Self-reflection invite

Before moving to Tool 5, take a moment to reflect on where you stand. Open Section A of your handbook and check:

1. Have you identified at least 3 allies from different levels of the stakeholder ecosystem? Your allies should not all come from the same circle. A federation contact, a municipal officer, and a health authority representative give you far more leverage than three contacts from the same world.
2. For each ally, can you articulate what YOU offer THEM, not just what you need? The strongest advocacy relationships are mutual. If you can only describe what you want from someone, you are not ready to approach them yet.
3. Have  you wrote down the two most important policy windows in your calendar for the next twelve months?

If yes, you are ready for Tool 5, where you will build the messages to bring to each ally.

Going further

This tool gives you the RESM-specific perspective on stakeholders. To deepen your advocacy practice with a broader, action-oriented methodology, the ISCA Active Voice Advocacy course (learn.isca.org) is a recommended companion. Particularly relevant alongside Tool 4:

• Module 1, Topic 1.2 – Five target audiences and how to engage each
• Module 3, Topic 3.5 – Partnership types and coalition-building best practices
• Module 4, Topic 4.1 – Action areas, tactics, and timeline planning

The two courses are complementary, not redundant. RESM brings the evidence base on European sport realities. Active Voice brings the practical advocacy methodology. The RESM Advocacy Compass (your handbook) remains the central place to capture your own thinking as you progress through this toolkit.

What comes next

You know your allies, you have positioned your organisation and you have spotted the windows of opportunity ahead. Now: what do you actually say to each of these actors?

In Tool 5, you will find ready-to-use messages grounded in RESM evidence, templates for different audiences, and a five-step framework to build your own.

The data you gathered in Tools 2 and 3, combined with the allies and timing you identified here, becomes a complete advocacy toolkit when paired with the right words.