The GTM Campaigning Model
GTM implements a Participation and Practice of Rights (PPR) approach to delivering on local campaigns. This model was developed by The Participation and Practice of Rights initiative in Belfast. GTM staff members attended the PPR project summer school in 2014 in Belfast, and as a result of the experience, GTM invited the PPR project to Galway to train other GTM staff. Over 40 members of staff attended the training in 2016 and, since then, GTM have embedded the practice in its campaigning work.
GTM launched its first formal campaign #TravellerHomesNow in 2017 and held an inquiry into the lack of progress in relation to meeting the accommodation needs of the Traveller community.
This approach is about asserting rights and demanding accountability among decision-makers in order to achieve change and progress a human rights-based approach.
The PPR approach uses tactics to make government and decision-making structures more accountable and participative. The approach involves:
- identifying changes that need to happen for communities and setting benchmarks and indicators for the changes
- monitoring whether these changes are taking place by gathering evidence and collecting data from communities on the ground
- holding government to account
The PPR approach model of action sets out specific stages, these stages are:
1) seeking funding to do the work
2) providing training and consciousness raising work
3) doing outreach work to hear people’s experiences and stories
4) gathering the narrative/evidence
5) preparing cases using legal advice, pro-bono support etc,
5) submitting cases to different structures of accountability, such as the Office of the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Children, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the Council for Civil Liberties and other structures, or hosting an inquiry with the involvement of partners and alliances.
GTM strongly believes that racism and discrimination are the root causes of the inequities experienced by the Traveller community in Galway City and County.
GTM is proactively working on three different campaigns advocating for equality outcomes in the area of accommodation, education and mental health.
