Tearfund Disaster Management Key Learning
Advocacy
Last Updated: 16 November 2009
Specific actionable recommendations and relevant background information
1
Provide funding and decision-making authority for Policy Officers
working for partner organisations
Source of Learning:
Sahel / West Africa
Background Information:
In the Sahel response, there was a significant increase in advocacy capacity and resulting
advocacy impact because of the work of Policy Officers working within partner organisations.
However, more funding and more decision-making authority would have empowered these Policy
Officers to develop in their roles.
2
Include policy issues as an output within the project log frame in to
ensure advocacy happens
Source of Learning:
Various
Background Information:
We have found that when policy issues are included in the project log frame they will become part
of the formal project plan, and progress will be reviewed as part of project monitoring and
evaluation. If they are not in the log frame, advocacy work may be dropped because of the
pressures on staff to deliver on the project level outputs which are in the log frame.
3
Ensure that WATSAN projects connect with local government to ensure
the development, implementation and delivery of appropriate local
WATSAN policies
Source of Learning:
Liberia, Other
Background Information:
In Liberia and other WATSAN programmes, we have found that it is important for WATSAN
projects to connect with local governments. This involves influencing and supporting local
government agencies in developing local policies around WATSAN issues and then ensuring they
are implemented and delivered upon. Examples of these types of issues could include assistance
with materials transport, secondment of trained personnel, procurement of local building
materials, legal and administrative assistance in procuring land or in endorsing projects, and,
importantly, to provide an agreed level of maintenance, including, where appropriate, training of
beneficiary caretakers, and in helping to maintain a supply chain of essential parts (such as parts
for hand-pumps).
4
Engage (with other WATSAN agencies if possible) in advocacy
initiatives to prioritise water and sanitation provision, adequately,
fairly, and urgently
Source of Learning:
Sierra Leone, Liberia, Other
Background Information:
We have learnt that WATSAN advocacy initiatives have more impact when they are conducted in
conjunction with governments and other WATSAN agencies. This includes advocating for price
control of water vending. We have found that such joint work ensures that water and sanitation
provision is prioritised adequately, fairly and urgently.
5
Ensure appropriate beneficiary involvement in advocacy initiatives and
build community capacity where needed
Source of Learning:
Sierra Leone, Liberia, Other
Background Information:
We have learnt that advocacy initiatives are significantly more successful when project
participants are actively involved and, where necessary, they have their advocacy capacity built.
6
Consider advocacy at national level as one way of addressing local
vulnerabilities, using a targeted approach on key issues, with agreed
outcomes. Appoint dedicated and appropriately skilled staff for this
level of advocacy and consider strategic alliances.
Location:
Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh & Malawi
Background Information:
In a DRR project across 4 countries, we learnt the importance of advocacy. At community level,
advocacy was a strong success in promoting rights and entitlements, alongside facilitating
communities to engage with local authorities. At the macro level, the project has engaged
successfully with policy development for both donors and institutions. However, at the national
level, there were initial failures to engage in relation to national government issues.
The limited focus was due to a lack of dedicated policy staff within partner organisations and
difficulties in gaining senior management support for advocacy activity. These recommendations
also reflect the difficulty in mainstreaming DRR across ministries and policies. To ensure
effective influence upon DRR policy, it is vital that competent NGOs with specific grassroots
experience and skills are available to engage at a national level. It is usually necessary to develop
strategic alliances with like-minded organisations. There is also the need to seek places for
dialogue and interaction with national government that is pitched at the right level, for example,
the vehicle of DRR National Platforms or sub-committees of DM Ministries.
7
Use stories of effective community-based WATSAN work to inspire
effective advocacy at all levels
Source of Learning:
Sierra Leone, Liberia, Other
Background Information:
We have found that people are often inspired to advocate for WATSAN issues when effective
community-based WATSAN projects are held up as examples of good practice. We have also
found that these stories can be used as the basis for influencing national WATSAN policies.