Strategic Action Planning

Below are comprehensive lesson notes and practical exercises for the concluding module of your course on policy analysis and advocacy in mining, focusing on actionable skills in advocacy goal-setting, coalition building, and ethical risk management.

1. Developing Advocacy Goals, Theory of Change, and KPIs

Advocacy Goals

• Define clear, specific, and achievable objectives for your mining policy advocacy (e.g., “Increase public disclosure of mining revenues in [country] by 2026”).
• Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Theory of Change

• Map out the steps required to achieve your advocacy goal.
• Identify the problem, desired outcomes, key actors, and necessary interventions.
• Example: If the problem is lack of mining revenue transparency, your theory of change might involve raising awareness, building coalitions, influencing policymakers, and tracking progress.
• Use frameworks such as the Advocacy Coalition Framework, which emphasises collaboration among groups with shared core beliefs, and the Grassroots Theory of Change, which focuses on mobilising public support and changing social norms.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• KPIs are quantifiable metrics that track your advocacy’s progress and impact.
• Examples for mining advocacy:
  • Number of policy briefs submitted to government.
  • Frequency and reach of media coverage.
  • Level of community participation in consultations.
  • Number of new coalition partners.
  • Changes in public awareness or attitudes (measured via surveys).
• Regularly review and adapt KPIs to ensure they remain relevant and actionable.

2. Coalition Building: Working with Civil Society, Academia, and Media

Why Build Coalitions?

• Coalitions amplify your advocacy impact by pooling resources, expertise, and networks.
• Diverse coalitions (CSOs, academia, media) increase legitimacy and reach.

Steps to Build Effective Coalitions

• Map Potential Partners: Identify organisations and individuals with aligned interests and complementary skills (e.g., technical expertise, grassroots mobilisation, media outreach).
• Profile Partners: Assess each potential partner’s strengths, experience, and value-add to advocacy efforts.
• Engage and Coordinate: Hold meetings to align on goals, strategies, and roles.
• Leverage Media: Treat media as both a platform and a partner—engage journalists early, provide them with clear information, and respect their independence.
• Sustain Collaboration: Maintain regular communication, share updates, and celebrate collective achievements.

Benefits of Coalition Building

• Generates social momentum and public support.
• Ensures robust attendance and input at policy forums.
• Enhances technical assistance and advocacy messaging.

3. Risk Mitigation and Ethical Advocacy

Ethical Considerations

• Ethical mining advocacy means promoting transparency, environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic fairness.
• Uphold integrity in all interactions—avoid misinformation, respect community voices, and ensure inclusivity.

Risk Mitigation Strategies

• Due Diligence: Assess potential risks (political, reputational, security) before launching advocacy campaigns.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Consult widely to identify and address concerns early.
• Transparency: Disclose funding sources, partnerships, and advocacy intentions to build trust.
• Contingency Planning: Prepare for backlash, misinformation, or shifting political contexts.

Why Ethics Matter

• Ethical advocacy builds long-term trust, strengthens your “social license,” and reduces the risk of backlash or unintended harm.

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Practical Exercises

Exercise 1: Advocacy Goal and Theory of Change

• Task: Choose a mining policy issue (e.g., revenue transparency, environmental protection).
  • Define a clear advocacy goal.
  • Draft a simple theory of change diagram showing key steps and actors.

Exercise 2: Setting KPIs

• Task: For your chosen advocacy goal, list at least three KPIs you would use to measure progress.
  • Explain how you would collect and analyze data for each KPI.

Exercise 3: Coalition Mapping

• Task: Map out a potential coalition for your advocacy campaign.
  • Identify at least three types of partners (e.g., CSO, academic, media outlet) and describe their roles.

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Additional Reading Materials

1. https://www.orsimpact.com/DirectoryAttachments/132018_13248_359_Center_Pathways_FINAL.pdf
2. https://blog.beacamp.com/understanding-kpi-metrics/
3. https://budgetadvocacy.org/modules/step2.pdf
4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1758-5899.12980
5. https://climate.sustainability-directory.com/term/mining-ethics/
6. https://www.angloamerican.com/sustainable-mining-plan/trusted-corporate-leader/policy-advocacy
7. https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/news-and-analysis/advocacy
8. https://www.childhealthinitiative.org/toolkit/coalition-building
9. https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/our-principles/mining-principles/principle-4
10. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-12/igf-mining-policy-framework-en.pdf
11. https://www.mediasupport.org/publication/coalitions-for-change-collective-action-better-media-ecosystems/
12. https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/mining-metals/responsible-mining
13. https://www.icmm.com/website/publications/pdfs/mining-principles/mining-principles.pdf?cb=10319
14. https://www.evaluationinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Pathways-for-Change.pdf
15. https://www.slideshare.net/mishdalton/kpis-and-metrics-for-advocacy-service-delivery
16. https://www.ncan.org/news/635812/Coalition-Building-Why-it-Matters-and-How-to-Start.htm
17. https://www.journalijar.com/article/47624/role-of-media-and-civil-society-in-shaping-public-policy/
18. https://majrresources.com/what-are-the-ethical-considerations-around-mineral-extraction/
19. https://www.planradar.com/au/safety-first-managing-risks-mining-projects/
20. https://www.gichd.org/fileadmin/uploads/gichd/Publications/Leaving_no_one_behind-Mine_Action_and_SDGs.pdf
21. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/a-framework-for-federal-mining-reform-impact-planning-benefits-sharing-and-asset-based-revenue-management/
22. https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/our-work/policy-engagement
23. https://www.spotlightinitiative.org/support-evawg-coalition-building
24. https://landportal.org/community/projects/coalition-claim-civil-society-space-1
25. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/tanzania/civil-society-advocacy-media-policy-citizen-access-information-and-fundamental-freedoms_en
26. https://www.mediasupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Media-Coalitions-for-Change-report.pdf
27. https://www.craftmines.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2018-07-31-CRAFT-Code-v-1.0-EN-1.pdf
28. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420724006925
29. https://energy.sustainability-directory.com/question/what-are-the-ethical-considerations-of-mineral-mining/
30. https://dsm-campaign.org/our-work/science-based-advocacy/