Building solidarity in social change

What is solidarity in social change?
Solidarity in social change is a commitment to standing together in the face of inequities and working together to address them. It’s about how we pursue change as much as the outcome of change.
Our efforts to drive social change are more powerful when we work together. Bringing together diverse perspectives makes for better decisions, stronger communities and more transformative social change.
Some perspectives, particularly those gained through first-hand experience of inequity and injustice itself, are too often marginalised or excluded – both in wider society and in our work for social change.
At SMK, we know that some of the most powerful campaigns are driven be people with first-hand experience of the issues they are seeking to change. But the burden of driving change cannot sit solely on their shoulders. We need everyone – with all kinds of knowledge and expertise – working together.
Solidarity is not simply about including different voices in the status quo. It is a commitment to transforming ourselves and our relationships, and the processes and cultures that define our work for change, so we can truly stand and work together as equals, across difference.
That means understanding our own power, and using it consciously, to build deeper solidarity in social change.
Want to learn more about building solidarity in social change?
The Solidarity in Social Change programme
We work with Oak Foundation’s UK Housing and Homelessness Partners to help them centre the needs and aspirations of people with first-hand experience of housing inequalities in their strategies for change. This learning hub is password protected. Contact us for details here.
Training in lived experience, solidarity and social change
This participatory workshop will provide you with practical tools and approaches to thinking about power and working in deeper solidarity with people with first-hand experience in your social change work.
SMK’s commitment to solidarity and EDI
SMK is here for everyone who wants to make lasting social change. But we know that the interconnected systems of inequality that exist in society are replicated in organisations, like ours, that are trying to change them. Read our commitment to solidarity, equity, diversity and inclusion.
What are we learning?
We’re building a picture of what it means to work in deeper solidarity in social change. Take a look at insights emerging from the programme, and what we’ve been learning about delivering the programme, in our Year One and Year Two reports.
Insights about working in solidarity
Year 1 report
Insights and practical action emerging from the programme.
Learning about programme design
Year 1 report
Our own reflections on designing and delivering the programme.
Insights about working in solidarity
Year 2 report
Insights and strategies for deepening solidarity for individuals, organisations, the wider sector and in our campaigns for social change.
Learning about programme design
Year 2 report
Our theory of change and the difference it’s making to participants.
It’s All About Power
Barriers to solidarity are systemic. But change begins with each one of us thinking differently about our own power. Read our guide and take action for solidarity in social change.

Latest blogs and articles
What’s next for solidarity in social change?
Some reflections from our work with grantees of the Oak Foundations’ Housing & Homelessness Programme. In recent years, we’ve worked closely with Oak Foundation’s Housing and Homelessness Programme to better understand how organisations can truly centre the needs...
Campaigning in solidarity: Evaluating what matters
Fourth and last blog in our series about campaigning in solidarity. How do we know our campaigns are making a difference? And who gets to decide that anyway? We spoke to our Learning Partner and participatory evaluation specialist, Sarah Rose, and to Gemma McCaughley...
Campaigning in solidarity: Stories for change
The third in our four-part series about campaigning in solidarity. Telling stories for change is a key issue for professional campaigners seeking to work meaningfully alongside people with first-hand experience. How do we communicate effectively, and how can we share...
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