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3 Model for an Impact Strategy Module

In this section, you will learn: 3

? The difference between an impact strategy and a communications activities
? What are the basic components of an Impact Strategy
Abu Dhabi, UAE
? How global organizations and countries of the region have developed strategies so that their
assessments might have impact on decision making

3.1 Attributes of Impact Strategies and a Communications Activities

An impact strategy incorporates communications activities combined with a good understanding
of government relations and the political context as practiced by various advocacy groups. With
communications strategies, it is necessary to identify key recipients of the assessment, prepare
key messages and products that will help them grasp the essentials of the research, and identify
appropriate channels to deliver those messages and products, including the media, participation
in events (e.g., conferences, workshops), electronic delivery via e-mail and web. In Module 7, you
will learn more about the full range of tools and tactics available for production and release of the
reports and its supplementary products.

Table 1 An Impact Strategy builds on Communications activities in
several respects:

Impact Strategy Communications Activities
Purpose Focused on effecting change, and on the Focused on the effective and efficient
potential of your role as a change agent. communications of the findings and rec-
ommendations.

Audience Small group of key actors and those who Broader audiences.
have access to them.

Timing Developed at the beginning of the as- Part of the impact strategy; usually imple-
sessment process, and monitored and mented towards the end of the strategy
adjusted throughout the process. when findings and recommendations are
known.

Source: Creech, et al. (2006)

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