The LEAD framework captures EarthRights’ community-centered approach to campaigning, legal advocacy, and training. It includes formal approaches, which are described in more detail in their user guides, as well as activities that can support those approaches, which are described here. In addition, the LEAD Library brings together numerous how-to guides, case studies, and background information in one place to provide more in-depth information on implementing the activities and approaches.
LEAD Builds Community Power
Success with LEAD is defined by contributing to the community’s power to create and lead their own campaigns. A successful LEAD approach helps community members to:
- Understand their rights
- Collect the information they need to create and support their position
- Identify actions they can take to protect and defend their rights
- Implement strategies to build strong, community-led campaigns
- Have the confidence to speak out about the issues facing them and lead their own advocacy
- Continue to protect and defend their communities independently and for the long term
What is LEAD?
LEAD is a framework that aims to capture EarthRights’ community-centered approach to campaigning, legal advocacy, and training. It outlines ways to support community-led campaigns by helping communities to:
- Understand their rights and the obligations on the part of both private actors and governments to respect those rights;
- Identify actions they can take to protect and defend those rights;
- Develop and implement strategies that can strengthen those actions for strong community-led campaigns; and
- Increase their confidence to take the lead in protecting and defending their communities long-term.
“Ultimately, LEAD supports communities in exercising their human rights, particularly their rights to information, participation, and remedy.”