wDCD LIVE AMSTERDAM 2025

ROLE: REPORTER/CONTENT WRITER

AGENCY: WHAT DESIGN CAN DO

Why do stories matter?

The Storytelling Masterclass was hosted by Cindy Fleur from The Business of Culture and Joi Lee from Earthrise Studio. Following a thought-provoking exploration of the strategic power of storytelling, participants were supported to develop their own core story during a workshop designed to help identify the foundational narrative of a successful initiative/project. My personal takeaway from the session? ‘Even powerful ideas fall flat without connection. It’s not just about building things, but building meaning. A story can turn interest into will – and that’s the true value: fuelling the drive to act.’

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

The Funding Futures Masterclass was hosted by Arthur Steiner from New Silk Roads, a boutique consultancy agency working at the intersection of technology, innovation, and the arts, supporting impact-driven organisations and businesses to thrive. Funding can be a tumultuous topic for even the most finance-savvy brains amongst us, but Steiner’s workshop helpfully navigated the complex world of funding and investments, teaching participants where to find the right grants for their projects, how to write a successful proposal, and the best way to develop a sustainable fundraising practice. All innovation requires investment, and Steiner showed these design-minded innovators how to go out and get it.