Communicating for advocacy

DFID’s major advocacy activities focus on influencing agencies and governments to invest in infrastructure. However, it is hard to find concrete evidence of the contributions that advocacy makes towards poverty eradication. These guidelines describe an approach that many NGOs take to assess advocacy impacts. There are different types of advocacy impacts, known as different dimensions of change, and these guidelines describe some indicators for the following dimensions: changes in policies and their implementation; private sector change; strengthening civil society; and aiding democracy and improving the material situation of individuals. Participatory monitoring and evaluation asks the people being affected by a project whether it has made a difference. However, this is often more complex than standard evaluation systems and it is necessary to be clear about the goals of the process and who should be involved. In order to assess impact, it is necessary to know the existing situation prior to advocacy, and to monitor progress against this. Once you have the information, it needs to be analysed. Lessons can then be learned and evaluation results used to demonstrate that advocacy works

This manual focuses on selecting, testing, implementing and evaluating interventions to improve the use of medicines at community level. Two broad strategic areas are identified: communication strategies and strategies to create enabling environments. "What has become clear over the years is that there is no single model or approach that is the solution to all health communication challenges. Different techniques are appropriate in different contexts to deal with different priorities and problems. This manual will help you to build skills and experience to make that selection more effectively"

This manual is based on the experiences with planning, organisation, implementation and evaluation of the awareness building campaign (ABC) in Malawi in 1999-2001, which was jointly carried out by the Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD), the Federation of Disability Organisations of Malawi (FEDOMA) and the Federation of Disability Organisations of Norway (FFO)

This advocacy manual highlights some advocacy moments, as told by those who are engaged in advocacy work around the world. It offers a tapestry of stories as a practical resource for advocacy training, reflective learning and strategic planning. It begins a process of documenting HIV/AIDS policy advocacy stories as a means of preserving them and making them available to others

This training manual was prepared to help representatives of NGOs and other formal groups of civil society form and maintain advocacy networks and develop effective family planning/reproductive health advocacy skills. The manual's tools and approaches can be used to affect FP/RH policy decisions at the international, national, regional, and local levels. It identifies three building blocks of advocacy: the formation of networks, the identification of political opportunities, and the organisation of campaigns. The manual includes a section on each of these building blocks, with specific subjects presented in individual units. Units within each section contain background notes, learning objectives, and handouts. While the manual can be used in its entirety, it is designed to be used in sections depending on the particular needs of the network

This manual has been written for people working in groups. It aims to offer suggestions and ideas to people and organisations who are beginning new groups, or planning to do so and who have limited experience of running a group. It will also be useful for trainers and facilitators who have been running groups for some time or who are helping others set up their own groups. It has developed from experiences of people living with HIV who have been working together in groups around the world. It is practical in focus and written in accessible language, with checklists, examples and tips throughout. Part 1 looks at why we set up groups and the benefits of group working. Part 2 looks at the practicalities of setting up groups, organising meetings and keeping the group going. Part 3 looks at some skills and activities for developing and maintaining positive group dynamics. Part 4 explains how to develop a project step-by-step, from planning to evaluation. Part 5 offers advice on finding sources of funding, Part 6 deals with disclosure issues, and Part 7 looks at advocacy and campaigning at all levels

This information was collected for an introduction to advocacy training course. It looks at what, why and where to start and includes sessions on participatory advocacy, and monitoring and evaluation