Following the PAB meeting, on 3 March 2026 in Skopje, RCDN organized a one-day training on Negotiation Skills for Advocacy & Lobbying, aimed at strengthening the capacity of partner associations to engage more effectively in policy dialogue. The training was delivered by experts from Deloitte.
The event brought together 13 participants from public utility companies, associations, and local governments, with strong female representation. Through a highly interactive format, participants explored how negotiation complements advocacy by enabling them to translate evidence and policy positions into concrete outcomes.
Key topics included:
- Fundamentals of negotiation and stakeholder dynamics
- Interest-based negotiation approaches
- Practical tools such as BATNA, ZOPA, and stakeholder analysis
- Communication strategies, trust-building, and negotiation tactics
A highlight of the training was a multi-stakeholder simulation, where participants negotiated infrastructure investment priorities under real-life constraints. This hands-on exercise allowed them to apply tools and test strategies in a realistic policy environment.
An important takeaway was the critical role of data and evidence in negotiations. Strengthening data management capacities within associations was identified as a key area for future support.
RCDN will continue to build on this momentum by expanding training opportunities and fostering peer exchange on real negotiation cases across the network.
