Workshop: Developing Policy Advocacy Strategies—Facilitator’s Manual

Exploring the reasons to form partnerships and the various types of partnerships available is essential for conducting successful policy advocacy. Partnerships can bring resources to fill gaps within an organization, but they also present challenges that must be carefully managed. Reasons to engage in partnerships for policy advocacy include leveraging resources, expertise, and network connections to achieve common goals. Partnerships can provide an opportunity to bring together diverse skills, resources, and perspectives, making them more effective than solo advocacy efforts. Effective partnerships require a balance between the needs and goals of all parties involved, and partners must be aligned on the advocacy goal. There are several types of partnerships, including coalitions, networks, and alliances. Coalitions and networks are common types of partnerships for advocacy work, and they offer several advantages, including increased resources, expertise, and influence. However, they also present disadvantages, such as potential conflicts, power imbalances, and difficulties in decision-making. Collaborations can range from less to more formal, depending on the situation. Less formal collaborations may involve information and data sharing, developing common messages, or mutual consultation. More formal collaborations may involve joint planning and strategizing, coalitions and alliances, or funding partnerships. When considering potential partners, it is essential to assess their alignment with the advocacy goal, their level of commitment, and their ability to contribute resources and expertise. Several questions can be used to help assess potential partners, including considering their power maps, thinking outside of traditional partners, and evaluating their influence and reputation. By carefully selecting partners and managing the partnership, organizations can maximize the benefits of partnerships and achieve their policy advocacy goals. In developing policy advocacy strategies, it is essential to consider the characteristics of successful teams and the types of partnerships that can be formed. By exploring the reasons to form partnerships and the various types of partnerships available, organizations can develop effective partnerships that bring together diverse skills, resources, and perspectives to achieve common goals. The process of selecting partners involves considering several factors, including their alignment with the advocacy goal, their level of commitment, and their ability to contribute resources and expertise. By carefully assessing potential partners and managing the partnership, organizations can maximize the benefits of partnerships and achieve their policy advocacy goals. In evaluating potential partners, organizations should consider their power maps, think outside of traditional partners, and evaluate their influence and reputation. By considering these factors, organizations can identify ideal partners and the types of relationships they would like to have with each. Ultimately, effective partnerships are critical to successful policy advocacy. By exploring the reasons to form partnerships and the various types of partnerships available, organizations can develop effective partnerships that bring together diverse skills, resources, and perspectives to achieve common goals.