Designing an influencing strategy DV445, based on Oxfam Internal Training Slides

WHAT CHANGE IS NECESSARY? Policy Practice Social norms, attitude and behaviours Formulation Approval Implementation Monitoring Reminder of the types of changes we may be seeking and at what levels Individual Sub-national Household National Community Global At what level:

Step 1: Exploring the Drivers of Change Factors Actors Events

WHAT LONG TERM FACTORS MIGHT HELP OR HINDER? Social norms Environment New technology Demographics

WHO INFLUENCES CHANGE? (ACTORS) Organisations/Institutions Individuals & Leaders Organised People

‘Events, dear boy’: what events, foreseeable or unpredictable, could move the needle?

Step 2: Power Analysis Four Powers (good for active citizenship) Rao and Kelleher (good for social norms) Three Spaces (good for policy influencing) Stakeholder Mapping

The four types of power (Rowlands 1997) Power over: control over resources, the apparatus of the state, or means of violence Power to: the ability to influence those with power over Power with: collective power, through organisation, solidarity and joint action Power within: personal self-confidence, often linked to culture, religion or other aspects of identity, which influences the thoughts and actions that appear legitimate or acceptable. Reminder of the four types of power we looked at – will be familiar to you all I hope - we looked at these in Amanda’s session on personal power Provides great framing for thinking about power strategies one might employ Who is addressing these types of power in their work? – can you give examples?

Adapted from Rao and Kelleher, Gender at Work Gender and Power We introduced the gender and power framework – will look at this in more detail in a subsequent webinar with Francesca and Jemma Looking at individual change and systematic change at the different levels and in the formal and informal spaces With focus on in informal spaces on: Consciousness: knowledge, skills, political consciousness and commitment to change toward equality Cultural Norms: influences what changes are possible at individual level, some think most important As well as access to resources and changes at the institutional level and in laws and practices We need to understand what change is needed in all of the domains to plot our intervention and achieve sustainable change and long-term impact Anyone using this? Adapted from Rao and Kelleher, Gender at Work

Visible, Hidden and Invisible (Lukes, Foucault) Visible power – observable power relations negotiated through formal institutions. Hidden power – control over visible power relations through behind the scenes operation/influence. Invisible power – norms, beliefs, ideologies, culture that determine how we treat each other, whether some groups are systematically excluded, privileged or targeted as ‘the other’ on the basis of their gender, religion or ethnic background.

The nature of the power involved should shape your strategies Research for advocacy and policy dialogue Policy development and policy products/reports etc. Work with partners and allies Convening, facilitation role with all stakeholders Citizens voice Community Mobilisation Policy dialogue and/or lobby work Media work Communications Etc (only limit is your imagination!).  

Least influential or powerful (in terms of your objective) Stakeholder Mapping Most influential or powerful decision-maker(s) Strongly oppose your objective (a blocker?) Strongly supportive of your objective (a champion?) Identify target Who has influence? Where do they sit in relation to your objective? Who do you have a relationship with? Who do you need to cultivate? Where should you concentrate your influencing strategy? Least influential or powerful (in terms of your objective)

Nb axes inverted, but it doesn’t matter

Power Mapping → Change Strategy D C A B

Some Possible Change Strategies Group A: High Influence, High Support Convening ‘unusual suspects’; Gap filling eg on evidence Group B: Low Influence, High Support Build Power With/ Within to increase confidence and organizational voice Group C: High Influence, Low Support Messenger not message; Seize Windows of Opportunity Group D: High Influence, Opposed ‘Doubt is our product’; Divide and Rule

There’s (much) more to Change than Advocacy Understanding of power Empowerment strategies Visible Power: making and setting the rules Lobbying, campaigns, negotiation, representation, engaging in formal politics Hidden Power: setting the agenda Organizing communities, strengthening organisations, alternative research, media Invisible Power: shaping meaning and values Popular education, analysis, awareness-raising, building self-esteem, media

Implications for your strategy Insider or Outsider? What combination of insider lobbying and advocacy, and outsider ‘popular mobilization’, media etc is most likely to achieve your aim? Coalition and movement building—how to motivate activists and citizens, raise awareness and general sympathy of the voter, and how to build and support coalitions for change Optimal campaigning portfolio—mix low hanging fruits, quick wins and must haves alongside long-term vision of future change. Agile and responsive to change and opportunities that arise.

But remember, whatever your initial plan, you will learn as you go: “You often don´t know how power really works until you fully engage with it”

Useful links https://beautifulrising.org/ http://www.powercube.net/an-introduction-to-power-analysis/ http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/quick-guide-to-power-analysis-313950 http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/how-politics-and-economics-intersect-a-simple-guide-to-conducting-political-eco-312056 http://www.sida.se/contentassets/83f0232c5404440082c9762ba3107d55/power-analysis-a-practical-guide_3704.pdf https://www.ids.ac.uk/files/dmfile/ACombinedApproachtoPEandPAAMejiaAcostaandJPettit2013.pdf https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/events-documents/3797.pdf http://www.wateraid.org/what-we-do/our-approach/research-and-publications/view-publication?id=e8fe3f84-2ef0-4105-b90b-489646e5ffb3