S.M.A.R.T.I.E.E. Goals

For advocacy to be effective in driving change, it needs to be:

Strategic

It reflects an important dimension of what you or your organisation seeks to accomplish.

Measurable

It includes standards by which people can agree on whether the goal has been met (by numbers or defined qualities).

Ambitious

It’s challenging enough that achievement would mean significant progress.

Realistic

It’s not so challenging as to indicate lack of thought about resources or execution; and is possible to track and worth the time and energy to do so.

Time-bound

It includes a clear deadline.

Intersectional (Inclusive)

It brings marginalised people, particularly those most impacted, into processes, activities, and decision/policy-making in a way that shares power.

Equitable

It includes an element of fairness or justice that seeks to address systemic injustice, inequity, or oppression.

Evolutionary

Consider whether you can evolve your advocacy over time? If so, how?


This article is from our Y Advocacy Toolkit, a collection of practical tips and advice navigating advocacy in Australia will help you to identify policy areas of particular interest to you, and who you can talk to about creating change. Want to get more involved in advocacy but don’t know where to start? Why not join our Cyber Feminists (CBF)?

YWCA Australia wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work, live and play and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise First Nations people as the custodians of the lands, seas and skies, with more than 60,000 years of wisdom, connection and relationship in caring for Country.

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