Planning for Advocacy

Planning for Advocacy

Self-Study Certificate Course

A poorly planned advocacy effort can do more harm than good, potentially harming the communities you aim to support and undermining your cause. This training equips you with the skills to design effective advocacy campaigns that drive positive social change, whether you’re addressing unmet needs, reversing harmful situations, preventing losses, or shifting public opinion.

These skills help project teams to:

• Develop advocacy strategies that align with community needs and broader socio-political goals.
• Navigate complex power dynamics to engage key stakeholders and build effective coalitions.
• Communicate with impact, inspiring action and influencing public opinion.
• Employ diverse tactics like grassroots mobilization, media outreach, and policy engagement to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Gain the expertise to:

• Understand Advocacy Fundamentals: Master the core principles of advocacy, distinguishing it from service-oriented approaches, and learn how to assess readiness for effective advocacy efforts.
• Set Objectives and Plan Strategically: Conduct research to gather critical insights, define clear advocacy goals, and develop targeted campaigns that align with stakeholder interests and broader social contexts.
• Engage Stakeholders and Build Coalitions: Navigate power dynamics to identify allies, address opposition, and foster inclusivity and solidarity across diverse communities.
• Implement Tactics for Change: Leverage effective communication, grassroots organizing, and media strategies to influence policy and drive impactful social change.

Who Should Attend?

This training is designed for individuals and teams in relief, development, or humanitarian contexts who are responsible for advocating on behalf of communities or causes. It’s ideal for:

• Project leaders and managers looking to expand their advocacy skill set.
• Field staff engaging directly with communities to address unmet needs.
• Program development teams aiming to integrate advocacy into their organizational strategies.

Course Process

This course offers a self-paced, practical learning experience, combining study materials, reflections, exercises, and end-of-module assessments to ensure effective results. Designed with real-world application in mind, the course encourages you to pause, reflect, and actively develop skills you can confidently apply to your own projects as you learn. Here's what you can expect:

• Flexible self-study: Access practical downloadable video presentations, transcripts, handouts, exercises, and tasks, allowing you to learn and apply skills at your own pace.
• Knowledge checks: Assessments at the end of each module test your understanding, reinforce learning, and help you reflect on key concepts.
• Certification of professional achievement: Upon successful completion, earn a certificate that recognizes your skills, dedication to learning, and commitment to professional excellence.

See the full curriculum here.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss whether this course is suitable for you or your team, feel free to emailor chat with us