To advance the cause of environment and social justice, Both ENDS undertakes and supports activities that directly contribute to policy changes of governments, multilateral institutions and the private sector through policy dialogue, advocacy and lobby.

The existing diversity in nature and in social conditions commands tailor-made solutions to development needs, as opposed to standard approaches. To ensure that sustainability objectives are served, it is pertinent that local communities and their representatives are fully involved in the formulation and implementation of such tailor-made solutions. To enable these same stakeholders to take part in policy development, transparency is another requirement.

Both ENDS consistently supports NGO campaigns that advocate policy reforms in this respect with governments, multilateral institutions and the private sector. Simultaneously alternative approaches to sustainable development, in which local ownership is key, are promoted. Most efforts of Both ENDS are concentrated on issues of food sovereignity, sustainable land-use, urban sustainability, and water management and their interconnection with issues of international capital flows.