As individuals, we may feel powerless against overwhelming forces like climate change, AI booms, & rising fascism -- systems which rely on our inaction and ignorance to prosper. They rely on us having no hope.
Welcome to the Hope Jam, a multi-week event (lasting from Jan 2-19, 2026) where we build hope in whatever ways we can. At a time when it easy to be isolated and apathetic, let's take positive action towards the Earth, the people around us, and the knowledge/art/skills that we all share.
How to participate:
Select a minimum of 2 tasks from any category in the list below to complete during the jam:
NOTE: These are merely examples; you can always make your own.
Political: (click to expand)
Write to or call a government official
Participate in a protest, or sign a petition
Join a political organization
Donate to or volunteer for a political candidate
Environmental: (click to expand)
Join in (or start up) and environmental cleanup project
Grow a plant
Take measurable steps to decrease waste (reduction, repurposing, recycling, etc.)
Community: (click to expand)
Host or join an event in your local community
Reconnect with an old friend
Connect with a neighbor
Send a letter to someone
Volunteer for a local organization
Donate or fundraise for a charity/nonprofit you believe in
Health: (click to expand)
Try a new food or a new form of exercise
Try journaling, meditation, or another form of self care
Make a calendar or organized notes system
Online: (click to expand)
Contribute to (or create) open source software
Move away from a problematic platform or software
Join the indie web movement (or join a web-ring)
Clean up your digital space: files, subscritions, follows, emails
Artistic: (click to expand)
Make art, patronize, or collaborate with local/community artists (this includes all types of art, games, music, writing, etc.)
Start or expand your physical media collection
Sign up for a library card (or try out a service from your library that you haven't before)
Read a book
Other: (click to expand)
Learn a new skill
Educate others about a topic of your choice
Take a class or course
OR choose your own activity that you think applies!
These may be completed on your own or with friends. When choosing tasks, take into account the 2-week time frame and set a SMART goal.
Additionally, you may wish to choose tasks that contrast each other. For instance, choosing one task that seems like it will be easy, and one task that seems like it may be more challenging; or, one task that takes place on the computer, and one task that takes place outside the home; or, one task that can be completed alone, and one task that you will do with friends.
Do your chosen activities!
This is the important part! If you are a forgetful type, use alarms and sticky notes. You must have them completed by the end of the day on January 19th.
That's it!
When you are done, celebrate your achievements! And if you have enough time, you can always take on another task too.
Use this as an opportunity to try something new. Let's build hope!
FAQ:
Can I join? If so, where do I sign up?
Yes! The event is open to anyone of any background. There's no sign up sheet, so just pick a project to work on and go do it!
Can I share this event?
Yep! Feel free to share the link via social media, emails, paper mail, and so on. If you have your own website, you can add the 88x31 button below:Note: If you wish to add this, save the image file and host it on your website's files (this will prevent the button from breaking in the future).
[Insert random excuse that you're trying to use to get out of doing this]
Imagine living in a world where people care more about each other and live with more intention -- doesn't that sound great? Well, that world requires time, work, energy, and education. Hope is not something you wait for the world to provide to you -- it is something you do and feel. So come build hope with us.
I have more questions! Help!
Feel free to contact me via whatever method you prefer with questions or suggestions. Also, check out the Hope Jam Launch Party that will be happening on FletchMakes' stream at , where you can also find cool people to collaborate on projects with.
