Why this Winter School?
Evidence alone rarely changes policy.
Public health advocacy is not only about having strong evidence. Evidence matters — but evidence alone rarely changes policy. Effective advocacy requires strategy, timing, coalitions, communication, political understanding, persistence and the ability to respond to opposition, misinformation and competing interests.
This Winter School is designed for advocates who want to learn how to move from knowledge to influence, from concern to strategy, and from evidence to policy impact. This is not a conference. It is a practical advocacy lab.
Who is it for?
The Winter School is designed for civil society leaders, NGO professionals, prevention and public health practitioners, youth advocates, public health campaigners, coalition coordinators, researchers and professionals working on alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, other drugs, mental health, wellbeing, youth, families, communities and evidence-based public policies.
Leave with a campaign plan, not just notes.
Many advocacy trainings explain concepts. This Winter School focuses on practice. Participants will work on real advocacy challenges and leave with a draft personalised advocacy campaign plan and a clear understanding of what to do next when they return home.
What participants will receive
Included
The fee includes full participation in the 4-day interactive Winter School, practical group work, personalised advocacy planning, all course materials, a user-friendly advocacy handbook, a copy of Prevention Gone Wrong by Matej Košir, coffee breaks, lunches, certificate of participation and one year of free individual advisory support for participants who continue developing their advocacy campaigns after the course.
Not included
Travel, accommodation, dinners, local transport, visa costs, travel insurance and personal expenses are not included.
One-year follow-up advisory support
Policy change takes time. Advocacy rarely ends when a training course ends. Every participant will receive one year of free individual advisory support after the Winter School, focused on further development and implementation of their advocacy campaign. Support may include feedback on strategy, review of campaign materials, advice on messaging, stakeholder planning, policy briefs, letters and public statements.
Programme
Four days. Four practical outputs. Exact daily timetable to be confirmed.
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Day 1
Understanding advocacy: evidence, policy and power
Why evidence alone is not enough; how policy change happens; defining the real problem; windows of opportunity; political and institutional context; lessons from successful and less successful campaigns.
Practical output: Advocacy problem statement.
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Day 2
Strategy: stakeholders, coalitions and policy pathways
Stakeholder mapping; power analysis; identifying allies, opponents and undecided actors; building and managing coalitions; realistic policy objectives; theory of change; working with policymakers and institutions.
Practical output: Advocacy strategy canvas.
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Day 3
Communication: messages, media and public narrative
Message framing; public narratives; writing for policymakers; media work and interviews; social media advocacy; responding to misinformation; dealing with industry arguments; avoiding polarisation and communication traps.
Practical output: Key messages, short policy pitch and draft communication product.
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Day 4
Campaign Lab: from plan to implementation
Campaign planning; tactics and sequencing; timelines and responsibilities; risk assessment; monitoring and evaluation of advocacy; sustaining motivation and coalition energy; next steps after the Winter School.
Practical output: Draft personalised advocacy campaign plan.
Trainer
The Winter School will be led by Matej Košir, Director of the Institute for Research and Development “Utrip” in Slovenia and an experienced public health and prevention advocate with more than 20 years of advocacy experience at national, European and global levels.
His advocacy work has covered alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, illicit drug policy, prevention, public health, civil society participation and evidence-based policymaking. His experience includes both successful and less successful campaigns, because practical advocacy learning comes from both.
- Repeated efforts to prevent weakening of cannabis legislation and legalisation proposals in Slovenia
- Contribution to tobacco policy developments in Slovenia, including one of the stricter and more progressive tobacco control frameworks internationally
- Strategic contributions to alcohol policy discussions and reforms
- Engagement in European drug policy strategies
- Global advocacy for stronger prevention policy within UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs and UNODC processes
- Advocacy for early prevention, evidence-based prevention systems and meaningful civil society participation
- Author of Prevention Gone Wrong
Venue
The Winter School will take place at Impact Hub Ljubljana, Slovenska cesta 56, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. The venue is centrally located, close to hotels in different categories and price ranges, and near the main bus and railway station. It offers a modern and flexible setting for interactive learning, group work and networking.
Why Ljubljana?
Ljubljana is a compact, safe and accessible European capital. The February timing is outside the busiest travel season, which can make accommodation more accessible and affordable. Participants will receive practical travel and accommodation information after registration.
All participants who complete the four-day programme will receive a Certificate of Participation issued by UTRIP Institute / Prevention Impact Lab.
FAQ
Is travel included?
No. Participants arrange and cover their own travel, accommodation, dinners, local transport and personal expenses.
What is included in the fee?
The fee includes the full 4-day course, course materials, advocacy handbook, Prevention Gone Wrong book, coffee breaks, lunches, certificate of participation and one year of free individual advisory support.
What is the language of the course?
The course will be delivered in English.
Where will the course take place?
Impact Hub Ljubljana, Slovenska cesta 56, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Is the venue close to public transport?
Yes. The venue is centrally located and close to the main bus and railway station.
Will participants receive a certificate?
Yes. Participants who complete the 4-day programme will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Do I need to have an advocacy campaign already?
No, but participants are encouraged to bring a real issue, policy challenge or campaign idea they want to work on during the course.
Can organisations register more than one participant?
Yes. Complete checkout once per participant, or contact us if you need a grouped arrangement.
Ready to turn evidence into policy impact?
Join the Global Advocacy Winter School 2027 in Ljubljana and leave with a practical, personalised advocacy campaign plan you can start implementing when you return home.
Early bird fee: EUR 750 until 30 November 2026 · Regular fee: EUR 850