SMART Advocacy Guide

"All advocates dream of big change. The SMART Advocacy approach creates a roadmap to achieve that change."

SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) Advocacy is an advocacy approach developed by Advance Family Planning, a multi-country initiative to secure financial commitments, policy improvements, and visibility gains in countries around the world. Although SMART Advocacy was refined by the family planning community, it is designed for adaptation to any setting or topic area. Available resources include the SMART Advocacy User's Guide, an introductory video and webinar recording (below), a facilitator's slide deck, and a listserv-based community of advocates.

SMART Advocacy connects users to the specific person who controls the lever of change: the decision-maker. Using SMART Advocacy, individuals can anticipate what information and insights will convince the decision-maker to act.

• The User's Guide, an editable PDF that takes the reader through the 9 nine steps (divided into 3 phases) involved in developing an evidence-driven advocacy strategy. It provides customisable tools to support the planning of concrete, specific actions tailored to a reader's issue and environment. Available in Spanish and French.
• The two-minute introductory video "Welcome to SMART Advocacy!" and 90-minute SMART Advocacy Launch Webinar, which feature overview of the approach and its impact. (See below.)
• A facilitation PowerPoint slide deck with speaker's notes and facilitation instructions. Available in English and French.
• The SMART Advocacy listserv, which enables advocates to stay connected.

According to Advance Family Planning, as of January 2022, more than 250 organisations in at least 26 countries use SMART Advocacy for a range of issues.

Editor's note: The SMART Advocacy Guide was formerly called the Advance Family Planning Advocacy Portfolio.