1. NGO Advocacy Work Czech NGOs Advocacy experience Petr Patočka
Prague Global Policy Institute - Glopolis

2. NGOs/CSOs Advocacy work
What is the NGO advocacy work
Why the NGOs should be involved in policy making
The networking
The advocacy strategy
The advocacy tools and acivities
The Czech CSOs advocacy experience
How to encrease the advocacy skills

3. 1. What is the NGO advocacy work
Definition of the NGO advocacy work:
"Advocacy is an effort made towards decision makers on changing a specific policy or law at different levels.„
"Advocacy is a strategy, act or process aimed at bringing about change of attitude, policies, traditions, laws and ideologies for a desired positive result.„
"Advocacy is a process aimed at reversing, improving, changing or containing an existing situation."

4. 1. What is the NGO advocacy work
Aims of NGO advocacy
Sensitising the public or decision-makers on a specific issue
Persuading or influencing decision-makers in a certain direction
Provide a solution to a problem that affects the beneficiaries.
To create a ‘people-oriented’ government system
Defend a right or a benefit

5. 1. What is the NGO advocacy work
Who is a target audience?
Policy-makers
Government officials
The public
Professional associations (the expert groups)
Enterprises / businesses
Donor organisations
Trade unions
NGOs
Media

6. 2. Why the NGOs should be involved in policy making
The CSOs participation in policy making process can improve the concrete legislative, laws etc., but mainly strengthen the transparency of decision making process and strengthen the public confidence in the politicians and in the democratic system as such
Civil society can make a difference!!!
People working together can make a difference.
Lobbying is a democratic right

7. 3. The networking
Why we should to do the advocacy work within the networks/ coalitions?
Working together can create pressure on decision makers and legitimacy for the issue
Facilitate exchange of information, skills, experience, materials, resources etc.
Coordinate activity and reduces duplication of effort
Bring together a diverse range of people who would not otherwise meet

8. 3. The networking
Why we should to do the advocacy work within the networks/ coalitions?
A wide variety of perspectives creates a broader,holistic picture of the issue; enhances problem solving; strengthens outreach and impact; and increases credibility
A diversity of talents, work styles and resources in needed to carry out a comprehensive action plan
Provide critical mass for change – strength in numbers!!!

9. 3. The networking Can lack clear objectives
Some potential problems when working in networks
Can lack clear objectives
Differing visions of the goal and objectives
May be dominated by one powerful organisation
Coalition becomes too large and bureaucratic to function
May suffer from a lack of trust between members of the network
Organizations can lose their own identity

10. 4. The advocacy strategy Identify the issue Research
Set goals and objectives
Identify target audience
Develop the message
Build support (by NGOs, public, donors, experts..)
Develop implementation and activity plan
Implement the plan
Revise advocacy plan

11. 4. The advocacy strategy

12. 5. The advocacy tools and activities
Policy Research
Watchdog Activities
Petitions
Poster Campaign
Networking
Demonstrations
Surveys
Media outcomes
Newsletter
Lobbying
Negotiations
Lobby letter writing
Meetings
Interviews
Round Table
Press Releases
Public Forum
Press Briefing

13. 6. Czech CSOs Advocacy experience
FoRS - Czech Forum for Development Co-operation
platform of Czech NGOs and other non-profit subjects, involved in development cooperation
FoRS was founded by 15 NGOs and legally registered as an association of legal entities in October 2002
By the beginning of 2009, FoRS already represented 29 member organisations and 17 observers

14. 6. Czech CSOs Advocacy experience
Structure of FoRS
FoRS is governed by all its members represented by the General Assembly. The Executive Board and the Advisory Board are elected by the General Assembly.
The Executive Board’s Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson(s) are elected by the Board itself.
The daily agenda and the organisational and financial management are carried out by the Secretariat lead by the Director

15. 6. Czech CSOs Advocacy experience
FoRS Working Groups
FoRS member organisations and observers come together into working groups according to the thematic and geographic focus of their activities.
FoRS Working Groups are the key way for members of FoRS to involve in common activities .
They can participate in the formulation of positions and the overall direction of FoRS

16. 6. Czech CSOs Advocacy experience
FoRS Working Groups
1. Long-term Working Groups:
Policy Working Group
Working Group Awareness
Working Group Development Education
Working Group Development Studies
2. Working Groups formed for the CZ EU Presidency
Working Group Migration
Working Group Sustainable technologies and Local Energy
Working Group Agriculture and Food Security

17. 6. Czech CSOs Advocacy experience
Policy Working Group
Share, gather and disseminate information
Recommend joint advocacy work and organise joint lobby meetings
Occasionally invite others to share information on specific issues
Make proposals for thematic and policy dialogue
Coordinate the preparation of policy briefs, lobby letters, documents on policy issues (e.g. AidWatch reports) and proposals for common positions of FoRS

18. 7. How to encrease the advocacy skills
For effective advocacy process is necessary to develop within the network or advocacy group the following skills
Policy analysis of legal and regulatory issues
Language and writing skills
How to develop a communications strategy, planning and management
Interviewing skills
Presentation and negotiation skills
PR and media relations
Financial management
Fundraising skills

19. Used resources:
Advocacy and Lobbying Manual, Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities, Lindblom/Nylund 2006
Advocacy expert, CIVIL SOCIETY AND ADVOCACY, Pact Tanzania
Advocacy Manual, Sampark -Advocacy & Communication Consultants
NGO Advocacy: Why The Shift, And How It Affects NGO Programing, Catharina Maria

20. Thank you for the attantion!
Prague Global Policy Institute - Glopolis. Jeséniova Praha 3 Czech Republic
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