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.