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Find resources created for you by the Futures Institute on

Policy 101

What is policy, and how can you use it to change things in your community? Explore our Policy 101 webinar. Together, we’ll break down the basics of understanding policy and walk you through our Policy 101 worksheet,  which helps you identify the problem, who is responsible, brainstorm solutions, narrow the solutions, and build a campaign or litigation.

Policy 101 Worksheet
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Download the worksheet

Media as a Tool for Change

Media is a critical tool for communicating your narrative to the public, sharing your voice and your story, and legitimating advocacy demands in the eyes of potential supporters. Explore our Messaging & Policy Webinar. With guests from GENup we’ll go over the basics for creating a powerful message and step-by-step guidance in writing and pitching an op-ed. 

Messaging & Policy Slidedeck
See the Presentation

Media as a Tool for Change

Social Media for Youth Activists

Social media can be a powerful tool in connecting people around an issue. Join us and friends from Social Current as we learn just how to utilize the power of social media to build community. 

When raising awareness around our issues it’s important to be strategic about the language we are using. Explore this webinar as we learn how to craft powerful social media content, including some insession activities. 
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Recent Posts

Youth Column – Earning Your Vote

September 3, 2024

Sample Youth Blog

August 31, 2024
Explore resources from trusted sites for

  • Lobbying & Advocacy

    This resource from the Commons Social Change library provides concrete guidance on how to lobby. Other sections of note include: Arts & Creativity, Campaign Strategy, Coalition Building, Communications & Media, Digital Campaigning

  • Community Tool Box

    From the Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas, the Community Tool Box offers resources to help plan and execute effective advocacy campaigns. It covers essential steps like researching issues, setting goals, choosing tactics, identifying allies, and countering opposition.

  • Building an Effective Team

    This document from 350.org provides a comprehensive agenda or workshop for strengthening and building a team around a social issue.

  • How to Build a Team

    The Fossil Free Divestment Guide from Go Fossil Free provides step-by-step guidance everything you need to build a successful campaign at an institution near you

  • Writing Press Releases

    This page from the Purdue OWL provides a comprehensive guide to writing effective press releases. It covers the purpose of a press release, the key elements to include (such as the headline, lead, body, and boilerplate), and tips for writing clearly, concisely, and engagingly. The guide also offers formatting advice and examples, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to craft professional press releases for media distribution.

  • Op-Ed Writing: Tips and Tricks

    The OpEd Project's Resources page offers tools and guides to help individuals craft and publish impactful opinion pieces. It includes tips on writing, pitching to editors, and building a public voice.

  • Media Advocacy Tools

    The Center for American Progress's Media Advocacy Tools page offers resources to help advocates effectively communicate their message through the media. It provides guidance on developing messaging, writing op-eds, and press releases, engaging with journalists, and using social media for advocacy.

  • Youth Activist Toolkit

    This resource from Advocates for Youth provides a clear step by step overview of how to advocate to the U.S. Congress by meeting with an elected official (specifically, your representative). Includes guidance for scheduling lobbying meetings, a sample media release about meeting with a representative, social media tips, and talking points focused on a Green New Deal to support communities.

  • Green New Deal for Campus Campaign Guidebook

    This resource from the Campus Climate Network provides an overview of why a Campus GND is important and how to advocate for one, including what messaging to use and how to understand relevant power dynamics. See “Campus Campaigning: Tips & Tricks” section for more skill specific information.

  • CJA Advocacy Toolkit

    This resource from Climate Justice Alliance provides a clear step by step overview of how to advocate to the U.S. Congress by meeting with an elected official (specifically, your representative). Includes guidance for scheduling lobbying meetings, a sample media release about meeting with a representative, social media tips, and talking points focused on a Green New Deal to support communities.

  • Climate Change Advocacy Toolkit

    This resource from CARE has a series of toolkits focused on different components of climate change advocacy, including toolkits on how to frame the debate, influence decision markers, and engage the public. While focused on climate change, this resource can help equip and empower youth to advocate on myriad issues. Toolkits also include useful case studies, including around policy implementation and finance, and helps youth understand what questions to ask at various stages of advocacy.

  • UN Youth Rights Advocacy Toolkit

    This resource from the United Nations Human Rights Office provides an overview of the core human rights that youth are entitled to (including education, decent work, health, adequate housing, and a clean, healthy and sustainable environment) and suggests advocacy strategies designed to enhance their recognition and implementation in Section B. Subsections include mapping partner and allies, developing advocacy messages, top tips for youth rights advocacy, and advocating for young people in vulnerable situations. Section C, focuses on leveraging international human rights mechanisms and processes.

  • Organizing Guide: People, Power, Change

    This resource from the Leading Change Network, Marshall Ganz; New Organizing Institute, Peter Gibbs, Shea Sinnott provides an overview of what are identified as five key practices of organizing, including definitions for key terms, components of building an effective public narrative, and tips on organizing one’s constituency. Guide is fairly straightforward and brief, which makes it an easier read, and includes many diagrams to visualize best organizing practices.

  • EU Elections Youth Advocacy Toolkit

    This resource from WECF International provides advocacy materials and messaging/communications for key issues affecting youth, including a European Green Deal and LGBTQ+ rights, that can be translated to a non-European and non-electoral context. Background on “a toxic free and healthy future” may be particularly useful for advocacy around the right to a healthy environment for youth in the United States and related environmental policies. European electoral context may also help inspire new ideas for American youth about how politics and governance ought to work in their favor. However, a lot of information is very European Union and electorally specific, and may not apply.