Best Lobbying Campaign
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy – Lobbying to secure therapeutic interventions in Northern Ireland’s schools
BACP launched a campaign in March 2023 advocating for the continuation of the Healthy Happy Minds (HHM) primary school counselling programme in Northern Ireland. The campaign emerged in response to the Department of Education’s decision to cut funding for the programme, which provided critical mental health support to primary school students. The BACP, in collaboration with the British Association of Art Therapists, initiated a member-facing campaign to influence the decision, resulting in substantial support from members and generating over 4,225 emails to MPs and MLAs.
Despite this effort, funding ceased in April 2023 due to fiscal challenges and Northern Ireland’s fractured political institutions. BACP subsequently formed a coalition with leading therapeutic and mental health organisations to push for the programme’s reinstatement. This coalition produced a comprehensive report, launched on World Children’s Day, highlighting the importance of school-based counselling.
The campaign successfully engaged political leaders, securing cross-party support and influencing policy discussions. It resulted in meetings with key political figures, contributions to the All Party Mental Health Group’s report, and commitments from influential community leaders. Despite minimal costs, the campaign significantly amplified the voices of counsellors and reinforced BACP’s leadership role in advocating for mental health services in schools.
Independent Healthcare Providers Network – Patient choice in the NHS
When patients actively choose the provider of their NHS care they can save weeks or even months off their waiting time. IHPN campaigned for government to promote and strengthen patient choice in the NHS, leading to the Prime Minister announcing major reforms to do just that. Alongside this, IHPN’s work led to a cross-party consensus on the issue with Labour also announcing that in office it would also strengthen patient choice. All this work has benefitted patients, but also IHPN members who have the opportunity to treat more patients and help get waiting times down.
Institute of Directors in South Africa – IoDSA advocating for good corporate governance
The Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA) is a professional body advocating for good corporate governance. With its vision of enhancing directors and boards, it aims to improve business practices in South Africa. IoDSA pushes for directorship professionalization, emphasizing competence, adherence to codes of conduct, and continuous development. In a regulated and political landscape, IoDSA promotes awareness of directorship as a profession, seeking preference for its members in non-executive roles. The organization issues director designations and thought leadership, engages with government, and conducts media campaigns to raise public awareness. It emphasizes the need for specific competencies and qualifications for directors, especially in listed companies and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). IoDSA stresses the ethical and independent qualities directors should possess, offering professional designations with a focus on continuous learning and adherence to a code of conduct. While acknowledging that professionalization alone won’t eradicate incompetence or corruption, IoDSA believes it provides a framework for ensuring directors meet required standards and can be held accountable. Through various initiatives and engagements, IoDSA endeavours to elevate the practice of directorship for the betterment of South African businesses.
International Meat Trade Association – IMTA Lobbying Campaign: Carcase Balance Postcards
The International Meat Trade Association (IMTA), a UK-based trade association with over 125 years of history, represents companies involved in meat import and export to ensure consumer choice, food security, and carcase balance. IMTA’s members have a combined turnover of over four billion pounds and employ more than 15,000 people. The IMTA’s mission is to facilitate meat trade and provide expertise on UK trade policy.
To highlight the importance of carcase balance and two-way trade, IMTA launched a lobbying campaign using carcase balance postcards. IMTA developed informative graphics that simplified complex trade principles, making them accessible to a broad audience. These graphics were initially in A4 format but were later adapted into postcards for easier distribution.
Four postcards were created, each dedicated to a different meat species—beef, pork, poultry, and lamb—and included QR codes linking to additional resources. These postcards were distributed to government officials, industry stakeholders, IMTA members, and the public through meetings, industry events, and social media.
The campaign aimed to increase understanding of carcase balance, promote two-way trade, and secure supportive policies. Success was measured through engagement levels and member feedback. The campaign was highly effective, receiving positive feedback and influencing discussions and decision-making within the industry.
Nautilus International – Nautilus forces Lloyd’s Register to the negotiating table
Nautilus International’s dynamic lobbying campaign compelled Lloyd’s Register, a leading maritime classification service, to negotiate pay with its Netherlands branch. Faced with high inflation eroding their purchasing power while upper management enjoyed significant bonuses, Lloyd’s Register employees turned to Nautilus for support.
Employing a mix of soft and hard tactics, Nautilus raised awareness of Lloyd’s Register’s anti-union stance. The campaign kicked off with a ‘friendly protest’ outside the Rotterdam office, where union officials handed out ice cream and leaflets. Despite these efforts, the company blocked union activities and refused to meet.
Undeterred, Nautilus organised a petition signed by 90 employees, demanding recognition and pay rises in line with inflation. Union officials and employee representatives then travelled from Rotterdam to London to present the petition to Lloyd’s Register’s CEO, but were locked out of the HQ. This snub was captured on video and shared widely on social media, amplifying their message.
When soft tactics failed, Nautilus threatened legal action, citing Dutch case law where the Supreme Court upheld unions’ rights to negotiate collective agreements. This pressure finally brought Lloyd’s Register to the negotiating table.
News Media Association – Repeal Section 40
Over the past decade, the NMA has campaigned for the repeal of Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act – a pernicious piece of legislation which would force publishers to pay both sides’ costs in court actions, even if they won the case. The powerful communications and lobbying campaign involving multiple stakeholders sought to educate the public about the threat to press freedom and democracy posed by the legislation, and Parliamentarians about the need for repeal. The campaign bore fruit in May this year when Section 40 was repealed via provisions in the Media Bill which received Royal Assent on 24 May during wash up before the dissolution of Parliament.
STEP – STEP Global Representative Power
STEP embarked on a ground-breaking initiative to address the lack of globally recognised frameworks for managing mental incapacity, posing risks of financial abuse worldwide. Through the STEP Global Representative Power (GRP), a model lasting power of attorney (LPA), STEP aimed to establish consistency and portability across borders. Despite the ambitious goal of global adoption, STEP focused on initial targets, notably the Cayman Islands and Malaysia, leveraging local branches to raise awareness. The impact of just one jurisdiction adopting the GRP principles is substantial, potentially safeguarding entire populations from financial exploitation. Positive developments include the Cayman Islands considering legislation aligned with GRP hallmarks and Malaysia establishing a task force for capacity laws. STEP’s advocacy efforts extended to engaging with the European Commission and collaborating with Alzheimer’s Disease International, garnering global support. With minimal costs incurred, the project’s value lies in its potential to protect vulnerable individuals worldwide, demonstrating STEP’s commitment to addressing pressing global challenges.
