AWID, one of CMI!’s members, organised AWID Forum – the biggest gathering of feminist activists, funders and organisations. For the Count Me In! consortium and all its other members and strategic partners, this was an exciting space to experience, meet activists worldwide, showcase our work and learn from others.

The AWID Forum occurred in Bangkok, Thailand from the 1st to the 5th of December. In the vast expanse of The Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), about 2300 participants joined physically and another around 1500 participants joined the forum online.

Feminist organisations and activists adorned the space with artwork, knowledge products, posters, textiles, and other materials reflecting their heritage, history, joys and struggles. It was a carnival of culture, colour, and creativity fuelled by the fire of activism for human rights. The days were also packed with highly informative and deeply engaging sessions.

CMI! set up a fun feminist selfie booth at the exhibition hall and invited the participants to show their support and solidarity for causes close to their hearts. We had tags ranging from land rights to LGBTQIA+ rights and blank placards to write slogans. It was an instant success. People came and picked up tags, or created placards to be in the photo. Many participants returned to the booth with their friends and colleagues for another fun photo session showing the causes they fight for.  

Our members and strategic partners organised several interesting sessions and spaces at the Forum.

• Mama Cash organised several events including, a Grantee Partner Reception, two sessions with allies and a workshop on Participatory Grant Making. The sessions were: “Accompaniment and Support that Goes Beyond Skills Strengthening Training: what holistic support means to the movements”, and “Raising ambition on feminist climate action: from challenges to actionable strategies”.  The Mama Cash booth was a vibrant space for activists and partners to meet Mama Cash staff.
• CREA set up a booth to share wonderful resources with the participants.
• JASS organised live schools during the forum. The JASS booth was full of informative materials and inspiring goodies for visitors.
• Urgent Action Fund – Africa organised the session ‘Resourcing the gender and disability justice movement in the Middle East and Eastern Europe’.
• Urgent Action Fund created a Rest & Resist Nest for political discussions, practices, and offerings around collective care, well-being, and care, in collaboration with movement partners.
• WO=MEN together with allies organised a feminist pub quiz.

It was an experience to remember. Despite the darkness of our current context, the Forum spread hope and joy which we aspire to carry forward to 2025.