Organizing Beyond Cities

On February 28, 2025, Compass, the New Economics Foundation, the Civic Power Fund and the LCN UK Hub, brought together community organizers for a powerful discussion on building progressive change across urban, rural, and small-town landscapes.

The event featured key insights from Matt Hildreth, Director of Rural Organizing, who shared critical insights on the U.S. elections and his experience of organizing rural communities for progressive change.

It invited diverse participation, from organizations like Greenpeace and Green New Deal Rising to NEON and the Trussell Trust to local councillors  and organizers. Attendees engaged in relationship-building and discussions, emphasizing the urgency of collective action in today’s political climate.

The discussions highlighted the importance of collaborative organizing in confronting contemporary political challenges. Some key themes that emerged included:

• The importance of grassroots organizing in rural and urban communities
• Strategies for building progressive infrastructure when funding for organizing is scarce
• Connecting organizers across diverse geographical and thematic landscapes
• The need to make sure organizing is relational and fun – when politics at the moment feels so divisive.

As the event concluded, there was a heartfelt commitment to keep the conversation going, learn together, and organize for a better world.