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2026 Powerful Narratives Work (PNW) Fellowship Program

Building Narrative Power for an economy that prioritizes ecological and social well-being - for the people by the people.

The 2026 Powerful Narratives Work (PNW) Fellowship is a program generated by COO’s commitment to narrative power as a critical component of community power building, and our understanding of the necessary role narrative strategy plays in creating policy, systems and culture changes. This second year of the fellowship offering is geared to support individuals who are working to build a regional Solidarity Economy, and forwarding material changes centered on the principles of a Just Transition. 

Fellows will attend two day-long intensive sessions (one at launch and one at program close), as well as 4 virtual learning sessions to support and strengthen their narrative change/power building projects, interventions, and increased knowledge and skills relevant to narrative power and strategic communications/ & change. 

Supported by the subject matter experts at Resource Media, Fellows will be facilitated through a curriculum that explores and strengthens narrative change and power building strategies and have access to “office hours” or practice sessions to further their thinking, problem-solving, and tactical development. Fellows will also receive a stipend and strategic support for their proposed narrative change or narrative power building project during this six-month period. 

This program is for individuals who:

  • Are strongly familiar with and/or working on programs/projects/policies that further economic justice locally here in King County and a regional solidarity economy 

  • Are committed to strengthening a narrative power building ecosystem – including collaborative connection and relationship building, knowledge and skill sharing, and long-term infrastructure development 

  • Are committed to strengthening their knowledge, skills and connections relevant to narrative power and narrative change 

  • Are able to commit to full participation in the Fellowship program and all learning/workshop sessions 

  • Work day-to-day in mission-based organizations or projects that work to for economic justice here in King County  

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2026

Program Details:

This is a small program; we anticipate having 5-8 Fellows for this year. 

The program begins with a daylong gathering on March 27, 2026 and ends with a daylong gathering the week of August 17, 2026. It includes four 90-minute virtual learning sessions in April, May, June and July. Each participant will receive a stipend in an amount that is being determined by COO’s 2026 budget.

Successful applicants will be notified in late February/early March. Submit questions via email to Sian Wu: sian@resource-media.org

Before submitting your application, please review the program participant criteria, definitions, program session commitments (in the application), and frequently asked questions (FAQs) below, and join the program information session on January 21, 4-5pm (or watch the recording once posted here on COO website). Register for the information session here by 5pm on January 19th: https://forms.gle/MAHC478NDFeCnt887

Click here for Application

Program questions and answers:

Program participation and curriculum:

Q: Will participation support deepening partnerships/connections with other folks and organizations doing this work? 

COO and Resource Media intend to support Fellows by connecting them to capacity building resources and connections in our broader networks as is applicable and possible. There is not guaranteed or further funding available outside of the program. This year COO will partner with community journalism outlets who will work to create content that will help disseminate the shared narrative developed during the program. 

Q: Do you have any examples of what sorts of content or support will happen in the four virtual sessions? And what support will be provided throughout?

This year’s fellowship will focus on developing a shared narrative around economic justice in King County. Together, we’ll explore examples of narrative change and aspects of narrative power building. In partnership with local journalism outlets, there will be opportunities for amplification and support for socializing new stories and narratives. Subject matter experts at Resource Media will be available throughout the fellowship to support Fellows as they craft stories and narrative threads. 

Program context and applications:

Q: Some people may not understand the “Solidarity Economy” as a phrase, could you expand on the concept?

For purposes of this program, “Solidarity Economy” describes a vision and framework for shifting from our current economy of extraction and exploitation, where wealth and power accrues to a very few to an economy and way of being that is democratic, regenerative, and centered on a culture of mutuality, care and cooperation for health and well-being of all people and planet.

Work on a shared narrative may focus on advancing any element or area of this shift - such as models of inclusive and democratic enterprise, locally rooted finance, fair work, just use of land and property, or shared frameworks of economic connection and cross-community solidarity.

Q: Who is reviewing applications and making decisions? How? What is the criteria?

Staff & leadership from COO and Fellowship facilitators from Resource Media will be reviewing applications and making ultimate decisions. The primary criteria are:

1. Participants are working in/on programs, organizations, projects, coalitions, activities to shift our regional economy to one of solidarity and well-being

2. Clear and aligned work and personal experience that can contribute to a narrative that strengthens the regional solidarity economy.

3. Interest in, and commitment, to strengthening narrative power building and narrative change knowledge and skills

4. Unique skills, stories, and work experience that would be additive to a cohort’s collective skills and collaboration. This includes diversity of the cohort - e.g. diversity across King County geographies, lived experience, unique skill & networks, mission and issue, projects/programs, etc..

Q: Can individuals who are not part of a group or organization able to apply?

Yes, everyone is welcome to apply. However, applicants who are working in organizations, coalitions, programs, or projects will likely be a better fit than individual creative folks. This year’s fellowship is specifically geared toward socializing new narratives throughout existing networks, coalitions and communities. 

Q: For the purpose of this application, are we needing/looking for applications/projects that span beyond Seattle (to the whole County)?

This program is intended to support individuals who live in King County not only in Seattle. This year’s program seeks people whose work is rooted in, and will benefit, King County communities of opportunity. 

Q: Are links or attachments in the application welcome or allowed?

Links or attachments are fine if they would add significant context and clarity to the project scope/progress or applicant background. We recommend limiting to 1-2 attachments/links at maximum.

Q: Can you share more examples of narrative change or narrative power building across the different sectors of a solidarity economy?

One example of narrative change strategy and power building is the use of the Race-Class-Narrative strategy to identify and shift narratives important for changes to policies affecting economic health and well-being. For some background on the Race-Class-Narrative: https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/the-race-class-narrative-can-win/ 

Q: Will this program be offered in languages other than English? 

Cohort facilitation and learning content will be in English with interpretation and translation services available.