The Bertha Accelerator is a yearly residency program by Bertha Spaces and Postane, bringing together global change makers- activists, journalists, artivists, and non-profit workers to reflect, connect and deepen their work through storytelling. This year the accelerator will be held from 16 to 26 August 2025 at Postane in Istanbul’s historic Galata district, the program offers space to explore the power of communication for social change in a vibrant setting rooted in activism and community.

Residency on Reclaiming the Story

The residency offers space to pause, reflect, and collaborate on more effective storytelling for social change. As storytelling shapes public opinion and mobilizes communities, activists must craft ethical, values-driven narratives that connect with audiences. Participants will gain practical skills from experts in media, communications, and movement building to shift narratives, build community, and inspire action.

The Theme: Storytelling in the Changing Landscape of Civil Society

Civil society is undergoing major shifts, with traditional, donor-dependent models shrinking and new challenges emerging from financial, legal and political pressures.

As activism, journalism, and storytelling increasingly overlap, civil society actors must now craft compelling, ethical, and hopeful narratives to engage audiences and counter growing misinformation and co-optation by states and corporations.This residency explores how storytelling can strengthen civil society in this evolving landscape.

This residency will help participants:

• Counter misinformation through strong narratives
• Use storytelling and digital tools to engage audiences
• Build hopeful, strategic communication
• Explore the use of alternative media and different forms of storytelling.

Hope-based communication will guide the program, encouraging stories that inspire action, connection, and solidarity. Participants will experiment with formats like video, podcasts, and writing to strengthen their storytelling impact.

The Program

The residency is designed around three core pillars: Context, Strategy, and Content. By the end of the program, participants will have refined a project or strategy, gained insights from global digital advocacy efforts, and built lasting connections with fellow change-makers.

The program includes:

• Opportunities to present and refine content strategies with feedback from other participants.
• Unstructured quiet time to reflect, work, and build connections in an inspiring environment.
• Workshops and case studies on storytelling, digital platforms, and community engagement.
• Peer-learning sessions to share best practices and challenges.
• Collaborative projects that integrate hope-based communication approaches to develop compelling content for social change.
• Social events and excursions to foster connection and cultural exchange.

Each participant is expected to follow the following criteria:

• Connection to Theme: Participants should have a demonstrated interest in content creation, storytelling, or strategic communication for social change.
• Commitment to a Movement or Cause: Participants should be connected to an organization, media outlet, or network that will benefit from their learning and contributions.
• Clear Statement of Intent: Participants should have a specific project or content strategy they want to develop during the residency.
• Commitment to Full Attendance: Participants must commit to attending in person for the full duration of the residency and participating actively.
• Willingness to Contribute: Participants should be open to sharing their knowledge, experiences, and skills with others.
• Language Proficiency: Participants must be proficient in spoken English.

The cost is $3,000 per participant, covering all expenses except airfare and visa costs.

To find out more about this or future Bertha Accelerator programs please email [email protected].