There’s almost no issue that can be advanced by just one individual or organization. I know that’s hard to hear, but it’s true. Policymakers are most apt to respond to problems or proposed solutions that have substantial support. Building a Coalition of supporters around your issue is one of the most important strategies to advance progress. This process of seeking out coalition members can often help you identify opposition to your ideas, which is helpful for revisiting your proposed solution, identifying opposition arguments, and building a case to rebut your opposition.
Building out a powerful Coalition requires thinking about the many elements your advocacy will need to be successful, influential supporters, stories about impacted populations, funding, and policy expertise, to name a few. We’ve put together a free planner tool to help you get started.