Community Digital Storytelling in Vietnam

Advocacy

Community Digital Storytelling videos (CDSTs) are short videos, based on a sequence of photos supported by a narrative. CDST can play a role in enhancing the community’s climate change adaptation strategies and increase local ownership of the processes of producing the CDST, and thus, their future monitoring and evaluation of components in the program.

The overall objective of this guide is to teach the user how to produce short video stories that strengthen marginalized voices and share their priorities for adaptation strategies.

The CDSTs are designed to be used as part of participatory processes aimed at empowering community members. Videos are a powerful medium for involving community members, especially those who do not read or write as it allows them to share reflections and learning in their own voice and language.

The added value of CDST is that community members are able to document their own processes in prioritizing adaptation strategies as well as their reflections and results. In addition, CDST can be a valuable advocacy tool, both for addressing adaptation issues facing local communities as well as having the potential to address an international audience.