Working with Allies and Networks

www.letgirlslead.org © 2014 Public Health Institute

What is an alliance or network?A connection of people, groups or institutions around a common cause, goal, or effort

An alliance is formed to systematically work towards a common goal

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Benefits in Political Advocacy

• More support Up-to-date information

• More strength Access more resources

• Bigger impact Shared resources• More objectivity Contacts• Diversity Exchange

• More credibility Avoids duplicating work

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Risks

• Failure to comply by one of the parts

• Lack of commitments

• Difficulty in reaching agreements

• Slow making decisions and taking action

• Lack of equality (resources and power)

• Competition

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Criteria for Forming Alliances• Agreement in values and

interests• The cause is congruous• Respect for commitments• Clear work plan, goals and

objectives• Attainable goals• Projection• Knowing the achieved goals

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Questions to Ask When Considering Allies

• Organization’s Mission: How close is their mission to the efforts to achieve the EAO?

• Trust: Is there a prior trust link between you?

• Complementarity: What resources could the ally organization contribute with as a complement to the advocacy initiative?

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Tips for a Successful Alliance• Involve prestigious and strong people• Make sure it provides personal and/or

professional satisfaction• Consider a serious network with clear and objective

information• Decision making must be

balanced• Clear internal organization

for the network• Use novel strategies

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Tips for Success

• Clarify roles, functions and obligations• Share leadership functions within the group• Use all of its members’ resources• Open to change, innovation, and creative

solutions• Interest in members’ achievements just as in the

group’s• Support and respect for individuals and their

expectations

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More Tips for Success• Commitment to good

communication in the group• Disagreements are allowed• Constructive criticism and

useful feedback are encouraged

• Solidarity, trust and group support are encouraged

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More to come!

www.letgirlslead.org © 2014Public Health Institute