ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how collaboration among social movements, activists, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) promotes advocacy in West Africa. Although the proliferation and active involvement of social movements, activists, and NGOs in civic mobilization have been seen in recent years, there is limited empirical research on how these civil society actors collaborate with each other or on the value added by such collaborations in terms of advocacy. Drawing on interviews and focus group discussions, the chapter finds that, while collaborations enhance advocacy through amplifying voices, increasing impact, and enhancing credibility and visibility, transnational advocacy collaboration among NGOs, social movements, and activists in West Africa is limited. The findings also indicate that the dependence of social movements and activists on donor funding results in a lack of reciprocal accountability by NGOs and unequal power dynamics, which has unintended consequences for effective collaboration. The findings highlight the need for more transnational advocacy collaboration among social movements, activists, and NGOs.
