Advocacy and Policy Influencing

Introduction

This course gives participants a thorough understanding of how to influence the policy-making process in their own context to achieve policy change. You will learn skills to help you plan and deliver effective advocacy strategies, enhance your ability to influence decision-makers, and gain confidence in how you relate to different audiences. You will also have a more thorough understanding of power dynamics in an advocacy context.

Course Objectives

By the end of the training, participants will:

• Be able to identify different approaches to advocacy and the values and strategies that underlie them
• Be familiar with the stages of the advocacy planning cycle and be better equipped to build an advocacy strategy
• Be able to analyse the external environment and policy processes and identify appropriate ‘levers of influence’
• Develop a simple theory of change for achieving the policy change being sought
• Be aware of power dynamics and the role they play in achieving advocacy success
• Have explored and practised core advocacy skills regarding lobbying, using the media, public campaigning, networking, and applied research for advocacy
• Have reviewed appropriate tools and methods for monitoring and evaluating advocacy initiatives

Training Methodology

This Advocacy and Policy Influencing course will utilize a variety of proven adult learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension, and retention of the information presented. It includes stimulating presentations supporting each of the topics, together with interactive trainer-led sessions of discussion.

There will also be practical sessions where participants can practice and experience course-related activities. Practical and fun exercises, short video presentations, small group work, and feedback will be used to facilitate learning.

Who Should Attend

This course is particularly relevant to those with some experience in advocacy who would like to build on their existing knowledge. Participants do not need to have had formal work experience in this area or to have worked in an advocacy/policy role, such as:

• Civil society and NGO leaders
• Policy advisors and advocacy officers
• Program managers in governance and development
• Donor and grant management officers
• Government liaison officers
• Community mobilizers and social activists
• M&E officers and data analysts supporting advocacy
• Researchers in policy and governance studies
• Community-based organizations
• Farmer Organizations
• The Media

Course Content

Day 1:

Introduction to Policy & Advocacy

• Approaches to advocacy
• Introduction to policy research, analysis, and advocacy
• Planning and delivering advocacy strategies
• Advocacy planning cycle
• Introduction to public policy and governance
• Women’s rights and gender-responsive public service delivery

Day 2:

Understanding Power & the Political Economy

• Political economy and the role of neoliberalism
• Identifying the issue and analysing the problem
• Analysing the external environment
• National development priorities and the global development agenda
• Power and stakeholder analysis

Day 3:

Coalition Building & Networking

• Identifying chains and levers of influence
• Analysing policy processes
• Developing a theory of change
• Networking and lobbying for influencing policy change

Day 4:

Stakeholder Mapping, Policy Monitoring & Risk Management

• Stakeholder mapping and action for policy change
• Lobbying decision makers
• Communicating with different audiences
• M&E of advocacy

Day 5:

Innovation, Technology & Campaign Design

• Using the media
• Public campaigning
• Policy research for advocacy purposes
• Doing advocacy in networks and coalitions

Certificates

Upon successful completion of this course, the Alardi Africa Certificate will be awarded to the delegate.

Venue:

Kenya-Nairobi     –    Cost USD 1800
Zambia-Lusaka   –    Cost USD 2200
Senegal-Dakar    –    Cost USD 2200

Date: 12th – 16th September 2026