Lobby and Advocacy
Joint influence of climate-relevant policies and climate finance is needed at all levels to ensure civil society actors have a seat at the decision-making table and their voices are heard. It can be pivotal in raising awareness about the importance of grassroots climate initiatives, emphasising their cost-effectiveness and direct impact. By engaging with policymakers, they can push for more transparent, inclusive spaces and simplified funding mechanisms.
Advocacy can also focus on capability-building workshops for local entities, ensuring they’re equipped to shape public debate and apply for and manage climate funds effectively. Engaging media and leveraging success stories can further highlight the value of locally-led and nature-based solution initiatives, as well as access to finance, to support these local actions.
The VCA alliance brings together global and local voices by connecting four strong Southern CSOs - Akina Mama wa Afrika, Fundación Avina, Slum Dwellers International and SouthSouthNorth, with two Northern CSOs - Hivos and WWF Netherlands. We combine a deep understanding of climate issues, international reach in public and private spheres, experience in capacity strengthening, and achieving lobbying and advocacy results, with a strong focus on women’s rights, gender, and inclusion programmes, as well as involvement in climate finance mechanisms.
Lobby and Advocacy in VCA
To achieve change, we not only need legitimate, shared local climate agendas and solutions, but also an inclusive public debate to influence policymakers and finance professionals. VCA believes that different civil society groups can collaborate on a shared climate agenda because they face shared risks, challenges and opportunities around climate and development.
How was this done?
Strong civil society organisations and actors that unite behind a common agenda, with improved strategic lobbying and advocacy capacities and a supportive public debate, can no longer be ignored by decision-makers. During its implementation, the VCA programme has connected civil society organisations representing a wide range of constituencies (women, youth, Indigenous people, local communities, urban poor, digital activists, citizen journalists, etc.) that have valuable experience, skills, perspectives and aspirations relating to climate action.
Second, the alliance partners sought to set the agenda and create movement on climate action through amplifying alternative storytelling. Through online and offline multimedia strategies, climate information has become more easily accessible and more engaging through innovative communication and storytelling. Where information gaps exist, we worked to connect civil society groups to knowledge networks and promote citizen-led data collection premised on intersectionality to inform lobbying and advocacy.
Through the innovative use of traditional and (secure) digital media, new partnerships and innovative storytelling, this information and narrative can shape public debate on climate action. This will help to amplify voices in a way that ensures civil society cannot be ignored.
An outspoken civil society with increased capacity, a shared agenda, supportive public debate, informed by access to information and with powerful allies, is well-positioned to provide strong joint lobbying & advocacy to make climate policy, practice, and finance more responsive to locally shaped climate solutions and will be heard by governments and the private sector.
To support the shared climate agenda of partners to reach national and international institutions, the alliance works towards raising awareness on the success stories of locally shaped climate solutions among Dutch, regional and global networks and fora.
What has VCA achieved?
VCA’s influence extended to the heart of public discourse and policy. Through 45 multi-stakeholder forums, marginalised voices shaped decisions on policies, land rights, access to finance, gender equality, social inclusion, and South-North solidarity at local and global stages. Our efforts expanded civic space, empowered Southern-led dialogues at local, national, and global levels, and leveraged media alliances and digital activism to reach new audiences. The forums include the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), the interinstitutional Roundtable on Water (Paraguay), the first National Water Forum (Tunisia), the Pan-Amazonian Social Forum (FOSPA), the III Regional Meeting of Youth from the Gran Chaco, and COP29, among others.
Due to VCA's efforts, civil society’s views are increasingly being recognised in developing and implementing climate-relevant (public and private) policies and practices. For example, as part of the Women and Gender Constituency, a submission was made advocating for more accessible participation mechanisms and equitable representation, underscoring the need for institutional reforms that foster inclusive and just climate governance, particularly in reallocating more badges to Global South observers.
No. of Policies and Laws Influenced
- Globally = 100
- Brazil = 8
- Bolivia = 14
- Indonesia = 22
- Kenya = 24
- Paraguay = 10
- Tunisia = 4
- Zambia = 18
As a result of strengthened local capacities for advocacy concerning climate solutions, contributing financial resources, and bringing together social capital, we have been able to influence the amendment, blocking, adoption, or implementation of an additional 52 national and local development plans, policies, and laws since 2023. This brings the total to 100 laws and policies influenced by VCA for sustainable and inclusive development during the entire programme.
Examples of Lobby and Advocacy Efforts
Examples of our lobby and advocacy efforts include the blocking of a law introduced in 2021 by the State of Tocantins, the adoption of a Climate Action Plan in Brazil, the adoption of the Climate Change and Green Economy Bill in Zambia, and the development of the Kisumu County Climate Change Fund Regulations in Kenya. Partners have actively contributed to local climate action planning in Indonesia and Tunisia by developing practical guides to support municipalities in designing their climate action plans.
In Kenya, Siaya Muungano Network (SIMUN), in partnership with Women’s Empowerment Link (WEL), organised a two-day workshop for CSOs in the Nyanza Region on 10th and 11th June 2025 at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu. The workshop aimed to develop the Nyanza Regional Action Plan for CSO Engagement in Locally Led Climate Actions, including the Financing Locally Led Climate Actions (FLLoCA) programme. The convening brought together civil society actors from across the Nyanza region to reflect on their engagement with FLLoCA, share best practices, and collectively craft a coordinated framework for regional advocacy and action.
The two-day workshop was used to share experiences, challenges, and good practices in engaging with FLLoCA structures at the county level in the different counties represented, identify strategic entry points for CSO involvement in locally led climate actions and co-create a CSO action plan for coordinated engagement in locally led climate actions, including the FLLoCA Programme, and agree on the joint framework for sustained regional CSO coordination and advocacy.
Key outputs and outcomes of the meeting included a draft Regional CSO Action Plan, developed through group collaboration and consolidated feedback. Participants exchanged lessons, challenges, and opportunities across counties, and a commitment to collaboration strengthened relationships and agreement to sustain regional coordination mechanisms.
The Draft Joint Action Plan was presented during a Governors and FLLoCA CSOs Round Table forum on Decentralised Climate Action and Governance by the National Treasury and the FLLoCA project Implementation Unit on 3rd July 2025, at Maanzoni Lodge, Machakos County.
VCA’s strategy of joint influencing has led to a recognition of civil society’s views in the development and implementation of climate-relevant policies and practices. The local and national climate adaptation planning is geared toward building resilience and solidifying inclusive and sustainable development models.
