CFNI Programme - Learning Event 4: An Introduction to Effective Lobbying and Campaigning **REGISTRATION CLOSED**

THIS LEARNING EVENT IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR RECIPIENTS OF THE CFNI / DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S CANCER, CARERS, AND MENTAL HEALTH FUNDS.

Join us in-person for this practical and interactive Introduction to Effective Lobbying and Campaigning session, which will provide participants with an overview of the policy development process in Northern Ireland and examine how voluntary and community groups can help effect change within the CVS sector.

Participants will be provided with a context on how policy is produced in Northern Ireland, which will help them understand how to effectively plan and implement a lobbying and campaigning strategy. There will also be an opportunity for networking, discussion and reflection around current issues within the sector. 

Content of training session

• What is a policy and what do we mean by lobbying?
• How can we influence change in Northern Ireland?
• Practical group activities around campaign planning, strategies, and tactics.
• Refreshments and networking lunch.

The session will be delivered by the NICVA Policy and Public Affairs Team.

Panel Discussion

We are delighted to welcome our panel of people who have first-hand experience of successful campaigning and legislating for change within the sector. 

• Craig Harrison is the Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Carers Northern Ireland. Craig has been involved in successfully lobbying government for change and will give an insight into the challenges of making change happen for the Sector.

• Rachel Woods is a Green Party NI Councillor in North Down and Ards. As a former MLA, Rachel sat on the Justice Committee at Stormont and was instrumental in pushing through the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act in March 2022.

• Siobhán McAlister is a Senior Policy Adviser for Claire Hanna MP (SDLP). A former Policy Officer for NICVA, Siobhán has first-hand experience of how NI affairs can be successfully influenced at Westminster.

This is a unique opportunity to get an insight into the practical mechanisms of government, the challenges of getting legislation over the line, how best to lobby political parties and their representatives, and how to influence government at every level, including Stormont and Westminster. 

Who is it for?

This Learning Event is exclusively for recipients of the Department of Health's Cancer, Carers and Mental Health Funds, and is for anyone who is responsible for developing policy or interested in learning more about effective lobbying and campaigning.  Places are limited to one person per organisation.  

CFNI Building Capacity Accelerator and Mentoring Programme

Over the next two years the programme aims to engage with grant recipients to provide bespoke learning opportunities and mentoring support, as well as access to a range of practical and interactive workshops and events. If your organisation is in receipt of the CFNI / Department of Health's Cancer, Carers, and Mental Health Funds and is interested in receiving free Bespoke Mentoring Support, please contact Project Coordinator, Susan Glass: [email protected] 

The programme is funded by Community Foundation NI through the Department of Health's Cancer, Carers and Mental Health Funds and is delivered by NICVA

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