As the sun rises over Cape Town, the second and third cohorts of the Global Reformed Advocacy Platforms for Engagement (GRAPE) gather for the annual in-person training workshop. Held from March 30 to April 5, this intensive workshop equips participants with tools to drive social change and amplify justice-driven advocacy within the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).
WCRC’s advocacy tradition is deeply rooted in social justice, with churches, especially in the global South, at the forefront of social justice movements. The GRAPE program was created as an intentional approach to accompany member churches in fighting for social justice while also building on this legacy, equipping church leaders and civil society actors with the resources to be effective advocates for peace and justice. The WCRC, in collaboration with the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI), developed this advanced training and support program tailored for the GRAPE platforms and their advocacy campaigns. This five-year initiative, which began in December 2022, welcomes a new cohort of trainees and advocacy champions each year.
From Local to Global and Back Again
A key element of the training is the Local to Global to Local (L2G2L) approach—an interconnected advocacy model that recognizes issues such as poverty, conflict, and environmental degradation require multilevel engagement. From local grassroots movements to global policy dialogues, GRAPE’s training fosters sustainable and impactful advocacy strategies while maintaining a strong commitment to local agency.
Participants engage in workshops that explore real-world advocacy challenges, including strategies for addressing unfair trade regimes, navigating international legal frameworks, and harnessing digital activism.
Collaboration for a Just Future
“The GRAPE initiative continues to serve as a crucial framework for advocacy across WCRC member churches, providing training in participatory research, organizing global campaigns, and fostering strategic collaborations with global actors. As the sessions progress, participants are forming concrete plans to advance their advocacy campaigns both in Kenya and South Africa,” said Muna Nassar, WCRC executive secretary for mission and advocacy.
Looking Ahead
As the training week begins, the energy remains high. The third cohort of GRAPE participants is committed to the big tasks ahead in advocating for their national campaigns. WCRC’s commitment to fostering advocacy-driven change continues to grow, ensuring that local struggles resonate on a global scale.
The GRAPE cohorts in South Africa are advocating for a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG), which has gained the full endorsement of South African churches. Meanwhile, in Kenya, in response to severe droughts, floods, and critical water scarcity arising from the climate crisis, the GRAPE team has chosen to advocate for the universal right to water.
GRAPE is made possible with the support of Brot für die Welt and Otto per Mille.
