Narrative Change Project — Appalachia Funders Network

Pilot Project: Strengthening Regional Narratives Using Journalism, Cultural Assets, and Community Networks Across Central Appalachia

Background

The Appalachian region faces historic challenges including high levels of poverty and unemployment, chronic health problems, and out-migration of people, resources, and wealth from the region. These challenges have been compounded by the extended COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated the closure of rural hospitals and small businesses, increased food insecurity, and strained nonprofit organizations across the region.

AFN proposed and received grant funding to support a two-year pilot project to work toward building stronger regional networks, telling new stories about our people and places, and investing in the cultural, economic, and environmental vitality of Central Appalachia. Anchored by local funders serving as project Leads, the pilot program worked to harness the power of learning communities composed of independent journalists and alternative media makers, cultural and humanities institutional practitioners, and community leaders.

The pilot project explored the use of tools of narrative change and network strengthening as a means of community empowerment and activation. The project further sought to enable shifts in AFN members’ cultures, operations, and funding strategies towards serving as custodians of narratives and guardians of community networks.

Project Summary

AFN accepted applications from AFN member organizations to serve as leaders of a pilot project that features three communities focused on promoting narrative change within the Central Appalachian region. After a competitive process, the Appalachian Community Fund, The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, and Mountain Association were selected as the Lead organizations for this project.

Each Lead organization was responsible for creating a locally-based group of experts composed of independent journalists and alternative media, cultural/humanities institutional practitioners, and community leaders who, together, will explore narrative creation and network strengthening as a means of community activation.

The long-term goal of the project is to interweave nonfiction storytelling, journalism, cultural stewardship, and civic media practices to lift up regional narratives and build stronger regional networks.