An Alternative Approach to Digital Advocacy
Three months into the war on Gaza, Olives & Heather were contracted by Gaza Sky Geeks (a programme by Mercy Coprs) for a very special assignment:
Shedding light on how the Palestinian tech ecosystem had been impacted by the ongoing war on Gaza.
Tags: PR, storytelling, digital advocacy
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Uncovering Truths
As the assignment commenced, very little information escaped the borders of Gaza. With a total electricity blackout, ongoing cellular blackouts, and journalists blocked from accessing Gaza, neither government officials, ministries, nor NGOs had a clear picture of what was happening on the ground. Data collection efforts had been sporadic and insufficient, and whichever little information was available was painting a devastating picture.
Through this project, Gaza Sky Geeks were hoping to bring to light the reality of life on the ground and how this impacted the wider tech ecosystem, while also getting a deeper understanding of which future interventions would be needed to revive the Palestinian tech sector.
A Report Rooted in Storytelling
Several reports were released in the spring by trusted but traditional sources like the UNDP, UNRWA, the World Bank, etc. The reports, however, were focusing on high-level predictions, estimations, and macroeconomics. Gaza Sky Geeks was interested in a scope beyond that, which could be considered a deep dive into the data and personal stories of individual business owners, freelancers, or personal stories. By adding this dimension to the big data already collected, any and all recommendations made in the report became authentically rooted in the wishes expressed by Palestinians, not politicians.
Bearing Witness: Amplifying Voices on the Ground
By joining forces with Gaza Sky Geeks, Olives & Heather were able to tap into an extensive network of tech ecosystem players, freelancers, and business owners. Collecting testimonies turned out to be a massive undertaking, though. Naturally, the nature of conducting interviews and collecting testimonials from individuals who are still being victimised is an incredibly sensitive and emotional situation. What really surprised us though was the great lengths the Gaza-based interviewees went to, to share their stories with us. Some, making the 2 km walk to the nearest mobile charging station three times to complete the interview.
Digital Advocacy: Crowdengagement Instead of Lobbying
Why did Gaza Sky Geeks and Olives & Heather choose this approach to reporting? Discussing Palestine can often feel out of reach for many people, with the misconception that you need to be a historian, politician, or activist to contribute to the conversation. This report aims to make the facts and stories more accessible to everyday people, business owners, and professionals. It seeks to bridge the gap between grassroots movements on digital platforms and advocacy at the policy level.
Top Media Features Secured for Gaza Sky Geeks
In the months following the release of the report, Gaza Sky Geeks has secured traction in various ways. From media features amongst prominent newspapers to tech media to speaking opportunities in academia, including The National, Wamda, and FWDstart.
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Olives & Heather is a marketing agency committed to serving, scaling, and growing innovation and impact organisations everywhere. Through holistic marketing strategies rooted in data-driven brand storytelling, we can provide solutions for every need: from branding to campaign management to lead generation to strategy consulting to public relations.
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Reach out to Olives & Heather, and let’s talk storytelling and PR strategy!