Advocacy Planning

WHY ADVOCACY PLANNING IS IMPORTANT?

• Use your resources wisely• A lot of thought into what strategy you will

use• Adaptable to changing circumstances and

capitalising on new opportunities• People opposed to what you are trying to do

if its not controversial you

would not need to do advocacy

Planning is important because....

Head in the right directionBreak down your goals into manageable pieces or stepping stonesUse the right toolsUse scarce resources wisely by making strategic choicesMake sure activities reinforce rather than undermine each otherGet the timing right and start preparing early enoughBe prepared to counter opposition

Some common problems

Unclear aims and objectives Undertaking activities without working out a strategy

or plan Asking decision makers to do something which is not in

their power Not having a clearly defined ‘ask’ Getting the timing wrong and trying to influence a

process when key decisions have already been made Using poor messages which are confusing, don’t

motivate or fail to include a call to action

The Advocacy Planning Cycle

Advocacy planning is like planning any project / program

you have to work with manyexternal actors, and you usually have very little power or control overwhat they do

Exercise

Action

Issue

Analysis

?

Planning

Goal

• Find the correct order for the different stages of the advocacy planning cycle

• Guess the mystery circle

Answer

1. Analysis

2. Issue

3. Goal

6. Monitoring and Evaluation

4. Planning

5. Action

Phases of the planning cycle1. Identify

the problem2. Set the aim

3. Understand the Context

4. Decide of objectives

5. Identify targets

6. Identify allies and

opponents7. Assess

strengths and weaknesses

8. Decide strategy to

influence targets

9. Identify outcomes

10. Develop core

messages

11. Write your action

plan

12. Monitoring and Evaluation

Implementation

External changeExternal change

Series of logical questions• What is our vision of where we want to be?

• What is the particular problem facing us?

• What are its root causes?

• Is there a viable solution?

• What are the stepping stones needed to get to this solution?

• Who could make that solution happen?

• What will persuade and enable them to do this?

Some points to remember

-cycle because although there are some sequential steps, some steps run in parallel with others, or may change sequence according to progressa repetitive process:-ongoing monitoring and review will lead to updating and adjusting the plan, as will different

reactions to the advocacy among your targets.-Being flexible and adjusting your planning to changing circumstances is necessary

Sneak preview

• Power mapping• Public campaigning• Frame messages• Using the media• Policy making process• Lobbying

Thank you