The Global Initiative on Corporate Accountability (GICA), an alliance of 11 leading civil society organisations from around the world, have today launched a new messaging guide and research: “Thriving Communities: A hope-based messaging guide for holding corporations accountable”. The guide supports communities and advocates in calling for stronger corporate accountability laws in every region.

Business as usual is not working. Large companies are exploiting workers around the world, destroying the environment and leaving hard-working communities unable to afford everyday essentials, with devastating implications. For too long, voluntary approaches to corporate responsibility have failed us.

That’s why a growing movement of people, consumers, civil society groups, unions, investors, and businesses are calling for new laws to hold corporations accountable for their harmful impacts on people and the planet.

This evidence-based guide, developed by Hope-Based Communications and GICA, draws on insights from neuroscience, digital marketing, social media listening techniques, narrative change strategy and message testing research in the UK and Mexico to propose a powerful new narrative for why stronger responsible business laws will benefit all of us and help protect what matters most: our communities, our lands, and our wellbeing.

Established in 2021, GICA calls for binding rules to hold corporations to account for human rights abuse and environmental damage, including access to justice for affected people and communities. GICA is supported by the Forge Fund, a collaborative of philanthropic donors working to advance a global economy that works for all.