Advocacy is the process of influencing public policy, laws, and regulations by communicating informed positions on behalf of the organization’s members in an open and transparent manner. This is the primary means through which an association exercises its representational function as a civic organization. Through an impactful advocacy program, an association can deliver real value in the form of a better business environment for its members. Acting in coalition with other groups and stakeholders can increase the association’s level of influence and maximize resources. Advocacy generally follows a cycle from planning through execution and evaluation and can involve a variety of products including policy briefs, position papers, business agendas, and more. The practice of issue advocacy can be used to hold decision-makers accountable to the association’s members as a democratic constituency. The specific forms and modalities of advocacy can vary widely from country to country depending on the decision-making environment and conditions.
