Best Practices in Advocacy, Policy Influence & Partnerships Training Course

Across Africa, governments, development partners and communities increasingly expect organisations to do more than deliver services: they are asked to shape the rules, budgets and priorities that determine whether services reach people at all. Advocacy that rests on passion alone is easily dismissed, while campaigns built on credible evidence, clear asks and strong alliances regularly win commitments that outlast any single project.

The Best Practices in Advocacy, Policy Influence & Partnerships Training Course follows a campaign from first idea to lasting result. Participants select and frame an issue, analyse the policy process and the interests of those who control it, and write a theory of change with realistic influence pathways. They then develop policy briefs, messages tailored to each audience, coalition strategies and engagement plans for legislators, officials, media and the public. A parallel thread examines how to select, negotiate and manage partners, including agreements, shared accountability and difficult conversations.

Learning is practical throughout. Participants work on live issues from their own organisations, receive structured feedback on briefs and presentations, and finish with an advocacy plan, a partnership framework and a monitoring approach they can take straight back to their teams.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Select and frame an advocacy issue with a clear, achievable policy change in view.
• Map stakeholders, decision-makers and the policy process to find realistic entry points.
• Develop a theory of change and an advocacy strategy with measurable milestones.
• Write persuasive policy briefs and tailor messages to different audiences.
• Build and sustain coalitions and networks that amplify a shared position.
• Engage legislators, officials and the media ethically and effectively.
• Negotiate, document and manage partnerships with clear roles and accountability.
• Monitor and evaluate influence, and adapt tactics as the context shifts.

The course suits professionals who influence public decisions or work through partners, including:

• Advocacy, policy and campaigns officers in NGOs and civil society organisations
• Programme and country directors in development organisations
• Network, coalition and umbrella body coordinators
• Government liaison and intergovernmental relations officers
• Donor and development partner programme staff
• Corporate affairs and CSR managers handling external partnerships
• Community-based organisation and faith-based organisation leaders
• Research institution and think tank staff who communicate findings to policymakers

Participants leave with practical tools and products, including:

• A stakeholder and power map for a live advocacy issue.
• A drafted policy brief with a clear ask and supporting evidence.
• A costed advocacy plan with milestones and responsibilities.
• A coalition engagement approach and message matrix for different audiences.
• A partnership checklist covering selection, agreements and governance.
• A simple framework for tracking influence and learning from setbacks.

Delivery is participatory and applied to the issues participants actually face. Methods include:

• Facilitator presentations on each stage of the advocacy cycle
• Working on a live issue from the participant's own organisation
• Role plays of policy meetings, negotiations and media interviews
• Peer review of briefs, strategies and partnership frameworks
• Short case studies of successful and failed campaigns

On completing all sessions and the practical exercises, each participant is awarded a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion by Vision Reach Global Consultancy.