How can you use non-profit evaluation results to change policy?

1 Identify your policy goals

Before you use your evaluation results to change policy, you need to have a clear idea of what policy change you want to achieve and why. This means defining your policy problem, your policy solution, and your policy audience. Your policy problem is the issue or challenge that your program addresses, such as poverty, inequality, or environmental degradation. Your policy solution is the specific action or recommendation that you want policymakers to adopt, such as a new law, a budget allocation, or a reform. Your policy audience is the group or individual that has the power or influence to make or implement the policy change, such as a minister, a parliamentarian, or a civil servant.

2 Communicate your findings

Once you have your policy goals, you need to communicate your evaluation results in a way that is relevant, credible, and persuasive for your policy audience. This means tailoring your message, your format, and your channel to suit their needs and preferences. Your message is the main point or argument that you want to convey, based on your evaluation results and your policy solution. Your format is the type and style of communication product that you use, such as a report, a brief, a presentation, or a video. Your channel is the medium and method that you use to deliver your communication product, such as a meeting, a workshop, a website, or a social media platform.

3 Build relationships

Communication is not enough to change policy; you also need to build relationships with your policy audience and other stakeholders who can support or oppose your policy goals. This means engaging in dialogue, collaboration, and networking to establish trust, credibility, and influence. Dialogue is the exchange of ideas and information between you and your policy audience, where you listen to their perspectives, concerns, and feedback, and respond to their questions and objections. Collaboration is the joint work and action that you and your policy audience undertake to achieve a common goal, such as a pilot project, a research study, or a campaign. Networking is the creation and maintenance of contacts and connections with other actors who can provide information, resources, or advocacy for your policy goals, such as other non-profits, academics, media, or donors.