Networks and Advocacy

Tamsin RoseOctober 2007Tamarack Ltd

Networks ?

Connecting similaritiesConnecting differences

Finding the right structure

A network could contain unique, separate but connected and cooperating organisations

Many forms and many reasons

• Communities of practice • Knowledge networks • Sectoral networks • Regional or geographic networks• Social change/advocacy networks• Service delivery networks

• Size matters: the whole is greater than the sum of the parts

• Greater impact and visibility• Motivation and retention of staff• Inspiration, creativity and new ideas• Strengthened teamwork, shared tasks• Upgraded skills and qualifications• Mobilise new resources

The upside of networking

Downsides to networking

• An ongoing time investment needed to build and maintain relationships

• Dilution of own issues or values in order to reach group consensus

• Inequalities of input (resources, time), power or access can undermine the network ‘ethos’

• Lower visibility and space for members’ issues

• Different end-points for campaigns or activities

Practical: better access to information; status and attractiveness for donors and policy-makers; economies of scale; shared negotiating power Ideological: solidarity for smaller organisations; building common guidelines, methodologies or quality standards; unified voice of coherence for civil society

Pragmatic: raised visibility of common issues; sharing experiences, contacts and ideas; common lobbying platform; reducing risks and avoiding duplication

Reasons for civil society to network

CSR EUROPE has 23 national partner organisations representing almost 1800 companies

Even big companies find it useful to network…

ONLINE PETITION to Chinese President and UN Security Council: 803,734 signatures from 192 countriesSince 17 October, 225,000 Euros raised

Facebook, Support the monks in Burma Group24/09/2007 3,500 Members24/10/2007 432,479 Members

Chanelling the recent outrage

Networking tools: PR, advocacy and campaigns

Public Relations is about ‘free’ (not paid for) media visibility. It may cover ‘who we are, what we stand for, what we do, where we work’.

Advocacy is speaking, writing and acting to promote a cause, interest or group. ‘What do we want to say, who we want to influence, how will we reach them’.

A campaign is a series of actions to achieve a goal. ‘What do we want to change, when and how, what would the final result be like’.

Lessons from social networking sites

• Innovate with lots of small, concrete and low-threshold ways people can get involved

• Empower your users to be creative in how they participate and help keep them engaged

• Set clear rules on acceptable behaviour

• Encourage your members to act as multipliers to get their contacts involved

• Keep your issue facts and messages simple

• There may be many sub-groups within networks• Allow different levels of participation • Leadership matters; senior support is essential• Don’t overplan, allow the network to evolve• Find ways to keep up the momentum and

provide ways for people to contribute• Build achievable milestones and celebrate the

achievements• Communicate regularly internally and externally• Seize opportunities to promote the network

Key learning points