Identifying routes of influence
Successful campaigns are based on a sound understanding of the political dynamic they are trying to influence. Only by understanding how the system works and where power lies will you be able to decide on the decisive moments to intervene and the most effective routes to influence. Targets may include the European Union, UK Parliament, devolved government, local government, public bodies, civil servants or the private sector. We have a range of resources to support you in your campaigning:
Why bother with Brussels? Influencing the European Union
Encompassing 27 countries with a combined population of just under 500 million, the European Union is a unique and influential partnership making decisions that have a significant impact on our daily lives. Lobbying at the EU level can mean that you are campaigning right at the source of decision making, as often legislation begins in the EU before it is passed as law in member countries. With tips and insights from campaigners and decision makers our guide demystifies EU institutions and provides ideas and inspiration to get you thinking.
Find out with our free web resource why you should bother with Brussels
Influencing Westminster
Presentation Edward Andersson, Involve New Opportunities for Influencing Legislation: Consultations, Petitions, referendums (New opportunities for influencing legislation workshop Campaigns Conference 2011)
Find out about the workings of Parliament and the latest activity on www.parliament.uk.
The Cabinet Office have produced the Cabinet Manual designed to be the ulitmate users guide to Government setting out the main laws, rules and conventions affecting the conduct and operation of Government.
Influencing Whitehall
A great deal of power resides with civil servants; while governments inevitably come and go, the civil service has been running continuously for centuries. Civil servants can provide powerful inroads to influencing the public policy arena. Find out more:
Getting you started factsheet Working with civil servants (PDF 47KB)
Download in Focus guide Working with Whitehall (PDF)
Presentations from the Forum for Change seminar Working with Whitehall
Lee Webster, Care International UK, thoughts and tips on working with Whitehall in her blog post
Influencing devolved Government
Engaging with and influencing devolved governments form a critical part of any Uk-wide campaign influencing strategy. This guide looks at how to develop separate engagement strategies for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and is full of links to further resources.
Download the In Focus guide to Influencing devolved governments (PDF, 155KB)
Influencing locally
Bassac and Urban Forum guide to Local Action: The Handy Guide for communities working with councillors includes an analysis of the policy context, case studies and tips for activists.
Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) guide to Influencing local decision makers for rights and resources for disabled children includes tips on tips on influencing local decision makers to get your message heard.
Talk about local is a project to give people in their communities a powerful online voice, they have loads of step by step gudies and quick tips on the talk about local website.
Bassac have produced a guide introducing different ways of thinking about voice this publication supports you to map and analyse your voice work. Find out more and download the guide on their website
Influencing the private sector
The private sector employs the majority of the workforce in many countries, owns much of the world’s assets and has a huge effect on the environment, society and politics. Campaigning focused on the private sector can bring results not only to shareholders but to individuals and to wider society; largely through effecting changes to the ways companies and individuals operate in securing a profit.
Our free guide explores the best routes to do so by exploring analysing power and routes of influence, choosing the right mixture of tactics from persuasion to pressure. It's full of real life examples including the Living Wage campaign, Sexism and the City, Tar Sands counting the cost campaign and Trafigura.
Download the free In Focus guide Persuasion or pressure? Campaigning and the private sector (PDF 615KB)
