Understanding the political context
Who to reach? – Building relations
- Ministers
- Parliamentarians/spokespersons
- Government and/or opposition
- Political parties/party specialists
- Civil servants/advisors
- Friends from own or related sectors
Most decision-makers have staff that do research, handle documents and prepare briefings and programmes. It is important to build relationships with them; get to know them and spend time explaining your issues to them. If they take you seriously, it will be easier to get access to, and attention from, decision-makers. Just as important is to maintain the relationships you have build. This can be done by sending them information, inviting them to events, offering help to them and also thanking them when they have supported your issue. Therefore, keep records of all your communications with decision-makers and their staff.
How to find out about current issues? – Knowledge structures
- Newspapers/internet. In the Netherlands for example, the political agenda with upcoming debates and meetings can be found on the internet.
- Political decision-making structures, such as: lawmaking, parliamentary questions, motions, amendments
- Different kinds of debates and meetings like plenary sessions or commission meetings of parlementarians
- In what way is policy-making from national to regional level organised?
- In what way is policy-making from national to international/multilateral level organised?
Within these knowledge structures it is important to be familiar with the legislative process as with political dynamics; understand the positions of the various stakeholders and the relationships between them.
When to reach decision-makers? – Timing within the political cycle
- Use moments of decision-making
- Budget cycle (yearly governmental declaration and memory of explanation, followed by debates on foreign affairs and development cooperation; health; research)
- Governmental cycle (elections, writing of overall goals of the government, writing of policy papers of different ministries on different sectors and themes)
Decision-making processes often continue throughout the year. Timing your lobbying efforts to have the greatest impact is important, particularly if you have limited time and resources. Knowing deadlines in advance gives you time to contact decision-makers before actions are taken.
Knowing when to lobby also means keeping track of formal and informal decision-making processes. Formal decision-making may often take place in committees or other informal meetings. Important is to know when these meetings take place and what will be discussed. Many of these meetings are open to the public, and can thus be an opportunity for you to present your point to decision-makers. As issues will also be amended during formal proceedings, it is also important to follow formal processes. Be prepared to intervene where possible.
Important here is to plan, prepare and follow-up!
Ways to make your voice heard
- Letters
Writing a letter can be an easy, practical and effective way to contact decision-makers, civil servants, personal assistants and party specialists. It allows you to organise your views and information in a form that decision-makers can keep and refer to later. Try to be concise and focused in your letter, so introduce the issue you are concerned about and explain why you support it or oppose it and what you like the decision-maker to do. Make the letter as short as possible
- Meetings
Although gaining access to decision-makers, civil servants, personal assistants and party specialists can be difficult, face-to-face meetings are an effective way of lobbying. You can make an appointment with the people you want to address, but also without an appointment you may be able to meet with them at key meetings, conferences or formal sessions for example. Always state the significance of the meeting and be clear about your message, make sure you know your facts. To support your arguments it can be very useful to leave supporting documents. Be clear about what commitment for action you would like from the person/people you are meeting with: what will they do and when? Also explain what is in it for them. Never forget to follow-up on the meeting and build the relationship.
- Phone calls & e-mail
As it won’t always be possible to speak to decision-makers, civil servants, personal assistants and party specialists in person and time may be limited, you can contact them by telephone or e-mail. Most of the points regarding meetings, apply here as well. The difference is that it is even more important to be brief and well prepared because people may not have that much time and it is easier for them to break off a telephone conversation.
- Petitions
The idea of a petition is to get as many individuals or organisations to sign for a request you have regarding your issue. It is a useful way of showing the broader support to your concern.
Getting started
Ready to take on some lobby efforts yourself?
Click here to view ten steps to get you started.
