Election Countdown: How You Can Prepare Now for Maximum Impact
With two years until the next Northern Ireland Assembly election and local council elections also on the horizon, now is the time for charities and voluntary organisations to lay the groundwork for advocacy success.
Too often, organisations wait until an election is called to start lobbying. But by then, party policies are already shaped, candidates are selected, and key funding decisions have been made.
At Policy360, I help organisations like yours plan ahead, build relationships, and ensure their priorities are on the political agenda well before election season kicks in. By acting now, you can hit the ground running when the campaign period begins, rather than scrambling to get heard.
Why You Need to Start Now
1️⃣ There Are TWO Elections—Who Should You Target?
In 2027, both the Assembly and council elections will take place. This means charities must think strategically about which level of government they need to influence.
Assembly MLAs make big-picture policy and funding decisions that impact sectors like health, education, social welfare, and the economy.
Councillors oversee local services, planning, and community funding—they can be key allies in building local momentum for change.
✔ Policy360 can help you map out the decision-makers who matter most to your cause and tailor your advocacy approach accordingly.
2️⃣ Political Parties Are Already Thinking About Manifestos
Party policy teams and advisers start shaping their manifestos 12-18 months before an election. By the time the campaign starts, it’s too late to influence key commitments.
✔ What to do now: Work with Policy360 to develop clear, solution-focused asks that align with party priorities, so your issues are included in manifestos before they’re finalised.
3️⃣ Public Support is the Key to Political Buy-in
Politicians back policies that win votes. If your issue isn’t visible to the public, it’s unlikely to make it onto their agenda.
✔ What to do now: Policy360 can help your organisation build a compelling campaign strategy, use media effectively, and mobilise grassroots support.
4️⃣ The Right Relationships Now Mean Access Later
Once the election is called, candidates are flooded with requests. Building relationships now—before they’re overwhelmed—means they’ll already be familiar with your work and more likely to engage when it matters most.
✔ What to do now: With Policy360, we can create a targeted engagement plan, ensuring you’re meeting with the right people at the right time.
How Policy360 Can Help You Prepare
I work with charities and voluntary organisations to ensure their advocacy is strategic, effective, and timely. Here’s how I can support you in the lead-up to the 2027 elections:
✅ Policy Positioning: Refining your key policy asks so they’re clear, evidence-based, and politically relevant.
✅ Stakeholder Mapping: Identifying which politicians and parties to target and the best way to approach them.
✅ Messaging & Campaigning: Helping you craft a compelling narrative that resonates with decision-makers and the public.
✅ Engagement Planning: Creating a timeline of key moments to act, from party conferences to manifesto consultations.
✅ Training & Support: Equipping your team with the skills and confidence to lobby effectively.
Final Thought: Be Election-Ready, Not Election-Panicked
If you wait until the election is called to start engaging, you’re already behind. The voluntary and community sector plays a vital role in shaping policy—but only if it acts early.
At Policy360, I can help you prepare now, so when the campaign period begins, you’re ready to make an impact.
👉 Let’s start the conversation now. If you want to be election-ready, get in touch to see how I can support your organisation.
Struggling to Get Policymakers to Listen? Here’s Why (and How to Fix It).
You’ve done the research.
You’ve written the policy brief.
You’ve sent the email… And then? Silence.
📌 No reply.
📌 No action.
📌 No change.
It’s not that policymakers don’t care—it’s that they don’t have time for unclear, unfocused, or overly long messages.
If your policy message isn’t clear, concise, and aligned with their priorities, it will get ignored.
That’s why I’ve created this practical, no-fluff course to show you:
✅ The 3-step formula for a message that gets read—and acted on
✅ How to structure the perfect one-page policy brief
✅ How to frame your ask so it aligns with what policymakers care about
Policymakers will listen—when you know how to make them.
💡 Want a bargain? Get 20% OFF (Use code 20OFF)
🔗 Sign up here.
Until next time.
Ellen