Narrative Change for Food Security Mini-Award

We are launching our next round of mini-awards! This round of awards will provide up to $4,000 to eligible organizations to develop and execute narrative change for food security projects in Maine. 

Below, you can find key guidance on the Permanent Commission’s Narrative Change for Food Security Mini-Award. Please take time to read this document in its entirety. If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please reach out to Rae Sage, Policy Coordinator, at Rae.Sage@maine.gov. 

What is the Narrative Change for Food Security Mini-Award?

Part of the Permanent Commission’s mission is to support and create programs that improve opportunities for under-resourced racial, Indigenous, and tribal communities in the state - communities that are also disproportionately impacted by food insecurity in Maine. The Permanent Commission is partnering with the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation & the Future (GOPIF)’s Ending Hunger in Maine initiative to launch a mini-award program to advance efforts to change the narrative around food insecurity by centering communities most impacted.

What is Narrative Change?

Narrative change work lives at the intersection of policy and communication work. It is a long-term strategy that uses stories to challenge harmful stereotypes, spark changes in thinking, and center common values by centering accurate and empowering stories.

What kind of projects should apply?

Mini-awards will support eligible organizations through one-time funding to develop and implement narrative change projects designed to accomplish one or more of the following goals:

Project Goals	Example Project
Shift the narrative from one that focuses on individual blame and stereotypes to one that focuses on the collective benefits and responsibilities of ending hunger in Maine - emphasizing a positive, forward-looking message centered on a future where no one in Maine faces food insecurity.	A project to develop shared messaging among multiple organizations that promotes the collective benefits of ending hunger in Maine; for example by: Dispelling divisive zero-sum narratives, which promote the idea that progress for some, comes at the expense of others.  Promoting the right to food. Dispelling harmful narratives about who is deserving of food and other basic needs.
Lift up positive stories about community-driven solutions to food insecurity led by disproportionately impacted communities.	An organization developing materials that tell the story of their impact.
Reduce stigma or address misconceptions that create barriers to accessing food resources and assistance.	Developing a social media campaign to reduce stigma or address misconceptions that create barriers to accessing food resources and assistance.
Center the voices of communities disproportionately impacted by food insecurity and people with lived experience.	Generation and dissemination of a zine highlighting the lived experiences of those impacted by food insecurity. A photovoice project designed to uplift the stories of underrepresented communities. Developing messaging to address stigma and barriers based on the lived expertise of impacted communities.
Elevate information about available resources or best practices in reference to specific marginalized communities to increase accessibility for both those working to address food insecurity and those directly impacted by food insecurity.	Translation and broader dissemination of critical information or trainings on how to support specific communities facing food insecurity with sensitivity to the challenges presented by compounding disparities.

Apply

Having trouble with the form? Try opening it in a new tab.