Introduction
A guide with resources, directories and media about strategic planning collated by the Democracy Resource Hub.
- Access movement strategy development tools and campaign planning resources for democratic renewal.
- Learn to analyze political landscapes, set strategic goals, and build powerful coalitions.
- Discover adaptive management techniques and impact measurement strategies for long-term advocacy planning and effective resource allocation.
What is strategic planning and why is it important for democracy?
Strategic planning offers tools to chart the course for democratic renewal. It is a systematic process of setting clear objectives for strengthening democratic institutions and developing strategies to achieve them. Strategic planning helps:
- Align around a shared vision and mission for democratic renewal
- Analyze the political landscape to identify opportunities and challenges
- Set clear, measurable goals and objectives
- Build strong, diverse coalitions
- Balance short-term actions with long-term transformation goals
- Provide a framework for informed decision-making and adaptation
In today’s complex political landscape, strategic planning is crucial for coordinating efforts, using resources efficiently, and ensuring sustained impact towards democratic transformation.
How does strategic planning fit into the broader movement for democratic renewal?
Strategic Planning integrates with other key approaches:
Strengthening Democracy: Ensures strategies achieve both short-term goals and long-term resilience.
Power-Building: Leverages nonviolent action to amplify marginalized voices and drive systemic change.
- ChangeMakers Organising School – Online Course (Videos)
- How to Make a Difference: 5 Steps to be an Effective Change Maker
Peacebuilding: Helps manage conflicts, build trust, and create a cooperative environment.
- Why coalition building isn’t about the coalition: Listening, leading, and making change happen
- SNAP: Synergizing Nonviolent Action and Peacebuilding: An Action Guide
Narrative & Storytelling: Frames issues compellingly, mobilizes support, and sustains public engagement.
Strategic Planning Skillsets & Resources
How can we develop a comprehensive strategic plan?
Strategic planning is the foundation for effective democratic renewal efforts. It provides a roadmap for translating vision into action, ensuring that initiatives are well-coordinated, resources are used efficiently, and progress can be measured. A comprehensive strategic plan helps organizations and movements stay focused on long-term goals while adapting to changing circumstances.
Key elements of strategic planning include:
- Vision, Values & Mission
- Assessment & Evaluation
- SMARTT Goals & Objectives
- Strategies
- Implementation Plans, Tactics & Actions
Each of these resources provides comprehensive understanding of the stages of strategic planning:
- Beautiful Action Trainer Modules (BATMo): (toolkit)
- SNAP Action Guide: Synergizing Nonviolent Action and Peacebuilding: (action guide)
- Beautiful Trouble Toolbox (resource library)
- Movement Ecology (self-paced mini course)
- The Social Change Ecosystem (framework)
Case Studies of Strategic Planning:
Where do I start?
Begin with these assessment and mapping tools:
- Power Mapping to Design a Winning Campaign Strategy
- How to Map a Movement
- Spectrum of allies
- Pillars of Support
Visit the Power-Building & Nonviolent Action page for more strategic nonviolent action resources.
How can we effectively organize and plan campaigns?
Effective organizing and campaign planning involve community organizing, digital organizing, and campaign strategy development. These skills help empower communities and build leadership for sustainable democratic renewal efforts. Here are resources for each area:
Community Organizing
- Global Organizing and Leadership Development GOLD: Interactive, Self Paced Mini Courses on Organising
- Guide to Organizing from the Leading Change Network
- Grassroots Community Organizing Fundamentals for Beginners
Visit the Power-Building & Nonviolent Action page for more Grassroots and Community Organizing resources.
Digital Organizing
Campaign Planning
- Systems Thinking for Campaigning and Organizing
- Guide to Campaign and Movement Building by the Leading Change Network
- Online Strategic Campaign Training for Organizers
- Guide for Trainers about Organizing, Narrative, Campaign and Movement Building
Facilitation & Decision Making
- Beautiful Action Trainer Modules (BATMo) (Modules 6, 8, 9, and 10)
- SNAP Action Guide: Synergizing Nonviolent Action and Peacebuilding (Units 2, 3, & 4)
- Gamestorming: A Set of Innovative Co-creation Tools
Visit the Peacebuilding page for more decision-making resources.
How can we build an inclusive and diverse coalition?
Coalition Building involves building alliances among diverse groups based on shared democratic values and goals. Effective coalition building amplifies impact by pooling diverse resources, expertise, and constituencies to form a unified force for change. Here are some resources to learn more:
- Coalition Building: Start Here
- Justice, Diversity & Inclusion: Start Here
- Five Principles for Building Powerful Coalitions
- Social Identity and Group Norms
- Cultivating Contact: A Guide to Building Bridges and Meaningful Connections Between Groups
Visit the Strengthening Democracy page for more resources about nonpartisan improve democracy.
Strategic Planning Directory
The Democracy Resource Hub Directory is organized into three groups:
- Networks: Organizations to join and work with.
- Training Organizations: Offering workshops, trainings, webinars and courses.
- Resource Libraries: Information hubs for deeper exploration.
The directories on this page only include organizations and libraries related to “Strategic Planning.” (Full Directory listing available here)
Directory Navigation Tips:
- Click on the Organization/Resource tile for more information.
- Directory entries include a short “Summary,” a longer “Description,” website link, and other information.
- Use Table View for easy viewing on mobile devices, or for dynamic spreadsheets on desktops.
- Use Filter (on desktops) to focus on the specific information you’re looking for, such as skillsets, target audience, learning goals, location. (Learn more: How to Filter).
Strategic Planning Network Directory
Strategic Planning Training Directory
Strategic Planning Resource Library Directory
Featured Media
Books
- Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World by Deepak Bhargava and Stephanie Luce
- Cascades: How to Create a Movement that Drives Transformational Change by Greg Satell
Articles/Essays
- “Making our demands both practical and visionary Mark Engler and Paul Engler
- “Five Strategies to Support U.S. Democracy” by Rachel Kleinfeld
- “The Relational Work of Systems Change” By Katherine Milligan, Juanita Zerda & John Kania
Podcasts
Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World
Based on their book Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World, Deepak Bhargava and Stephanie Luce talk with some of the leading progressive organizers and thinkers today and share insights crucial for the fight to build a better society.Deepak Bhargava and Stephanie Luce
Recommended Episodes:
- What is Strategy? With Maria Poblet and Alex Hertel-Fernandez
- Abolitionism & the Seven Strategies with Manisha Sinha
Videos & Movies
Credit: The Artwork on the Democracy Resource Hub logo is by Veronika Belcheva (CC-BY-NC-SA).