PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY CAPACITIES

Public policy advocacy is about the approach; strategies and tactics employed by external interests to influence decisions of government, including the adoption, modification or rejection of specific policy options. A public policy advocate is usually concerned with how the idea or measure created by clients, employers, or colleagues might be most effectively promoted, advanced or sold to policy advisors and decision-makers in government. Admittedly a thorough understanding of the policy and decision-making process of government is an essential feature of any effective public policy advocacy or lobbying effort.

The public policy advocacy capacities listed below can be used as criteria to determine the initial activities in advocacy and to identify areas that will need more work to make advocacy more effective in the future. It is important to understand that an organization does not need half of these capacities before beginning to do advocacy work.

A. Vision, values, mission, strategy

1. Clear mission and purpose of organization
2. Clear and agreed values underpinning organization
3. Understanding of how advocacy links with core values and mission as an integral part of organization
4. Strategy for action linking to mission and values
5. Understanding the servant nature of advocacy and appropriate use of power
6. Commitment to building capacity of others to speak for themselves

B. Internal systems and structures

1. Clear and accountable process for decision-making
2. Reflection on issues
3. Commitment to advocacy at highest level
4. Clear idea of who you represent and how you represent them
5. Clear understanding of own legitimacy and what this is based on.
6. Participation by all stakeholders in advocacy
7. Clear lines of communication within and outside the organization
8. Systems for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of work
9. Experience in conflict resolution

C. Skills, experience and understanding

1. Understanding how local, national, EU and international policies affect local problems
2. Understanding of policy-making and power relations
3. Understanding the views and influence of key stakeholders
4. Skills in research and access to good information
5. Skills in mobilization abnd awareness raising
6. Skills or access to skills in law
7. Skills in strateggy development
8. Skills in public policy advocacy
9. Experience of working with the media
10. Support from others such as partners or networks
11. Understanding of risks and how to plan to reduce them.

D. Resources

1. Human resources committed to public policy advocacy
2. Financial resources committed to advocacy

E. External Links

1. Access to/relationship with grassroot groups
2. Access to/relationship with policymakers
3. Access to/relationship with other local organizations
4. Access to/relationship with organizations at EU level
5. Access to/relationship with international organizations
6. Access to established networks
7. Relationships with journalists
8. Committed membership which can be mobilized
9. Access to experts on your issue
10. Access to trainers and other public policy advocacy resources in your region.