Grassroots advocacy is a process of organizing people on the local level to come together for a specific cause to change the status quo and influence public opinion and decision-makers. In contrast to activism, it usually works within the existing social and political structures, using the methods of persuasion and influence.
Advocacy is one of the pillars of any grassroots movement activity. Through advocacy, communities change the public perspective on an issue at hand. That as a result can influence the elected representatives of different levels to achieve a desired systemic change. Grassroots advocacy is an essential part of political activism and is integral for local community engagement, that is why it is sometimes confused with lobbying.
Advocacy vs. Lobbying
Unlike lobbying, grassroots advocacy is usually citizen-based. It means that it is conducted by ordinary people — members of a local community or a movement’s supporters.
Lobbying is a way of directly influencing the decision-makers to change legislation or attract their attention to a certain social, economic, or political issue. In contrast to grassroots advocacy, it is usually exercised by professional lobbyists and government representatives and is conducted in a one-on-one manner. Advocacy is also sometimes referred to as indirect lobbying.
When is the Best Time to Conduct Grassroots Advocacy?
We suggest planning your advocacy efforts as a part of your grassroots activism. We have covered all the steps necessary to run a successful grassroots campaign in our guide here: Campaign-Based Planning Approach for Grassroots Organizations
However, there are a few key moments when grassroots advocacy can come in especially handy and generate more local community engagement and political mobilization.
When Your Issue Is Getting Exposure
If an issue that lies at the center of your grassroots campaign is getting media exposure or is being talked about on social media, it’s a great time to seize the moment and launch an advocacy campaign. Ride that viral wave and join forces with other activists — bloggers or other organizations — participating in the discussions around the issue. When the issue is discussed in public, it will be easier to mobilize people to stand under your banners and to influence the decision-makers to take your opinions and expertise into consideration.
When Your State Legislative Body Is In Session
If you want to include advocacy in your toolbox of grassroots organizing methods, you need to track the work of your local and national legislative bodies. Make sure you know when they come into session, who are your representatives, and which of the branches are responsible for the issues you work with.
The most effective way to influence the legislative process is to activate your advocacy efforts when the decision-makers work on issuing new bills. During that period, it makes sense to host panel discussions, issue documents, and reports, organize public demonstrations and other events, and gather signatures to show the legislators what is the agenda the public supports.
In Qela you can easily create, assign, manage, and evaluate tasks for your supporters using our unique gamification tools. Learn more about our gamified features here: https://www.qela.app/
Types of Grassroots Advocacy Activities
In-Person Advocacy
This includes rallies, marches, protests, and other mass events where your supporters can meet each other, discuss the agenda, and educate themselves on how to advocate for the issues important to them. They usually require planning, organization, involvement of grassroots leadership, and other resources.
Another way of employing in-person advocacy is organizing a lobby day. It requires gathering your core group of supporters to meet with elected officials and discuss issues with legislation. To make this meeting effective, prepare your community members with educational materials and talking points, so it goes efficiently. Ask them to report back to you after it’s done to evaluate your efforts.
Strengthen the grassroots activism in your community by teaching it about important matters. Use Qela’s game elements to educate your supporters. Sign up for a free 30-day trial here: https://www.qela.app/register
Digital Advocacy
Digital advocacy is an essential part of any grassroots movement activity. Sending out emails to elected representatives, tagging them in social media posts, and raising awareness with online flash mobs and marathons are all effective ways of conveying grassroots advocacy in the digital realm.
Use Qela’s quest templates to encourage your supporters to participate in your digital advocacy efforts. With our Campaign Master, you can assign, manage, and evaluate the success of your digital campaigns easily. Learn more about it here: https://www.qela.app/
Conclusion
Grassroots advocacy is fueled by collective voices and actions, demanding strategic planning and community engagement. Qela's methodology equips grassroots leadership with the tools to sustain movements and drive meaningful change. Sign up to Qela to streamline your efforts.