Advocacy

Definitions Advocacy is a strategy that is used around the world by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), activists, and even policy makers themselves, to influence policies. A policy is a plan, course of action, or set of regulations adopted by government, business or an institution, designed to influence and determine decisions or procedures.

First, advocacy is about influencing those who make policy decisions. Second, advocacy is a deliberate process, involving intentional actions. Third, policy makers can encompass many types of decision makers.

What Advocacy is not 1.Extension work. 2.Information, Education, and Communication. 3.Informing the government about your Organization. 4.Fund-raising.

Types of Advocacy Budget Advocacy Bureaucratic Advocacy Ideological Advocacy Legislative Advocacy Professional Advocacy Mass Advocacy

Building Foundation for Advocacy 1.Gathering policy and political information 2.Assessing risk 3.Building strategic relationships 4.Establishing your credibility as an advocate 5.Maintaining focus

Advocacy Analyzing policies Outlining an advocacy strategy Finalizing an advocacy strategy Framing a plan

Step 1: Analyzing policies 1.The policy causes, 2.Key actors that influence policies and their interests, and 3.The policy environment.

Step 1.1: Analyzing Policy Causes What is the problem? Who does it affect? What are the SUPPORTIVE POLICIES? What are the RESTRICTIVE POLICIES? Which programs support or Hinder POLICY ENFORCEMENT?

Step 1.2: Analyzing Actors Who are the Main Actors? The Level of Influence they have on Policy? The Resources this Actor Controls. What is the Motivation for this actor to act.

Step 2:Outlining an advocacy strategy 1.Select the policy issue that can effectively be addressed through advocacy and which will have the greatest impact on the problem. 2.Identify target audiences - those with the ability to actually influence the policy issue you select. 3.Set a specific policy goal for your initiative. 4.Identify potential allies and opponents

Step 3: Finalizing an advocacy strategy Select an advocacy role. There are many different ways to advocate. E.g, Expert Informant, Honest Broker, Capacity Builder, Lobbyist and Player. Identify key messages. An advocacy message is what you want your target audiences to hear. It specifies what policy change you would like them to support. Define advocacy activities. Advocacy activities are the steps you will take to convey your messages to your target audiences.

Step 4: Framing a plan 1.Select a Timeline. 2.Prepare a Budget. 3.Prepare a Logfram.