APAP Session #1 of 2026

Alcohol Policy Advocacy Platform (APAP) – Session #1 of 2026

Using Political Moments to Advance Alcohol Policy

Date

January 14, 2026

Time

3pm Central European Time (CET)

Participate

Express interest in joining APAP here.

About Session #1 of 2026

Audience: Movendi members engaged in alcohol policy advocacy

Format: Interactive strategy and exchange session

The Alcohol Policy Advocacy Platform (APAP) is Movendi’s dedicated space for alcohol policy advocates to work together on strategy, practice, and impact. APAP sessions are designed for members actively engaged in advocacy who want to sharpen approaches, exchange lessons, and strengthen collective capacity to advance evidence-informed, people-centred alcohol policy.

The first APAP session of 2026 focuses on how advocates can make the most of political moments – especially election periods and global policy processes – to place alcohol policy on the agenda, mobilise people, counter alcohol industry interference, and build durable relationships with decision-makers.

This session combines practical experience from members, strategic analysis, and forward-looking advocacy planning for 2026.

Why focus on elections and global policy moments?

Election periods are moments of heightened visibility, political openness, and public debate. Therefore they are powerful opportunities for alcohol policy advocacy.

During elections, advocates can:

• Mainstream alcohol policy into broader debates on health, safety, equality, development, and well-being,
• Engage candidates and political parties early, before positions form,
• Mobilise people and communities, inviting new voices into advocacy and movement building,
• Shape public discourse, advancing value-based narratives when attention is high,
• Identify supporters, champions, undecided actors, and opponents for post-election engagement,
• Build resistance against alcohol industry interference by exposing myths, conflicts of interest, and countering alcohol industry narratives, and

• Shape the priorities of future elected officials with values, lived realities, and evidence, and “vaccinate” them against alcohol industry narratives and myths before they take office

When used strategically, elections strengthen long-term advocacy capacity and lay the groundwork for sustained policy progress.

At the same time, global policy processes in health and sustainable development create structured advocacy entry points where alcohol policy can be advanced as a public good, free from commercial interference.

Session focus and objectives

This session will:

• Equip advocates to use elections as strategic advocacy opportunities,

• Share concrete, real-world examples from different political and cultural contexts,

• Provide clarity on key global advocacy arenas in 2026, and

• Support members in planning coherent, timely advocacy across national, regional, and global levels

Draft Programme Outline

1. Elections as Opportunities to Advocate for Alcohol Policy Progress

Introduction by Movendi

• Global overview of elections in Movendi countries in 2026 and what they mean for advocacy

Member experiences and best practices

• Norway (tbc): Engaging political parties and candidates on alcohol policy commitments
• Germany (tbc): Shaping public discourse and reframing alcohol in election debates
• Sri Lanka (tbc): Community engagement and advocacy towards candidates

• Interactive discussion: Exchange on best practices, challenges, opportunities, and transferable lessons

Wrap-up by Movendi

• Practical insights and tools: how to use elections to build momentum, counter industry interference, and strengthen post-election advocacy

2. Advocacy at the World Health Organization in 2026

Putting alcohol policy on global and regional WHO agendas

• Overview of WHO governing body processes in 2026

• Key entry points at global and regional levels

• How civil society advocacy can influence priorities, language, and follow-up

3. Advocacy to Address Alcohol as an Obstacle to Development

Making the most of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in 2026

• Overview of HLPF processes and linked regional events

• Framing alcohol as a barrier to sustainable development, equity, and social progress

• Opportunities for coordinated advocacy across health and development spaces

Why participate

Participants will:

• Strengthen strategic advocacy skills for election and policy-cycle moments,

• Learn from peers facing similar and different political realities,

• Gain clarity on where and how to engage globally in 2026, and

• Build shared capacity to advance alcohol policy free from commercial interference

About APAP

Audience: Movendi members with expertise in alcohol policy advocacy

The Alcohol Policy Advocacy Platform is Movendi’s dedicated space for members engaged in alcohol policy advocacy to work together on strategy, practice, and impact. APAP sessions focus on exchanging advocacy experiences, discussing approaches, and learning from successes and challenges across regions.

APAP is a strategic space for alcohol policy advocates to exchange experience, sharpen advocacy approaches and mobilise support for national and local advocacy initiatives, and to strategise together for participation in global and regional advocacy initiatives, and strengthen collective impact.

What APAP focuses on:

• Advocacy strategy and campaign design,

• Sharing real-world advocacy experiences and challenges,

• Developing and refining advocacy approaches, and

• Learning from successes, setbacks, and lessons across contexts.

APAP added value:

• Strengthen advocacy effectiveness through peer exchange,

• Learn what works – and why – across different political and cultural settings,

• Connect strategy, evidence, and values in practical advocacy work, and

• Contribute to a stronger, more coordinated Movendi movement.

APAP at a glance:

The APAP – Movendi’s Alcohol Policy Advocacy Platform is a strategic space for alcohol policy advocates sharing experiences and best practices, developing strategies and joint initiatives to turn evidence and values into alcohol policy change.