1. July 13, 2016 JLIF&LC Board of Directors Survey (10 responses)
Strategies for influencing decision-makers in engagement with local faith groups
July 13, 2016
JLIF&LC Board of Directors Survey (10 responses)

2. Major barriers perceived by stakeholders to engagement with faith groups?

3. Expanded Answers: Perceived barriers
…biggest barrier is getting LFCs in a position where they are prepared to and willing to engage with donors, policymakers and practitioners
Least important: Lack of capacity such as project management, or other technical things
Most Important: Proselytizing activity will be a minor challenge if we endorse the LFC work as professional and accountable
Great unknown about what FBOs do and can bring, and this could lead to misperceptions
A major barrier to all change initiatives is lack of proper understanding of why people resist change in general. Resistance to change is normal and initiators need to understand that in order to apply a strategy that matches the reason for the resistance.
"proselytizing" addresses questions that LFCs will attempt to speak about religious doctrines as part of their efforts to address other concerns; this perception includes but is not related to attempts to convince someone of the need to convert to a religious tradition.

4. Drivers of Decision-making to more fully engage with LFCs?

5. Expanded Answers: Drivers of Decision-making
To become more fully engaged with LFCs, Information and evidence should be given first to the LFCs to make them know the identity of person/organization who comes from outside of their area and what we are doing. The more information and evidence given to them, the better they know, and should come along with personal approach to develop friendship and trust. Regarding availability of funds and funding mechanisms, donors now like to have partnership shown in the program, such as the program has other contributions in the budget or activity, even just in-kind contributions, to show that the program involves many parties
Building relationships and trust to break the ice

6. What information & evidence can JLI provide to support LF engagement?

7. Expanded Answers: Information & Evidence
I think the evidence argument is a bit of a red herring. Other non-FBOs are not always asked to provide the same level or rigorous evidence, in my view. I think engaging with grass roots FBOs is messy and complicated and therefore decision-makers don't want to bother. They would prefer an easy win.
To show lesson learned or experience is more important than successful models and mechanisms of engagement with LFCs so that decision makers could know the gap in doing specific approach or have the know-how to engage with specific LFC. Beside that, we have to make sure that LFCs work more professional than another organizations due to double responsibility by the LFCs. there are horizontal responsibility; responsible to the stakeholders either donors, beneficiaries, etc. and vertical responsibility; responsible to the God Almighty.
Information about LFCs can also leverage resources and bring networks that are not usually tapped into
It is important to sight the role religious leaders and religious institutions have played throughout history as a catalyst for development - with synagogues, churches, mosques as leading centers of learning and research. LFCs continue to influence political, economic and social decisions made by billions around the world. In most third world countries the "social contract" is between politicians and religious leaders.
Buy-in among decision-makers on demonstration of capacity and evidence of unique capabilities prior to highlighting successful models. Once buy-in is established, successful models should be highlighted.

8. What in-person communication of information are most influential & effective?

9. Expanded Answers: In-person communication
There is a trust deficit that needs to be overcome. Relationships developed overtime are the best way to do that.
This question is contextual, based on what purposes the means of in-person communication of information and evidence are, for example cohort meetings to make decision in policy/regulation that will be affected to the implementation of the project with LFCs, or gatherings at local level with briefings by faith group leaders to make good exit strategy and to last the program run by the LFCs themselves. 1-1 meetings results will be effective if it can be done with influential persons and/or important persons
i think we also need to use technology more such as social media and the use of videos and so on.
1-1 meetings and conversations with personal, trusted relationships are important but they are insufficient for changing broader contexts and attitudes in which policies are implemented. These contexts are influenced more effectively by broader kinds of events; however, the more personal and 1-1 conversations often allow for the broader events to be established.

10. Format of information and evidence are most effective and influential?

11. Expanded Answers: Format of information
Form should follow function and focus on audience
Evidence and policy briefs are important if disseminated and/or published in the right media. The briefs are considered only as the content for articles or editorials for the mainstream media, social media campaigns and video or audio interviews. The briefs should be drafted in a well-understood wording (not too academic) if campaigned to the public.
All formats depend on target group
Important to identify the needs of the target group and tailor the information and evidence to them as much as possible. Need to know who is the audience for the information and evidence

12. How should JLI prioritize activities to maximize ROI?
I think developing faith literacy at the decision maker level and strengthening the capacity of local faith groups to interact with policymakers and donors at the local level are vital.
JLI is expected to not only find the evidence made from the LFCs, JLI also should make the evidences itself such as conducting a preliminary study and the evidence should also be used in the development program of the local/government, and/or business contingency program/business sustainability program of private sectors. JLI should make more engagement with regional institutions and/or mainstreamed media to publish the briefs.
focus on two to three key issues such as peace building / migration and also try and create a space whereby we encourage exploration from the faith perspectives of how to tackle some of these issues. we need to come from the perspective of the faith themselves in order to come to a meeting point.
JLI should first seek to better understand the diverse nature of the LFCs themselves; know how they differ and what each category will need to perform better.
Ensure a large number of organizations are engaged and maintain level of interest in the Guide being developed for use by FBOs, religious communities and also religious leaders. Include a select number of religious leaders in the adoption of the Guide, if possible.
Ensuring authentic voice is heard - there is nothing more powerful than authentic experience and evidence. We need to be very focused - we are trying to help people appreciate the importance and positive impact of faith in today's world.