PLANNING FOR ADVOCACY
SELF-STUDY CERTIFICATE
PLANNING FOR ADVOCACY
THE ART OF PLANNING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
A poorly planned advocacy effort can do more harm than good. It can negatively impact the communities you aim to support and set back your cause. In this training you will learn how to plan your advocacy campaign so you can avoid the pitfalls and utilize the right tactics to create positive social change.
Advocacy is a key component of relief, development and humanitarian work. And it can also be our core approach when we want to:
- Address unmet needs in the target community
- Reverse or correct a situation
- Prevent the loss of a valued asset or program
- Change public opinion
WHAT THIS COURSE COVERS
ADVOCACY FOUNDATIONS: Learn the core principles of advocacy and its differentiation from service-oriented approaches. Learn how to assess the readiness of your group or issue for advocacy efforts, ensuring strategic alignment and maximizing impact.
STRATEGIC SKILLS: Acquire essential guidelines and strategies crucial for successful advocacy navigation. Explore techniques for effective communication, coalition-building, and negotiation, empowering advocates to navigate complex advocacy landscapes with confidence.
RESEARCH AND SETTING OBJECTIVES: Prepare for advocacy efforts by conducting research to gather accurate data and insights. Set clear advocacy goals and objectives, aligning tactics with your group's needs and the broader socio-political context to maximize effectiveness.
POWER DYNAMICS: Gain insights into power dynamics within advocacy contexts, identifying key stakeholders, allies, and potential sources of opposition. Cultivate broader awareness and support for advocacy efforts by engaging with diverse communities and stakeholders, fostering inclusivity and solidarity.
ADVOCACY PLANNING: Strategically plan advocacy campaigns that integrate research, stakeholder engagement, and effective communication strategies. Utilize diverse advocacy tactics such as grassroots mobilization, media engagement, and policy advocacy to drive meaningful change and achieve desired outcomes.
All topics are supported by frequent, clear, practical examples and case studies from relief, humanitarian and development work.
You can see all the sessions in the curriculum below.
HOW THIS COURSE WORKS
This is a self-study training so you can work at your own pace. As soon as you sign up you will have access to:
- 3.5 hours of clear, practical, step-by-step sessions (downloadable, subtitled video, accessible on all devices)
- Ready-to-print handouts for practical exercises supporting you in developing your own advocacy action plan
- A 75-page PDF companion guide to the course
- Discussion sections to leave questions and reflections
- Tests to check and reinforce your learning
- A certificate of completion
This is a practical course. You will often be asked to pause and work through reflections and exercises. This is to support you in developing your own advocacy campaign as you progress through the modules.
You can explore the early modules here:
VIDEO LESSON: COURSE INTRODUCTION (7.39)
VIDEO LESSON: WHAT IS ADVOCACY? (8.06)
And if you have any questions about whether this course is right for you, feel free to email us.
COURSE CURRICULUM
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StartINTRODUCTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS
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StartRESOURCE MATERIALS & GUIDANCE
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PreviewCOURSE INTRODUCTION (7:39)
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PreviewWHAT IS ADVOCACY? (8:06)
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StartTHE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADVOCACY AND SERVICE (4:56)
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StartWHEN TO GET INVOLVED IN ADVOCACY? (8:30)
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StartSURVIVAL SKILLS FOR ADVOCATES (26:29)
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StartFUNDAMENTALS OF ADVOCACY QUIZ
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StartDISCUSSION
Your Instructor
Neil Kendrick is from the UK and has been training development practitioners for more than 25 years on Professional Writing, Reporting Skills, Proposal Writing, Results-Based Management and Monitoring & Evaluation.
He has trained relief, humanitarian and development professionals working for NGOs, INGOs, bilateral and global organizations in over 20 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
COURSE CURRICULUM
-
StartINTRODUCTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS
-
StartRESOURCE MATERIALS & GUIDANCE
-
PreviewCOURSE INTRODUCTION (7:39)
-
PreviewWHAT IS ADVOCACY? (8:06)
-
StartTHE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADVOCACY AND SERVICE (4:56)
-
StartWHEN TO GET INVOLVED IN ADVOCACY? (8:30)
-
StartSURVIVAL SKILLS FOR ADVOCATES (26:29)
-
StartFUNDAMENTALS OF ADVOCACY QUIZ
-
StartDISCUSSION
"This training has given me what I need to carry out advocacy work, especially gaining insight when dealing with opposition."
- Tengku, Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI)
"This course was insightful and practical for building our own advocacy efforts in a safe and structured way."
- Azam, National Center for Persons with Disabilities, Trinidad and Tobago
"The training has equipped me with valuable knowledge and skills to navigate the path towards social justice more effectively. The lessons on advocacy tactics were particularly eye-opening for me. This challenged me to adopt a more holistic approach to advocacy and consider the experiences of individuals and communities affected by social injustice."
- Lola, Nigeria
"The training offered insights into our successes so far and areas for improvement. This course was incredibly valuable for our team. Its practical tactics are easy to apply to our advocacy work. It gave us clarity on our past advocacy efforts, and highlighted areas where we can enhance our approach. "
- Orisan, Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI)
"This course has me thinking and engaging in self-reflection. What stands out most is the importance of being equipped with right information at each stage of the advocacy process. Long-term commitment is extremely important, with a team that shares the same values and passion for making positive change towards a common goal."
- James, National Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Trinidad and Tobago