How to Become a National Alliance

There is a great deal of work and commitment required to form an effective, dynamic, and sustainable National Alliance.  Typical start-up efforts have been undertaken by interested individuals and organizations in a country with support from the Global Secretariat. These members join the global alliance and link with other WRA members in their country to discuss this process and build consensus on how to proceed in forming an alliance in a collective manner.  The Global Secretariat provides information and guidance; resources such as strategic planning and advocacy documents; and information and contacts on how to link this new group with relevant partners and other WRA National Alliances.  Another useful resource is the manual, Building, Maintaining and Sustaining WRA National Alliances - which provides practical steps to consider in the creation and activities of a National Alliance. 

In forming National Alliances, it is important to strive towards a broad geographic reach; a robust National Alliance will have members from across the country, not just in the capital city or a single town or region. National Alliances should be formed to be self-sustaining, with mechanisms in-place to be able to leverage support – both funding and in-kind contributions – from alliance members and donor agencies.

A National Alliance differs from a short-term coalition or loosely-organized group of engaged WRA members, in that it is formed to accomplish long-term, country-specific objectives, through participatory strategic planning and collective action by the National Alliance’s members. The direction and goals of WRA National Alliances inform and are aligned with the WRA Global Strategic Plan.

If you are working with a group of WRA members in a country where there is not already a WRA National Alliance and would like to learn more about forming a National Alliance in your country, an important first step is to communicate your intention to the Global Secretariat (info@whiteribbonalliance.org) so that they can provide guidance.