Policy and Advocacy Intensive: Online Flexible Learning (March 2027)

Policy and Advocacy Intensive: Online Flexible Learning

Build the skills and confidence to navigate policy and political processes, develop advocacy strategies and drive meaningful change.

Designed for people working in the for-purpose sector, this online course combines four weekly recorded modules with practical activities, supporting resources and a live facilitated Zoom session.

How the course works

• Flexible online learning: Work through each recorded module and its activities at a time that suits you.
• Weekly modules: A new module is released every Tuesday for four weeks, starting on 2 March 2027.
• Live facilitated session: Join a 90-minute Zoom session on Wednesday 24 March 2027 to explore what you’ve learnt, discuss practical applications and ask questions.
• Connection with peers: Join the course’s Zoom Chat to share reflections, ask questions and connect with others working in the sector. An invitation link will be provided.

We encourage you to complete all four modules before the live facilitated session so you can get the most out of the discussion.

Course dates

All module release times are Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

• Module 1: Tuesday 2 March 2027 at 10:00am AEDT
• Module 2: Tuesday 9 March 2027 at 10:00am AEDT
• Module 3: Tuesday 16 March 2027 at 10:00am AEDT
• Module 4: Tuesday 23 March 2027 at 10:00am AEDT

These are release times, rather than scheduled live sessions. You can watch the recordings at a time that suits you.

Live facilitated Zoom session: Wednesday 24 March 2027, 11:00am–12:30pm AEDT

Please note that the live session takes place the day after Module 4 is released.

Live session times by state and territory

• Victoria, NSW, ACT and Tasmania: 11:00am–12:30pm
• South Australia: 10:30am–12:00 noon
• Queensland: 10:00am–11:30am
• Northern Territory: 9:30am–11:00am
• Western Australia: 8:00am–9:30am

What does the training cover?

The course takes you through the steps required to identify policy priorities and develop targeted advocacy strategies to make change happen.

Topics include:

• Articulating a clear problem and ask
• Identifying targets and influencers
• Understanding how social change happens
• Communicating clear messages and making the case for change
• Developing clear advocacy strategy objectives
• Understanding advocacy cycles
• Developing innovative advocacy tactics
• Developing advocacy strategies
• Putting what you’ve learnt into practice

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you will be better equipped to:

• Define a clear policy problem and ask.
• Identify and research targets and influencers who can help achieve policy change.
• Apply social change theory to assess the policy environment.
• Understand the four advocacy cycles, including the political and public policy advocacy cycles, and identify opportunities to engage.
• Communicate your desired policy change effectively.
• Develop a targeted advocacy strategy.

What’s included?

• Four recorded webinar modules
• A 90-minute live facilitated Zoom session
• All training PowerPoint slides
• The Advocacy Strategy Template
• Practical tools, activities and supporting resources
• Access to the course’s Zoom Chat

The Advocacy Strategy Template and supporting resources can be used in your workplace to develop an advocacy strategy from beginning to end.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for people working in the for-purpose sector who want to influence government and achieve policy change.

It is particularly relevant to people working in policy, advocacy, government relations and communications roles.

What participants say

“Incredible and engaging facilitator! Format was accessible, and I could adapt to my schedule! Thank you!”

Nicole Ascaino, CID

“Easily my favourite takeaway from the course is the Advocacy Strategy Template. Appreciate the step-by-step guidance and broad consideration of all factors to consider when developing an advocacy strategy.”

Kathleen Blackburn, Cancer Council WA

“Thank you for the Policy & Advocacy Intensive sessions, I found them very valuable and helpful to ground my work in more direction and strategy.”

Ashwini, ESSA

About the facilitator

Caterina Giorgi is the Founder of For Purpose. She has worked in purpose-driven organisations for almost two decades, including most recently as CEO of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE).

She is also the Chair of Australian Progress, a Founding Member of Women in Public Health and an Ambassador of NOFASD. She has previously served on the boards of YMCA Canberra and Fair Agenda.

Caterina has presented at conferences, delivered training and consulted with organisations on strategy, advocacy, government relations and public policy. She has contributed to legislative and policy changes at all levels of government in health and social policy.

Caterina holds an honours degree in public health and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).