Advocating for your cause – strategic advocacy skills

Strategic Advocacy Workshop – advocating for your cause

Why is it important: Effective advocacy drives meaningful social change. Whether addressing poverty, mental health, domestic abuse, or access to services, strategic advocacy ensures that voices are heard and policies are influenced. This workshop will equip participants with the skills to articulate concerns, mobilize support, and engage decision-makers.

Participants: Ideal for community leaders, policy advocates, campaigners, and those personally affected by these issues, this session will enhance participants’ advocacy work, regardless of experience.

Aims of the workshop: The workshop focuses on understanding different advocacy approaches, tailoring messages for key audiences, using storytelling techniques, pitching ideas to policymakers, and mapping networks for effective change. Participants will engage in discussions and interactive exercises to build confidence and practice persuasive messaging.

Outcomes: Participants will gain a clearer understanding of strategic advocacy, practical storytelling techniques, and increased confidence in influencing decision-makers.

The session is led by Dr. Magda(lena) Szarota.

Dr. Magda(lena) Szarota is a Senior Researcher at Lancaster University (UK), an award-winning disability, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), public policy, and cross-sectional strategist, consultant, campaigner, public speaker, and NGO executive with over 15 years of experience  in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. Dr. Szarota has collaborated with leading human rights think tanks, watchdogs, grassroots organizations, and (co)created cross-sectoral projects involving academia, business, NGOs, and the arts. She has also been engaged in effective policy-related advocacy and expert interventions in the European Union and the United Nations.

To book your place, please click here

Eligibility Statement:
This course is exclusively for individuals and organizations within the voluntary sector in Cumbria, this includes charities, community groups, community interest companies, friendly societies, social clubs, many sports clubs, churches and other faith groups, and voluntary organisations. Bookings from those outside this sector may not be accepted, If you are from outside the sector or want to check if you can book a place please contact  via info@cumbriacvs.org.uk

This event is part of our This Is Us project, made possible by Westmorland and Furness Council through funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.