Our ideas

Monthly round-up

Conferences, coaching and conversations

Behind the scenes of a party conference panel

With the 2025 Labour Party conference just around the corner, Agenda co-directors Becky Slack and Vic Barlow share their experiences of running party conference panels and roundtables.

What is a ‘Great Fundraising Organisation’?

What makes the world’s best charities so good at raising money? Alan Clayton, author of ‘Great Fundraising Organisations’, joined Becky Slack and a group of fundraisers and communicators to reveal the secrets behind the most successful charities

Maximising your impact at Labour Party conference: Part Two

The long game, the power of a good question and how to build lasting connections, in part two we look at how to make the most of your time at conference.

Maximising your impact at Labour Party conference: Part One

For those wanting to have greater social impact and extend their influence, a trip to party conference can offer valuable rewards. But it needs careful planning and consideration. In the first of our two-part blog, we share tips from seasoned pros.

Monthly round-up

Closing a busy summer – and planning a busy autumn

“You can’t communicate your way out of bad policy”

Agenda co-director Becky Slack on why no amount of comms glitter can salvage poorly planned or executed policies.

Monthly round-up

Gearing up for a busy summer

Keeping the peace: Civil society comms in the face of fear and far-right mobilisation

Agenda co-director Becky Slack looks towards an uncertain summer where the far-right looms – and where hope lies in being prepared and understanding what makes people tick

Fear, food and dialogue: How compassionate curiosity can help defuse hostile situations, off- and on-line

In times of unrest, fear spreads faster than facts. At our ‘Changing hearts and minds’ event on 4 June, we heard about what happens to people when they are afraid and how this fear can be transformed into connection.

How to make a comms plan stick

You’ve spent time and money creating a spanking new comms plan. How do you encourage colleagues to adopt it? Vic Barlow, co-director of Agenda and former director of communications at the National Education Union, shares her experience and insight

How positive emotional appeal can make counter-narratives more compelling and effective

On 4 June, some 50-odd civil society communicators and experts on public attitudes, narrative change and strategic comms came together to share ideas, test strategies and strengthen networks.