KENYA ESO & BMO POLICY ADVOCACY TOOLKIT TRAINING-KISUMU DAY 2
Victor Otieno Agolla
SME & Startups | Digital Economy | Africa's Innovation Ecosystem | Entrepreneurship Research | Child of the Most High God
SNV Kenya implementing the IYBA-SEED Project supported by VIFFA CONUSLT held a 2nd of a 2 day policy toolkit training workshop on 15th October in Kisumu County.
The policy training workshop was attended by over 50 ESOs and BMOs drawn from Kisumu county and its environs.
The session took participants through policy advocacy cycles of :
Understanding and mapping policy context
Defining the challenge and what needs change and how using Problem-solution Tree
Knowing who can make the change happen using the Power will matrix
Fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue through formation of a sustainable (independent of government and donor funding) policy advocacy platform that brings together ESOs, BMOs, CBOs ,MSMEs and County Government. The IYBA SEED project supported by VIFFA will offer mentorship and coaching support focussing on setting up the county based policy advocacy platform and actioning proposed policy priorities .
Making the case-using evidence
Conveying messages through lobbying, engaging media, and using social media. This was done through development of a policy Advocacy Elevator pitch.
Reviewing plan through MEL
The entire workshop approach was based on experience sharing , peer learning and engaging discussions .
Some of the big takeaways from the session were : translating talk to action, building trust and credibility of the advocacy platform, managing various interest while being staying focused on the objective, sustaining the shared vision in the long run, communicating value to various stakeholders such as national and county legislators, criteria for admission of new players or stakeholders (who may or may not share the vision but may come to derail the team) and ensuring inclusivity especially PWD as passionately submitted by David who is the chair Kisumu Branch of the Kenya Association of the deaf.
On behalf of the SNV Kenya and IYBA SEED partners, I wish to thank all 50 plus participants and the county government of Kisumu for a great time and fruitful deliberations. Looking forward to forward looking action.
Off to Uasin Gishu . The City of Champions !