What we are doing
Defending our democratic space
Research by SMK and Civil Exchange identifies threats to elements of our democracy that enable people to have a voice and help hold politicians to account.
SMK Annual Campaigner Survey
What’s happening with change-makers? Our Annual Campaigner Survey helps us speak up more powerfully for them.
Trustees’ role in confident campaigning
How can trustees help their charities campaign with confidence and within the law? Research and advice for everyone.
The Lobbying Act: the chilling reality
This research from 2017 remains relevant as we enter the ninth government since the Act was introduced.
SMK policy and research reports
Defending our Democratic Space
This report documents the problem, asks why it is happening, and shares strategies we can use to counter the threats.
Speak up, we need you!
Why are charity CEOs relatively under-represented in the national conversation? This report offers perspectives, raises questions, and offers challenges to charity leaders.
Navigating charity campaigning: a brief guide for trustees
Support your charity to campaign with confidence, within the law, and within regulatory requirements. This short guide is built around five key questions to help you do just that.
The Chilling Reality Report
Is the Lobbying Act affecting civil society’s ability to campaign? The evidence says ‘yes’.
Latest blogs and articles
Creative climate action for cultural and social change
In this blog by Maya Mailer, Co-Director of Our Kids' Climate and Co-Founder of Mothers Rise Up, writes about the creative stunts and tactics they use in their aim to raise awareness of climate change and those that fund and invest in coal, gas and oil expansion.It’s...
Talk about your political activity: the right language could be the key
A new report from nfpResearch and the Sheila McKechnie Foundation offers revealing insights into the way that people relate to politics, charity campaigning, and ‘speaking out’. SMK CEO Sue Tibballs urges charities to be optimistic about what it tells us. Politics...
Campaigners risk losing their “last line of legal defence”.
Today (Wednesday 21 Feb 2024) the British Government will attempt to remove a legal defence used by campaigners facing juries for their actions during protests. The Attorney General has applied to the Court of Appeal to remove the ‘belief in consent’ defence, which...