Key Findings From In-Depth Interviews and Advocacy Initiative Forum

1. Key Findings From In-Depth Interviews and Advocacy Initiative Forum Presented by Middlequarter & Montague Communications Ashling Hotel,10 June 2010

2. Research • Over 20 in-depth interviews • Senior politicians, senior civil servants, state agency executives, philanthropic funders, social partners, well-informed observers and commentators • NGO sector reps – right across sector, senior staffers and board members • Proceedings of Advocacy Initiative Forum – attended by nearly 50 NGO advocates on March 25th 2010

3. Advocacy role contested • Limited political and administrative engagement with contribution of NGO advocacy to democracy • NGOs view advocacy as central to their role and mission • Policy makers and observers with NGO background have greater appreciation of role “NGOs are a vital mediating force between the public and Government” “NGOs have a fundamental right to advocate. It’s based on the freedom of speech which is a cornerstone of our democracy” • In the overall, role of NGO advocacy is contested

4. From where do NGOs derive their mandate? • Questions raised about legitimacy and credibility of some NGOs • Who do they speak for or represent? • Where do they get their mandate from? • Sector understands importance of being connected to ‘affected populations’ • Legitimacy questions can take preference over substance of arguments being made • Questions also raised about credibility – how well-grounded are NGO positions in research or experience?

5. Service providers rated higher • Politicians and public servants place higher value on advocacy of service providers • Represent voice of ‘on-the-ground’ experience – vital for effective policy making • Show impacts and consequences of policies • Assists with identifying gaps • Helps drive innovation • Sector understands policy makers preference for service providers – doesn’t necessarily accept legitimacy of differentiation

6. State funding and NGO Advocacy • NGOs providing services with state funding are ‘de facto’ sub-contractors • Involves compromise – needs to be approached with ‘common sense’ and ‘political realism’ • NGO sector understands this – organisations exercise self-censorship • Policy makers are reluctant to fund ‘hostile’ organisations – although in some sectors it does • Some policy makers suggest need to erect ‘Chinese walls’ between service provision and advocacy • NGOs recognise reality that advocacy funding needs to be sourced elsewhere – public or foundations

7. Respect looms large • Issue of respect looms large • ‘No respect for fact that politicians have faced the public and have been elected’ • Many in sector turn political disagreements into personal matters • Many in sector also say State is disrespectful – marginalisation of dissent, funding cuts • Does seem to vary in different sectors • NGOs would welcome Code of Conduct – set out clear terms of engagement • “Brave and bold in ambition, wise and realistic in managing the relationship” • Not much thought given to this among policy makers • Should be joint initiative not handed down from Government • Enforcement mechanisms would be important for public servants

8. Who is Effective and Why? MRCI • Success in getting issue of exploitation of Migrant workers addressed Children’s Rights Alliance • Constitutional referendum onto agenda Barnardos • Good services, research oriented, interfaces effectively with others and perceived as experts

9. Who is Effective and Why? St. Vincent de Paul • Nationwide service providers with enormous fact finding and research capacity Social Justice Ireland • Good data and effective communicators with Government Development sector • Very well developed in their advocacy

10. Who is Effective and Why? An Cosáin • Viewed as proactive and persuasive Older people’s organisations • Strong political influence, very effective on medical cards and pensions issues. Overall rating – 3 out of 5

11. Role of public campaigns • Some policy makers raised questions about effectiveness of public campaigns • See some as jockeying for position – protect territory and funding • Others stressed importance of campaigns – need to bring public on board to get issue on agenda • Sector needs to understand importance of building wider alliances • Latter view accepted by NGO sector • Shared understanding that relationship building work is central – requires patience • Acceptance of possible over-reliance on media by some NGOs – not getting into ‘messy’ business of negotiation

12. Skills and knowledge deficits • Strong argument from policy makers that many in sector don’t understand needs of policy-makers • Need for constituency or brief-specific material for politicians • Pre-Budget and Election material being supplied too late • Importance of developing good relations with key public servants – understanding ‘rules of etiquette’ • Negotiating skills need improvement • Acknowledgment that some NGOs are very effective • Sector acknowledges skills and knowledge deficits – sector needs to become more strategic and proactive • Need to share learning of ‘good examples’ and enhance expertise

13. Never-ending critique • Strong theme among policy makers that NGO advocacy is made up of constant critique – particularly through the media • Sometimes crises generated to build organisational profile rather than resolve issues • Sectoral perspective stresses importance of holding State to account – consider legal challenges • Some of critique seen as personal in nature – builds up resistance • Also viewed as being predictable and self-serving – therefore dismissed • In contrast, one experienced observer felt NGOs too timid in ‘up close’ negotiations • Some acceptance within sector of need for more sophistication and less predictability • Need for less anger and more focus on solutions

14. Understanding constraints • Poor understanding of genuine constraints policy makers are working under • Other competing and valid interests • Strong sense that sector has yet to grasp ‘profound impact’ of economic crisis – can’t simply go back to old script • Now operating in a post-Partnership world – new paradigm yet to emerge • Demands need to be reshaped – what solutions can sector come up with? • Change happens incrementally – patience required

15. Conclusions • Limited understanding of value and legitimacy of NGO advocacy among policymakers • Source of real tension – particularly where NGOs receive public funding • Some NGOs seen as being very effective – others seen as ineffective • Need for more sophistication and nuance in messaging – alternative to constant critique • Skills and understanding deficits identified – need to be more strategic and realistic • Issue of respect looms large on both sides – no consensus about how best to address it

16. Thank You