Starting advocacy programmES from the South

Abstract

Debate and experimentation concerning power relations in civil society organization (CSO) collaborations focus on ‘shifting power’ from Northern to Southern CSOs. Although many elements of these relations have been addressed, the practice of multi-country programming is not among them. This chapter argues that multi-country programming fundamentally shapes relations in CSO collaborations in advocacy for development. The chapter provides an alternative approach to advocacy programming that reconstitutes Northern CSO roles. The arguments draw on the example of civil society advocacy programming by the Netherlands government and bring in research with organizations collaborating through this programming. After discussing the limits of the idea of ‘shifting the power’ in present discussions on power in CSO development programming, the chapter proposes an alternative approach, ‘starting from the South’, which works from a broader understanding of power. Centralizing Southern agency within specific contexts, this approach turns programming upside down while at the same time capitalizing on Northern CSOs’ power to support action led by Southern CSOs. In this context, rethinking identity, linking up with what is already there, working with opportunities, and complementarity are presented as avenues for building new roles for Northern CSOs working from this perspective.