Certificate in Public Writing and Digital Storytelling for Development Practice at Azim Premji University

About the Programme

The Certificate in Public Writing and Digital Storytelling for Development Practice is a 3-month, blended programme that builds public communication skills for people working in the social sector. Many organisations write donor and annual reports well but struggle to reach a wider public, especially as development communication increasingly moves to digital and new media. This programme helps practitioners gather and organise information, build evidence, write for a public audience, and run advocacy campaigns, using both written and multimedia formats.

Eligibility

• At least 24 months of social sector work experience, as of December 2026.
• An undergraduate degree.
• Working knowledge of English.

Curriculum Overview

• Public Writing for Social Action: storytelling in development work, the basics of public writing, writing solution-focused feature articles and opinion pieces from case stories, and gathering and organising information systematically. Covers ethically using testimonials, interviews, and data.
• Communication Using New Media Technologies: the landscape of new media and digital platforms in the social sector, critically analysing government and NGO social media campaigns, and hands-on training on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, plus short videos and podcasts. Covers running advocacy campaigns through new media, audience analysis, and message framing.

Programme Highlights

• Blended format mixing around 20 hours of online classes with 6 in-person days that build on the theory and introduce hands-on communication tools.
• Learning through real case studies of social media campaigns, alongside practical, hands-on exercises.
• Open to professionals from social sector organisations, social movements, advocacy groups, researchers, development media, CSR teams, and social sector consultants.

Fees & Financial Aid

Tuition fee: INR 20,000. Accommodation fee: INR 3,500, for participants who choose to stay at the University during the in-person sessions. Refer to the university's dedicated fees and financial aid page for further details.