Building a Thriving Movement Ecosystem: Beyond Single Strategies for Change

Navigating a Multi-Strategic Landscape

The 2024 election and Donald Trump's return to power have sparked a crucial conversation among progressives: how do we respond? From mass protests and general strikes to community care and electoral campaigns, a variety of approaches have emerged. However, the Ayni Institute believes that no single strategy alone holds the key to success. Instead, true power lies in fostering a thriving ecosystem where diverse approaches can coexist and amplify each other's strengths.

In December, the Ayni Institute convened a summit in Boston, bringing together 70 movement leaders and activists representing diverse fields. They shared a common belief: defeating authoritarianism and achieving true economic justice requires a multi-faceted approach. The key is not picking the "right" strategy, but understanding how different strategies can work together, complementing and reinforcing one another.

Social Movements as Ecosystems

The Ayni Institute views social movements as inherently "multi-strategic," meaning that diverse strategies for social change are employed simultaneously. A healthy movement ecosystem comprises organizations embodying various theories of change. These approaches can range from inside-game lobbying and electoral campaigns, to structure-based organizing like unionization, and mass protests that disrupt the status quo. The ecosystem also includes the construction of alternative institutions, such as worker co-ops and community farms, and personal transformation initiatives that focus on individual growth and well-being.

While these diverse approaches can be highly effective when aligned, tensions can also arise. Managing these conflicts requires understanding the underlying assumptions and practices of each segment of the ecosystem.

Mapping the Terrain and Filling the Gaps

The Ayni summit aimed to connect practitioners already implementing the movement ecology framework. Participants shared successes, challenges, and insights into using the framework to map their movement landscapes. Dawn Harrington, a leader in the criminal justice reform movement, explained how the framework helped her organization identify strategic gaps and understand conflicts arising from differing theories of change. While a cross-theory-of-change coalition in Tennessee faced challenges, it ultimately fostered greater communication and understanding among organizations.

"The movement ecology framework helped us understand that it’s actually our theories of change that are in tension, and it helped us better appreciate the other areas of change.” - Dawn Harrington

James Hayes of Ohio Voice noted that the framework facilitates shared language and understanding among organizations, leading to more productive collaborations. It also assists in identifying areas where resources and support are needed most. In Ohio, this led to a renewed focus on base-building and local issue campaigns to counter the effects of gerrymandering on inside-game strategies.

Focus and Flexibility: Embracing the Dynamic Nature of Movements

Juan Pablo Orjuela, an immigrant rights organizer, emphasized how the ecological framework allows organizations to specialize while acknowledging the fluid nature of movements. He described how applying the framework helped a Los Angeles organization realize it was overextended by working across too many theories of change. Refocusing on a core strategy allowed them to maximize their impact.

Orjuela also shared a powerful example from the New Jersey campaign for driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants. Initial inside-game efforts were thwarted by a sudden shift in public sentiment. The resulting "grief and resentment" led to a strategic pivot towards mass protest and direct action, ultimately culminating in victory.

“With grief came a recognition that we needed to try something different. These feelings of failure and tension can also birth experimentation — if you’re open to it.” - Juan Pablo Orjuela

The Power of Collective Learning

The Ayni summit served as a testament to the power of collective learning and adaptation. It wasn't about creating a uniform strategy, but about fostering a community of practice. By embracing the complexity of social movements and recognizing the value of different approaches, we can create a more resilient and effective force for change.

The key takeaway? We don't all have to work in the same way. But by cultivating a robust and interconnected ecosystem of change, we can unlock the transformative potential of our collective efforts and meet the challenges of the current political moment head-on.