Nick Temple – Network Director, SSE Introductory Guide to Policy and Lobbying

What is it? Policy = the actions of government and the intentions that determine those actions Lobbying = effort designed to influence actions of government / public officials Advocacy = arguing for / in favour of an idea or cause Campaigning = a series of organised actions for a cause, with specific goal

Policy = the actions of government and the intentions that determine those actions

Lobbying = effort designed to influence actions of government / public officials

Advocacy = arguing for / in favour of an idea or cause

Campaigning = a series of organised actions for a cause, with specific goal

Why bother? Getting involved earlier in the cycle… 1. Identify problem 2. Form overall policy 3. Decision-making 4. Policy implemented 5. Evaluation (continue / end) … and helping get what you do to be supported / funded / recognised / scaled up…. reach your goals.

Getting involved earlier in the cycle…

1. Identify problem 2. Form overall policy 3. Decision-making 4. Policy implemented 5. Evaluation (continue / end)

… and helping get what you do to be supported / funded / recognised / scaled up…. reach your goals.

Why bother? (2) Policymakers can learn from you (your views important) You can learn from them too… Advances your cause + profile (and therefore trust) Builds relationships / networks / partnerships Can speed up change you want

Policymakers can learn from you (your views important)

You can learn from them too…

Advances your cause + profile (and therefore trust)

Builds relationships / networks / partnerships

Can speed up change you want

When to do it? When right for your organisation Capacity / resources Good use of time (adds value) Barriers to progress When relevant in policy terms (election / funding cycle / tendering process / decision-making / deadlines)

When right for your organisation

Capacity / resources Good use of time (adds value) Barriers to progress

When relevant in policy terms (election / funding cycle / tendering process / decision-making / deadlines)

How? Know what you want: focus Know your stuff: research / evidence Talk to the right people Be nice and friendly (not annoying) Write, phone or meet: tactics Ask: “why should they do what I want?” Follow-up + evaluate

Know what you want: focus

Know your stuff: research / evidence

Talk to the right people

Be nice and friendly (not annoying)

Write, phone or meet: tactics

Ask: “why should they do what I want?”

Follow-up + evaluate

Exercise Use some evidence Say how they can help Ask questions / seek objections Follow-up detail And be nice….

Use some evidence

Say how they can help

Ask questions / seek objections

Follow-up detail

Final thoughts You do this all the time, or will have to ------------------------------------------------------------ “ Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent” "The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously."

You do this all the time, or will have to

------------------------------------------------------------

“ Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent”

"The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously."

www.sse.org.uk www.sse.org.uk/blogs http://del.icio.us/SSE/lobbying 020 8981 0300