Policy decisions on health financing, land, climate, social protection, trade and service delivery are being made constantly at local, national and regional levels. Organisations that understand those processes and engage early can shape the outcome; those that arrive with a statement after the decision has been made usually cannot. Effective advocacy today blends evidence, relationships, timing and public pressure, and increasingly depends on working through alliances rather than alone.

The Applied Advocacy, Policy Influence & Partnerships Training Course takes participants from issue analysis to a complete advocacy plan. Early sessions define the problem, identify targets and influencers, and set out a theory of change. Participants then develop evidence and messages for different audiences, practise direct engagement with policymakers, and explore media and online campaigning. Partnership modules cover forming coalitions, negotiating shared positions, governing joint campaigns and collaborating with government and business without losing independence. The final day addresses monitoring, learning and adapting strategy as the political context shifts.

The approach is practical throughout. Participants work on a live advocacy issue from their own organisation, test messages through simulated meetings with decision-makers, and finish with a strategy, a policy brief outline and a coalition plan.

At the end of the five days, participants should be able to:

• Analyse a policy problem and define realistic advocacy goals and objectives.
• Map power, decision-makers and influencers using stakeholder and power analysis tools.
• Develop an advocacy theory of change linked to the policy and budget cycle.
• Craft evidence-based messages and policy briefs for different audiences.
• Plan and conduct effective meetings with officials, legislators and other targets.
• Build and govern coalitions and partnerships around shared advocacy positions.
• Monitor advocacy progress and evaluate policy influence outcomes.

The programme is aimed at professionals who need to influence policy or practice on behalf of an organisation or constituency:

• Advocacy, policy and campaigns officers in NGOs and civil society organisations
• Programme managers seeking to scale results through policy change
• Government relations and public affairs managers
• Executives of trade associations, professional bodies and chambers of commerce
• Researchers and think tank staff working on research uptake
• Communications officers supporting campaigns
• Partnership and network coordinators
• Leaders of faith-based and community organisations

Each participant completes the course with:

• A power map of the decision-makers and influencers on their chosen issue.
• An advocacy strategy with goal, objectives, targets, tactics and timeline.
• A message house and a one-page policy brief outline.
• A coalition plan setting out roles, governance and shared positions.
• An advocacy monitoring framework with practical indicators of influence.

The course combines frameworks with plenty of rehearsal. Participants learn through:

• Work on a live advocacy issue chosen by each participant or team
• Simulated lobbying meetings and media interviews with feedback
• Case studies of advocacy and coalition campaigns from Africa and beyond
• Group exercises in power mapping and message testing
• Peer critique of strategies and policy briefs

Each participant who attends every session and presents an advocacy strategy is awarded a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion issued by Vision Reach Global Consultancy.