What is an advocacy strategy?

An advocacy strategy is fundamentally a comprehensive plan designed to achieve specific policy objectives and engage various stakeholders in supporting these goals. This approach not only identifies the desired outcomes related to public policies but also outlines the tactics and methods necessary to mobilize support from the community, interest groups, and decision-makers.

Effective advocacy strategies typically include elements such as defining the target audience, determining key messages, assessing potential allies and opponents, and planning outreach activities. By formulating a structured approach, advocates can significantly enhance their chances of influencing public policy and effecting change in a desired direction.

In contrast, the other options center around more specific components or goals that do not encompass the broader and more strategic nature of advocacy work. Collecting data and statistics, evaluating existing policies, or proposing new legislation are all important activities in the context of advocacy but do not capture the essence of what an advocacy strategy entails, which is the alignment of various efforts to reach a cohesive goal.