to bring about progressive narrative change

Our Narrative Change resource shares insights on using storytelling for progressive change, understanding audiences and reframing narratives to shift public perception and support social impact.

🔗 Find out more: socialchangeinitiative.com/narrative-change

Yellow-toned image of Martin Luther King Jr speaking at a podium to a large crowd. Overlaid text reads: “Narrative Change: Harnessing the power of storytelling to support progressive change.” The Social Change Initiative logo appears in the top left, with the website link socialchangeinitiative.com/narrative-change at the bottom.

The stories we tell shape how we understand the world - what feels possible, fair and worth fighting for.

At SCI, we support narrative change that centres lived experience, amplifies marginalised voices and connects storytelling to strategy.

In this short video, our Director @mobrienbelfast.bsky.social reflects on his journey through activism, human rights and philanthropy, and how this experience shaped the work of the SCI.

▶️ Watch the video to learn more about our approach and values.

🔗 socialchangeinitiative.com

The programme supports people of African origin and descent to connect, share strategies, build leadership skills and strengthen their collective impact for social change in NI.

👉 We’re currently welcoming new participants, to learn more, email a.kilmurray@socialchangeinitiative.com.

We also took part in an insightful session on Gender Budgeting and its impact on equality, led by Alex Brennan from the Northern Ireland Women’s Budget Group.

During the gathering, we shared programme updates and heard from changemakers Tolu and Maureen, who presented on their fellowship project.

Last Saturday, we hosted the first 2026 convening of members of our Black Leadership Programme.

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Northern Ireland is changing, and diverse voices must be at the forefront of social change.

SCI's Black Activist Leadership Initiative supports people of African origin and descent to connect, share strategies, build leadership and strengthen their collective impact.

🔗 buff.ly/fMQdynH

Our report examines how the UK government has attempted to walk back commitments made to ensure Brexit wouldn't diminish Good Friday Agreement rights and equality protections.

🔗 Read the full report: buff.ly/iFDYjaT

Excellent piece by Professor Cathryn Costello @profccostello.bsky.social of @ucdschooloflaw.bsky.social in today’s Irish Times: Ireland should resist cheap and tough talk on migration…

Brian Feeney highlighting a serious and potentially very damaging misstep by the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, in relation to the ECHR - this can be corrected ahead of the meeting of Council of Europe foreign ministers in May 2026…

I have a letter in today’s Irish Times about Ireland and the ECHR and the apparent shift in the Irish government’s position towards reform of the Convention signalled recently by the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan TD #ECHR

Wishing you rest, renewal and moments of joy this holiday season from all of us at Social Change Initiative.

Image shows a close up of a Christmas tree with the message 'Merry Christmas and Happy New Year' followed by SCI's logo.

To all those dedicated to building a better world - thank you for your continued commitment this year. In times of challenge, it's the connections we build, the communities we support and the solidarity we share that sustain our work and give us hope.

🌍 Social Change Initiative's Latest Newsletter 🌍

Grounding Social Change in Shared Values – our newest issue explores how we can build movements and drive meaningful transformation by focusing our work on principles that unite rather than divide us.

🔗 Read and subscribe: mailchi.mp/socialchange...

A split-screen design featuring the title ‘Poverty in Northern Ireland 2025’ on a dark blue background, with navigation tags reading ‘Report’, ‘Child Poverty’, ‘Work’, ‘Social Security’, and ‘Care’. Below the title is a short description about stalled progress on reducing child poverty. On the right side, against a light background, is an illustrative collage showing a young girl with red hair crouching down to touch the ground, layered over images of Northern Irish terraced houses, mountains, and a blue sky, encircled by abstract line art.

Yesterday we attended the launch of @jrf-uk.bsky.social's new report on poverty in NI.

An important piece of work with a clear message: change is possible, but only if political leaders act now. From childcare to rural inequality, we can’t afford to wait.

www.jrf.org.uk/poverty-in-n...

We are also on LinkedIn, X and Facebook - join our community and follow along for updates, insights, opportunities and stories from changemakers everywhere.

Follow us to stay connected with our work supporting social change in Northern Ireland and around the world. From peacebuilding and human rights to global solidarity and strategic collaboration, we’re here to highlight the ideas and people driving meaningful change.

Graphic titled ‘Follow us’ featuring two speech bubble icons. Below are social media platforms and handles for the Social Change Initiative: Instagram @SCIBelfast (labelled ‘NEW’), Bluesky @SCI-Belfast.bsky.social, LinkedIn – Social Change Initiative, X (Former Twitter) @SCI_Belfast, and Facebook – Social Change Initiative.

We’re excited to share that the Social Change Initiative is now on Instagram! 🤳 🌍

🔗 www.instagram.com/SCIBelfast

Discover how a values-led approach is opening new pathways for community dialogue. Read our World Values Survey - Lessons Learned report: buff.ly/MzRjIkw

Last week we welcomed 28 Community and Youth Work students from Maynooth University. SCI's Director, Martin O'Brien, was delighted to meet them and talk about working for social change and the current situation in Belfast.

Great to be back again in South Africa to mark 10 years of the Constitutionalism Fund an initiative of @atlantic, @FordFoundation & @OpenSociety. $29m of grant awards made to advance the realisation of the rights provided for in the South African Constitution

🌐 The last wave of WVS was the first time the study had been run in NI, and with @sci-belfast.bsky.social we have been using the findings to provide insights into how different groups in NI are aligned in terms of their values and attitudes, beyond community background or constitutional position

🤝 Delighted to see our partners @sci-belfast.bsky.social using findings from our work on the World Values Survey to engage community leaders in Northern Ireland in conversations on attitudes, values and how to tackle division in the country

➡️ www.socialchangeinitiative.com/values-lesso...

Using Values to Build Understanding in Northern Ireland - A Report on Lessons Learned | Social Change Initiative Published on 9th Oct, 2025

Read the full report on our website to discover how a values-led approach is opening new pathways for community conversation.

🔗 socialchangeinitiative.com/values-lessons-learned