There are a range of different tools and levers women's organisations can use to lobby statutory bodies, get their voices heard and hold public bodies to account. Please note that some of this policy is currently undergoing changes under the new Coalition Government.

• The local agenda - how to get your voice heard (107KB)

This briefing is useful as an overarching picture of current policy levers that women's groups can use to influence locally.

There is also an online version of this briefing written in 2009 including relevant links, much of which is still relevant.

• Greater devolution of decision making from Whitehall to local authorities and local people: Opportunities for influencing (64KB)

This factsheet flags up why devolution is important and outlines key mechanisms groups can use to influence local decision making.

NCVO have also produced a briefing on the localism agenda.

The Federation for Community Development Learning have produced a guide for community groups on engaging and influencing decision-makers which may be useful.

Tools for engaging locally

• Policy Framework Tool
• Policy Framework Tool for using the Gender Equality Duty
• Notes on using the Policy Framework Tool

This is an overarching, conceptual tool you can use to start thinking about the key mechanisms and frameworks you can use for different issues your organisation might be facing. This was a tool developed as part of our participatory action research project.