Amplify Change Advocacy Planning - Part 2

Summary

This video is part of a series designed to guide AmplifyChange grantees and applicants in developing effective advocacy strategies. It outlines the steps to identify the core issue, set clear objectives, and engage stakeholders. The video emphasizes understanding the mechanisms of change, identifying decision-makers, and mapping out influential groups to support or oppose the cause. The importance of knowing both the scope of the advocacy and the limits of the project is also discussed. The series provides actionable insights on planning tactics, messaging, and risk assessment, with a focus on advocacy for sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Takeaways

• 😀 Clarify the objective or objectives of your advocacy project before taking action.
• 😀 Consider the type of change required: legal, policy, budget, or regulation.
• 😀 Consult experts like legal professionals or political scientists when identifying necessary changes.
• 😀 Research current laws, policies, and regulations to understand what needs to be changed.
• 😀 Identify the decision-making body (e.g., National Assembly, government ministry, or professional association).
• 😀 Build a wide coalition of advocates to gather diverse knowledge and influence decision-makers.
• 😀 Create a stakeholder map to identify key influencers and categorize them by support or opposition.
• 😀 Prioritize your advocacy efforts on those who can most effectively influence the decision-making process.
• 😀 Define the boundaries of your advocacy project to avoid overextending your efforts.
• 😀 Regularly update your advocacy plan as the context changes and new information is gained.

Q & A

What is the purpose of this video series for AmplifyChange grantees and applicants?

The series is designed to guide AmplifyChange grantees and applicants through the process of developing an effective advocacy strategy for sexual and reproductive health and rights.

How does the first part of the series help advocates identify the problem they want to address?

Part one introduces techniques to help advocates identify a common problem related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and prioritize its causes.

What is the significance of setting clear objectives in an advocacy campaign?

Setting clear objectives ensures that advocates know exactly what change they aim to achieve, helping them focus on specific laws, policies, or regulations that need to be modified or created.

What should advocates consider when clarifying their objectives?

Advocates should consider whether the change requires legal amendments, policy development, budget increases, or regulatory changes, and consult experts as needed to navigate these complexities.

Why is it important to be specific about which laws, policies, or regulations need to be changed?

Being specific about the exact words in laws, policies, or regulations that need to be changed helps focus the advocacy efforts and increases the chances of achieving the desired outcome.

How can experts help in identifying where decisions are made?

Experts, such as political scientists, senior health professionals, or legal experts, can help determine where decisions are made, whether at the national assembly, government ministry level, or within professional associations.

What is the role of stakeholder mapping in an advocacy campaign?

Stakeholder mapping helps identify the key decision-makers and the individuals or organizations that influence them. It also helps prioritize resources and efforts for effective advocacy.

How should advocates approach identifying and engaging stakeholders?

Advocates should identify key decision-makers, understand their influencers, and engage with a wide range of individuals and organizations, ensuring clear communication and support for the advocacy campaign.

Why is it important to define what is not part of the advocacy project?

Defining what is outside the scope of the project helps prevent the group from taking on too many responsibilities and ensures that the focus remains on the specific advocacy goals.

What advice is provided regarding stakeholder maps for complex advocacy efforts?

Advocates may need to create multiple stakeholder maps to address different decision-making processes or aspects of the project, and they should consistently update these maps as the context and stakeholder dynamics evolve.