On November 21, 2024, GRAAM (Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement), co-hosting with IDinsight, participated in the impactful session titled “Evidence-Based Advocacy: Strategies for Influencing Government and Policy” during the DoDM 2024: A Conference on Management for Social Change. Held at the prestigious Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, the event was a convergence of thought leaders, policymakers, and practitioners dedicated to fostering large-scale, sustainable change in the social sector.
Insights from the Session
Moderated by Neha Raykar, Director, IDinsight, the session featured an eminent panel:
- Dr. Basavaraju R Shrestha, Executive Director, GRAAM
- Ms. Shilpa Nag, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka
- Mr. Madhukar Banuri, Founder, Leadership for Equity
- Mr. Praveen Khanghta, Head, Strategy, Investment, and Portfolio Development, The Convergence Foundation
The discussion centered on actionable frameworks for leveraging evidence in advocacy and the pivotal role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in influencing governance and policy.
Grounding Governance in Community Realities: A Practical Perspective
Drawing from GRAAM’s extensive experience, Dr. Basavaraju R Shrestha highlighted the necessity of grounding advocacy in the lived experiences of local communities. He showcased GRAAM’s impactful work in advocating for the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the MGNREGA program, exemplifying how CSOs can champion marginalized voices often overlooked in policy discussions.
“True transformation,” Dr. Shrestha noted, “requires CSOs to focus on the marginalized, whose issues often go unnoticed, rather than solely aligning with government priorities, which are typically addressed through existing channels.”
He emphasized the disconnect between policy frameworks and on-ground realities, advocating for sustained engagement with policymakers to bridge this gap.
Driving Inclusive Systems through Evidence-Based Advocacy
The session explored how CSOs can use data-driven insights to foster inclusive systems that represent the needs and leverage the potential of grassroots communities. This approach, Dr. Shrestha stressed, amplifies the collective strength of communities and enhances governance.
A Platform for Collaboration and Impact
With 5 thematic tracks and 21 interactive sessions, DoDM 2024 provided participants with tools, networks, and actionable strategies to advance their mission of building, managing, and expanding organisations, partnerships, and networks for sustaining development impact at scale. GRAAM’s role in the conference underscored its commitment to evidence-based solutions and the strengthening of civil society organizations as critical development actors.
The Path Forward
As GRAAM reflects on the meaningful dialogues at DoDM 2024, it remains steadfast in its mission to collaborate with communities, policymakers, and partners to address critical societal challenges. Through initiatives like this, GRAAM continues to champion evidence-driven advocacy as a powerful tool to drive social equity and transformative change.
GRAAM’s participation in the event is a testament to its vision of bridging policy and practice to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
