The project to design a policy advisory framework with customised tools for the National Development Agency (NDA) is steadily progressing. In addition to showcasing that milestones are on track, the EEE team drafting the advocacy framework used a recent progress review meeting to discuss emerging insights with the NDA.

Since the project’s inception in December 2024, the research team has reviewed and synthesised a considerable body of policy and academic literature on systematic policy advocacy. This in-depth research confirms the NDA has been a key player in supporting civil society and driving development initiatives, yet it lacks a strategic approach to advocacy. It also shows that an off-the-shelf advocacy model that fits the NDA’s mandate does not exist.

Harnessing learnings from tried and tested global and local best practices offers feasible solutions. Global frameworks often emphasise advocacy pathways internal to the state, catering to the insider advocacy the NDA has to do. Local frameworks are orientated towards civil society organisations, focusing on influencing policy decisions from outside government. This outsider advocacy is also relevant, given the NDA’s work and partnership with civil society organisations. The emerging NDA’s advocacy framework’s biggest test lies in bridging the gap between research, advocacy, and institutional practice.

Read an overview of the study’s purpose and start here.