MDF evaluators recently led a mid-term review of the Policy Framework for Strengthening Civil Society in Uganda, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The review assessed local Civil Society Organisations' (CSOs) advocacy capabilities across six key dimensions, adapted from an advocacy capacity model by researchers Willem Elbers and Jelmer Kamstra, which outlines factors contributing to advocacy effectiveness, ranging from their ability to analyse political landscapes to their adaptability in changing contexts. This prompted an important question: Are we capturing all the factors that contribute to effective advocacy?
Lessons from the Solidarity Movement
While on holiday in Poland, I visited the European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk, where the story of the Solidarity movement—led by Lech Wałęsa—offers profound insights. Solidarity's resilience was not just about producing evidence or building rapport with power holders, as our framework assesses. The movement succeeded because it wielded immense moral authority, forged powerful symbolic connections, and sustained a long-term vision, despite severe repression.
Take, for instance, Solidarity's decentralised structure that allowed grassroots mobilisation across diverse societal groups. Its moral stance on non-violence, and its ties to the Catholic Church, resonated deeply with the Polish people. Such moral legitimacy was pivotal in rallying support, much like the movements of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mandela.
Furthermore, international solidarity played a crucial role in tipping the balance. Solidarity’s global allies, including Western labour unions and the Vatican, provided not only moral but material support—highlighting the importance of building cross-border alliances.
Lastly, Solidarity demonstrated strategic perseverance in the face of repression. Leaders like Lech Wałęsa, along with other key figures in the movement, inspired followers to endure long-term political oppression through their personal sacrifices. This resilience, driven by a shared sense of moral conviction, played a central role in Solidarity’s success, just as it has in other influential movements throughout history.
Expanding our framework for advocacy success
Reflecting on this, I believe that while the Ministry's framework largely captures key advocacy capabilities, aspects like moral authority, international support, and long-term perseverance are vital for the success of movements and CSOs alike. These could be more clearly integrated into the existing dimensions or considered as additions to ensure a more comprehensive assessment, helping to foster even greater success for CSOs in Uganda and beyond.
