The “Creating Visual Stories for Impact” workshop was convened by StreetNet International (SNI) in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Chamber for Informal Economy Associations (ZCIEA) from February 10-16, 2025, at the Monomotapa Crowne Plaza Hotel in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The workshop aimed to equip participants who are StreetNet International Media Activists from the informal economy sector with the skills to create compelling visual stories that amplify their voices, highlight their challenges, and showcase their triumphs.
The workshop’s primary objective was to empower participants to harness the power of visual storytelling as a tool for advocacy, awareness, and social change.
To achieve this, the workshop focused on understanding the principles of visual storytelling and its role in advocacy, acquiring technical skills in photography, videography, and editing, developing narratives that resonate with policymakers and the public, and creating impactful visual content to drive social change.
The workshop employed a blended approach, combining theoretical sessions, hands-on practical exercises, and group discussions. Participants engaged in mobile photography basics and visual storytelling principles, and embarked on field visits to local markets to practice filmmaking and sound recording.
They also participated in sessions on ethical challenges in visual storytelling and introductory lessons in video and photo editing. Furthermore, participants worked intensively on projects, including shooting, rough editing, and fine-tuning visual stories with mentorship from experts.
The workshop achieved its objectives, equipping participants with technical skills and a deeper understanding of visual storytelling for advocacy. As a result, participants enhanced their skills in photography, videography, and editing, and created impactful visual stories that shed light on the realities of informal economy workers. Additionally, the workshop strengthened a network of advocates ready to use visual storytelling to drive change in their communities.
The “Creating Visual Stories for Impact” workshop marked a significant step toward empowering informal economy workers to share their stories and demand a more inclusive and equitable society.
As participants return to their communities, the ripple effects of this workshop are expected to inspire action and amplify the voices of those often left unheard.
To build on the momentum generated by this workshop, it is recommended that a network of visual storytelling advocates be established to support ongoing skill-building and collaboration.
Ongoing mentorship and coaching should also be provided to participants to refine their skills and produce high-quality visual content. Furthermore, opportunities for showcasing participants’ visual stories through various media channels and platforms should be explored.