Introduction to advocacy

Objectives Understand what is meant by the enabling environment Understand the important and purpose of dialogue and advocacy Be aware of the steps in the advocacy process Be aware of a range of advocacy techniques Be able to identify an issue and prepare a concept note

Governments & regulation Regulations are form of government intervention Costs (usually to business) but also benefits (usually to society) Competing pressures – from business, consumers, employees, environmentalists Financial burdens Administrative burdens

The virtuous circle

The enabling environment Legislative & regulatory framework Government policy and macro-economy Access to finance Protection of intellectual property rights Availability of skilled labour Commercial justice and contract enforcement Infrastructure (power, water, telecoms etc) Transport Land ownership Corruption

Regulatory reform Less new regulation Improving existing regulation Providing guidance for compliance Promote culture of inspectors as ‘coaches’ and not as ‘cops’

Advocacy Advocacy is the act of influencing, or attempting to influence, the way that someone else thinks about, and acts on, an issue. Private sector advocacy describes attempts by the private sector to influence public policy in an effort to improve the business environment.

Private public dialogue Pre-requisite for effective advocacy Implies regular contact Promotes mutual understanding Builds confidence Provides ready means of communication

5 Step Approach

Identify issues Feedback from members Surveys of members Surveys of other businesses in the sector Follow press & media Build relationships with other BMOs & NGOs Monitor activities of key MDAs Forge relationships with keyMDAs Research (in brief) scale of impact Research (in brief) depth of impact

Understand the issues Research history & rationale for public policy and understand cause of issue Gather evidence of impact Consider possible solutions & research implications Research decision making processes for the specific issue Research current opinions and attitudes of policy makers

Develop responses & proposals Prepare proposal Be clear, succinct & compelling Stress the benefits – to all parties If possible, demonstrate wide support (or at least little opposition)

Influence policy makers Identify relevant audiences (primary & secondary)  Senior civil servants?  Staff in regulatory agencies?  Parliamentarians?  Ministers? Be clear about objectives Help policy makers to do their job Focus on areas where best chance of making a difference

Follow up Press release – cheer on success Monitor progress If necessary, assist MDA, eg with further information If necessary, go back to stage 4

Advocacy techniques Promote dialogue Prepare evidence based policy proposals Meet with public sector policy makers Negotiation Form coalitions Mobilise grass roots support Organise a press campaign Evaluation

Managing your organisation Strategy & business plan Project plans – objectives, targets, milestones Financial forecasts Effective team building, delegation & appraisal Monitoring progress & corrective action Financial control & reporting

The concept note

The process

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