Civil society organisations, research institutes, professional associations and private sector bodies all seek to influence the policies that affect the people they serve. Many, however, rely on goodwill and occasional meetings rather than a planned approach, and their efforts lose momentum when officials change or funding ends. Advocacy works best when it is grounded in evidence, focused on specific decision-makers and backed by partners who share the goal.

The Fundamentals of Advocacy, Policy Influence & Partnerships Training Course introduces the full advocacy cycle in a practical, accessible way. It begins with how public policy is made and how to analyse a policy problem, then moves through stakeholder analysis, objective setting and the choice of strategies and tactics. Participants practise turning evidence into persuasive messages for different audiences, preparing for meetings with decision-makers and using media and digital channels responsibly. The second half of the course focuses on working with others: forming coalitions and networks, structuring partnerships with government, donors and companies, and managing the tensions that arise. It closes with simple methods for tracking progress and learning from advocacy work.

Each participant works on a real issue from their own organisation throughout the week, so that by the final day they have a draft advocacy strategy ready to refine with colleagues.

Participants will be able to:

• Explain how public policy is formulated, adopted and implemented, and where it can be influenced.
• Analyse a policy problem using problem and solution trees and a theory of change.
• Map stakeholders by power, interest and alignment to identify targets and allies.
• Set SMART advocacy objectives and select suitable strategies and tactics.
• Develop evidence-based messages and a concise policy brief for decision-makers.
• Build and sustain coalitions and partnerships with clear roles and agreements.
• Track advocacy progress and capture lessons using simple monitoring tools.

The course welcomes people who are new to structured advocacy or want to put it on a firmer footing, including:

• NGO and CBO programme officers and coordinators
• Advocacy, campaigns and policy officers early in their careers
• Communications and public relations staff of civil society organisations
• Partnership and resource mobilisation officers
• Researchers and think tank staff seeking policy uptake of their work
• Staff of professional associations, trade unions and business membership bodies
• Faith-based and community leaders engaging local government
• Development partner staff supporting civil society programmes

Participants complete the course with:

• A draft advocacy strategy for a live issue in their organisation.
• A completed stakeholder and power map identifying primary and secondary targets.
• A message box and two-page policy brief tested with peers.
• A partnership agreement outline covering roles, decision-making and exit.
• A simple monitoring log for recording policy influence and outcomes.

Learning is participatory and anchored in each participant's own issue. Methods include:

• Short input sessions followed by immediate application to a live advocacy issue
• Power mapping and problem tree exercises in small groups
• Role plays of meetings with ministers, county officials and donors
• Peer review of messages and policy brief drafts
• Case discussions of advocacy campaigns that succeeded and stalled

Every participant who attends throughout and completes the strategy exercises is awarded a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion issued by Vision Reach Global Consultancy.