FAQs

Mobilizing Community through Advocacy

Best practice community advocacy begins with a clear and realistic “ask” supported by evidence. That ask is most effective when it represents community sentiment.

What is community advocacy?

Community advocacy is a strategic approach to influencing outcomes and driving change on behalf of your community. It involves representing your community’s rights and needs to the level of government best able to respond.

What’s the difference between advocacy and lobbying?

here are varying opinions on the difference between the two. In many contexts, the terms are used interchangeably.

For our purposes, we consider the difference to be that “lobbying” is a form of advocacy performed on behalf of a third party for a fee and tends to relate to a specific piece of legislation that impacts an individual, commercial entity, or sector.  “Advocacy” is a broader term that encompasses a range of practices, from awareness-raising through to community mobilization campaigns.

In this document, we use the term “advocacy” in the context of it being delivered by a local government on behalf of its community.

Why is community advocacy important?

Communities have complex and wide-ranging needs and many of these are beyond the ability, remit or responsibility of a single government organization. As the level of government closest to the people, local government is well-positioned to harness community sentiment and use that to influence outcomes. Structured advocacy gives your community a voice that is non-political, strategic, and evidence-based.

Best practice advocacy begins with a clear and realistic “ask” supported by evidence. That ask is most effective when it represents community sentiment.

Generally, advocacy strategies and campaigns aim to influence:

• funding and resources
• infrastructure priorities
• policy change
• process change

When do you need to advocate?

Advocacy is required when there’s a clearly identifiable and pressing need or issue that you (as a local government) can’t respond to on your own or is the responsibility of another level of government.

Community advocacy activities and campaigns may be part of a short, mid, or long-term strategy, or may represent an urgent and emerging need.

What is your role as an advocate?

and the ask	Engage with your community to make sure you fully understand the issue/need of those affected Gather relevant data and evidence to demonstrate the issue/need. This may involve engaging with internal and external experts and other stakeholders Identify a realistic solution (your ask). It will be based on the evidence and will meet your community’s needs/expectations Where possible, provide a business case or cost associated with your ask Make all relevant information easily available online. This includes your ask, the supporting evidence, and how community members can get involved Test the solution with your community Seek political support/endorsement from your elected members (if required)
Understand the strategic context	Identify and understand:  How this community advocacy priority fits within your organization’s existing strategies and corporate priorities How it fits with the strategic direction and priorities of the government you will be advocating to Leverage that alignment
Identify opportunities	Identify opportunities where you will have the most influence, e.g., elections and budget cycles, etc.
Develop your strategy	Identify: Your community advocacy target (who are you advocating to?) Your primary spokesperson/champion and any third party advocates Your key messages What advocacy tactics you will use and when.
Harness support	Engage other relevant stakeholders and third-party advocates who are willing to join your voice and add weight to your campaign. This may include other local governments, peak bodies, community groups, non-government organizations, high profile individuals, research organizations, etc.
Roll out advocacy activities	Deliver your planned tactics, based on your strategy
Measure results	Measure your results and report back to the community

 

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