Sharing skills and knowledge for an Ireland that protects

The Irish Refugee Council (IRC) and Oxfam Ireland’s ‘Activists and Advocates’ project aims to enhance the advocacy capacities of refugees asylum seekers and migrants and activists. All workshops are open to anyone committed to social justice and meaningful change including those actively working to advance the rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.

We have organised seven batches of workshops on a variety of topics identified by rights holders including ‘Understanding Irish and EU migration and asylum policy’, ‘Communications and Media Skills’ and ‘Advocacy Planning’. The project has been funded by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC).

We are currently planning phase two so keep an eye on our social media for updates.

Background

The ‘Activists and Advocates’ project grew out of workshops that Oxfam and IRC co-organised on ‘how can grassroots groups and NGOs be stronger together’. Participants in that workshop advised our organisations to plan workshops and trainings on how we do advocacy as participants said they wanted the tools to self-advocate. The topics of the workshops of Activists and Advocates came from these suggestions.

Participants talked about their concrete learning outcomes:

• “Now I know who to contact and how to send a proposal”.
• “Useful methodology of accessing TDs”.
• “Gained knowledge and confidence to plan next steps in lobbying”.

Participants learned how Irish advocacy works with several describing the process as newly “clear” and “doable.” Interviewees highlighted concrete takeaways like targeting TDs and writing effective introductory letters.

• “Workshops served as a networking hub for people”
• Facilitators “really know how to engage and pass on information.” 

You can read full independent evaluation report of Activists and Advocates project below.

This project has received funding from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Grants Scheme as part of the Commission's statutory power to provide grants to promote human rights and equality under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.