Consolidating Your Advocacy Ideas

While preparing for your advocacy journey, you will have gathered a lot of information and you need to start consolidating it. One of the best ways to do this is by writing down the information – you will need this information throughout your advocacy process in different forms.

Consolidate the information into the following topics:

Main problem or concern: a brief overview of the main problem.

• What is the main problem?

• How does it affect the target population?

• Why is this issue important?

Context and background: overview of the factors leading to this situation and important considerations about the social and political environment around you.

• What engagement has already occurred around the issue?
• Who are the main decision makers and how can you best engage with them?
• What sensitivities should you consider when engaging with different people?

Possible allies, networks and youth platforms: different people and groups you can collaborate with or learn from.

• Which peers can work with you at this early stage? What would this look like?
• Who will you need help or support from? What would this entail?

Possible opportunities: an overview of possibilities to address the situation.

• What are some ideas you have to bring about change?
• Are there any key events or upcoming opportunities that you can connect your advocacy to?
• How can you influence the decision-making process?

Key activities: some of the main activities needed to achieve your goal, including the main actors who need to be involved.

• What is the best way to gain support for your cause, and how should you engage with people to encourage this?
• Will you need some kind of financial or human resources for your project?
• How can you secure the financial support this project needs?