SMALL CHANGE
With ‘Small Change’ we immediately offer the public an action perspective. We make small solutions big, we democratize world improvement so that everyone can take action from his or her own position. No abstract views, but concrete solutions. Seemingly small and meaningless, but with great impact.
The Collecting Stories Foundation brings these stories in a unique way, across boundaries of media, channels and forms of expression. To create movement and reach in ‘small changes’ with ‘big impact’.
the need
The future quality of life on earth has reached a tipping point. We are (to a greater or lesser extent) aware of the consequences of climate change due to the large footprint we have placed in recent decades. If we do not all make an effort to make the world a better place now, it will be a missed opportunity and this fact will soon determine the fate of those after us.
Naturally, a major role in this is reserved for politicians, policymakers and the chairmen of large companies. That is where the lines must be drawn to develop major innovations, to combat emissions reductions and to tackle major polluters and grabbers.
But we should not lose sight of our own influence. Every (r)evolution starts with a small change that encourages others to join a movement that, when things get going, can create a huge impact. By inspiring people to make positive changes in a democratic way, where no major innovations or investments are required, ‘small changes’ can have a big impact.
the idea
The world is full of individuals, companies and institutions that are actually working to make a big impact with small solutions at a later stage. But who are they, where are they and what are they doing?
By visiting them and visiting them, we get a picture of the people behind the ideas, their motivation, the obstacles and the successes. By recording this, the idea or solution takes shape. By bundling the stories we gain insight into the bigger picture. We see differences and similarities and how they can make an impact together. By sharing the stories, spectators will be inspired to further develop and apply the solutions or ideas or be inspired to come up with their own initiatives.
‘Small Change fits within the philosophy of Collecting Stories because we offer a platform for a small story with a strong substantive, recognizable, urgent and current message that is surprising, provides food for thought, inspires and activates.’
collecting stories
Small Change is a European project. We look for ideas, inspiration, initiatives and examples of situations where an idea or relatively small-scale solution can make a big difference. We find the persons, companies or institutions by always asking ourselves the question: ‘how could that be different?’ Examples include a ‘container gardener’ in England, a ‘CO2 catcher’ in Iceland and a center for sustainable development in Portugal.
We follow the ‘hierarchy of needs’ in which food, shelter and clothing are central. (Sustainable) transport is an important part of both the stories and the foundation’s working methods. All trips will be made in the most sustainable way possible. One of the objectives is to also reach those who do not naturally seek publicity, perhaps because they are simply too busy for it, are afraid to share it or simply do not have the means or knowledge to reach a larger audience.
‘By literally collecting the stories you lower the threshold for people to share their ideas’
production
The Small Change project consists of documentaries (film), portraits (photos) and podcasts. The material is created by audiovisual professionals on behalf of the foundation. There is room within the team for one or two trainees from an MBO or HBO course. Because it is a European project, image makers from various countries will be invited to contribute to the project.
The selected ideas and solutions are made into short films, photos and podcasts. The duration and form are partly determined by the subject and location(s). The short documentaries will be between 5 and 12 minutes in length, the podcasts between 12 and 25 minutes. The portrait photos are mainly focused on the person and are merged with the podcast.
screening
It is essential for the foundation and the objective of the project that a large audience has access to the stories in order to become part of the initiatives and solutions presented. To achieve this goal, the foundation actively looks for platforms to display, broadcast and exhibit the work it has created. The kick-off is the Collecting Stories Festival, an annual one-day festival in Amsterdam where all work is shown, supplemented with speakers and workshops.
distribution
In the distribution phase we share the productions with an even wider audience. The short films, photos and podcasts will be available for distribution after the festival to reach the largest possible audience. The foundation will use the following resources for this:
exhibition
The portraits can be viewed in a publicly accessible space for a period of one month. The exhibition space is easily accessible and admission is free. It offers an overview of the film portraits made as well as photos, podcasts and background stories.
broadcast and display
The films are offered separately and/or as a whole to (local) broadcasters, online streaming services, art cinemas and through the online editions of regional and national newspapers and magazines.
education
Collecting Stories has developed a teaching package for both primary and secondary education. For primary schools, the lesson consists of a showing of one of the short films, after which the children can work on a project themselves. A medium version of 2 items is available for secondary education, after which students choose from one of the two topics and, aided by a manual, start collecting ideas themselves. All other necessary materials are supplied by the foundation.
workshops
Collecting Stories developed a dynamic hands-on workshop for individuals, companies and institutions.
Distribution can take place at (inter)national level. We do not see the distribution phase as ending within a certain time. The design is such that the productions can be purchased in blocks or distributed over a longer period in varying compositions.
‘ Collecting Stories believes it is very important that the carefully developed content does not disappear into a drawer, but is actually made accessible to the widest possible audience’
marketing & communication
The marketing plan for the Small Change project consists of an online and offline campaign. The first (online) expressions will be placed on social media from the beginning of 2024 as a teaser to gain followers and build an audience.
website
The website collectingstories.com will be updated and the Small Change project will be given a more prominent place on this website. Search engine optimization will make the project easy to find in Google and other search engines. The foundation will also actively post and share links with partners, sponsors and participants.
social media
The social media channels that the foundation wants to use for this project are Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo and YouTube. Facebook and Instagram mainly for short messages with an image or video. Vimeo and Youtube for short teasers and behind the scenes videos. A campaign overview is drawn up containing the strategy, planning and nature of the communications. The social media campaign is set up by professionals.
behind the scenes
Through an extensive video and photo report, all phases of the project are recorded in a creative, high-quality manner. These images are very suitable for sharing via social media, local broadcasters, newspapers and magazines.
newsletter
During the project, a digital newsletter will be sent to all funds, sponsors, volunteers, donors, employees and generally interested parties. The newsletter will be sent at least three times.
newspapers and magazines
For offline (some also online) messages and expressions, we contact newspapers, magazines and other printed media. Press releases and photos are supplied by the foundation itself. Well before the start of each activity, the foundation will actively approach and involve media partners to guarantee good substantive reporting.
To inventory and collect ideas, cards are designed and printed that can be distributed in places where people have little or no access to the internet and social media. Flyers and posters are designed and printed for the festival, which the foundation will distribute.
planning & funding
planning
The Small Change project will be carried out between January and September 2024. Below is a brief timeline for the various activities:
- collecting storiesFebruary - may 2024From February 2024 we will start preparing to collect the ideas with the story cargo bike. The exact locations will be announced in January.
- production filmsMay 2024 - September 2024In the spring we will start with the research, (pre) production, recording, editing and post-processing of the films. This phase will run until the summer of 2024.
- screeningfrom September 2024Screenings of the short films made will take place from September 2024. Exact dates and locations to follow.
- distribution en educationfrom September 2024The distribution phase and publishing of the educational project will start from September 2024.
