Sustainable Activism 26

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Sustaining life

to sustain collective action

Sustainable Activism is the vision that guides our work and the goal we seek to contribute to. It emerges from a simple question: how do we sustain life to sustain collective action?

It starts from a conviction: a more just region and world are only possible with social movements capable of sustaining life and continuing to transform their territories. This approach emerges from over 15 years of shared learning alongside social movements in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Sustainable Activism has two key pillars:

Protection and comprehensive security

Conditions to reduce risks and sustain work over time, including physical and digital security, body and mind health care, and basic material resources.

Collective care

Shared spaces and practices of support, rest, healing, and accompaniment that help sustain people and collective processes in contexts of crisis or high burnout.

Tools for sustaining activism:

Publications and materials created alongside movements to reflect, learn, and strengthen practices that enable collective action to be sustained over time.

Sustainable Activism in a nutshell

An illustrated booklet that explains what Sustainable Activism is, why it emerged, and why it is becoming increasingly relevant in contexts marked by multiple intersecting crises. A tool designed for sharing in workshops, meetings, and training spaces.

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Caracola Tree

A journey through the questions, experiences, and lessons that gave rise to Sustainable Activism. From the first conversations about holistic protection and care to the collective development of an ethical and political commitment that now accompanies movements across the region.

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Sustainable Activism Card Deck

A downloadable, printable card game designed for use by collectives, organizations, and social movements. Through thought-provoking questions and illustrations inspired by the territories and ecosystems of Latin America and the Caribbean, it encourages participants to pause, listen, and reflect on the conditions that make it possible to sustain activism over time.

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Printable PDF

Collective Care Spiral

This tool enables organizations and movements to collectively reflect on their care practices, identify strengths and challenges, and recognize the processes needed to sustain peoples’ well-being and collective action over time.

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Featured readings:

Publicaciones y materiales creados junto a movimientos para reflexionar, aprender y fortalecer prácticas que permiten sostener la acción colectiva en el tiempo.

What’s the point of revolution if we can’t dance?

A foundational publication in the development of Sustainable Activism. Drawing on the experiences of activists and defenders across the region, it poses a question that remains as relevant today as ever: How can we sustain collective action when those driving social change face burnout, violence, and multiple forms of risk?

Sounds of Caracola

FAU LAC’s pioneering reflection on security, holistic protection, and the sustainability of activism. It proposes broadening the lens on the understanding of protection to incorporate its emotional, collective, spiritual, and political dimensions.

Echoes of Sounds of Caracola

Systematizes the lessons learned and methodologies developed alongside activists across Latin America to reflect on personal, collective, and public power. It demonstrates practical tools for strengthening organizational processes.

Care at the core

A collective reflection on care as an ethical and political commitment. It brings together insights gathered by FAU LAC in collaboration with defenders and movements in the region.