Telling Stories That Matter: Facilitating the Q2 Mastercard Foundation Community of Practice Forum
On June 30, 2025, Engage Communications was proud to facilitate the second Mastercard Foundation Kenya Partner Communications Community of Practice (CoP) Forum in Nairobi. This quarterly convening brought together communication leads from across the Foundation’s partner network to reflect, share, and strengthen how we tell stories of impact that go far beyond numbers.
With the theme “Aligning Impact Storytelling with Outcome Measurement and Safeguarding”, this quarter’s forum focused on the growing need for communication that is both responsible and evidence-informed. More than ever, storytelling is being recognized not just as a way to share progress, but as a tool for shaping understanding, sparking action, and holding programs accountable to the communities they serve.
During the forum, participants engaged in practical learning sessions and peer discussions on how to craft stories that reflect real-world influence, not just visibility metrics. They explored the intersection of impact, testimonial, and success measurement, while tackling an ongoing industry challenge: how to balance influence with advocacy. A key part of the discussions centered on embedding safeguarding practices at every stage of storytelling, from content development to community engagement to digital distribution.
The forum also marked a special milestone: the launch of the Voices of Impact newsletter. Curated by the CoP network, this new publication will serve as a platform to share inspiring stories and measurable change happening across the Foundation’s programs in Kenya. It offers a new space for reflection, learning, and collaboration among development communicators, program teams, and community voices.
